First wholesale buying group to achieve certification, reinforcing its commitment to responsible business, accountability and continuous improvement.
The Wholesale Group has become the first wholesale buying group to achieve B Corp Certification, reinforcing its commitment to responsible business and creating long-term positive impact for its members, suppliers, colleagues, communities and the wider wholesale sector.
Awarded by B Lab following a rigorous assessment, B Corp Certification recognises businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. It reflects an organisation’s commitment to balancing purpose with profit and to operating responsibly for the benefit of all stakeholders.
As the home of the independent wholesaler, The Wholesale Group undertook the certification process as a natural extension of the values that already underpin the organisation. The assessment provided an opportunity to review existing practices, strengthen governance and reinforce its commitment to doing business in the right way.
By joining the global B Corp community, The Wholesale Group becomes part of a worldwide network of organisations committed to sharing knowledge, learning from one another and using business as a force for good.
Jess Douglas, Managing Director – People & Operations, The Wholesale Group, said: Achieving B Corp Certification is an important milestone for The Wholesale Group. We have always aimed to do business in the right way and the assessment enabled us to review every part of the organisation, strengthen our governance and reinforce the standards we set ourselves.
“Joining the B Corp community means we can continue learning from other organisations that share our values while remaining accountable to our members, suppliers, colleagues and the communities we serve.”
B Corp Certification recognises organisations that demonstrate high standards across governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
The B Corp assessment process has been a genuine learning experience for The Wholesale Group. It has helped the business strengthen processes and improve governance, ensuring best practice is applied across all departments. The Wholesale Group has always endeavoured to conduct its business in the right way, and being part of the B Corp community provides a recognised framework and support to remain ethical, sustainable and equitable in everything it does.
Coral Rose, Managing Director – Foodservice, The Wholesale Group, added: “Collaboration has always been at the heart of The Wholesale Group. Becoming part of the B Corp community reflects the way we already work – supporting one another, sharing knowledge and learning from others.
“We hope our certification encourages more organisations across wholesale to explore what responsible business means for them. By sharing ideas and learning from others, we can help raise standards across our industry while creating a positive impact for people, communities and the environment.”
The certification complements The Wholesale Group’s wider purpose of championing independent wholesalers by supporting sustainable and profitable growth through collaboration, integrity, innovation and responsible business practices.
Tom Gittins, Managing Director – Retail, The Wholesale Group, concluded: Many of the principles recognised through the B Corp assessment were already embedded within our business, from governance and responsible sourcing to the standards we expect across our own-brand supply chain.
“Achieving B Corp Certification reinforces our commitment to supporting sustainable and profitable growth for independent wholesalers while continuing to operate responsibly.”
More information is available at www.thewholesalegroup.co.uk.
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