Members' Area - Good Business Charter

Well done on being GBC accredited. Here we provide lots of useful resources and insights, as well as guiding you through the effective steps you can take to maximise your accreditation.

This is your space. If you have ideas about what else it would be useful to see here, please let us know: communications@goodbusinesscharter.com

Embedding Good Business practice

Share best practice

Communicating your accreditation

Championing the GBC

Using the framework to embed your responsible business practices

Embedding the GBC framework into your organisation’s daily operations drives meaningful change, fosters responsible business practices and enhances your reputation. Each component, from paying the real living wage to committing to environmental responsibility, requires a genuine commitment to ethical behaviour. By fully integrating these standards, organisations demonstrate their dedication to improving societal and environmental outcomes. This comprehensive approach encourages a shift towards a more responsible and sustainable business environment, inspiring others to follow suit.

Examples of small organisations embedding the GBC framework
Examples of large organisations embedding the GBC framework
See how Schroders Personal Wealth has ensured responsible business practices are embedded in every part of their organisation, including setting up a Responsible Business Network group.

See how the University of Northampton clearly communicate their dedication to responsible business practices on their website.

By aligning standard disclosure requirements and financial performance with the 10 components, companies can produce impactful ESG or Responsible Business reports:

Praetura’s ESG Report

Schroders Personal Wealth’s Responsible Business Report

The West Brom’s Annual Report and Accounts

You can find further examples of how large organisations have embedded each component into their organisation by visiting our individual component pages.

Communicating your GBC accreditation

Whether you are new to Good Business Charter (GBC) accreditation, or you are a long standing accredited organisation, these resources will help you promote your accreditation and communicate your fantastic work to your customers, suppliers and employees. The full resource pack can be downloaded here (ADD WHEN HG HAS UPDATED).

Creative assets

Communicating your accreditation externally

Social Media
Follow us on social media so you can keep up to date with recent news, events, blogs and more.

@good-business-charter

@goodbusinesscharter

@GBCharterUK

@GBCharterUK
Don’t forget to tag us (using the social handles above) in your social posts so we can reshare your exciting achievement
Social Media: exemplar posts

We’ve pulled together some copy which might be helpful when you’re looking to promote your accreditation on your socials. Feel free to amend as necessary.

LinkedIn/Facebook

⭐ We’re excited to announce we’ve achieved Good Business Charter accreditation! ⭐

To achieve this, we’ve committed to all 10 GBC components, covering care for employees, suppliers, customers and the
environment, while ensuring we pay our fair share of tax. This includes paying the real living wage, fair hours, employee well
being, representation, EDI, environmental responsibility, fair tax, customer commitment, ethical sourcing and prompt payment.
With 97% of people valuing responsible business, GBC’s independent certification sets us apart as a leader in ethical capitalism.
It’s a clear sign we put people first, attracting top talent and fostering loyal customers. 🌍

Find out more about the Good Business Charter and join us in supporting responsible businesses 👉goodbusinesscharter.com

X

⭐ We’re thrilled to announce our @GBCharterUK accreditation! ⭐

We’ve committed to all 10 GBC components, ensuring care for employees, suppliers, customers and the environment while
paying our fair share of tax.
Find out more about the Good Business Charter and join us in supporting responsible businesses 👉
goodbusinesscharter.com

Instagram

⭐ We’re excited to announce we’ve achieved Good Business Charter accreditation! ⭐
To achieve this, we’ve committed to all 10 GBC components, covering care for employees, suppliers, customers and the
environment, while ensuring we pay our fair share of tax. This includes paying the real living wage, fair hours, employee well
being, representation, EDI, environmental responsibility, fair tax, customer commitment, ethical sourcing and prompt payment.
With 97% of people valuing responsible business, GBC’s independent certification sets us apart as a leader in ethical capitalism.
It’s a clear sign we put people first, attracting top talent and fostering loyal customers. 🌍
Newsletters & emails

Shout about your achievement in your newsletters and mailshot updates! Download the email banner here.

Newsletters & emails: example copy
We’ve achieved Good Business Charter accreditation!
At [insert organisation], we are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded Good Business Charter (GBC) accreditation! This recognition highlights our dedication to ethical business practices across all of our operations.

To earn this accreditation, we adhered to all 10 GBC components, which encompass a broad spectrum of responsibilities towards employees, suppliers, customers and the environment. The 10 components are:

[Insert components graphic – download here]

In a world where 97% of people value responsible business practices, the GBC’s independent certification distinguishes us as a leader in ethical capitalism. This accreditation signals that we prioritise people, which helps us attract top talent and build loyal customer relationships. Join us in celebrating this achievement and learn more about the Good Business Charter at goodbusinesscharter.com.

