Our Values

First and foremost, we’re a certified B Corp

What does B Corp mean?

You may have seen ‘B Corp’ on websites, adverts or packaging. But what does that really mean and why could it be important to you?

For starters, the ‘B’ in ‘B Corp’ stands for ‘Benefit’ and by this they mean ‘benefit for all’.  B Corps try to do business differently.  Instead of just focusing on profit, we prioritise everyone which has a stake or interest in our existence - we call these our stakeholders.

Who are our stakeholders?

You!  All our clients are stakeholders.  So are our staff, suppliers, investors and regulators.  But we also throw the net more widely.  We consider the footprint our business leaves on the local, national and global communities in which we operate, as well as our environmental impact.  

This holistic approach helps redefine how we measure our success. Of course, we exist to make money but feel strongly this should not be at the expense of others.  This wider duty of care is enshrined in our constitution and informs everything we do.

So, if all this is important to you, as a B Corp you can be assured it’s also important to us.

Is it easy to become and stay a B Corp?

It isn’t enough to simply declare we are ‘good eggs’.

To become a B Corp, we must go through a rigorous certification procedure with B Lab - a global non-profit organisation promoting business as a force for good.  We need to evidence that we meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.  This is a lengthy and tough process.

We were very proud to be awarded B Corp status in 2022 but were not allowed to rest on our laurels. We are committed to continuous improvement and publish an annual report so everyone can see how we’re doing - just look at our latest report below!  We also need to recertify with B Lab’s evolving standards every three years.

Having the B Corp badge proves to you we aren’t full of bluster - we walk the walk.

Can any company become a B Corp?

In theory yes, although some industries are ineligible such as fossil fuels.  

Currently there are c8,400* B Corps across 97 countries and 162 industries.  From toilet roll to ice cream to Bespoke Advice, we are a diverse bunch but share a common goal.

In the UK we have just reached 2000 B Corps.  It seems like a lot, but in context, there are estimated to be 5.5 million** private sector companies in the UK.  There are only 140* financial services B Corps across the UK.

We are a relatively rare but growing breed and as far as we’re concerned, the more responsible businesses the better.

What are the benefits of being a B Corp?

Well, it’s what we passionately believe in so that’s a big plus.  But there are other bonuses.

  • We want to attract and retain the best people who are motivated, feel proud to work for us and share our values.  

  • We want to build trust and loyalty among our clients who value our business practices.

  • Becoming a B Corp means joining a global community of like-minded businesses offering opportunities for collaboration, networking, and sharing best practices.   The B Corp network can provide valuable support and resources to help us grow and improve our impact.

  • Whilst our primary focus is on social and environmental impact, ethical practices can lead to more efficient operations and reduced risks for us as a business.

As more companies recognise the importance of using business as a force for good rather than solely focusing on the bottom line, B Corp certification is valuable recognition for companies like Bespoke Advice seeking to make a measurable positive impact on people, planet and our wider communities.

 

*B Lab website data obtained January 2025

**DBT Business Population estimates 2024 (January 2024)

What B Corp means to us

Our B Corp Mission

To use our position to drive consumer value and generate social, economic and environmental benefits in the local, national and global communities in which we operate.

We will seek to mitigate any negative impacts of our operations and enhance those that could be beneficial, in the ultimate hope of leaving a positive social legacy.

Our B Corp Priorities

01 - Environment - Institute practices that promote environmental sustainability

02 - Community - Deliver community benefits and raise living standards by promoting employment and economic sustainability

03 - Staff Wellbeing - Foster employee wellbeing and inclusion to create positive working environments where individuals can thrive and all employees are engaged

04 - Third Sector Support - Build the capacity and sustainability of the volunteering and community sector through the promotion of volunteering and other financial and non-financial support

05 - Client Support - Support and empower clients to make informed financial decisions, guiding them through life’s main events and enabling them to realise their financial goals

Our Accreditations

We have been awarded Corporate Charterted status by the Chartered Insurance Institute - the professional body for insurance and financial advice firms. By choosing Chartered, you are choosing a business that has reached an objective standard of technical knowledge and conduct, a business that will follow good practice and ensure their skills are up to date with market standards.

Many of our planners are also individually Chartered. This is a symbol of technical competence and signifies a public commitment to professional standards.

Kevin Worrall

Kevin Worrall

Our people are always going the extra mile and we are so tremendously proud of them all. They have received multiple industry awards and nominations, including Professional Adviser 2025 Outstanding Contribution to the Advice Industry (Suzi Lane) and 2023 CII Financial Adviser Apprentice of the Year (Phoebe Lane).

Our planners are committed to providing our clients with the best advice through continued professional development and obtaining additional accreditations such as SOLLA Accredited Later Life Adviser (Kevin Worrall). We have a leading apprenticeship and mentoring scheme, established in partnership with Skills Edge, designed to build a future focused and inclusive financial advice business.

We are supporters of the Personal Finance Society’s Financial Vulnerability Taskforce Charter. The purpose of the taskforce is to promote greater understanding, encourage appropriate behaviours and establish good practice in respect of consumer vulnerability.

Find out more about how we value our client’s wellbeing here.

We are an Associate Member of the Consumer Duty Alliance - committed to an independent code of professional standards stating how we will always seek to deliver good consumer outcomes for the advice we give.

The Women in Finance Charter is an HM Treasury led pledge to gender balance across financial services. It asks financial services firms to commit to implementing four key industry actions:

  • Having one member of our senior team who is responsible and accountable for gender diversity and inclusion

  • Setting internal targets for gender diversity in senior management

  • Publishing progress annually against these targets in reports on our website

  • Having an intention to ensure the pay of the senior team is linked to delivery against these internal targets.

    Our Gender Diversity Plan is available here.

    As of 01/07/2025 we have 50% female representation in senior management and our target is to maintain or increase this representation in the future.

The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards 2025 recognises small organisations for their positive work environments. The awards, powered by WorkL, evaluate organisations based on employee surveys across areas like reward and recognition, instilling pride, information sharing, empowerment, wellbeing and job satisfaction.

Everyone should be able to live with dignity and have a decent standard of living. Workers need decent pay to thrive. The real Living Wage, as opposed to the government’s minmum wage, can make a huge difference to employees - improving their productivity, mental health, relationships with family and more. It can also help us as a business to retain and recruit the best staff. We are a real Living Wage employer.

As a Disability Confident committed employer, we have agreed to implement the following five commitments:

  • Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible

  • Communicate and promote vacancies to disabled people

  • Offer an interview to disabled people

  • Anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as required

  • Support existing employees who acquire a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work

We are an Ecologi member. Ecologi is a platform which enables businesses to measure and reduce their emissions, restore our planet and report their progress. Their community, including 300+ B Corps, has funded planting of 89 million trees, the avoidance of 3.4 million tonnes of CO2 and the restoration of over 31,000m2 of wildlife habitats in the UK*.

  • Ecologi website 07/2025

We are corporate sponsors of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and have arranged volunteering days with them. The Trust works to protect wildlife across Worcestershire in their 80 nature reserves. They manage almost 3,000 acres of land for wildlife*.

  • Worcestershire Wildlife Trust website 07/2025

Cyber Essentials is a UK government back scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against common cyber attacks. Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to cyber security.