Mirfield-based integrated marketing company Fishtank Agency has gained B Corp™ accreditation, having met rigorous social and environmental standards representing its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.
The accreditation means that Fishtank Agency joins a community of 1,500 B Corps in the UK and 7,000 certified as B Corps worldwide. The B Corp™ community in the UK represents a broad cross-section of industries and sizes. It includes well-known brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole.
The certification addresses a business’s operations and covers five key impact areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. The certification process is rigorous, with applicants required to reach a benchmark score of over 80 while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. As a result, Fishtank Agency will legally embed its commitment to a purpose beyond profit in its articles to complete the certification.
Alongside the B-Corp™ accreditation, the agency has also achieved the Great Places to Work® certification, recognising employers who create an outstanding employee experience.
Founded in 2008 by Damien Fisher, the agency employs 20 staff. Its client base includes Britvic, Berry Global, Seal For Life, HUDL, Veezu, Central Technology and Tubex, with recent projects delivered for charities, Henshaws, Boparan and Sheffield Hospitals.
Having recently graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business UK program, Damien has driven various initiatives within the agency, enabling it to achieve a 10% increase in turnover and a 20% increase in profit in the most recent financial year. Over the next three years, the ambition is to grow the company to a £2m+ agency and increase its headcount to 30.
Commenting on the accreditations, Damien said, “Having achieved B Corp™ and the Great Places to Work® accreditation is a testament to our people, who are a key building block of our agency. It demonstrates commitment throughout the business to do better for our clients and colleagues, resulting in better outcomes for people, businesses and the planet.
“Intrinsic to our values, I believe these accreditations will be the foundation of the agency’s ongoing success as we embark on our ambitious growth plans in the years ahead.”
Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, says, “We are delighted to welcome Fishtank to the B Corp™ community. This is a movement of companies committed to changing how the business operates and believes business can be a force for good. We know that Fishtank will be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward”.
“Welcoming Fishtank is exciting because they can lead the way within the digital sector. We and the rest of the B Corp™ community are pleased to support Fishtank in paving the way for a new way of doing things”.
