The B Corp Principles
Achieving B Corp certification is a rigorous process that requires firms to evaluate their impact on customers, the community, and their workforce. For Devono, this journey has meant re-examining our operations, policies, and processes – not only as a business but also as a commercial real estate advisor. It has reinforced our understanding of how the workplace influences both companies and their people.
B Corp’s assessment focuses on five impact areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. Whilst the workplace is not explicitly listed, it transcends all impact areas. There are two categories, in particular, where the role of the workplace is integral.
Empowering workers through the workplace
The Worker category covers employee rights, remuneration, training, health and safety and job flexibility, all of which are directly impacted by the workplace. A thoughtfully designed space can foster productivity, well-being, and satisfaction, offering business leaders a powerful tool to enhance employee experience and engagement.
Sustainability in action
In the Environment category, a firm’s impact on air quality, climate, water, land, and biodiversity is assessed. Here, the choice of workspace or the management of a broader real estate portfolio plays a significant role. Decisions on energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and carbon footprints have far-reaching effects on employees, customers, and the wider community.
While these principles are embedded in the B Corp framework, they’re also influencing broader office market trends. In this article, we explore how the values that B Corp encourages companies to integrate are already shaping the future of workplaces on a wider scale.
HOW B CORP VALUES ARE SHAPING WORKPLACE STRATEGIES
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have become a driving force in workplace strategies across industries – extending far beyond the B Corp community. Post-pandemic, employee well-being has taken centre stage as workers re-evaluate the amenities available to them. The “Great Resignation” highlighted this shift, with employees seeking workplaces that prioritise their health, comfort, and values.
At the same time, companies are increasingly aware of the sustainability implications of their office spaces, from the materials used in construction to the emissions generated through everyday operations. These ESG priorities are now influencing every step of the real estate journey.
- Evolving workplace policies
The debate over remote and in-office work rages on, but ESG principles are playing a growing role in shaping policies. Concerns about the impact of reduced interpersonal interaction on employee well-being have fuelled the return-to-office trend. However, the emphasis on flexibility remains, with hybrid working models gaining traction as a means to improve work-life balance.
Striking the right balance has become a priority for many companies, ensuring employees experience the benefits of both in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.
- Prioritising sustainable and high quality
When searching for office space, sustainability credentials and employee well-being are now major decision-making factors. Best-in-class office spaces in London increasingly carry certifications like BREEAM or NABERS, which measures sustainability across categories like energy, water, and materials, and WELL, which assesses indoor environmental quality to ensure positive health outcomes for occupants.
In addition to these certifications, companies are placing greater importance on wellness-driven spaces. Amenities like relaxation rooms, informal social areas, quiet zones and dedicated exercise spaces are becoming essential features in office design.
- Location & accessibility
Sustainability is also playing a part in location preferences. Over the post-covid period, the demand has very slowly moved away from the “prestigious” submarkets of the West End to more accessible transport hubs in eastern locations such as the City. Accessibility is not just about ensuring an easier journey for the workforce, but also that they can facilitate travel to work sustainably. As a result, rail and bus connectivity has become highly prized, with areas around Elizabeth Line stations experiencing a significant uptick in demand.
- Office design
Sustainability and employee well-being remain focal points long after a lease is signed. Office fit-outs are increasingly guided by these principles. Biophilic design – incorporating greenery and natural elements – is a popular choice for improving air quality and enhancing employee well-being.
Furthermore, adjustable lighting and ergonomic furniture are high on the priority list of demands ensuring that workplaces accommodate diverse needs, alongside using specific paints according to our Design & Build firm Dthree Studio, who are seeing a growth in demand for sustainable materials and people-centric layouts, reflecting a wider commitment to ESG principles.
B CORP: A FRAMEWORK TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
While many companies are already aligning with ESG values in their office strategies, the B Corp certification process offers a structured pathway to achieving measurable impact. It provides a clear framework for evaluating how the workplace influences a business’s environmental footprint, employee well-being, and broader societal impact.
Beyond the principles it promotes, B Corp certification also connects businesses to a community of like-minded organisations across the real estate spectrum. From landlords upgrading their spaces to meet sustainability standards to serviced office providers reporting transparently on emissions, certified firms can collaborate with others who share their values.
This network spans every step of the real estate journey – from selecting sustainably accredited buildings to designing fit-outs that foster productivity and well-being. For companies on their own B Corp journey, this supportive community is valuable.
Unlocking B Corp aligned workspaces
Ultimately, B Corp accreditation empowers businesses to reduce their environmental impact, enhance employee experiences, and contribute positively to their communities. For companies seeking office spaces that reflect these values, partnering with a like-minded commercial real estate advisor – like Devono – ensures access to spaces tailored to the needs of B Corp-conscious occupiers.
By aligning workplace strategies with ESG principles, companies can create environments that benefit not only their employees and customers but also the world around them.
Devono is proud to be the first tenant-only commercial real estate agency in the UK to achieve B Corp Certification.
In line with our commitment to this inspiring community and our dedication to driving positive change, we’re excited to introduce our latest guide: The Art of Sustainable Workplaces.
