We've always believed that businesses can be a force for good. That's why, over the last two weeks, we've been celebrating Good Business Fortnight and spreading the word about the Good Business Charter.
The Good Business Charter (GBC) recognises and celebrates responsible business practices across the UK. Businesses that meet the requirements for the GBCs ten components can receive accreditation, helping them stand out from the crowd.
We’re proud to have been GBC accredited since 2021 and since then, we’ve continued to work towards creating a better, more equal future for our business.
In this blog, we’re giving you some more information about the GBC and our journey to accreditation, as well as what we’ve achieved since! And if you’re not convinced, we’ll be sharing why being part of the GBC isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the best choice for your business.
What is the Good Business Charter?
The goal of the GBC is to raise the bar on business’ behaviour. The certification acts as a clear signpost of responsible behaviour, helping customers and employees decide which businesses to support.
Designed to support large businesses, SMEs and sole traders, accreditation is based on ten key components:
- Real living wage
- Fairer hours and contracts
- Employee well-being
- Employee representation
- Diversity and inclusion
- Environmental responsibility
- Pay fair tax
- Commitment to customers
- Ethical sourcing
- Prompt payment to suppliers
Our journey to GBC accreditation
Our commitment to responsible business practices didn’t start with the Good Business Charter. In fact, it was earlier work with Net Zero Now that pointed us towards the GBC!
After some initial research, we realised that applying for GBC accreditation was a no-brainer for us. We were already championing the ten components outlined in the charter, and with our focus on sustainability, it was the perfect way to validate and recognise our progress.
We sent our application on the day that they opened and shortly after, we became the first accountancy firm in the North East to be accredited for our responsible business practices.
How Blu Sky meets the Good Business Charter standards
At Blu Sky, we’ve built our business around the belief that ethical and responsible practices benefit everyone – our team, clients and the wider community. Here’s how we align with the GBC values:
Fair Pay and Employee Wellbeing
We are a Real Living Wage employer, ensuring our team is fairly compensated. But employee wellbeing goes beyond pay.
We’re dedicated to creating a positive workplace culture through regular team socials, a focus on wellbeing and open communication that gives every employee a voice.
Commitment to Sustainability
We’ve demonstrated a long-standing commitment to sustainability, having received our B Corp certification last year. We’re constantly working to improve our environmental impact, aiming to reach Net Zero by the end of 2025.
Throughout our journey to B Corp certification, we’ve made a number of changes to how we work. From going paperless to implementing strict eco-friendly travel rules, we believe each step makes a difference.
Supporting the Community
Giving back to our local community has always been important to us. We actively support local initiatives, from sponsoring local business initiatives to taking our team on community volunteering days.
Business Integrity and Ethical Practices
As accountants, transparency and fairness are at the heart of how we operate. We commit to paying fair tax, treating our suppliers with respect and ensuring our clients receive honest, high-quality service.
Benefits of being part of the GBC
Like we mentioned earlier, being part of the Good Business Charter isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the best choice for your business.
Here are just a few of the ways joining the GBC can improve your business.
- Attract and retain top talent: fair pay, secure contracts and wellbeing initiatives improve employee engagement.
- Enhanced reputation: showing your commitment to ethical business practices can build trust and strengthen relationships with clients and partners.
- Stand out from the crowd: GBC accreditation makes your business stand out from competitors as one committed to doing good.
Looking ahead
Joining the Good Business Charter was just the beginning for us. We’re committed to making a positive impact, all while doing the best for our clients.
If you’re looking to improve your business practices, we can chat to you about our ESG services today – just get in touch.
And if our story has convinced you that joining the Good Business Charter is the right choice for your business, you can start your application online today.
