Be a better business – all

Creating a ‘Speak Up’ culture in purpose-driven businesses: The benefits of an effective whistleblowing framework

Bates Wells convenes the Impact Counsels’ Forum, a space for senior counsel working within impact investors, B Corps, and other purpose-driven businesses. The forum discusses the ‘impact angles’ on legal and practical issues faced by in-house legal teams. Recently, the forum explored the benefits an effective whistleblowing framework and how that can support an open …
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Using the law to create change – a new guide for charities and campaigning groups

In partnership with NEON, this new guide explains how your organisation can use the law to create meaningful change. Legal action is rarely enough to drive systemic change on its own, but the law can be a powerful tool for purpose-driven organisations, especially when combined with other tactics within a broader campaign strategy. The guide …
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Purpose & Impact: your roundup | June

Welcome to your roundup – a monthly selection of news hand-picked to keep you up to date with what’s going on for businesses and investors working to create positive impact. In this roundup you can find out what’s new in the B Corp, social enterprise, and impact investing spaces, amongst others, collated under helpful headings. …
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New company guide empowers UK company directors to embed sustainability information in financial reporting

Bates Wells has contributed to a new guide, issued by the True & Fair Project, to support UK company directors who have decided that information relating to sustainability issues is necessary for their accounts to give a true and fair view. ‘Are Your Financial Statements True and Fair?’ underscores directors’ legal obligation to consider sustainability …
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What’s next for UK environmental protection?

On 24 January, the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill was ‘adjourned’ to 11 July after politicians were denied the opportunity for a ‘free vote’ to advance the Bill to its next stage. Instead, the government has promised that next steps will include binding commitments to advance the CAN Bill’s objectives, including for legislation. We considered …
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“Yes we CAN”: The new Climate and Nature Bill

The Climate and Nature Bill has its second reading in Parliament on 24 January and we’re one of hundreds of organisations supporting the proposed change in legislation. Its aim is to require the UK government to put stronger policy and action in place with important principles that go much further than the existing Environment Act. …
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How corporate foundations can help give life to a purpose-driven business’ impact goals

Do you want to create greater positive impact that goes beyond your business? If you do, you might want to think about setting up a corporate foundation. In the UK, corporate foundations are usually registered charities set up by a commercial company. A corporate foundation works in long-term partnership with the business, maintaining a level …
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Getting granular about our science-based target

Greenwashing is a growing risk and these days everyone seems to be making claims about their environmental credentials. So, in this world of increasing misinformation and fake news, how can we (and others) be sure that claims about carbon reduction are legitimate? Being open and transparent about green claims will bring us very quickly to …
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Green claims, greenwashing and green hushing: Developing a strategy for purpose-driven businesses to talk about impact

Bates Wells convenes the Impact Counsels’ Forum, a regular meeting of senior lawyers and other leaders working at purpose-driven businesses including B Corps and impact investors. Recently, we were delighted to be joined by Debra Sobel, Co-Founder and CEO at Verity London, who set the frame for discussion of the regulatory framework around ‘green claims’ …
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Realise your purpose: How Immigration and hybrid working are shaping the future of workforce diversity

Realise Your Purpose is a Bates Wells campaign to help commercial organisations consider, decide on and implement their ESG goals. From governance to people, and from contracts to real estate, this series will provide insight and guidance for business leaders and senior decision makers on the first steps in their sustainability journey.   The global landscape …
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Our B Corp recertification results: a commitment to being, and doing, better

In August we received the news from B Lab that their extensive verification checks had been completed and our third recertification as a B Corp was successful with a confirmed score of 140.2. This is an increase of more than 23 points since we last recertified in 2021 and puts us amongst the top scoring …
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Our Impact Counsels’ Forum

Bates Wells’ Impact Counsels’ Forum is for general counsel, senior lawyers and other leaders within B Corps, impact investors and purpose-driven businesses of different kinds in our network. The forum meets around 3 times a year, creating an informal peer-to-peer forum for sharing ideas and best practice and to discuss the ‘impact angles’ on key …
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