Wightman & Parrish are officially B Corp Certified

21 January 2025 Wightman & Parrish

Wightman & Parrish have achieved B Corp Certification

We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded B Corp certification after demonstrating excellence in governance and ethical business practices. As the leading independent supplier of healthcare and hygiene products in the South East, this achievement is a true milestone in our company’s history, and the result of meticulous preparation and hard work by the whole Wightman & Parrish team.

What is a B Corp?

The globally recognised B Corp certification proves that a business is operating ethically, sustainably and in a socially responsible way. The B Corp assessment looks at every aspect of a business, from its supply chains and materials to employee benefits, and evaluates five particular areas of impact:

  • Governance – a company’s social and environmental impact, ethics and transparency, and how a company protects its mission and engages with stakeholders
  • Employees – their financial security, health, safety and wellbeing, career development, and satisfaction. Employee-ownership schemes are also recognised in this aspect of the assessment
  • Environmental impact – the direct impact of a company’s operations and, where applicable, its supply chain and distribution channels too
  • Community – diversity, equity & inclusion, economic impact, community engagement, and supply chain. This section also takes into account fair trade sourcing and charitable giving
  • Customers – the quality of products and services, ethical marketing, data privacy and security, and feedback channels

To certify, a company must pass the assessment with 80 points or more. The average B Impact Assessment score is 50.9 points - meaning many businesses who apply do not achieve B Corp status.

We were thrilled to achieve 87.4 points in our assessment – see our complete impact score.

Managing Director Nicholas Parrish is presented with the B Corp award at the Houses of Parliament by MP for Lewes James MacCleary.

Managing Director Nicholas Parrish is presented with the B Corp award at the Houses of Parliament by MP for Lewes James MacCleary.

 

Why certify as a B Corp?

Certifying as a B Corp offers myriad benefits. First and foremost, it proves that a business prioritises people and planet as well as profit. B Corp-certified companies raise the bar for others in their industry, paving the way for better practices across their sector and within the wider business community.

It’s a mark of trust, in other words – as our Sales Director Stuart Durand explains: "From responsibly sourcing materials to using eco-friendly packaging and reducing carbon emissions in our deliveries, everything we do is centred around you and the planet. With B Corp status, you can feel confident that choosing us means choosing a partner who shares your values and helps you create healthier, more sustainable spaces for everyone."

Ecommerce Director Richard Hickman agrees, adding: Achieving B Corp status sets us apart in a highly competitive market. It’s more than a badge – it’s proof that we go above and beyond to prioritise sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility. For our customers, this means they can trust that their purchases from us support a greater purpose. This accreditation shows our customers, partners, and employees that we’re serious about driving change and creating value beyond the bottom line. It’s what makes us a standout choice in our industry."

So how does a business prepare for B Corp certification?

Preparing for B Corp certification is one of the most rigorous and stringent commitments a company can undertake. Managing Director Nicholas Parrish explains: “It was never merely about meeting a requirement; we recognised the need to implement significant, lasting changes to our processes and procedures – integrating them permanently into the foundation of our business. We first looked into it ten years ago, starting with BS5750 certifications then progressing through EcoVadis Bronze, Silver and Gold ratings, which helped us understand how much work we needed to do.”

He highlights some of the changes implemented before and during the certification process: “We amended our Business Articles (which required a shareholder vote), installed solar panels, introduced rainwater harvesting, switched to electric delivery vehicles, and now monitor the air quality at our premises – no mean feat for a company of our size.”

One of the most challenging aspects of the process was simply setting aside the time, because once the application process has begun, a company must respond to requests for information within tight timeframes. HR Manager Anna Kelly was instrumental in driving forward our efforts to attain B Corp status, leading on the project in partnership with Nicholas – as well as completing her regular HR duties too, of course.

Something that helped was connecting with a company who had already gone through the process – as Nicholas says: “I had a friend whose surveyors’ firm had certified as a B Corp, and he was able to share his methods of approaching it. And that’s the advice I’d give to any other companies who are thinking of starting the process: find someone who has already done it.”

The impact of B Corp certification

The impact of B Corp certification can be seen and felt across the company, from our warehouses to our recruitment procedures. John Crowley, Director of Operations, shares how the process has changed his department of the business: "Becoming a B Corp has transformed how we approach warehousing and distribution. From optimising energy use in our warehouses using solar power to reducing emissions with our growing electric delivery fleet, B Corp status pushes us to innovate and prioritise people and the planet at every step.”

B Corp status is known to boost employee engagement and attract new talent, as people seek to work for companies whose values align with their own. "Achieving B Corp status is a game-changer for us. It shows current and prospective employees that we’re not just a company – they’re joining a community driven by purpose, integrity, and sustainability,” says Anna Kelly. “B Corp certification highlights our commitment to making a positive impact on the world. It helps us attract talented, passionate individuals and creates a workplace culture that inspires loyalty, pride, and shared success."

Joining the B Corp community also opens up a wealth of opportunities for like-minded companies to collaborate, form working groups, attend exclusive events, and come together to solve specific challenges and improve the impact of business on the wider world.

What’s more, B Corps typically have more robust governance processes, and the focus on continuous improvement and accountability to all stakeholders (not just shareholders) can lead to greater long-term resilience and adaptability.

Looking to the future

We’re really proud to have achieved the certification; it reflects the hard work of everyone in the business,” says Nicholas. “We genuinely want to use the standards set out by the B Corp certification to develop a better business for our customers, our people, our suppliers and our environment.” 

To retain B Corp status, companies must reapply every three years – and recertification is set to become harder than initially attaining the status. Nicholas is upbeat, however: “The changes we made to achieve this status have been firmly embedded into our day-to-day activities – they’re now permanent fixtures of our business ethos and we remain committed to continuously monitoring and assessing our impact across the five key areas, striving for ongoing improvement.” 

Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, says: “We are delighted to welcome Wightman & Parrish to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies that are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. We know that Wightman & Parrish is going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”  

 

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