David Nicoll from Hilderstone has become the first business owner in the UK to achieve full certification under the new Responsible Business Standard.
The certification, developed by the Organisation for Responsible Businesses CIC, and validated by Anglia Ruskin University, adopts an approach that ensures values are embedded at the core of an organisation and reflected in every aspect of operations.
Dingle Lane, a small accountancy firm that also offers management consultancy and sustainability reporting, is the first company to achieve the new Full Responsible Business Standard Certification.
Proprietor David Nicoll, said:
“I am delighted to receive the Full Responsible Business Standard and Social Value Certification as it is such a broad-based and robust certification process. I shall certainly encourage all my clients to take the Responsible Business course and apply for certification when they are ready to do so.
“As well as my accountancy practice, I also own and operate a smallholding. I am already committed to supporting my local community and reducing environmental impacts, but I soon realised there was no room for complacency!
“The Responsible Business course is structured in such a way that it made me question every aspect of my business, and I learnt so much. The certification process shone an even brighter spotlight: it is very easy to make a statement, but when you need to validate that statement, you sometimes question your initial responses.”
Jill Poet, CEO of the Organisation for Responsible Businesses, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Dingle Lane is the first to achieve the new Responsible Business Standard Certification. David’s commitment to supporting the local community and reducing environmental impacts impressed our auditors.”
“Big businesses typically focus on ‘CSR initiatives’ to appeal to stakeholders, which can lead to accusations of greenwashing. Smaller businesses tend to focus on a genuine People, Planet, Profit approach: a holistic approach to sustainability that is good for business and good for society. This is the responsible business movement, and it is being led by SMEs.”
Jill added:
“Embracing the concept of responsible business will create a greener and more equitable society for now and for future generations”.
