Market Harborough Building Society (MHBS) has been awarded B Corp™ certification, joining a global network of organisations recognised for meeting high standards of social and environmental performance.
The accreditation follows a rigorous assessment by B Lab, the non profit behind the B Corp movement, which evaluated the society’s impact across areas including colleague wellbeing, customer service, community engagement and environmental responsibility.
While B Corp status is a significant achievement in its own right, MHBS leaders say the recognition reflects something deeper: the steady, values-led approach that has shaped the building society over many years.
Instead of focusing on isolated projects, its success comes from a culture that encourages teams, partners and community groups to collaborate and continuously build upon each other’s work, leading to lasting and significant results.
“Our ambition has always been to put purpose at the heart of every decision we make,” said Chief Executive Officer Iain Kirkpatrick. “Becoming a certified B Corp is a proud milestone for all of us. It proves that our purpose of ‘fighting for our customers and communities to thrive’ isn’t just something we say, it’s something we live. This achievement reflects the work of many, including our colleagues and members, each contributing to something bigger than themselves.”
Its Thrive programme sits at the centre of this work, combining grant giving, colleague volunteering, community partnerships, education initiatives and social investment into one focused agenda for building long-term community resilience.
Through Thrive, MHBS has invested £2m in social housing, opened its head office free of charge to local groups and charities, and launched Thrive Forward to support young people’s wellbeing, learning and future opportunities.
Thrive now acts as a practical framework guiding both day to day decisions and long term commitments, with programmes shaped by local need, partnerships selected for measurable benefit, and colleagues encouraged to contribute through dedicated volunteering time.
“This is a moment to celebrate with everyone connected to the society, our colleagues, members and local communities,” said Tim Neal, Head of Footprint. “Becoming a B Corp aligns naturally with our values and motivates us to keep raising the bar for positive impact.”
As part of the B Corp framework, MHBS will be required to demonstrate continuous improvement and maintain transparency across key areas of social responsibility. The leadership team has welcomed the structure, describing it as complementary to the organisation’s long-term commitment to responsible business.
“As a modern mutual, we exist to benefit the many, not the few,” Iain added. “Becoming a B Corp strengthens that commitment, providing a framework that keeps us accountable, transparent and focused on building a more inclusive, sustainable future for all.”
Further details about the Thrive Forward programme can be found on the MHBS website.
