Why accredit?

We’re working to ensure that the GBC Accreditation Stamp becomes well recognised by the general public. We’re aiming to get the stamp displayed on shop windows, websites and literature, allowing the ever-growing population who really care about ethical capitalism and treating others well to reward accredited companies with their custom. The longer-term aim for government to give their procurement/contracts only to GBC companies.

Graphic showing image of Jenny Herrera - CEO of GBC - and a quote from her: 'We are a great fit for businesses who want to clearly communicate what they stand for"

Key benefits of GBC accreditation

a clear signpost to customers, employees, suppliers and other stakeholders that you put people first
a framework to help you communicate your values, attract top talent and foster loyal customers
an accreditation that sets you apart from the competition because you can meet our 10 minimum standards

With a growing demand for responsible business, can you afford to get left behind?

Research shows that customers value responsible organisations

Customers value organisations that behave in ethical ways. We undertook consumer polling research in collaboration with TSB which highlighted customers’ desire to be able to identify responsible businesses:

“We found that 97% of people think it is important that a business acts responsibly. Most consumers want more consistent information from businesses and more than half polled would value a simple independent certification. This is exactly what the Good Business Charter seeks to be. It is independent, it is a certification, and it is simple to understand. 10 components, businesses need to commit to all 10 in order to achieve GBC accreditation.”

Graphic showing quote from George Gordon, Communication and Corporate Affairs Director at TSB: "The tripartite nature of the Charter’s setup with the TUC involved, with expertise on the social aspects, and the CBI’s breadth of understanding of the issues, is really powerful for accredited businesses. And while much of the ESG space is complex and confusing, it’s very obvious to customers what a member of the Good Business Charter is committing to"

What accreditation offers

Accreditation is first and foremost about making a clear commitment to all 10 of our components (9 for public and third sector) and be part of a movement to make this behaviour the accepted norm for how organisations in the UK operate. The Good Business Charter has been designed to work for all sectors and the CBI and TUC helped draft a robust accreditation that takes into account the voices of both workers and businesses. It is currently a bar many organisations cannot reach which therefore sets accredited organisations apart, something we will vigorously champion.

On accreditation, we make available to members a range of resources to aid your Good Business Charter journey, including a promotion pack to help you spread the exciting news of your accreditation, monthly updates on upcoming events, news and how our GBC community are making an impact. There is also a busy calendar of events on offer.

Improves accountability

The Good Business Charter improves accountability. It is a voluntary accreditation and one that we hope companies, charities and public sector organisations will be enthusiastic to join. There are a lot of good organisations and entrepreneurs in the UK that already operate to the GBC principles, and who are keen for accreditation to recognise their responsible behaviour. We hope that others will modify their behaviour so that they can gain this accreditation. We already have many examples of businesses that have done just that!

We dedicate resources to increasing brand recognition among the general public which we hope will result in more customers seeking out the GBC brand and rewarding those organisations that have the accreditation with their custom. See more on our Promoting your GBC accreditation page.

Quote from Simon Fox, Chair of the GBC Board reading: The Good Business Charter brings together 10 standards, most of which already exist, but in separate places. We have brought them together to give a coherent overall position for businesses to aspire to. We believe that the GBC has enormous potential to change business practice for good.

“The GBC does not work on the basis of achieving an average score or picking and choosing different aspects to adhere to. Rather it is a simple In/Out accreditation…”

The GBC is non-partisan

This is a non-partisan initiative. Governments of all stripes have an interest in responsible businesses creating jobs, generating tax revenues to support public services and behaving in an ethical manner. We of course hope that government and other public sector bodies will look favourably at those businesses that have signed up to the Good Business Charter which could over time become a competitive advantage for firms.

The GBC hopes to nudge even more organisations towards responsible business behaviour by getting them to focus on all the components of the Charter. The GBC does not work on the basis of achieving an average score or picking and choosing different aspects to adhere to. Rather it is a simple In/Out accreditation with a holistic recognition of those organisations operating responsibly in all of these key areas. We hope that employees will wish to work for organisations that sign up to the Charter; that customers will use their buying power to favour accredited organisations and that investors will favour GBC members also.

The GBC is non-partisan

“The GBC does not work on the basis of achieving an average score or picking and choosing different aspects to adhere to. Rather it is a simple In/Out accreditation…”