British B Corps respond to critics of woke capitalism

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

The United Kingdom now leads the world with over 3,000 B Corp certified businesses, surpassing the United States, as companies commit to integrating social and environmental goals alongside profit. Recent updates to the certification process enforce minimum standards across key areas, aiming to strengthen accountability and transparency among B Corps in the UK.

The United Kingdom has emerged as a global leader in the B Corp movement, with over 3,000 certified businesses operating within the country, according to B Lab UK. This figure surpasses that of any other nation, including the United States, where the initiative originated. B Corporations are companies that commit to balancing profit-making with social and environmental goals.

In recent years, some businesses have distanced themselves from so-called "woke capitalism" amid criticism, either scaling back social initiatives or retreating from public commitments to avoid becoming targets. However, B Corps have taken a contrasting approach by intensifying their focus on corporate responsibility and introducing more rigorous standards.

Last week, B Lab UK unveiled new certification criteria aimed at addressing previous concerns about the movement’s evaluation process. The earlier system employed a points-based model, allowing companies to qualify despite uneven performance across different categories. Under the revised framework, certified companies must now meet minimum standards across seven key areas, coupled with independent verification of their performance.

Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, noted that the updated standards provide clearer communication of what it means to be a B Corp, enabling stakeholders to understand the common commitments shared by all certified businesses. He announced the first 18 British companies to meet the enhanced criteria, including the fashion brand Mulberry and ethical footwear company Vivobarefoot.

Galahad Clark, co-founder of Vivobarefoot, highlighted how the updated certification prompted a renewed evaluation of the company’s supply chain practices. He described the shoe industry as “incredibly toxic” and expressed concern that progress made since 2016 toward sustainable practices had stalled or reversed. Clark expressed hope that more B Corp-certified shoemakers would contribute to improving industry standards.

The B Corp movement’s expanded requirements and growing membership in the UK underscore a continued commitment by a segment of businesses to embed social and environmental responsibility into their core operations despite broader debates over the role of corporate activism.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.