Together, we can support and promote responsible business practices.
Website
GBC logo

Ensure you display the GBC logo prominently on your website. You can download the GBC logo here:
📁 GBC Logo

Blog
Write a blog to celebrate your GBC accreditation and share this on your social media channels. Include quotes from key partners, employees and customers to show your support for ethical business practices.
Example blog copy

Celebrating our Good Business Charter accreditation: A milestone in ethical business practices
We are proud and excited to announce that our organisation has achieved Good Business Charter (GBC) accreditation! This significant
milestone underscores our unwavering commitment to ethical business practices and our dedication to making a positive impact on society
and the environment.

What is the Good Business Charter?
The Good Business Charter is an independent certification that recognises responsible business behaviour across ten key components. These
components are designed to ensure that businesses operate with integrity, fairness and respect for all stakeholders, including employees,
customers, suppliers and the environment. Achieving this accreditation means we have met the rigorous standards set by the GBC,
demonstrating our commitment to ethical practices.

Our commitment to the ten GBC components

[Set out how you have met the 10 components]

In today’s world, responsible business practices are more important than ever. According to recent surveys, 97% of people value businesses
that operate ethically and sustainably. Our GBC accreditation not only sets us apart as a leader in ethical capitalism but also reinforces our
commitment to putting people and the planet first. This achievement is a testament to our dedication to building a better, fairer world through our business practices.

What this means for our stakeholders
[Set this out for your employees, customers, suppliers, community etc]

[Quote from a key contact at your company]

We invite you to join us in celebrating this significant achievement. Learn more about the Good Business Charter and how it promotes
responsible business practices by visiting goodbusinesscharter.com. Together, we can support and encourage ethical behaviour in business,
creating a better future for everyone
PR
Distribute a press release to regional and national press to further celebrate your ethical business achievements.
Example press release copy

[Organisation name] Achieves Good Business Charter Accreditation

[City, Date] – [Organisation name] is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the highly respected Good Business Charter (GBC)
accreditation, underscoring its unwavering commitment to ethical business practices and social responsibility.
The Good Business Charter is an independent certification recognising responsible business behaviour across ten key components. These
components ensure that businesses operate with integrity, fairness and respect for all stakeholders, including employees, customers,
suppliers and the environment.

CEO [Name] stated, “We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Good Business Charter accreditation. This milestone reflects our
dedication to upholding the highest ethical standards in all our operations and reinforces our commitment to making a positive impact on
our community and the environment.”

To earn the GBC accreditation, [Organisation Name] adhered to the following ten principles:
• Paying the Real Living Wage
• Commitment to employee well-being
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Paying fair tax
• Ethical sourcing
• Implementing fairer hours and contracts
• Employee representation
• Environmental responsibility
• Commitment to customers
• Prompt payment to suppliers

In a recent survey, 97% of people expressed that they value businesses that operate ethically and sustainably. The GBC’s independent
certification distinguishes [Organisation name] as a leader in ethical capitalism, highlighting its commitment to putting people and the
planet first.

CEO of the Good Business Charter, Jenny Herrera, said:“[insert quote, please contact communications@goodbusinesscharter.com].”

Join Us in Celebrating
We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this significant achievement. To learn more about the Good Business Charter and how it
promotes responsible business practices, please visit goodbusinesscharter.com

Notes for Editors
About [Organisation name]
[Brief description of the organisation, including mission, values and key services or products.]

For media enquiries:
[Your name]
[Your position]
[Organisation name]
[Your email]
[Your phone number]

About the Good Business Charter
The Good Business Charter was developed, and is overseen by, the Good Business Foundation, an independent charity established in 2019 by entrepreneur Julian Richer.

