Suffolk-based chartered financial planning firm, Kingsfleet, has made major strides in the year 2022 to date having achieved B-Corp status and been ‘Highly Commended’ at the prestigious Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards back in September.
The B-Corp movement is targeted toward transforming the economy across the globe to benefit people, communities and the planet. Achieving B-Corp certification requires businesses to demonstrate high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on a multitude of factors. These range from employee benefits right through to supply chain practices and charitable activities.
Companies that achieve B-Corp status are those assessed under the B Impact Assessment which score 80 or more and pass the associated risk review. B-Corps are also legally committed to change their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
The median score for ordinary businesses that complete the B Impact Assessment is 50.9, significantly below the threshold for success. Kingsfleet’s own assessment, conducted back in May, yielded an impressive overall score of 91.8.
B Lab, the body which awards B-Corp certification, praised Kingsfleet for its governance and engagement around its environmental and social impact, as well as how it seeks to create positive outcomes for its workers, wider community, customers and the planet.
Securing B-Corp status builds on Kingsfleet’s already impressive work in the realms of Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR], having achieved silver accreditation in 2019 and 2021 under the Carbon Charter Panel for its efforts to monitor and reduce carbon emissions.
While in September, recognition for Kingsfleet’s tireless work in becoming a more sustainable business came as a significant source of pride for managing director, Colin Low, he was also pleased to have added another string to the bow of the company in the form of a ‘Highly Commended’ accolade at the Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards.
The Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards are a highlight of the finance profession calendar and are held in high esteem by providers and advisers across the industry.
It was the fifth consecutive year in which Kingsfleet were nominated as finalists, ultimately coming second out of total of 10 firms in its category at the awards showpiece on September 15.
Low explained that after a year of real progress for the business, it was fitting to come away with the accolade after five years of being on the shortlist.
He said: “Having made the final on five previous occasions, we were absolutely delighted to come away with ‘Highly Commended’, demonstrating our expertise in financial planning even against some of the biggest national firms”.
Image provided by Kingsfleet
