Social business
Business. Better.
“To prosper over time, every company must deliver not only financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society.”
(Laurence Fink, CEO of Blackrock, January 2018)
The times for businesses are unpredictable. We all see examples of businesses both succeeding – and failing – to demonstrate business being done in a way that enhances its reputation. Consumers, employees and wider society are embracing their spending power and choosing businesses based on their values.
We help businesses achieve financial success and demonstrate their values through how they work, in all aspects of what they do.
Every business can be better. There are many ways to do this from small steps, to big leaps.
We help businesses make sure that their values are evident in:
- Corporate deals and business ownership
- Contracts and purchasing
- IT, data and technology
- Construction
- Employment
- Property
We can help you do business for good and improve the bottom line. If you want to explore this, take a look at our Ethical Business Project – a new handbook for businesses or get in touch.
Business. Better.
Some examples of how we have helped businesses show their values:
Corporate deals and business ownership
- innovative structures such as employee ownership, co-operative and mutual structures;
- embedding purpose in your business process;
- clear and open decision making;
- alternative finance/funding structures like community shares and social investment;
- accreditations and trade body membership which recognise demonstrate your integrity, such as B Corps, the Fair Tax mark and other ethical marks.
Employment
- representation of gender, BAME and encouraging social mobility;
- supporting diversity and going further than the letter of the law;
- equal pay;
- paying the living wage;
- gig economy use,
- “fair” employment terms and using apprenticeships and other workplace access schemes;
Commercial contracts
- positive climate change action clauses;
- ethical and environmentally sustainable supply chains;
- incentivising quality;
- partnering and collaborative projects;
- terms and conditions which fairly apportion risk;
- negotiations that are tough but fair.
IT, data and technology
- creating ethical efficiencies through innovation;
- maximising the value of data;
- maintaining trust in your digital practices.
Property
- ethical buildings;
- landlord requirements – both where you are landlord or demanding it of your landlord;
- green buildings;
- quality of works and taking responsibility for repairs/management companies in a way that goes above the bottom-line requirements.
Construction and development
- true urban regeneration
- sustainable development and communities;
- fair payment/treatment down the supply chain;
- social value through construction;
- private/public partnerships that are genuinely driven by a common good.
For more information
Please contact David Alcock.
Select your type of social business
Latest sector insights
We have been recognised for the work we do
Appeal against pension regulator fine
We helped a client where there had been a failure to pay over pension contributions.
Latest news
Staying friends through a split
More couples are choosing to divorce as amicably as possible, demanding an increase for specialist mediation services and less contentious options, such as ‘collaborative law’. But is it really possible to split and stay friends?
Wednesday 19 February 2025
Read moreAnthony Collins reappointed following Cottsway Housing Association tender for housing services
Social purpose law firm, Anthony Collins, has been reappointed as the sole legal provider of housing services for Cottsway Housing Association (Cottsway) tender, continuing a partnership focused on improving communities.
Tuesday 18 February 2025
Read moreLatest webinars and podcasts
Podcast: Leasehold reform: Commonhold
Emma Lloyd and Raj Flora-Seehra explore the Government’s renewed focus on commonhold tenure
Monday 17 February 2025
Read morePodcast: Who gets the microwave? Episode 2 – Non-court dispute resolution
Listen to the second in a series of podcasts from our matrimonial team where Tom Gregory, Chris Lloyd-Smith and Maria Ramon put down their litigation weapons and discuss the importance of […]
Friday 22 November 2024
Read more