Social business

Business. Better.

“To prosper over time, every company must deliver not only financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society.”

(Laurence Fink, CEO of Blackrock, January 2018)

The times for businesses are unpredictable. We all see examples of businesses both succeeding – and failing – to demonstrate business being done in a way that enhances its reputation. Consumers, employees and wider society are embracing their spending power and choosing businesses based on their values.

We help businesses achieve financial success and demonstrate their values through how they work, in all aspects of what they do.

Every business can be better. There are many ways to do this from small steps, to big leaps.

We help businesses make sure that their values are evident in:

• Corporate deals and business ownership
• Contracts and purchasing
• IT, data and technology
• Construction
• Employment
• Property

We can help you do business for good and improve the bottom line. If you want to explore this, take a look at our Ethical Business Project – a new handbook for businesses or get in touch.

Business. Better.

Some examples of how we have helped businesses show their values:

Corporate deals and business ownership

• innovative structures such as employee ownership, co-operative and mutual structures;
• embedding purpose in your business process;
• clear and open decision making;
• alternative finance/funding structures like community shares and social investment;
• accreditations and trade body membership which recognise demonstrate your integrity, such as B Corps, the Fair Tax mark and other ethical marks.

Employment

• representation of gender, BAME and encouraging social mobility;
• supporting diversity and going further than the letter of the law;
• equal pay;
• paying the living wage;
• gig economy use,
• “fair” employment terms and using apprenticeships and other workplace access schemes;

Commercial contracts

• positive climate change action clauses;
• ethical and environmentally sustainable supply chains;
• incentivising quality;
• partnering and collaborative projects;
• terms and conditions which fairly apportion risk;
• negotiations that are tough but fair.

IT, data and technology

• creating ethical efficiencies through innovation;
• maximising the value of data;
• maintaining trust in your digital practices.

Property

• ethical buildings;
• landlord requirements – both where you are landlord or demanding it of your landlord;
• green buildings;
• quality of works and taking responsibility for repairs/management companies in a way that goes above the bottom-line requirements.

Construction and development

• true urban regeneration
• sustainable development and communities;
• fair payment/treatment down the supply chain;
• social value through construction;
• private/public partnerships that are genuinely driven by a common good.

For more information

Please contact David Alcock.

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We have been recognised for the work we do

The Legal 500 Leading Associate 2025

The Legal 500 Leading Partner 2025

The Legal 500 Next Generation Partner 2025

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame 2025

The Legal 500 Top Tier Firm 2025

Chambers UK 2025 Guide

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2024

Chambers UK 2024 Guide

The Legal 500 Rising Star 2024

The Legal 500 Next Generation Partner 2024

See our awards

You may also be interested in

The Ethical Business Project

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Social Impact Report 2023

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