From day one, founders Tom and Liam were focused on leading Capsule as a B Corp. So when we were officially certified in 2022 with a score of 87.5, it was a huge achievement for the whole team.
But the work didn’t stop there. It only amplified our mission as we switched our focus to recertification. And it paid off! We recently received a reevaluation of 101.7, and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone who helped us get there.
We caught up with Chris Birch, our CX & Culture Lead, to learn more about the recertification process from start to finish – and why it’s worth going through if you’re a B Corp.
What’s the benefit of getting recertified as a B Corp?
It’s a great chance to look back at everything you’ve achieved as a business while also highlighting what you need to work on next. During our recertification process, we reconnected with similar B Corps, which opened doors for future partnerships, projects, and client relationships. But most importantly, getting recertified shows your continued dedication to the cause and community.
What are businesses being evaluated on?
You’ll be working with the new B Corp measures – they’ve moved from a points-based scoring system to mandatory minimum requirements across various “impact topics”, including:
- Purpose and stakeholder governance
- Climate action
- Human rights
- Fair work
- Environmental stewardship and circularity
- Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
- Government affairs and collective action
It sounds much more intimidating than it actually is, I promise. We started the process based on the previous five pillars (environment, employees, customers, community, and governance), but the new guidance prepared us well.
How can businesses improve their score compared to previous certifications?
Don’t leave it to the last minute. Our certification was due to expire in April 2025, so we started the preparation process much earlier than needed in September 2024. However, even before then I’d checked in on our previous scoring a couple of times earlier in the year to refresh myself on gaps.
If you’re committed to improving the score, you’ll need to put the effort in. We have a committee that works on our B Corp impact throughout the year alongside their day jobs.
Having said that, there are some quick wins to be had – for example, enhancing old policies that may not have included things like environmental best practice.
What challenges might businesses run into when recertifying?
Besides time, there’s also internal processes and project management to consider. You’ll be incredibly reliant on others to move quickly and gather the necessary information for recertification. You’ll need to ensure that your colleagues understand the gravity and urgency of the situation, and manage what you need from them accordingly.
How should businesses communicate the new score to customers?
It depends on how your customers like to hear from you. For us, we have a strong presence on LinkedIn, so we’ve started there. We’re also releasing external communications via email, and recertification is a key feature in our 2025 Impact Report.
How important is internal support throughout this process?
While it’s important to share with customers, you should also make a big deal about the people who have helped you get there. Being a B Corp is part of our company DNA, and it takes a huge amount of collective effort and action to uphold these values day to day. So when recertification comes through, make it an internal celebration – we spent a week giving shoutouts, cakes, and prizes to our fantastic team!
Supporting B Corps like you
We know what it takes to support B Corps because we’ve lived it too. Drawing on hundreds of data points and deep market insights, we tailor insurance programmes that support not only your growth ambitions but also recognise your values and ESG commitment – and we do it every day for clients like Notpla, Ocean Bottle, and many more.
As an ethical advisor, we always put clients first, treat our staff well, and do all we can to support communities and the environment – like our recent Paddle and Pick event, where the wider Capsule network joined us to clean up litter on the River Lea.
If you’re an ESG-driven business that’s motivated by the same values, we’d love to help you find the right insurance. Get in touch today.