B Corps are a type of business that pursues purpose as well as profit, and the certification process required meeting targets in five key impact areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.

Evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency are also required to reach B Corporation status.

Kin + Carta said it was working on expanding B Corp status to the rest of its regions by the end of 2021. It is also targeting becoming a carbon neutral and zero waste company, and is developing a supplier diversity code of conduct.

Shift Insight and BritainThinks are among the market research organisations that have recently attained B Corp status. There are about 4,000 B Corps worldwide.

J Schwan (pictured), chief executive of Kin + Carta, said: “There’s a tremendous amount of value in getting the balance between people, planet and profit. We can be a good, successful growing business that offers people long, rewarding growing careers, and also be a force for good in the environment, in our communities and for the planet.

“B Corp is a great framework to measure a company’s progress towards the accomplishment of that vision.”