Organisation for Responsible Businesses

We are delighted to welcome Blackwood Books Ltd as one of this year's newest ORB members. Suzanne Pritchard founded the company in 2013, having already spent 15 years as a bookkeeper /accountant for several companies. She is a member of the IAB - also an #ORBmember - and joined ORB after she had seen our company info on the IAB website. She not only applied to join ORB almost immediately, but as soon as her membership was accepted she also registered for our 6-week Facilitated ESG Course. Suzanne is a sole practitioner and has no desire to change that status. Yet she is clearly very a much a people person. Suzanne has never advertised and doesn't currently have a website. She has only just joined Linkedin. Yet she has a flourishing business fuelled purely by local recommendations. Suzanne is keen to learn more about ESG, Environmental, Social, Governance, on a more professional level so she can ensure she is embedding best practice in her business whilst also encouraging her clients to do the same. Yet Suzanne has always operated her business from a position of kindness to people and planet. It is an approach that from the conversations I've had with her, is very clearly embedded in her DNA.

“No one asks me about that stuff. No one cares.” I always made it my business to meet people outside of the circles who already agree with my message. It’s also how we started. In 2010 (here I am, pictured at Organisation for Responsible Businesses's launch!), most businesses thought recycling alone was ‘going green’ and that responsibility ended there. Things have changed dramatically, but even today, when speaking to business owners on the fence, I still hear: “No one asks me about that stuff. No one cares.” And I understand why. If customers aren’t directly asking about your ethics, it’s easy to assume they don’t care. But just because people don’t ask, doesn’t mean they aren’t looking. They check websites. They scroll through social media. They ask friends, family, and colleagues. And if they don’t find what they’re looking for, they move on. This isn’t just about consumer spending. If you sell B2B or work with the public sector, demonstrating ESG responsibility is no longer optional— it’s becoming a key factor in securing contracts. I’ve been championing responsible business for nearly 15 years, and one thing has never changed: businesses that show they care about their employees, their communities, and their environmental impact are the ones that succeed in the long run. Those that don’t? Sooner or later, they start to fall behind. If you don’t tell people what you stand for, how will they know? #responsiblebusiness #ESG #smallbusiness

This morning, JK (Jennie-Kate) McQuinn gave a fantastic presentation called "Learning from Nature's Wisdom in Business and Life." It was a really powerful presentation and brilliant reminder of not just how beneficial being in nature is, but also the powerful lessons we can learn from nature on both a personal and business basis. Check out the video. And perhaps check out nature this weekend! https://lnkd.in/e56igeJz

15 years ago, Organisation for Responsible Businesses was formed - one of the original sector bodies to encourage and drive responsible business practices amongst SMEs and micro enterprises (and doubtless the inspiration for many of the newer bodies and badges we see today!) I wasn't part of their journey from day one, but was there in the early years, and remain proud to wear their badge, and submit my practices for validation against their standard. https://lnkd.in/dfkhQD84

We are celebrating 15 years of ORB since our official launch in February 2010. It has certainly been an interesting journey, but we have never wavered from our purpose of driving the responsible business agenda in the small business community and, very importantly, protecting the integrity of our membership. For those of you who know little of our history, my husband and I launched ORB in 2010, but in 2022 we gifted the company to the membership. I'm still CEO, but we now have a fantastic Board of Directors who all support our mission and ongoing going. You can find out more in our newsletter. https://lnkd.in/eXg_RTzr

When was the last time you checked in on your business ethics? Take our quick, 5-minute Responsible Business Questionnaire to see where you stand on your journey. No company details are required! Click the link to start. https://lnkd.in/ecdft_qB

Goodness, it is nearly the end of January and I haven't yet told you about Branded Biophilia, our first new #ORBmember of 2025! Branded Biophilia Ltd is another interesting and unusual company, founded by Beccy Dickson and Macey Mitchell in 2021. Branded Bio craft living walls, moss walls, planters and floral installations for events and exhibitions, providing clients with striking and unique marketing options that merge nature with innovation. As well as business premises and events, Branded Bio can produce exciting displays for more personal occasions such as weddings and big birthdays. Responsibility is woven into the fabric of company operations, using eco-friendly materials to boost biodiversity and sustainability and sourcing plants and materials locally whenever possible. Beccy and Masey also collaborate with local artists and other organisations to support sustainable living. If you are exhibiting at an event or have any big celebrations in the pipeline, why not check out Branded Bio and wow everyone with their beautiful creations! We are delighted to welcome Branded Biophilia to the #ORBfamily. And we'll be featuring more new members soon!

Great advice from the Organisation for Responsible Businesses. ESG (Environmental Social Governance) standards are already affecting your supply chains. This article explains why act now.

Today’s #ORBmember welcome is for one of the most unusual and most exciting, new companies to join the ORB family. A huge welcome to Pan Galactic, a new company dedicated to developing innovative software solutions for the space industry. Pan Galactic’s vision is to “make space data and systems more secure, sustainable and liberated.” Co-founder Alan Raw FRSA FSI is also CEO of the very newly formed sister company GalacticESG which is committed to utilising space data to create a more sustainable future on earth. some of the project already in the pipeline are fascinating. Alan has a diverse and expansive background, with a very clear commitment to making a positive social and environmental impact. His joint passions are the creative and cultural industries and sustainability, with substantial volunteering for many years in both arenas including but not limited to: Director of The Association of Sustainability Practitioners , Director of the Humber Eco Conference and Festival; Curator and Founder of the Hull International Photography Festival... the list goes on and on! Alan is a committed and experienced sustainability/ESG professional and practices what he preaches. I was therefore honoured and delighted, albeit a little trepidatious, when he joined our inaugural ESG Facilitated Course in November. He is certainly determined to leave no stone unturned in his commitment to the best ESG practices. But the feedback was brilliant: “it was a good experience and one I would recommend to others,” he confirmed. It’s an exciting time ahead for Alan and his colleagues who are all equally committed to driving sustainability in the space industry and embedding first-class, authentic ESG practices and projects alongside the main company. I’m sure many of you are interested in watching developments unfold, so why not connect with Alan and follow Pan Galactic and GalacticESG on Linkedin. #spaceindustry #ESG #sustainability #responsiblebusiness #itsjustgoodbusiness

What's your view on working from home? I agree with Tony!