10 Outstanding B Corp Businesses To Discover In Newcastle

Bird & Blend, Grainger Street

A commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility has been the core of tea company Bird & Blend’s ethos since day one. Not only is their plastic-free packaging 100% recyclable or compostable, Bird & Blend has also launched initiatives like ChariTEA which donates profits from a chosen blend to a local charity – measures which saw the company awarded B Corp certification in 2022. Shop at its Newcastle branch on Grainger Street and rest assured that you’re benefiting both people and planet.

McBryde & Co, Charlotte Square

B Corp certified B2B communications agency was founded in Newcastle in 2019, putting ethical business practices and a commitment to being a force for good at the forefront of its mission. Its team benefits from working for a Living Wage employer and flexible working options, and McBryde & Co’s efforts spread into the wider community too – offering pro bono services for charities and support for PR students from Newcastle University.

The White Company, Monument Mall

“Buying better and buying less” is the mantra at The White Company and its commitment to building a sustainable legacy earned it a B Corp stamp in 2024. From promoting fair labour standards and putting people first in its supply chain to ensuring its homeware and clothing products are crafted from responsibly and ethically sourced materials, The White Company puts mindful consumption at the heart of everything it does.

Scott Logic, The Lumen @ Newcastle Helix

Formed in 2005 with the aim of creating “opportunity and sustainable prosperity through technical innovation”, technology consultancy Scott Logic met the requirements of B Corp certification in late 2023. It’s committed to achieving net zero by 2040 and supports its clients’ sustainability goals, but it’s people and community where Scott Logic really shines. Its People Promise ensures the wellbeing of and long-term investment in its staff and, through its Altitude Foundation, the company makes a positive impact in the lives of disadvantaged young people in the region by helping them progress into technology careers.

Definition IP, The Core @ Newcastle Helix

Fellow Newcastle Helix residents Definition IP became the first chartered patent attorney firm in the UK and Ireland to receive B Corp accreditation in the summer of 2024. The firm was recognised for its ethical practices, focus on employee welfare, community engagement and commitment to minimising its environmental impact, but sees its B Corp certification as the beginning of its journey towards increasing its positive impact in the future.

Blu Sky, Pilgrim Street

Chartered accountancy firm Blue Sky was built on the belief that financial success shouldn’t come at the expense of the community and environment and its B Corp accreditation – awarded in 2022 – only strengthened that core belief. Since becoming a B Corp business, they regularly advocate for the movement by encouraging their clients to take steps towards certification too.

Rituals, Eldon Square

Luxury beauty brand Rituals’ aim has always been to enhance wellbeing, but a realisation that wellbeing needed to be something it offered beyond just its customers kickstarted its B Corp journey. It’s since endeavoured to make conscious changes to its product range – including creating a tool that assesses the environmental impact of ingredients – and introducing a monthly wellbeing survey that ensures its employees are happy and satisfied. Rituals is also a big supporter of Tiny Miracles, a foundation helping some of Mumbai’s most excluded communities, and a co-founder of the Super Chill Foundation, which encourages wellbeing in schoolchildren by teaching them how to manage stress.

Muckle LLP, Gallowgate

Expert commercial law firm Muckle LLP prides itself on being guided by values of “trust, teamwork, responsibility and care” – which extends to its people, its clients and the communities it operates in. A focus on staff wellbeing, supporting charities with grants and providing pro bono advice to VCSE organisations saw Muckle LLP become the first B Corp legal firm in the North East and Cumbria in 2024.

FatFace, Monument Mall

Ethical fashion can be hard to come by but FatFace – a B Corp company since 2023 – is bucking the trend. Its strategy is built around three things – product, planet and community – with a focus on using responsibly sourced materials, minimising its impact on the environment and having a positive impact on its own people, the places it sources from and the locations it trades in. To that end, FatFace now responsibly sources 100% of its cotton in cotton products, has planted 60,000 trees in the UK through a partnership with the National Forest and has donated a whopping £2 million to local, national and international charities to date.

Sanderson Weatherall, Orchard Street

Recognising that the property sector accounts for 40% of carbon emissions, chartered surveyor and property consultant firm Sanderson Weatherall consistently promotes innovative ways to reduce carbon footprints which earned it B Corp certification for its thought leadership in the sector. Alongside its environmental efforts, the firm also makes the wellbeing of its staff a priority and supports the local community through donations, fundraising, sponsoring youth clubs and giving its employees two Corporate Social Responsibility Days a year to volunteer or host activities that benefit local charities and community organisations.

As we all become more conscious about the effect we have on the environment and the impact we can make on people and communities, it’s fantastic to see a movement of businesses embracing positive change – and that there are so many here in Newcastle.

So, when you’re shopping at these businesses or using their services, rest assured that you’re helping them use business as a force for good!

Main image: Bird & Blend