FARMER-OWNED co-operative, First Milk, has announced that it has successfully certified as a B Corporation (or B Corp) – making it an authentically sustainable business.

First Milk has a well-established sustainability programme based on its co-operative values, which includes the UK dairy industry’s largest regenerative farming programme, as well as ambitious net zero targets.

As part of its natural evolution towards greater accountability and transparency in this area, B Corp certification means that First Milk now joins a growing group of companies that are using business as a force for good, leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.

Certification is a rigorous process, which addresses the entirety of a business’ operations and covers five key impact areas of governance, workers, community, environment and customers. There are more than 6000 B Corps certified globally, including 1100 in the UK.

Commenting on the announcement chief executive Shelagh Hancock, said: “Our successful certification as a B Corp is recognition of our hard work around sustainability and regenerative thinking and will be an important part of our journey in the future.

"We join an extensive worldwide community of like-minded organisations with shared values, and this development will help us communicate our story more effectively to our growing stakeholder base, inspiring future action as we work to deliver our vision of enriching life every day to secure the future.”

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Executive director of B Lab UK, Chris Turner, added: “We are delighted to welcome First Milk as a Certified B Corporation, and we know that they are going to be a fantastic addition to the community. Welcoming them is an exciting moment because they have an opportunity to lead the way within the UK dairy industry. 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”.