About this Event
Many entrepreneurs, startups and large corporations alike are asking themselves the same question: not just how to build a better business, but how to show they are one.
For many, the answer has been certification. Frameworks such as B Corp, Ethy and others have become trusted signals of credibility, accountability and purpose.
In 2025 alone, the number of B Corps in the UK grew by a staggering 40%, bringing the total to more than 2,700 certified businesses. But as certification becomes more widespread, so do the challenges that come with it.
For smaller organisations in particular, the time, cost and internal resources required to certify can be a significant barrier. And with the introduction of B Corp’s new, more rigorous standards, it is clear that the bar for certification is rising - a shift that other frameworks may soon follow.
So where does this leave businesses that want to do the right thing, but may not be ready, able or willing to certify?
Join us for our second Powering Purpose event, on Tuesday 23rd June at 6:00pm, where we will delve into how organisations can embed ethical, sustainable and socially responsible practices into the core of their business - with or without a badge - and how they can communicate this work credibly and transparently.
Together, we will explore:
- What defines an ethical business beyond certification
- The realities and implications of recertification for growing businesses
- What the new B Corp standards mean in practice, and who they may exclude
- How organisations can embed “good business” behaviours without formal certification
- How you can communicate purpose, impact and accountability externally without greenwashing or certifications
- What this shift could mean for the wider Better Business movement in the UK
Whether you are certified, considering it or consciously choosing another path, this session will be an opportunity to be part of a nuanced and informative conversation.
We will be joined by:
Charlotte Harrington, CEO of Belu Water
Charlotte Harrington is CEO of leading drinks company Belu Water, a social enterprise with a clear purpose: to change the way the world sees water. She joined in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer, fulfilling her ambition to lead a business with purpose. Prior to this she had a successful career in retail, latterly as Category Director at Tesco. As a mother of three children, Charlotte is passionate about being a working parent and chooses to work flexibly to balance her priorities & commitments.
Will Powell, Founder of Future Shift
Will Powell is the founder of Future Shift, a consultancy on a mission to make sustainability accessible for every business. He works with organisations to translate complex frameworks like B Corp into clear, practical action that delivers measurable environmental and social impact. Through Future Shift, Will helps businesses move from ambition to meaningful progress.
Marie Geneste, Founder & Managing Partner of The C Collective
Marie Geneste is the founder & managing partner of The C Collective, a consultancy on a mission to design and market regenerative solutions. Through their people & planet centred design practice, Marie and her team invite leaders to use frameworks such as Doughnut Economics to map their impact holistically to redesign products or organisations for net positive impact and resilience.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Impact Hub London Euston, 1 Triton Square, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
