B Corp and Sustainability case study: Conversation with Hattiers Rum

A Certified B Corp is the highest calibre of business that balance purpose and profit. There is just 3,720 Certified B Corps in the world at this point, in 150 industries and across 74 countries with over 500 B Corps in the UK.

These incredible businesses undertake intensive impact assessments to prove their commitment to sustainability and the ‘greater good’ and they are legally required through their company articles to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment.  In short, this a community of business leaders driving a global movement using businesses as a force for good. 

In recognition of B Corp month 2021 Laura Seaward, senior manager, caught up with Philip Everett-Lyon, the founder of Hattiers Rum which is one of just 7 B Corps in Devon and the first British B Corp Rum company (the second Rum B Corp in the world). 
 

The Business

Philip spent 10 years working in the film and television industry before moving back to the South Hams in Devon with his wife. He worked on a variety of boards as a Non-executive director in a wide range of industries but was keen to create something of his own to nourish, build and love and to build a legacy for his family who remain at the heart of every decision made.

In 2017, fuelled by a passion for sailing, love for rum and the expectation that the popularity of Rum was soon to increase the same way as Gin previously, Philip and the family chose to begin their Rum journey. 

Sustainability has been at the heart of the business since incorporation and Philip made the decision from the outset to be plastic free, partnering with Flexi-hex to package their Rum bottles. Philip and his family have used their drive for sustainability to shape the way they do business from day one and the passion for both Rum and the planet are incredibly clear. 

Becoming a Certified B Corp

Hattiers was a pending B Corporation for 2 years while the business laid down its foundations and the company officially achieved B Corp Status in November 2020. 
Becoming a B Corp is far from straightforward and Philip and the team had to undertake a rigorous and detailed B Impact Assessment (BIA), a comprehensive questionnaire that determines the company’s impact on their community, employees, the environment and beyond.

Not for the faint hearted, the assessment requires companies to dive into every internal policy, environmental output and social contribution to ensure that impact is positive. 
After completing a wide range of questions, companies are given their B impact report that breaks down how they did in each section of the Assessment. It can be particularly tricky for smaller businesses to prove their contribution under certain areas, for example where there are minimal employees in the team it can be difficult to prove you meet the required standard for the employee pillar. 

The impact report includes an impact score. To be eligible for B Corp certification, that score must be at least 80 and to get there requires very intentional steps to build a sustainable business model.

Hattiers achieved an 80.5 score before becoming Certified B Corp and Philip is keen to build on this score with a personal target of increasing the score by 5 points every year. 

Philip noted that undertaking the Impact survey was an incredible commitment, particularly in the early days and it was immensely challenging but very fulfilling and worth every moment. The initial report was daunting, but he noted it was worth undertaking it in management chunks and tackling every aspect of the report stage by stage to do it right. There are some incredible knowledgeable B Leaders across the UK and Philip noted that, although Hattiers did not use one, they could really help companies pass the Impact assessment. 

The future

Philip is fully aware of the challenges the hospitality and retail industry has faced because of COVID-19 and lockdowns and in the short term he is keen to help support local shops, bars and restaurants get back on their feet by providing Rum tastings and support for wholesalers wherever they can. 

On a longer-term plan, Philip is keen to continue to improve Hattiers’ business sustainability and they have recently started planting their own woodland, planting native wood in 4 acres of their land. The company is committing to improving their carbon footprint further and they are on track to achieve scope 1&2 carbon neutrality by the end of 2021.

Philip is partnering with a project in Malawi where they can offset their carbon footprint and really help the community, both there and in the UK, Philip is keen to visit Malawi to see how this is done and the benefits on the South African community in question as soon as he can.

Philip recently reviewed his original 2017 business plan and was delighted to note that over 90% of the original plans have already been achieved, however, there is plenty more now planned! The company is going from strength to strength with some exciting announcements coming very soon.