Since our inception as a social impact agency in 2016, Barley has been driven by a singular commitment: delivering communication that matters. As we usher in B Corp Month this March, it’s an opportune moment to delve into what it means to be part of “Gen B”, a generation of businesses committed to redefining success by prioritising purpose alongside profit.
Our B Corp Certification journey
In July 2023, Barley proudly joined the global B Corp community, achieving a commendable score of 114.1 in our certification assessment. This accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to purpose-driven communications and our continuous efforts to operate with integrity and transparency.
And we never planned to stop there, as is proven through Purpose Plus, where we bring together our focus on purposeful work. Through Purpose Plus, we continue to uphold and drive forward with these values in three core themes; people; work and our clients; the environment and wider world.
Purpose: People
To make genuine impact, we work with some of the best talent there is, which is why our flexible working practices are designed to retain and attract some of the talented people who have otherwise been driven away from the industry. And since 2022, we’ve held an employee-owned structure, embedding this purpose into our organisational DNA and ensuring that our team members – who are integral to our success – have a vested interest in preserving and advancing our mission.
Purpose: Work and our clients
Barley exists to support clients on communication that matters and as such, we only ever accept briefs that are aligned to our values. Our impactful and behaviour-changing work has seen industry recognition at awards such as UK Green Business Awards, Global Good Awards, Third Sector Awards, Purpose Awards, Better Society Awards and The Drum Awards for Social Purpose.
Purpose: The environment and the wider world
Operating without a physical office is a cornerstone of our strategy to minimise environmental impact. As our team expanded globally, we recognised the need to proactively manage our environmental footprint. Partnering with Greenly, we have embarked on a three-year programme to monitor and mitigate our environmental impact, underscoring our commitment to sustainability.
Our annual team volunteering days enable us to give back and so far has seen us building habitats for insects in an inner-city park and pounding the streets of London to encourage restaurants, cafes, shops, hotels and more to sign up to donate any surplus food to Plan Zheroes.
Celebrating B Corp Month 2025
B Corp Month is an annual, global campaign where B Lab and the global B Corp community come together to celebrate the essence of being a B Corp. This year, the theme emphasises that B Corp Certification is more than just a mark; it’s a perspective, a way of seeing the world and leading for good.
Achieving B Corp Certification is not a final destination but a milestone in our ongoing journey towards greater social and environmental impact. It reinforces our dedication to conducting business in a manner that aligns with our core values and reminds us of the continuous improvements we can make. As we celebrate B Corp Month, at Barley, we are excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead.
We invite you to join us in embracing the ethos of Gen B, where businesses are a force for good, driving change and making a lasting impact on the world.