March is the month of the B Corp, and First Milk has been proudly celebrating its credentials.
The company became a B Corp last year, as part of its mission to “make dairy a force for good by doing the right thing, collaborating every day, and working to nourish future generations.”
A spokesperson for the farmer-owned co-operative, said that, “Being a certified B Corp means we have already met an ambitious set of business standards that are better for people and the planet. However, for us this is just the beginning.”
Even before becoming B Corp certified, First Milk already had a well-established sustainability programme, based on its co-operative values. This included the UK dairy industry’s largest regenerative farming programme, as well as ambitious net zero targets.
Now, as part of its natural evolution towards greater accountability and transparency, B Corp certification has meant that First Milk has joined a growing group of companies that are using business as a force for good, leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.
B Corp certification is a rigorous process, which addresses the entirety of a business’ operations and covers five key impact areas of governance, workers, community, environment and customers. There are more than 6,000 B Corps certified globally, and the B Corp community in the UK includes more than 1,100 companies.
Commenting on the announcement last year, Shelagh Hancock, First Milk Chief Executive, said, “Our successful certification as a B Corp is recognition of our hard work around sustainability and regenerative thinking and will be an important part of our journey in the future. We join an extensive worldwide community of like-minded organisations with shared values, and this development will help us communicate our story more effectively to our growing stakeholder base, inspiring future action as we work to deliver our vision of enriching life every day to secure the future.”
Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, added, “We are delighted to welcome First Milk as a Certified B Corporation, and we know that they are going to be a fantastic addition to the community. Welcoming them is an exciting moment because they have an opportunity to lead the way within the UK dairy industry. Their commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit”.