Stoke based Lesniak Swann has become the latest company in the city to become a B Corp and the second to be based at the historic Spode Works site.
The agency joins likes of Emma Bridgewater and Popcorn Learning, also based out of the former pottery site on Elenora Street, who share a commitment to operate in a purpose-driven way and aspiring to do no harm and benefit all.
The company now ranks amongst 200+ marketing agencies across the UK who have fundamentally shifted the way they work to become a B Corp. Appointing a dedicated sustainability champion within the company to lead the change, Lesniak Swann overcame the rigorous 12-month assessment process to successfully become a B Corp, the 2757th company in the UK to secure the leading sustainability standard.
B Corp certification is an intense process, which saw the company’s Account Director, Jo Holdcroft, spend more than 500 hours to collate evidence for over 150 different criteria to achieve the accreditation. This included details on how it has created a positive workplace experience for employees, and the process for choosing suppliers ethically, whilst also making operational and behavioural changes to support a low carbon footprint.
Following a rigorous assessment, Lesniak Swann recorded a substantial score of 108, calculated based on the range of company policies including the continued support for hybrid working, ensuring minimal travel, and implementing a range of initiatives to support staff wellbeing. Alongside continued investment in learning and development for employees such as its PugMill Academy programme designed to drive excellence across all roles.
In addition, the company’s recent move to Spode Works, a site designed with sustainability in mind and includes the installation of heat pumps and other carbon reduction measures, played a part in the company becoming a B Corp. The company has maintained many of the original features from the former pottery factory and is committed to employing local staff and using local suppliers where possible.
Becoming a B Corp follows on from the company’s accolade of becoming the first B2B agency in the UK to achieve PAS2060 carbon neutral certification.
Jo Holdcroft said: “B Corps are businesses that use profits and growth for a greater good, which is why this certification was worth the long, rigorous process to gain it.
“We want to play our part in helping to create a sustainable future, so achieving B Corp Certification was extremely important to us as a business. Lesniak Swann is a specialist B2B agency working with companies in the construction and engineering industries, so this knowledge of sustainability enables us to help our clients reach their increasingly important sustainability targets. It will also help us be recognised by clients, employees and associates as an ethical business, and can show the positive impact on the community.”
Alex Swann, Managing Director at Lesniak Swann, commented: “Being B Corp means we meet a high standard of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. As a leading B2B marketing agency we understand the power of making the right decisions and having a strong ethical approach in influencing and changing behaviours.
“Through our own commitment to acting ethically, and with the environment in mind, we understand our clients’ aims – and help them to share that message. This is a significant achievement for us, and we’re looking forward to using this status to support our clients in prioritising the importance of acting in a sustainable and ethical manner and help them to achieve their own ambitions.”
