Zoë Scorer, Managing Director, Conscious Communications & Co‑Chair, B Local Cambridgeshire:

• A growing movement… and a turning point
• Why this matters for Cambridge
• Signals for Sustainable Growth
• Why 2026 feels significant

Have you noticed how the B Corp logo is appearing in more unexpected places lately? From luxury fashion houses and a Chamber of Commerce to the high‑speed world of motorsport, the movement is gaining momentum in ways even the most optimistic among us might not have imagined a few years ago.

March is B Corp Month, when certified B Corporations™ around the world come together to champion a global community of businesses working toward an inclusive, equitable and regenerative future. And here in Cambridgeshire, our own purpose‑driven community continues to grow in scale, creativity and influence.

A growing movement…and a turning point

Last month, Longchamp, the 78‑year‑old Parisian luxury fashion brand, became a B Corp, earning certification under B Lab’s 2025 standards following an exhaustive assessment of more than 300 criteria across governance, supply chain, materials, repair networks and climate impact. 

The fashion industry has long grappled with transparency and sustainability, so Longchamp’s certification is more than symbolic, joining the likes of Chloé, which became the first luxury fashion house to become a B Corp just a few years ago. Certifications in the fashion industry are remarkable because they push craftsmanship into the realm of measurable accountability, and demonstrate that heritage and innovation can sit side by side. For example, Longchamp’s global repair network restored 80,000 bags in 2025, a reminder that circularity can be commercially viable and culturally meaningful. 

And then there’s Formula E. In January, the all‑electric race series became the first sport in the world to be certified as a B Corp. For a global sporting organisation with its sprawling ecosystem of teams, cities, logistical partners and sponsors to commit to this level of governance and environmental scrutiny is significant. 

These milestones matter because they send a clear signal: responsible business is not niche and it is not sector‑specific. It is becoming the baseline expectation for organisations of every shape and size.

Why this matters for Cambridge

Closer to home, we’re witnessing a surge in purpose‑driven ambition across Cambridgeshire. Organisations increasingly recognise that transparency, accountability and stakeholder‑centred decision‑making are essential not just for reputation but for recruitment, retention, investment and long‑term resilience.

Since certifying as a B Corp nearly three years ago, we have seen how the framework helps shape our own decision-making and pushes us towards continuous improvement.  

We’ve noticed that more leaders are asking how to embed sustainability into their business models, not whether they should. They’re navigating complexity, uncertainty and rising expectations from clients, communities and employees who want to see consistent, credible action. And that’s precisely why our region’s B Corp community continues to grow and why we’re committed to creating more opportunities for learning, connection and collaboration.

Signals for Sustainable Growth

As part of B Corp Month, B Local Cambridgeshire, which I am proud to co‑chair, hosted Signals for Sustainable Growth, a special evening designed to explore how today’s organisations are navigating responsibility, uncertainty and opportunity. 

The event brought together purpose‑driven leaders, practitioners and change‑makers from across our region for insight, inspiration and practical conversation. The discussion in the room reaffirmed what we already know: Cambridgeshire has both the appetite and the capability to lead the way on sustainable and inclusive growth.

Why 2026 feels significant

Being a B Corp has never been about achieving perfection or simply obtaining a label. For us, it’s about the accountability it creates, the way it pushes us consistently to improve and ensures our impact matches our intentions. Yes, every year, the scrutiny grows but, I believe that’s a good thing.

As global brands like Longchamp and disruptive organisations like Formula E join the community, they raise the bar for what good business looks like. They bring innovation, scale and visibility that strengthens the movement for everyone from micro‑businesses to multinational corporations.

And closer to home, events like Signals for Sustainable Growth remind us that our local community has enormous power to influence change not through declarations, but through shared learning, collaboration and collective action.

Whether you’re a B Corp, B‑curious, or simply committed to doing better business, this moment in the movement’s history presents a rare opportunity. We can shape what responsible business looks like, whether that’s here in Cambridge, across the UK or globally. As our community continues to grow, I’m more convinced than ever that Cambridge is poised to lead not just in innovation and science, but in integrity, responsibility and the future of sustainable business.