Zen Internet steps up to the challenge and becomes B Corp accredited

Richard Tang, CEO of Zen Internet

Rochdale-based Zen Internet, the largest independently-owned telecommunications and technology service provider in the UK, has today (Tuesday 8 September) announced its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing group of companies reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit.

Zen has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.

The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of an organisation’s operations and covers five key impact areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is comprehensive and organisations are required to implement and maintain processes which enhance social and environmental contributions. 

These processes are then reviewed during the verification stage to ensure they meet the required standards. Examples include energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. To complete the certification, an organisation must legally embed their commitment to purpose beyond profit in their company articles.

Zen is now part of a community of over 3,500 businesses globally who have certified as B Corps. The B Corp community in the UK, representing a broad cross section of industries and sizes, comprises over 330 companies including well-known brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop, and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole.

Richard Tang, Founder and Chairman at Zen, said: “From the moment I started Zen, my philosophy was to create a company that made a positive difference to the wider world, not just the bottom line. This accreditation backs up the years of hard work to make this happen. For too long companies, particularly large companies, have focused on short-term profits to the detriment of all else. Zen wants to show its customers and the industry that we can be a successful and profitable company, without compromising our values.”

Recent attention on the telecommunications industry makes Zen’s B Corp certification a notable step, and signals a shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the sector.

Zen’s commitments

Zen achieved the B Corp certification following an eight month implementation programme. Thanks to Zen’s continued commitment to people, the local community and the environment, many of the requirements were already in place and it was just a case of enhancing these positive contributions further. Zen was able to showcase a number of initiatives such as how it offset its carbon emissions as part of its Carbon Neutral Plus status.

Another key part of accreditation is commitment to employees, with Zen providing excellent employee benefits and maintaining an ongoing programme of health and wellbeing initiatives.

In line with this philosophy, Zen also strives to do the right thing by its customers. As such, Zen is the first broadband provider in the UK to have a ‘price for life’ promise for its customers. Bucking the loyalty penalty trend followed by other providers, the lifetime price guarantee means Zen customers don’t face end of contract price hikes, as part of the company’s pledge to always do the right thing by its customers.

Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK said: “It’s hugely exciting to welcome Zen to the B Corp community. Their commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit. We know that Zen are going to be a fantastic addition to the community.”