PKF Francis Clark has officially become a Certified B Corporation, joining a global community using business as a force for good.
It marks the latest step in the accountancy firm’s ongoing efforts to make a positive impact for its clients, communities and colleagues, as well as the environment.
Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are businesses that meet B Lab’s verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. 
Paul Crocker, CEO of PKF Francis Clark, said: “Becoming a B Corp is a significant milestone for our firm and one I’m extremely proud of. It shows we meet verified standards for social and environmental business practices and reflects the hard work many colleagues have put into improving how we operate. We know this matters to our clients, not least because a significant number of them are also B Corp certified.
“Certification isn’t the finish line – we’ve come a long way in recent years, and we’re committed to continually improving, guided by the B Corp framework. We’re looking forward to joining and collaborating with a growing community of purpose-driven organisations across the South West and beyond.”
PKF Francis Clark’s B Corp journey involved a thorough evaluation of its impact across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers. This process prompted the firm to examine every part of its operations and make significant improvements.
One of the biggest shifts has been in how the firm is governed, with environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations embedded into every board‑level discussion and managers’ responsibilities.
The firm has also invested heavily in improving the experience of its people, including through enhanced wellbeing support and regular engagement surveys. Learning and development opportunities have grown substantially, with around 200 professional qualifications funded each year, alongside a bespoke suite of leadership programmes.
Amy Taylor, chief people officer at PKF Francis Clark, said: “We are genuinely proud to become a B Corp because it brings together what we believe in – that being good for our people, our communities and the planet ultimately makes us a stronger business.
“Our journey has prompted us to look carefully at how we work and the impact we have, from wellbeing, reward and development to how we make decisions as a firm. Importantly, those changes have been shaped by listening to our colleagues and responding to what matters most to them and our wider stakeholders. B Corp certification recognises the progress we’ve made and gives us a clear framework and motivation to keep moving forward.”
On the community front, every office now has a dedicated charitable budget, enabling colleagues to support causes that matter locally via the PKF Francis Clark Community Fund. More broadly, the firm and its people donated and raised more than £100,000 for good causes last year, including YMCA Plymouth, Rowcroft Hospice, Children’s Hospice South West, Forest Holme Hospice, Salisbury Hospice, Love Musgrove, the Stanley Beau Foundation, Gympanzees and the Wave Project.
Colleagues also contributed 2,384 hours of volunteering. Meanwhile, partnerships with schools, colleges and universities have expanded, helping widen access to careers in accountancy across the South and South West.
Environmental action has also accelerated, in line with the firm’s goal of reaching carbon net zero by 2035. Offices have been upgraded with renewable energy, LED lighting, solar panels and smart plugs to reduce energy consumption. Green teams are active across the firm’s offices, supporting colleagues to get involved in sustainability initiatives.
PKF Francis Clark, which is currently doubling the size of its growing Bristol office, is now one of the largest B Corp accountancy firms in the UK, as part of a global movement of companies working to benefit people and the planet.
Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome PKF Francis Clark to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies that are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. We know that PKF Francis Clark is going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”
More information can be found at: Environmental, social and governance (ESG) | PKF Francis Clark.
Pictured (above and main page) are: from left: Project manager Shelley Anderson, regional facilities manager Jim Solomon, head of Bristol office Paul Bray, CEO Paul Crocker, chief people officer Amy Taylor, programme director Alasdair McAlley and chief operations officer Scott Bentley celebrate PKF Francis Clark’s B Corp certification (Photo: Dave Pratt).
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