As a certified B Corp we’re now part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. A rigorously assessed standard; it has taken us over two years and involves measurements, assessments and transparency. Many aspects of this journey is published in Applied’s Positive Impact Report 22|23. This is an annual commitment which will be published every year.

What does B Corp mean for our clients?

Clients are increasingly looking to work with businesses who meet their own high standards of social and environmental responsibility and impact. It’s as important to them as it is to us. Research shows that 71% of organisations and businesses (our clients) prefer to work with socially responsible companies, that align with their values.¹ 

For our clients and stakeholders, formal B Corp certification reinforces what they can expect from us: a forward-thinking company which balances profit, people and the planet. 

It involves being transparent, making commitments and being accountable. We aim that this enhanced trust and reputation will continue to attract like-minded clients, collaborators and people, who we can work with to achieve great things.

The certification process: How did we do?

Applied achieved an overall score of 114 points. Exceeding the B Corp pass mark score of 80. This assessment reflects a company’s overall impact across five different categories: governance, workers, community, environment and customers. For context, the average score for ordinary businesses who take the assessment is 50.9, and for B Corps the average score sits at 91. With Applied’s score of 114 significantly above average, it is a truly fantastic achievement.

Becoming a B Corp

Certification has been a huge team effort, involving over two years of tireless information gathering, making changes to what we do, what we measure and how we work. The process is thorough and robust, requiring us to display the verified performance, accountability and transparency on factors such as company governance, community impact and sustainability. Applied are delighted to have worked with B Lab to achieve certification. They have provided excellent support throughout.

The certification process has also required us to make long-term commitments. By 2029 we have set three major goals: to reduce the carbon emissions of our offices by 5% year-on-year; to implement a formal social and environmental training program for all our people, and to increase the number of managers who identify as women from 27% to 40%. For more information on our measured impacts and our future commitments, download and read Applied’s Positive Impact Report 22|23.

Applied joins a global community of over 6,000 B Corps. Within the UK, we are one of 2,000 SME’s which are B Corp certified, 1,000 of which are a similar size to ourselves (with 10-49 employees), and the only one which is a spatial experience consultancy.

The B Corp Certification process is rigorous and comprehensive, and has reached every corner of the business. It has been a journey of recognising the positive impact we have always had and understanding how we can have an even better impact in the future. It is a huge honour to be joining the B Corp community.

Applied’s CSR Lead Gemma Colbert, who led the B Corp certification process.

Why become a B Corp?

We have always believed that business involves a rounded view of the impact you are making. Walking, cycling and public transport is our world, and we put people at the heart of everything we do. Applied’s work, by its very nature, demonstrates a high degree of measurable impact on social and environmental indicators. B Corp certification is a formal recognition of our ability to affect change. 

The beginning of a journey

This is a significant first step for Applied. We have taken numerous positive moves to improve our methods and transparency. We aim to carry on improving, both operationally and through the projects we deliver. As a B Corporation we will be recertifying every three years, so this is by no means a closed chapter. We are committed to continual change for the better. Our journey continues.

Article references

¹ “Client Perspectives: Your Business’s Environmental Impact,” accessed May 24, 2024

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