The Buckinghamshire Business First Group has a track record of dedicated support for our employees, the business community, the environment, our suppliers, and charity and community groups.

The below accreditations and commitments provide reassurance to our members, partners and funders that we are a safe pair of hands in the delivery of projects and business support activity, and that we are dedicated to achieving a fair, healthy, and prosperous future for our employees and society as a whole.

We are delighted to announce that once again we have been awarded the Gold UK CSR Excellence Award!

This award recognises our efforts towards having a positive impact on society as a whole, including providing mental health support to staff, having a diversity policy that we abide by, and reducing our carbon emissions.

There are three levels of accreditation: Bronze, Silver and Gold - we are particularly proud to have been awarded the highest possible level of accreditation, something that reflects our commitment and drive to produce the best outcomes not just for businesses, but for people, communities, charities and the environment.

This is the second time we have been awarded the Gold UK CSR Excellence Award, while we have also received the Gold International CSR Excellence Award to boot!

Gain accreditation for your business!

CSR Accreditation is a great way for organisations to be recognised for their work in supporting communities, charities, their own people, and more.

Learn more about gaining CSR accreditation for your business >

We have made a 'Climate Commitment', recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, to help reduce climate change by halving our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Read all about our Climate Commitment here >

We have also created a #NetZeroBucks campaign to encourage businesses to reduce their emissions and pursue a healthier future for all. Learn more on the Net Zero Bucks webpage >

The BBF Group is an accredited Living Wage Employer, meaning every member of staff earns a real Living Wage.

The real Living Wage is higher than the government’s minimum, or National Living Wage, and is an independently-calculated hourly rate of pay that is based on the actual cost of living. It is calculated each year and is announced by the Living Wage Foundation as part of Living Wage Week.

As of September 2022, the Real Living Wage hourly rate is £10.90 across the UK. (It is £11.95 in London.)

Read more about being a Living Wage Employer >

We are signed up to the Prompt Payment Code, showing a commitment to paying our suppliers promptly and encouraging other organisations to do likewise.

Learn more about the Prompt Payment Code >

We have achieved Cyber Essentials accreditation, demonstrating to suppliers, members and employees alike that we can be trusted with their data and have robust cyber security practices in place.

Learn how to become Cyber Essentials accredited >

This is a public commitment to support existing employees who may have a disability, and to also ensure that our recruitment processes are accessible and supportive. We share good practice with other employers and consider ways of deploying ‘disability confidence’ within our processes and procedures.

Learn more about becoming a Disability Confident Employer >

We are part of the DICE Club which promotes the 4 Paralympic virtues: Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality (hence DICE!). Our aim is to be seamlessly inclusive as an organisation.

Learn more about the DICE Club and become a Champion of Paralympic Heritage >

As signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to treating those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, fairly. We also aim to encourage other businesses to support these individuals. Buckinghamshire is home to RAF Halton, one of the largest RAF stations in the UK.

Learn more about the Armed Forces Covenant >

Membership of the Heart of Bucks Community Investor scheme recognises our commitment to, and support of, local charities and communities within Buckinghamshire.

Learn more about becoming a Heart of Bucks Community Investor >

We are proud to be accredited by the Good Business Charter (GBC), which consists of the 10 components below. More detail on each of these components can be found online at: www.goodbusinesscharter.com

1. We are a Living Wage Employer who pays directly-employed staff and regular contracted staff the regular Living Wage.
2. We commit to a fair approach to zero or minimal hours contracts, including giving at least two weeks’ notice for scheduling shifts and still paying shifts cancelled at less than two weeks’ notice. We commit to give proper consideration to providing contracts with guaranteed hours. Both of the above are necessary unless requested otherwise by the employee of their own free will.
3. We will have clear, fair and transparent policies that support and encourage employee wellbeing and ban unreasonable penalties for legitimate sickness.
4. We will engage with worker representatives and ensure there is a voice that represents employees around the boardroom table.
5. We will commit time and money to creating an inclusive workplace. We will monitor the diversity of our workforce, commit to close the gender, disability and ethnicity pay gaps and narrow the CEO/worker pay gap.
6. We care about the environment and have an environmental policy which demonstrates the ways in which we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance.
7. We commit to pay our taxes, not engage in tax avoidance, and to be transparent in our relationship with HMRC.
8. We recognise our commitment to our customers. We publish this commitment on our website and gather and monitor customer feedback, reporting to the board and addressing concerns.
9. We commit to the standards set out in the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code where relevant to our organisation. 
10. We are signatories of the government’s Prompt Payment Code.

Read more about what signing up to the Good Business Charter means to Buckinghamshire Business First.