A CAMPAIGN for Northamptonshire to become the UK’s first Good Business Charter county is gathering momentum.
The Federation of Small Businesses is encouraging small firms in Northamptonshire to get behind the initiative. Several towns and cities are already GBC-accredited .
The Good Business Charter encourages and recognises responsible business practices. To sign up to the charter, a business must meet or be working towards the ten components of the charter spotlighting how they treat the environment, their employees and suppliers.
Now the focus turns to Northamptonshire’s businesses and the impact they have on their staff, environment and supply chains. The smallest business can sign up, thanks to a streamlined version adapted by the FSB and GBC for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. More than 1,000 small businesses and sole traders already signed up across the UK.
The charter provides a clear framework for businesses of all sizes to champion their care for people and planet. Being signed up demonstrates a clear message to current and potential customers that a business is committed to operating responsibly.
Among Northamptonshire organisations already accredited are property investor Barwood Capital, Skills4Stem, Goldings Communications and the University of Northampton. Others include networking group NNBN, D’Rose development Consultancy and land and property business Courteenhall.
Chartered accountants Elsby & Co was among the first to be accredited. Its co-founder Clare Elsby pictured above is also a FSB member and is calling for more organisations to sign up.
“Elsbys signed up to the Good Business Charter when first launched and for us it just makes good business sense,” she said. “We were keen to have an external body provide us with an accreditation for responsible business practices, especially as we were already doing many of them.”
The practice, which has offices in Rushden and Northampton, is working on its environmental responsibility and has created a team within the business to continue to work towards environmental commitments.
“The application process was therefore very easy for us as a business, but it does make you appreciate best practice and allows you to benchmark your business against others which in itself is a very useful exercise,” said Ms Elsby. “We are proud to be a member of the GBC and would encourage all businesses, large and small, to get involved.”
Studies show that 97% of consumers believe it is important for a business to act responsibly. One recent survey revealed that almost half of younger workers want the company they work for to demonstrate a commitment to ESG (environmental, social and governance).
The time is right to drum up support in Northamptonshire, says GBC chief executive Jenny Herrera. “Northamptonshire provides a wealth of good jobs and institutions committed to people and planet. We want to encourage organisations to seek GBC accreditation as a way to clearly evidence to customers, employees, suppliers and others that you care too.
“Together we will raise the bar on good business behaviour as organisations make changes in order to meet our strict criteria.”
The GBC is looking to remove all barriers to entry so that any organisation that meets its ten components can join. Accreditation is free for the first year and costs £25 a year for subsequent years. Accreditation is done online through self-certification.
Find out more at www.goodbusinesscharter.com
