North East business support group UMi has become a B Corporation and bought new offices for its headquarters.
The Seaham-based firm, which is an employee-owned business, has become a certified B Corporation after meeting evaluation on criteria in areas including governance, environment, workers, community and customers. B Corp Certification - which has been achieved by around 1,000 companies in the UK, and is administered by the American B Lab - aims to recognise ethical business practice in the way firms treat their employees and suppliers.
UMi chief executive Nicki Clark said: “Since our inception we have been focused on the difference we make as a business, not just how financially successful we are. Achieving B Corp status gives us the external validation that we are a business committed to our purpose and putting people and planet in equal importance with profit.
