A leading Cornish business has become the first holiday home company to receive B Corp certification in the county – achieving an exceptionally high score of 97, far exceeding industry averages.
Cornish Gems joins just 10 other accredited accommodation providers in the whole of the UK – marking a significant achievement locally and representing Cornwall on a national level to spearhead positive change in the accommodation sector.
This milestone business achievement, for the independently owned holiday home specialist with a HQ in Truro, follows a rigorous B Corp certification process assessing the entirety of business operations, ensuring social and environmental standards are met with an ethos of re-evaluation and improvement.
Led by Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Manager Emma Fashokun, Cornish Gems achieved an exceptionally high overall score of 97, significantly exceeding industry averages across all the examination areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. The company’s environmental efforts were particularly commendable, achieving a score of 25.8, compared to an average of 8.7 in the accommodation sector. In its category, Cornish Gems also achieved 27.9 in Community (average 20.8) and 17.2 in Governance (average 7.4).
Nadia Macer-Wright, co-owner of Cornish Gems, says: “We’re thrilled to share our B Corp certification news, as the first independent Cornish home company to be accredited. It’s a milestone moment for our business. We’re extremely proud to join the B Corp community and to help pave the way for the sector. Whilst we’ve always worked hard to be a good business, B Corp certification is the official recognition of that driving principle. It’s just the start, a baseline from which we’ll further improve our business practices and be a force for positive change, putting the environment and wellbeing at the heart of our work.”
Recognising the importance of a triple bottom line approach, B Corp businesses not only focus on profit, but give equal weight to the planet and people in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Cornish Gems’ certification is a result of the company’s unwavering commitment to balancing a triple bottom line approach – solidifying their position as a responsible and forward-thinking leader within the Cornish travel and leisure sector.
Cornish Gems ESG Manager, Emma Fashokun, adds: “We’re honoured to be recognised as a business that underpins every decision with triple bottom line thinking. We are fully aware that both the climate crisis and the difficulties facing our community are very real. Alongside our B Corp process, we hope to contribute to resolutions and to highlight proactive strategies to encourage our stakeholders to embrace a better way of doing business.”
Founded in 2007 by Nadia Macer-Wright, Cornish Gems is a proudly independent holiday home specialist trusted to deliver memorable holiday experiences. It offers an exclusive portfolio of over 180 quality properties, ranging from countryside boltholes made for two, to exquisite riverside and sea view properties sleeping up to 20, and Eco-Conscious Gems cleverly designed to offer a more environmentally conscious holiday, without compromising on luxury.
For further information about Cornish Gems, their sustainability initiatives, or B Corp accreditation, please visit www.cornishgems.com
