An education technology company in Gloucestershire has become the latest firm in the county to be certified as a B Corporation (B Corp).
Studee helps international students find and apply to universities abroad through its website and team of advisers. The Cirencester-based business said 180,000 students have used its services, and it helped more than 400 universities in 30 countries to recruit.
The company has followed in the footsteps of Forest of Dean-based start-up Lighthouse Sustainability and Stroud Brewery in joining a global group of establishments, judged to have a high standard of ethics and that balance profit with purpose.
In order to attain B Corp status, which is administered by US non-profit organisation B Lab, companies must be able to demonstrate responsible practices in five impact areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
Studee has been recognised for its commitment to addressing the environmental impact of international education and has pledged trees for every student it enrols to compensate for carbon emissions of air travel.
The business said the issue is “widely ignored” in the international education industry and it hoped that its B Corp status would signal a shift towards “greater accountability and transparency” in the sector.
Studee has achieved carbon neutrality across its operations and is aiming to become carbon negative, while it also works with charities to provide scholarships for students across the world who require support to study at university.
Chief executive of Studee Chris Morling said he hoped the company’s new status would encourage universities to use its service to recruit students “ethically and sustainably".
Mr Morling said: "We hope our B Corp certification will signal an important change within the industry and inspire others to prioritise the planet over profit. We know there’s still work to be done and will constantly be reviewing our practices to make sure we continue to do business in a way that benefits people, communities and the planet."
There are more than 600 B Corps in the UK and 4,600 globally, including South West organisations such as Bristol-based chamber of commerce Business West and Cornish clothing brand Finisterre, to international brands such as The Body Shop and organic food company Abel & Cole.
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said Studee was “a fantastic addition” to its community and would help “continue driving the conversation forward.”
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