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Pictured at the B Corp presentation in Ei Electronics’ Centre of Excellence (from left): Peter Murphy, marketing and CSR, Ei Electronics; Daragh Anglim, head of impact, Broadlake; Claire MacEvilly, strategic advisor, B Lab Ireland; Sinead Murphy, head of sustainability, The Shannon Airport Group; John Burke, CEO, The Armada Hotel; and Julia McCarthy, Climeaction. Photograph by Eamon Ward

B Corp unites all company stakeholders – view of two of Ireland’s leading B Corps, The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point and entrepreneurial investment firm, Broadlake

In a business landscape increasingly defined by transparency, accountability, and purpose-driven strategy, Shannon Chamber is encouraging its member companies to consider B Corporation (B Corp) certification, a globally recognised accreditation for companies committed to using business as a force for good.

The call was made at a recent briefing, which took place in Ei Electronics’ Centre of Excellence in Shannon, where speakers included Claire MacEvilly, strategic advisor at B Lab Ireland, who explained the benefits of B Corp certification and how companies can join this global movement of companies using their operations as a force for good.

Having previously worked with Danone Ireland, MacEvilly led the company through B Corp certification in 2019, providing her with firsthand insights into the certification process for large businesses.

Explaining that B Lab is the global nonprofit behind the B Corp movement, she said that B Lab creates standards, policies and tools for business and certifies companies known as B Corps. Certified B Corporations meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. By joining this movement, companies demonstrate that profit and purpose can, and should, coexist.

Stating that consumers, employees, and investors are demanding more from businesses, she said that by becoming a B Corp, a company is signalling that it is not only focused on the bottom line but is also committed to positively impacting people and the planet.

“It’s a powerful way to build trust and long-term value,” she said.

This was borne out by John Burke, CEO of the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point, Co. Clare, Ireland’s first hotel to achieve B Corp status and a trailblazer in sustainable hospitality in West Clare, and by Daragh Anglim, head of impact with Broadlake, a group of companies that includes TTM Healthcare, Resilience Healthcare, and Odyssey Social Care, leaders in healthcare innovation and social impact.

Both agreed that, in a crowded marketplace, B Corp certification serves as a credible, independent mark of a company’s values and impact. It builds differentiation and trust. It also helps to attract and retain talent, particularly employees who are more engaged, loyal, and productive.

Both agreed that joining the B Corp movement is more than a certification; it’s a commitment to redefine success in business.

As stated by John Burke, being recognised as a B Corp shows that the Armada Hotel stands for something as a business, beyond sustainability.

“It encompasses everything we do as a business,” he said.

Employing over 4,000 people globally, in industries including healthcare, technology, international talent solutions and workplace wellbeing, Broadlake believes that B Corp certification will enable the company to attain its five-year vision and ambition to be three times the size and ten times the positive impact.

“We were looking for an international standard that could unite the people within the business but also an international standard certification process that will be recognised as we expand globally. We want our contribution to be net positive,” stated Daragh Anglim.

As outlined at the event, B Corps are part of a growing international network of forward-thinking businesses, offering opportunities for collaboration and collective action. The rigorous assessment process helps companies identify areas for improvement and track progress on social and environmental goals.

Following this event, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said: “With 9,500 companies in 100 countries, representing 160 industries, B Corp certified, Ireland, with 65 companies certified and 500 in the pipeline, is very much at the starting phase. However, given that Clare has been awarded Global Sustainable Tourism Council Destination Certification and is now recognised as the first county-wide sustainable tourism destination in Ireland, we should be setting ourselves a new goal – to make the Shannon area the next B Corp hub. We will be adding that to our objectives as a Chamber representing over 350 member companies,” Ms Downes stated.

Companies seeking to acquire B Corp status can avail of State funding, in the form of consultancy grants available from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), to enable them to hire an experienced external consultant (B Leader) to help deliver B Corp certification.

Mid-West Sustainability Network member Climeaction is also running a bootcamp for companies seeking to attain B Corp certification. The bootcamp, which runs over five weeks, comprises a kick-off training session to introduce the B Corp assessment process, weekly meetings to assist with the completion of each section of the B impact assessment and, signposting to B leader consultants who can provide dedicated support to complete the assessment. The bootcamp is free of charge to Shannon Chamber members. Further details available from  www.climeaction.com