Haymarket Media Group wins global B Corp certification

Haymarket Media Group has won B Corp certification across its global business.

B Corp status is widely regarded as a benchmark for social and environmental standards, legal transparency and accountability, and Haymarket described its certification as a “landmark achievement” .

Haymarket, a global media, data and information business, with offices in eight markets across Europe, the US and Asia, has been certified on an international scale.

The 1,300-strong company owns more than 90 editorial brands, including Campaign, What Car?, My CME, GP and Asian Investor and operates in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore and India. 

Companies that apply to B Lab—a not-for-profit organisation which administers B Corp—must undergo a rigorous evaluation to win certification.

Haymarket said: “This landmark achievement positions Haymarket as a leading force for good, balancing profit with purpose to benefit workers, customers, communities and the planet. 

“It is a powerful and verified testament to Haymarket’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.”

Haymarket said it had taken nearly three years to complete the process of winning B Corp certification. 

“Reaching this point entailed significant investment by the business and its employees,” the company said. 

These efforts ranged “from the introduction of new policies spanning key areas including sustainable travel, environment, procurement and business ethics, to mandatory employee training and enhanced Learning & Development (L&D) offerings”.

Kevin Costello, global chief executive of Haymarket, said: "Achieving B Corp certification is a moment of immense pride for everyone at Haymarket. This milestone is not only a huge achievement for us, but within our industries, too.

“This was the result of a company-wide effort that demanded new commitments and formalised ways of working. The process emphasised global collaboration across continents and teams, ensuring our commitments to being a force for good are embedded in our daily decision-making.

“As a privately-owned, family business, our people are our greatest asset. We have long been confident in our commitment to shaping a better future, but today proves we walk the talk. We are setting a new standard amongst our peers — and we are excited for all that’s to come.” 

Being a B Corp requires “continuous improvement”, and Haymarket said it “commits to fully embedding these principles, with mandatory recertification required every three years”.

There are more than 10,000 B Corps, including Ben & Jerry's, Patagonia, Danone, Nespresso and Innocent.

Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Haymarket to the growing community of Certified B Corporations. 

“The rigour of the B Impact Assessment ensures that companies like Haymarket are truly balancing profit with purpose to benefit workers, customers, communities and the planet.

“For a global media company of Haymarket's stature to make this commitment shows the increasing momentum of the movement and its reach across all sectors."

Haymarket has a longstanding commitment to responsible business, sustainability and inclusion, and its global purpose is “Shaping a better future with remarkable content”. 

The company runs Haymarket Impact, an initiative which is focused on supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and publishes an annual Global Impact Report.