Retail asset management and regeneration specialist Ellandi has gained B Corp certification.
The asset manager was awarded the status by non-profit B Lab after meeting “rigorous” social and environmental standards representing its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.
The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’s operations and covers five key impact areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
Applicants are required to exceed a benchmark score of 80, while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency.
Ellandi’s total entry score was 107, which fell within the organisation’s “high” first-score category.
The asset manager said the accolade was a “notable” step in light of the evolving role of town centres and the social impact they can contribute.
It added the certification underlines its comment to greater accountability and transparency in the sector.
As part of its certification, Ellandi has amended its corporate governance to legally embed its commitment to purpose beyond profit.
Mark Robinson (pictured), co-founder of Ellandi and chair of the High Street Task Force, said: “Ellandi has always been a purposeful business with a strong values-based culture, but the team’s achievement of winning this certification takes us to the next level in terms of accountability and commitment.
“We are putting people, planet and places first, but it doesn’t have to be at the expense of profit.”
Chris Turner, executive director, B Lab UK, said: “Ellandi’s commitment to the way it operates as a business to benefit its workers, environment and the communities they manage assets in is evident.
“It’s fantastic to see a certified business in this area targeting social change and recognising that this priority can sit alongside creating commercial returns.”
See also: Positive change through the built environment: if not now, when?
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