B Corp Month event at CJBS features keynote by Prof Chris Marquis

As part of its B Corp Month activities, Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS) is hosting an event with a keynote by Prof Chris Marquis on 19 March.

The increasingly popular – and respected – B Corp accreditation route is taken by businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

The event is titled ‘Building a Regenerative Future: B Corp Connections and Insights’. It includes a panel session chaired by Professor Marquis, Sinyi Professor of Chinese management and fellow and director of studies at Jesus College at the University of Cambridge. Professor Marquis is the author of Better Business: How the B Corp Movement Is Remaking Capitalism, as well as other titles including The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs.

The panel features B Corp leaders from the region who will share their unique insights on leading a business through sustainable and responsible change. They are:

- Becky Ryder, head of technical and quality, Cambridge Commodities

- Alison Taylor, CEO, Conscious Communications, and

- Sophie Costello, CEO, Costello Medical.

The evening will conclude with closing remarks by Tom Ebbutt, director of impact at B Lab UK, the non-profit that administers B Corp certification in the UK, followed by a networking event. During the networking event, attendees can connect with and learn from existing B Corps and aspiring B Corps alike.

Prof Marquis said: “For over 20 years, my research and teaching has focused on how business can play a role in addressing the most pressing modern-day crises, such as inequality, discrimination and climate change.

“Regenerative businesses – those that aim to give back more to society and the planet than they take – are proactively responding to these social and environmental changes to positively impact their communities. Many of these companies are – or will go on to become – B Corps, part of a growing movement of businesses that are transforming the corporate form.

“There is an increasing number of these companies right here in Cambridgeshire and, on 19 March, four of the region’s B Corps will be part of an exciting event to celebrate B Corp Month.

“The event, which I am hosting, will examine the importance of regenerative businesses on both a regional and global level and what it is like to lead a business through the changes required to put social benefits, community impact and environmental stewardship on equal footing with profitability.

“By providing an opportunity for existing and aspiring B Corps to connect this B Corp Month, we hope to encourage more businesses to build on the work they are often already doing to create a more sustainable way of doing business. It promises to be an interesting and inspiring evening.”

Details of the 6-9pm event on 19 March here.