Manchester environmental consultancy Tyler Grange has marked one year of B Corporation status by publishing its first impact report.
The Deansgate-based firm achieved B Corp certification in 2022 – becoming one of only 32 SME environmental consultancies in the UK (and 113 worldwide) to join the global community of for-profit, mission-driven organisations committed to using business as a force for good.
It’s also one of only a handful of four-day week companies globally to be B Corp certified – having concurrently introduced these two mutually supportive operational strategies in 2022.
In its newly released impact report, Tyler Grange outlines its B Corp achievements so far, as well as its future commitments and goals for recertification in 2025.
The consultancy plans to achieve a B Impact Assessment Score of more than 100 – it attained 91.3 in its first assessment, the minimum verified score being 80 – and its near-term carbon reduction targets and strategy for Net Zero also feature as a priority.
Other key areas of focus include employee volunteering, which is at the forefront of the company’s ESG. Since its inception in 2010, Tyler Grange has donated thousands of hours of paid volunteering time to national and international causes and last year contributed £10,000 to charities, which accounts for 3% of its total annual profit.
As a four-day week company, the company has expanded its social responsibility pledge – doubling the number of hours supporting the causes closest to them in 2023, compared to the previous year.
The firm’s sustainable business operations are another key focus within the report. In preparation for the four-day week, Tyler Grange made significant investment in systems. This has made its reporting smarter, data better captured, and admin significantly reduced – and increased productivity by 29% in 80% of the time.
The transformation made to the firm’s supply chain is also covered within the report. Tyler Grange now partners with like-minded, ethical, socially diverse and often local businesses, as well as 20 fellow B Corporations, for everything from travel and phone contracts to office supplies.
Working a four-day week has seen the firm cut its emissions by travelling 24,000 business miles less each year – an average 21% monthly decrease. Further reductions have been made by electrifying as many journeys as possible and using public transport.
The 100+ strong Tyler Grange Tribe also reaps cost-savings from reduced mileage and commuting, as well as from childcare – none of the firm works Fridays with no loss of pay or benefits. And data from the company’s Alertness App reports that they’re 14% happier and 29% less tired too.
As all B Corporations must make a legal commitment – in terms of corporate governance, as well as duty of care for stakeholder and shareholders – the report also shares details of the firm’s significant investment in employees. It focuses on the range of initiatives and support available to them, and the substantial training budget and hours delivered, as well as its commitment to improving diversity and inclusion.
This includes working with the East London Business Alliance (ELBA) and running a pioneering internship programme – both of which are helping to break down barriers to social mobility by engaging young people with the world of work and opportunity.
As a people-focused organisation, employee mental and physical wellbeing – and their professional and personal development – is fundamental.
As all B Corporations must also exhibit transparency, Tyler Grange’s report details the firm’s financial integrity, pay scales and legal accountability – including how its officially adopted the triple bottom line sustainability framework, to measure its success in social and environmental issues, as well as profitability.
Jon Berry, (pictured) director of people, places and purpose, at Tyler Grange said: “B Corp certification recognises that a business meets the very highest standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency, in terms of employee wellbeing and charitable giving, to supply chain practices and financial governance. Crucially, B Corp businesses must be committed to ever improving their standards whilst encouraging others to do the same.
“Our new impact report brings together all of our actions, including the many steps we’ve taken over the last 12 months and our plan for what’s to come. As a business for good, we’ve always believed that growth must not come at the expense of our ethics, and we’re now working within a framework for continuous improvement across all B Corp Impact Assessment areas. It highlights our mission to constantly work hard to become better and to attract people who share our values to work with and for us.
“As a disruptor and industry leader – not only within the nation’s environmental sector, but amongst SMEs across the UK and internationally – we want to share our knowledge and best practices. We should all be working together to achieve transformational change for people and the planet.
“For everyone at Tyler Grange, becoming a B Corporation is much more than a certification – it aligns with everyone’s values and provides us with an opportunity to join a network of like-minded brands paving the way for the global sustainability movement. And the steps we’re taking to do exactly that can be found in this report.”
Tyler Grange is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on ESG, the Better Business Network and supports the Better Business Act – all of which promote a cleaner, greener, fairer future for all.
