Local Business Leaders Celebrated Five Years of B Corp Fest last week

Good for Growth: B Corp Fest has grown into one of the North West’s most distinctive gatherings for entrepreneurs, sustainability leaders and purpose-driven organisations.

Celia Gaze founder of B Corp Fest and CEO of venue the Wellbeing Farm explained:

“Good for Growth: B Corp Fest brings together people who believe business can be a force for good. The conversations and collaborations that happen here help businesses move from intention to action.”

What began as a smaller gathering has evolved into a festival-style business event bringing together founders, innovators, change makers and B Corp advocates from across the UK to share ideas, inspire collaboration and explore how organisations can balance profit with purpose.

This year’s event was bigger and more impactful than ever before.  A festival like no other it saw the Wombles of Wimbledon common open the festival then included games like play your cards right and spin the wheel. Nigel the Llama also made an appearance visiting the delegates inside the venue during a coffee break and even patiently posed for selfies with people outside.

Bespoke ice cream making, delicious home made cakes and big mugs for hot drinks for maximum satisfaction.  The attention to detail for guests was clearly at the highest level.

One of the speaker’s was Manchester born Hannah Cox, founder of the Better Business Network, who said:

“Business is the most powerful tool we have for systemic change but only if we use it intentionally. Events like B Corp Fest exist to remind us that there’s a growing community of businesses that refuse to choose between profit and purpose. That community is getting louder, and it’s getting bigger. That’s exactly what the world needs right now.”

Manchester business leader Nick Rusling, CEO of City Wellbeing Series Ltd also spoke at the event, added:

“The world is founded on businesses sustaining life, offering purpose and pay. If all businesses were founded on good principles, kind principles and strong values, the world would be a better place. It’s a team effort. We all need to lead from the front on this and encourage others to do the same.”

Other highlights from the event included a video talk from Masimo Soto founder of B1G1 that was streamed live from Singapore including a clip of the amazing Sir David Attenborough speaking about saving the planet, this really captured the hearts of everyone in the room.

Other speakers included:

Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK and Campaign Director for the Better Business Act

Darcy Laceby, co-founder of Absolute Collagen

Molly Gould from Effable

Rodika Murphy from RM Sustainability Consulting

Richard Dixon, CEO of Play It Green

Lucy Traynor, founder of Magnificent Roots

Dr Zoe Detko, Low Carbon Specialist and Director at Ardea Innovation

Emma Baylin from Shared Harmonies

Masimo Soto from B1G1

A Venue Built on Purpose

The Wellbeing Farm became the first independent wedding venue in the world to achieve B Corp certification, embedding sustainability, community impact and ethical leadership into every aspect of how it operates.

Set in the Lancashire countryside, the venue has become known not only for its distinctive charm and bow tie-wearing llamas, but also as a leading destination for corporate events, leadership retreats, large gatherings and weddings.  Recently featuring as the Rich Wedding choice in channel 5’s Rich Wedding Poor Wedding, combining rustic character with modern facilities, the venue demonstrates that sustainability, hospitality and commercial success can go hand in hand.