At h2o creative, becoming a certified B Corp isn’t just a milestone, but a commitment. Certification validates who we’ve always been: an impact-driven agency committed to meaningful, measurable impact and to helping clients succeed through purpose-driven marketing.
This is more than an announcement. It’s the story of our B Corp journey: the milestones that shaped it, the people who made it possible, and what certification means for our clients, partners, and industry.
Why B Corp?
B Corporation certification is a globally recognised standard for businesses that balance profit with purpose. Companies must meet rigorous criteria across ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) performance, transparency, and accountability.
For us, the decision to pursue certification was simple: we already believed in the values behind it. We didn’t do it to look good. We did it to hold ourselves to a higher standard and to keep raising that bar.
Key milestones on our B Corp journey
Achieving certification required us to look at every corner of our business, from governance to community impact, environmental practices to employee wellbeing. Along the way, we implemented initiatives that continue to shape how we work:
- Company-wide ESG dashboard – Tracking our performance against B Corp certification and sustainable business practices in a transparent, accountable way.
- Supplier questionnaires – Ensuring our partners share our commitment to sustainable business practices and ethical supply chains.
- Charity partnership – Selecting Homeless Oxfordshire as our chosen charity, strengthening our social impact locally.
- Employee training – Equipping our team with knowledge on sustainability and greenwashing in marketing, enabling more responsible creative work.
- Staff engagement – Conducting regular surveys to improve satisfaction, deepen understanding of ESG principles, and empower sustainability champions across the business.
Every step reinforced our belief that marketing can, and should, be a force for good.
B Corp Certification achieved
In 2024, we were officially certified as a B Corporation. The average score for businesses that complete the B Impact Assessment is 50.9, with 80 required for certification. h2o creative scored 102.1: more than double the average.
Triple digits, triple the commitment
It’s a score that validates the progress we’ve made, underlines our commitment to corporate responsibility, and reminds us that B Corp certification is not an end point. At its heart is a promise to keep improving.
Why it matters for clients, partners, and the industry
Our B Corp journey shows that we mean what we say. It builds brand trust, proves we can be relied on to do business responsibly, and keeps our focus on long-term impact. For clients and partners, it simply means working with a team that puts sustainable business practices and ethics at the centre of everyday decisions.
At a time when greenwashing undermines credibility, we believe transparency and measurable action are what truly matter. Becoming a certified B Corp is both proof of the progress we’ve made and a promise to keep raising the standard.
What’s next: Raising the bar
B Lab, the organisation behind B Corp certification, is setting tougher standards to raise the level of impact across business. We see this as a positive step. It pushes us to keep improving and we’re already working towards what’s coming next.
- Deepening our supplier engagement
- Continuing employee development and ESG awareness
- Expanding community impact through partnerships and pro bono work
- Reducing our environmental footprint at every level
In three years, we’ll be reassessed. But we’re not waiting for deadlines. Improvement is a daily practice.
Marketing with purpose
As an ethical marketing agency, the work we create has impact. That gives us a responsibility to use it well. We focus on ideas that perform but also make a difference for people, communities, and the planet.
B Corp certification reinforces our belief that the future of our industry lies in purpose-driven marketing, supported by sustainable business practices and ethical business principles. It’s why we’ve written about topics like greenwashing and continue to share thought-leadership on sustainable communications.
We’re proud to be part of the B Corp community, but more importantly, we’re proud to keep building a better way of doing business, with conscience, creativity, and impact.