The Charter is a simple accreditation which organisations in the UK can sign up to in recognition of responsible business practices. It measures behaviour over ten components (nine for charities and public sector): real living wage; fairer hours and contracts; employee well-being; employee representation; equality, diversity and inclusion; environmental responsibility; paying fair tax; commitment to customers; ethical sourcing, and prompt payment. An organisation must meet all ten components (nine for charities and public sector) to receive GBC accreditation. It is open to private sector, public sector and charities of all sizes including a streamlined version for organisations with 50 employees or fewer. The Good Business Charter is an initiative of the Good Business Foundation, charity number 1186547, company number 12278437.
Website: www.goodbusinesscharter.com

For media enquiries:
Harriet Gilholm
Marketing and Communications Officer
Good Business Charter
Harriet Gilholm
+44 73 5567 3964
Events

Why not host a launch event for your suppliers, customers or your community, teaching them all about your commitment to ethical business and how they can get involved. To find out more about hosting an event in partnership with us, please visit Good Business Charter events or contact communications@goodbusinesscharter.com

Communicating your accreditation internally

Emails, newsletters & intranets
Email signatures
Add the GBC accredited logo to your employees email signatures to further communicate your commitment to good business practices.

Newsletters and intranets
Communicate the exciting news to your employees in your employee newsletter and/or on your intranet (download the email banner here). Here is some example copy:

We’ve achieved Good Business Charter accreditation!
We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded Good Business Charter (GBC) accreditation! This recognition highlights our dedication to ethical business practices across all of our operations. To earn this accreditation, we adhered to all 10 GBC components, which encompass a broad spectrum of responsibilities towards employees, suppliers, customers and the environment. The 10 components are:

Paying the Real Living Wage

Commitment to employee well-being

Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Paying fair tax

Ethical sourcing

Implementing fairer hours and contracts

Employee representation

Environmental responsibility

Commitment to customers

Prompt payment to suppliers

In a world where 97% of people value responsible business practices, the GBC’s independent certification distinguishes us as a leader in ethical capitalism. This accreditation signals that we prioritise people, which helps us attract top talent and build loyal customer relationships.
Join us in celebrating this achievement and learn more about the Good Business Charter at goodbusinesscharter.com.

Together, we can support and promote responsible business practices
Events

Why not host a launch event for your employees, teaching them all about your commitment to ethical business and how they can get involved. To find out more about hosting an event in partnership with us, please visit Good Business Charter events or contact communications@goodbusinesscharter.com .
Posters

Further communication resources

Introducing the ten components in organisations with 50 employees or fewer
We are proud to be accredited by the Good Business Charter. The GBC consists of 10 components and more details for each of these components can be found on their website: goodbusinesscharter.com.

As an organisation with As an organisation with 50 or fewer employees:

We commit to pay our directly employed and regularly contracted staff the real living wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.

We commit to only use zero or minimal hours contracts when it is mutually beneficial and accepted by both us and the employee.

We will actively support and encourage employee well-being treating those with legitimate sickness in a fair and respectful manner and promote access to impartial support and advice for employees with physical and mental health needs.

We commit to having a way where every employee can make suggestions or raise issues with senior management.

We commit to have robust measures in place to encourage diversity at key stages of recruitment, selection and retention of employees and to prevent harassment or victimisation in the workplace.

We care about the environment and encourage the development of good environmental practice as an organisation, seeking to minimise our impact and commit to improve it.

We commit to pay our taxes where applicable, only use tax allowances for the purpose intended, and be transparent in our relationship with HMRC.

We have a clear commitment to our customers and prioritise addressing and learning from customer feedback, seeking to put negative issues right.

We commit to ethical sourcing of anything we purchase, such as by applying standards set out in the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code where relevant.

We commit to paying our suppliers promptly, and within at least 30 days.
Useful statistics

Environmental Responsibility
76% of consumers are calling out for companies to take initiative to reduce their environmental footprint (‘The Changing Climate of Sustainability’, NielsonIQone)

Pay Fair Tax
The estimated tax gap arising from companies not paying their fair share of tax is at £35.8 billion (HMRC,2023)

Commitment to Customers
The amount spent on ethical consumer spending and finance in UK is at £122 billion (Co-op, 2020)

Ethical Sourcing
There were >16,938 potential victims of modern slavery referred to UK authorities in 2022 (up 33%) (Home Office Modern Slavery National Referral Mechanism statistics, 2022)

Prompt Payment to Suppliers
400,000 businesses face winding up because of late payment (FSB Small Business Index, 2022)
External resources

The Good Business Charter team is focused on the accreditation process and embedding the GBC framework. As a result we cannot offer specific advice about a particular component or aspect of a component. However, there are some excellent resources freely available from these trusted sources.
Useful links
Contact us

Members’ Area

Using the framework to embed your responsible business practices

Share your best practice with fellow members

Communicating your GBC accreditation

Communicating your accreditation externally

@good-business-charter

@goodbusinesscharter

@GBCharterUK

@GBCharterUK

Communicating your accreditation internally

Further communication resources