Becoming B Corp certified was a lengthy process! We earned our this certification through:
- Operating ethically and sustainably in all aspects of our digital marketing work
- Updating and changing our articles of association
- Answering over 200 questions about Beech and how we operate
- Partaking in a lengthy assessment process that showcased our B Corp alignment
When Beech Web Services was founded in 2011, Director, Roz Healey, never imagined that 14 years later, it would join the prestigious ranks of around 2,500 certified B Corporations in the UK. What started as a flexible solution for a single parent has evolved into a values-driven digital marketing agency that’s now officially recognised as a force for good.
How did we begin the B Corp journey?
Roz’s journey in digital media began back in the 1990s when the internet was an emerging technology. With experience building some of the first websites and working with major clients including Lowe Alpine, Oxford University Press, IBM and NatWest, Roz brought substantial expertise to founding Beech Web Services in 2011.
“The company was set up when I became a single parent and needed a living that would be flexible enough to fit around family life,” Roz explains.
What was initially expected to last a year has evolved into a thriving business, achieving organic year-on-year growth without any external funding.
Our four-person team, based in Warrington and supported by core talented virtual workers and consultants, specialises in creating sustainable WordPress websites and promoting them through SEO, paid ads, social media management, and email marketing. Crucially, each team member undergoes a program of personal development and training, ensuring the entire team is aligned with the company’s mission of achieving online success for clients in a sustainable and ethical manner.
All this has contributed to our growth and meant we had the right mindset in place to make the ambitious leap to achieving B Corp certification.
Why does B Corp align with us?
B Corp certification is a formalisation of how we already operate as a digital marketing agency. As a globally recognised standard for companies meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, achieving B Corp has allowed us to validate our existing approach to business and our brand values.
The certification required changing the company articles of incorporation to commit to operating not just for the benefit of shareholders, but for the community and planet as well. This is a commitment we were happy to make.
As well as this, our sustainable practices, long-term support for local charity Creating Adventures, and sponsorship of the TEDxWarrington event all contributed to our alignment with B Corp standards and gave us what it takes to achieve this accreditation. Our focus on building sustainable websites and operating ethically in particular aligns perfectly with B Corp values.
As of September 2025, there are around 10,000 B Corps worldwide, and Beech is one of 2,500 in the UK, something we’re very proud of. But how did we get there?
B Corp Certification: How did we do it?
The idea of B Corp certification had been on our radar for years, but it seemed out of reach for a small company. “We’d seen much larger companies achieving it, and it felt like something we could only dream of,” reflects Roz when asked why she chose to go for this accreditation with Beech.
But it’s a financially worthwhile accreditation to go for. In fact, small and medium-sized UK B Corps in 2024 saw a 23.2% increase in turnover, compared to the national average of 16.8%, according to research from B Lab.
The turning point came during a meeting, when Sophy, Development Manager, asked a simple question: “Why don’t we do it?“.
Initially dismissed, the idea gained momentum after a chance networking encounter with a company that helps businesses achieve B Corp certification. They assessed that Beech “might stand a good chance”, and this was all the encouragement we needed to aim for this challenging milestone.
Starting the Process for B Corp certification
Achieving B Corp certification proved to be an emotional rollercoaster. The process involves answering approximately 200 questions and providing documentary evidence for every response. This was a lengthy task for us, as we had no external help or consultants to assist us during this process.
Completing this stage alongside the running of Beech and working with our clients was a challenge, and it took months to finalise our answers and submit them for assessment.
The Assessment Stage
The official B Corp assessment takes place once all the answers and evidence are gathered and submitted. It builds a score throughout the process, with organisations needing to achieve above 80 to qualify for B Corp certification.
After submitting our application for external verification, we faced a nerve-wracking period when this score fluctuated, dropping below the required threshold a couple of times during the verification process, as external reviewers were scoring each question individually.
“We can’t tell you how devastated the team was after all that hard work—it looked like we weren’t going to achieve it,” Roz recalls.
But then it went up again and stayed above 80, and we received the congratulatory email on 31st July 2025, marking a successful result after all our hard work.
We did it! And it felt incredible...
Achieving B Corp certification wasn’t something we ever imagined in the early stages of Beech, and throughout the years, it felt like something only larger corporations could attain to.
But we did it. With no external support or consultants, just a small Warrington-based team with commitment and determination, and we couldn’t be prouder.
After our certification was finalised, “it felt surreal,” recalls Roz. And now it’s finally started to sink in, here’s what our director has to say:
“I think B Corp certification is a fantastic way of signalling to others that we are serious about what we do. It shows that we are not prepared to pursue profit at the expense of our community or the planet. Achieving this milestone is just the next step for Beech and we won’t stop there in our journey towards operating as ethically and successfully as possible for our clients, our community and the planet.”
What are the benefits of B Corp certification for Beech clients?
For our clients, the B Corp certification provides clear evidence that they’re working with a values-driven, stable, and well-managed agency. It can be difficult at times to trust suppliers, and digital marketing as an industry is no stranger to this, so the B Corp certification serves as a powerful differentiator, proving that we do operate exactly as we claim to.
The certification also demonstrates our long-term stability and commitment to supporting clients well into the future, which is often a crucial consideration for businesses investing in their digital presence.
See our previous blog here for more insight into choosing the right agency and what you should consider when you do.
So, what’s next for Beech?
Now officially B Corp certified, we are ready to continue our sustainable growth and working with our clients to deliver the best digital marketing services.
The team is also prepared to connect with larger organisations and work on more substantial projects, particularly with organisations that share our sustainable values.
As we reflect on our journey, we remain grateful to all our clients and partners who have trusted us over the years. We hope our success in achieving B Corp certification encourages more small businesses to strive for this achievement through dedication, proper processes, and a genuine commitment to sustainable values.
Talk to us today!
For organisations looking for a values-driven digital marketing partner, we’re here to help!
Talk to our team today to find out more about our services.
Watch this video about our journey on YouTube.