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.)
We are signed up to the Prompt Payment Code, showing a commitment to paying our suppliers promptly and encouraging other organisations to do likewise.
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.
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.
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.
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
Read more about what signing up to the Good Business Charter means to Buckinghamshire Business First.