South East-based law firm EMW has become a B Corp, placing social good and environmental stewardship at the heart of its strategy.
The B-Corp Certification follows a complex two-year process, with the prestigious status awarded only to those businesses that meet very high standards in social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. It is assessed every three years.
The B Corp movement began in 2006 with the idea that a different kind of economy is needed, giving companies the chance to move toward a more conscious model with business as a force for good.
Many global brands have now adopted the B Corp standard, with famous examples including Ben & Jerry’s, Emma Bridgewater, Eileen Fisher and Patagonia. It is much rarer, however, within the legal sector, with just nine UK law firms having met the necessary standards.
EMW is a full-service law firm with offices in London, Milton Keynes, Gatwick and Brighton, working with both UK and International clients.
Nick Lloyd, chair at EMW, said: “We’re thrilled to see EMW become B Corp Certified. It’s a huge achievement and we’re all very proud.
“When I first became aware of B Corp, its entire ethos struck me as being incredibly powerful and also something that I, my partners, and all of our wonderful EMW people were already massively aligned with.
“We must be the change we seek in the world and business has a huge and largely undervalued role in this.
“EMW has never been driven solely by profit, instead taking a stakeholder-focused approach which has played a major role in the strategic direction of the business, the work that we do and the impressive, loyal client base we have been able to build.
“While we look after the bottom line, like any successful firm, we have always understood the importance of being a force for good, appreciating the role that businesses play in creating positive change.”
James Geary, managing partner, added: “Businesses are facing a huge number of challenges, not just within the legal sector but across all industries, so it’s important that firms have an eye fixed firmly on the future, ensuring that they have the right framework and capabilities in place to tackle those challenges effectively.
“B Corp felt like a great fit for EMW – it’s an important element of an ambitious strategy and will help to ensure that the firm succeeds in creating a positive legacy.”
