B Corp status achieved for Exeter-based employee-owned PR and marketing agency

Exeter-based, employee-owned communications agency, Absolute PR & Marketing is delighted to announce its recent certification as a B Corp business, joining a global movement of companies committed to using business as a force for good.

B Corps are businesses that balance purpose and profit. To achieve B Corp certification, companies undergo a rigorous assessment of their social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Absolute PR and Marketing has successfully met and exceeded these high standards, demonstrating its commitment to making a positive impact on people and the planet.

Achieving a score of 105.5, which is significantly higher than the passing score of many businesses of 80, Absolute were already ‘walking their talk’ long before the agency’s natural progression to becoming a B Corp. As a purpose-drive agency, with sustainability at the heart of the business, the company currently has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any business in the South West that measured 1,129kg in 2021 and which year on year has reduced by a further 33.81% to 766.05kg in 2023. Absolute PR and Marketing has also been benchmarking and reporting on its social and environmental impact since 2022.

The B Corp certification came during a busy year for the agency, after a successful transition into an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT), following Founder Rachael Whitson’s decision to sell 90% of the business, in its 23rd year in operation. Employees now benefit from profit share based on the agency’s annual performance and also have a greater say in the running of the business. Absolute PR and Marketing are one of only two B Corp certified, employee-owned PR and Marketing communications agencies in the South West.

Rachael explains “B Corp certification underlines Absolute’s long-term commitment to ensuring we make a positive impact on people and planet, using our influence as a force for good. We believe that by aligning our business practices with our values, we can drive meaningful change and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future."

Despite the challenging backdrop of a sluggish economy in 2023, becoming employee owned and a B Corp business has had a positive impact on culture and morale in the agency.

Rachael continues “Each one of us helps to build on our new-found status and sustainability commitments. The EOT transition goes hand in hand with our B Corp certification. Both ensure that Absolute prospers and grows well into the future, whilst preserving longstanding relationships with our clients - some of which span 10 years - and staff who’ve worked with the company for up to 20 years, we will be upholding our culture and values for years to come”. 

For more information about Absolute PR and Marketing and its commitment to social and environmental responsibility, please visit www.absoluteprandmarketing.com