Our UK-based member Area has been recently certified as a B Corp, marking a significant achievement for our alliance of European workplace experts.
Area is one of the first organisations in the industry to receive this prestigious certification, reflecting their commitment to meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Why being a B Certified Corporation matters
Being a Certified B Corporation means that a company has been recognised for its exceptional standards of social and environmental performance. To obtain this certification, businesses undergo a thorough and rigorous evaluation process. The assessment measures a company's social and environmental impact across five categories: governance, workers, customers, community, and the environment.
Additionally, companies must provide evidence of their socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity, and corporate transparency. These requirements ensure that only companies that are committed to sustainability and making a positive impact are certified as B Corps.
The B Corp movement is experiencing a surge in growth across the UK and wider Europe, offering great potential for collaboration with this rapidly expanding community. By sharing knowledge and best practices, businesses can explore new solutions to revolutionise the way they operate on a global scale. The B Corp movement presents an exciting opportunity for companies to work together towards a common goal of making a positive impact, and we are excited to be a part of this journey.
"Being able to welcome Fourfront Group - the parent company of Area - to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Their commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit.” - Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK"
Area’s commitment
Area is committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, recognising that it is the foundation of its business success. Transparency and integrity are key values that align with the company's objective of building trust and doing the right thing. The ESG program is designed upon four central pillars: people, planet, prosperity, and principles. In all business decisions, Area ensures that due consideration is given to all aspects of ESG.
The recent validation of Area's commitment to the environment by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) – certifying its ambitious short-term and long-term targets – demonstrates the company's dedication. Climate change is one of the most urgent problems facing our planet today, and Area has decided to take an active role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Next steps
The B Corp certification represents more than just a mere certificate; it reflects a mission and an opportunity to lead by example. The construction industry's recent focus on sustainability and accountability makes the B Corp certification a significant move and signals a shift towards greater transparency in the sector.
A company's dedication to continuous improvement is a crucial aspect of its B Corp certification and broader ESG objectives. To sustain the certification, Area will recertify every three years and review its performance and improvement efforts.
Aki Stamatis, Chairman at Fourfront Group, Area’s parent company, commented: “We work everyday to balance purpose with profit – we need both! This outstanding achievement shows our long-standing commitment to making a positive impact. We believe that businesses have a responsibility to address the social and environmental challenges we face, and we're proud to be part of a community of like-minded companies that are working toward a better future. We hope that our success will inspire many others in our industry to accelerate along this path”.
Studio Alliance is committed to driving the sustainability agenda and doing the right thing across our membership. Area becoming a B Corp certified member is yet another stepping stone in that direction, and our European members will continue to work closely to drive sustainability and social impact across Europe, and to create a better future for all.
To find out more please visit: Area | Environmental, Social, and Governance