Back

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.

Select your type of social business

Co-operatives and mutuals

Helping co-operatives and mutuals with legal solutions.

Community organisations

Advising TMOs, Locality members, community-based…

Social enterprises

Helping social entrepreneurs create innovative solutions to…

Business for good

Provision of legal advice to values-driven businesses.

The Ethical Business Project

The Ethical Business Project uncovers the journey to…

Building a better business – employee ownership

An increasing number of new and existing business owners…

Blog

We have been recognised for the work we do

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2023

Chambers UK 2023 Guide

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame 2023

The Legal 500 Rising Star 2023

The Legal 500 Leading Individual 2023

The Legal 500 Next Generation Partner 2023

The Legal 500 Top Tier Firm 2023

Outstanding Individual Supporter – CBIT Diamond Awards

Family Law Firm of the Year: Midlands and Wales 2021

Anthony Collins Solicitors wins independent law firm of the year

Appeal against pension regulator fine

We helped a client where there had been a failure to pay over pension contributions.

Read more

Latest news

Anthony Collins announces appointment of new partner

Law firm Anthony Collins (AC) has appointed a new partner to the firm’s local government team, bringing over 16 years of experience to the role.

Friday 11 August 2023

Read more
Anthony Collins announces new senior partner appointment  

Law firm Anthony Collins (AC) has announced the appointment of Matt Wort to senior partner, following nearly two decades at the company. 

Tuesday 4 July 2023

Read more

Latest webinars and podcasts

Renters Reform Bill webinar – June 2023

The Renters Reform Bill proposes a seismic change to housing management practices, abolishing assured shorthold tenancies and 21 notices entirely and making changes relating to rent increases, pets, possession grounds and more.

Friday 18 August 2023

Read more
PODCAST: Mandatory professional qualifications in housing: What do we know and how do we prepare?

In February 2023, a new amendment was added to the Social and Housing Regulation Bill. So as to raise standards, housing managers will be required to have, or be working towards, specific professional qualifications.

Wednesday 9 August 2023

Read more

Sector Lead

David Alcock

Partner

Partner in the governance, funding and corporate team