Raising the bar
Driven by our purpose, to deliver data dignity and champion diversity, and our commitment to making a positive impact on society, we strive to uphold the highest standards of environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibility. Further exemplified by our B Corp certification.
ESG and B Corp Certification
As a global Data Protection Office (DPO) providing data protection and information security services across a wide range of industries and areas of expertise, HewardMills was created to be diverse by design. However, our dedication to making a positive impact extends beyond data protection. We are committed to constantly striving to raise the bar on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, reflecting our belief that businesses have a critical role to play in driving positive change.
Our journey to B Corp certification
Our journey began in 2020, when we registered for the B Impact Assessment (BIA), a tool that measures a company's impact on its stakeholders across five key areas, marking the start of a rigorous and transformative process. Over the next two years, we worked diligently to meet the high standards required for certification, focusing on enhancing our governance structures, fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, and embedding environmental and social responsibility into our daily operations.
01. Governance
‘Governance’ evaluates a company’s overall mission, engagement around its social and environmental impact, ethics, and transparency. It also evaluates a company’s ability to protect its mission and formally consider all stakeholders in decision-making through its corporate structure or governing documents.
02. Workers
‘Workers’ evaluates a company’s contributions to its employees’ financial security, health & safety, wellness, career development, and engagement & satisfaction. This area recognises business models designed to benefit workers, such as companies with programmes to support individuals with barriers to employment.
03. Community
‘Community’ evaluates a company’s engagement with and impact on the communities in which it operates, hires from, and sources from. Recognising business models that are designed to address specific community-oriented problems.
04. Environment
‘Environment’ evaluates a company’s overall environmental management practices as well as its impact on the air, climate, water, land, and biodiversity. This includes the direct impact of a company’s operations and, when applicable its supply chain and distribution channels.
05. Customers
‘Customers’ evaluates a company’s stewardship of its customers through the quality of its products and services, ethical marketing, data privacy and security, and feedback channels. In addition, this area recognises products or services designed to address a particular social problem for or through its customers.
By 2022, after thorough evaluation and verification, we achieved B Corp certification with an impressive impact score of 104.5, significantly exceeding the minimum qualifying score of 80. During the certification process, B Lab UK commended our unique blend of advisory and education work in the field of Data Protection and Privacy, and the way in which we harness the diversity of our team to raise the bar on data protection for underserved communities worldwide. HewardMills achieving the B Corp certification is especially significant given that only 24% of B Corps in the UK are owned by women and only 8% are led by people of colour.
Today, as part of a global B Corp community spanning 6,000 companies, 150 industries, and 89 countries, we remain focused on deepening our impact. Our ambitions are to build upon our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, to purposively collaborate more with the B Global Network, B Lab UK and other value-led businesses and to foster a culture of sustainability through our procurement choices.
Read our impact report
Benefits of working with us as a B Corp certified Data Protection Office
HewardMills’ B Corp certification means you can be confident you are working with a company committed to the highest standards of social and environmental performance and accountability, as evidenced throughout our work.
You benefit from our transparent and responsible approach to governance, as we ensure every decision and recommendation prioritises integrity, accountability, and compliance.
With diversity at our core, we bring a global perspective and inclusive approach to solving complex data protection and privacy challenges, tailored to your unique needs.
We prioritise long-term sustainability in our services and will provide you with solutions that not only meet today’s needs but also support resilience and growth for the future of your organisation.
Working with us supports initiatives that drive positive social change.
Empowering and protecting Black women
HewardMills is proud to support the Protect Black Women initiative, an empathetic, empowering support system for Black women.
Through advocacy, partnerships, fundraising and training, Protect Black Women aims to deepen understanding of the challenges Black women face, to raise awareness and mobilise resources to address these issues.
