I’ve joined the Building Better Business Brigade

I’m very grateful to you Nick Whitnell for signposting me to the Building Better Business event @ Bournemouth University this week.

This is my tribe.

With the speakers focused on responsible business.

Vice Chancellor and CEO Professor Alison Honour talked about the importance of teaching new graduates critical thinking skills as they take their first steps into employment and drive for responsible business practices.

The University’s Sustainability Manager Lois Betts MIEMA CEnv took us through the University’s recent positive impact initiatives, including retro-fit renewable energy installs, being a plastic free site and their refill initiatives.

I grew up in Bournemouth, so I was really proud to discover that Bournemouth University ranks 8th in the UK (39th globally!), out of 1,963 universities, for their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  Scoring 1st (12), 9th (8) and 44th (15) globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Impressive.

BU is on a strong trajectory to be a fine example of how you put sustainability into everyday practice – from its building to its culture.

The only person I knew in the room was the fabulous Jaimie Harris, of Pollinators, who spoke about the B Corp movement being the fastest growing in the UK.  With approx. 2400 companies B Corp certified. She talked of the “strength of collective action” and how “purpose gives you momentum”, how the B in B Lab UK stands for "Benefits for all" and introduced the 9 new minimum B Lab standards, coming into practice on 1st January 2026, including fair wage, workplace culture, JEDI (justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) and Human Rights.

Change Leader (Passenger) and UN Women UK delegate Kelly Keating told us how Passenger’s brand values of connection, wellbeing and nature weave into every aspect of the business. Their aim to inspire meaningful escapism, being responsible not just sustainable and keeping the focus on building “intentional culture”.

Did you know “75% of Gen Z’s say they want to work for companies that prioritise sustainability and social impact” and “Purpose driven companies outperform competitors”?

People leader at Salad, Arabella Lewis-Smith took us through their journey to employee owned and the challenges that can come with the process. Warning that if the language isn’t clear, confusion can be costly.

Language can bridge the gap. Between effort and impact.

People are at the heart of business and to affect positive change, quicker, we need to keep our language fresh, relevant, clear and meaningful. Not keep recycling the same jargon and terminology.

It doesn’t land.

We can't assume people know or understand.

I look forward to future events with this fabulous eco system. Offering up my critical thinking and copywriting powers for good, because I agree…

WE WANT BETTER

Thank you Matt Desmier for facilitating a great session. I look forward to the next.