Polestar CF gains its B Corporation Certification

We are thrilled to announce that Polestar CF LLP has been certified as a B Corporation™ (or B Corp™), joining a growing movement (>9,500 businesses globally) that choose to trade for the benefit of all people, communities and the planet, not just its employees and shareholders.

We believe Corporate Financiers are well positioned to assist organisations understand the financial and non-financial benefits of incorporating sustainability into their business models. Our 2024 sustainability survey showed that buyers and private equity firms often attach additional value to business that are becoming more sustainable (you can access last year’s report here.). This is leading to many of our clients, prospects and Eddystone members being incentivised to adopt more sustainable and impactful practices.

Charlie Whelan, Partner of Polestar CF LLP, comments:

“Since the firm was founded in 2004, we have seen a seismic change in the business environment as the implementation of Software and Technology has changed every sector. This change is also mirrored in by a sea change in the attitude of consumers, employees and funders towards sustainability – even taking into account the political shift we are seeing in the USA. Since our rebrand as Polestar in 2019, we have made it our mission “To guide shareholders to achieve their goals and provide our people rewarding and purposeful work as we strive to be net zero” .

Becoming B Corp certified recognises our ongoing commitment to social responsibility, sustainability and making a positive impact in every area of our business. This is a huge milestone for us, and it would not have been possible without our wonderful team.”

The certification process is rigorous and we were assessed against a number of criteria which shone a light on how we run our business and our contribution to society. This in turn has led us to incorporate changes in the way we view and manage our business. Special thanks go to Anusheh Khan, who led on this endeavour and put in countless hours to help us achieve this recognition.

If you are in the process of building your business, B Corp certification could help guide you to establish sustainable operations as you scale. There is a considerable body of research – which we would be delighted to share – demonstrating the significant potential benefits for your business embracing this approach (in addition to the positive impact you will have on your community), namely:

• Sustainable operations nurture a positive working environment – helps to attract and retain talented employees.
• Efficiency in the use of resources can drive cost savings and ensure that investment decisions are taken with a view to “future-proofing” the business against the likely tightening of sustainability criteria and reporting.
• Increasingly, funders are incorporating sustainability objectives into their strategies that they must deliver for their investors. Access to funding can be facilitated by demonstrable sustainability credentials, with valuations likely to benefit as a result.
• You will be prepared for reporting for when you scale to the point that you come under the scope of CSRD (The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)- whether organically or through linking with another business, which minimises costs down the line, both in data compilation and any business reorganisation required to achieve compliance.
• Large firms continue to have their own requirements for engagement – instilling sustainable processes now ensures you do not miss future opportunities to work with them.

You can read about the certification process here if you feel that becoming B Corp certified is right for your business. Or if you would like to learn more about different types of certifications in sustainability, you can read our helpful blog here.

We are currently in the process of running this year’s Sustainability Survey. Responses will be compared across the years which, along with the new questions, will give insights into the changing attitudes.

Whatever your views (indeed, especially if you think sustainability is a load of hogwash!) It would be very much appreciated if you could spare us 10 minutes to complete our survey. Thank you to those who have already completed it.