WhyB24 Manchester Cohort Programme

- Interested in becoming a certified B Corp?

- Interested in understanding how you can be a more responsible business?

- Interested in measuring your impact?

The WhyB24 Manchester Cohort Programme is hosted at x+why, developed in partnership with B Lab UK, and run by two fantastic Manchester-based B Leaders, Annalise Lewis and Donna Okell. It is designed to motivate businesses as they complete their B Impact Assessment (BIA)– the key to unlocking the coveted B Corp certification, but also an excellent planning tool and way to measure impact for businesses of all sizes.

The Programme brings together a range of businesses across four sessions and helps them all navigate the BIA, with the support of a network of peers, and an inspiring environment in which to meet and work.

What can participants expect from the Manchester WhyB24 Programme?

• B Leaders will provide high-level guidance on how to complete each section of the B Impact Assessment.

• We will welcome you at x+why 100 Embankment, you are welcome to bring 2 attendees per company to each session and enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and refreshments during your sessions.

• Learning space during the sessions to increase understanding of the B Impact Assessment and B Corp movement, the opportunity to learn from trained B Leaders and peer companies on the programme
• Hear from inspirational speakers from the B Corp movement who will motivate and propel your journey towards B Corp certification
• Companies will be expected to spend some time in between each session by making progress on the next section of the B Impact Assessment to ensure you come to the session prepared and with questions to be answered.

PROGRAMME DATES:

• Friday 26th April: 09.30-12.30
• Wedenesday 8th May: 09.30-12.30
• Wednesday 22nd May: 09:30-12.30
• Wednesday 5th June: 09.30-12.30

Attendees are required to attend all sessions in-person

x+why will provide complimentary teas, coffees and light refreshments.

Attendees are invited to stay and work at 100 Embankment in the afternoon.

HOW IT WORKS

A group of 10-15 businesses meet across six weeks, for four morning sessions. Each session covers a specific pillar(s) of of the B Impact Assessment:

• Governance
• Environment
• Workers
• Community
• Customers

Together, with the support of B Leaders, Annalise Lewis and Donna Okell, plus a network of peers, each business will complete the entire assessment, and achieve an overall impact score for the company by the end of the Programme.

WhyB is an excellent way for businesses, large and small, to understand their impact, improve it, have fun and create long term sustainability within their company, as well as meet and network with like-minded companies and CEOs. The live sessions are designed to remove confusion and complexity, and allow time and space to ask those tricky questions and get the answers as you need.

WHO IS IT FOR?

We invite any businesses - and specifically leaders, CEOs, and sustainability managers - who are interested in:

• Why social and environmental impact matters
• Becoming a certified B Corporation or just assessing their impact
• Networking and learning from like-minded peers

Whilst all for-profit companies can become B Corps, this programme is specifically designed for companies with >12months of operations and more than 1 employee.

MEET YOUR B LEADERS:

Annalise Lewis 

Business Transformation Consultant | B Leader | Co-Chair of GM B Local

Annalise is a consultant, design strategist and coach, working in the field of purpose-led brand development and cultural transformation. She specialises in systemic change through creative, participative and transformational processes. Certified in psychology, and culture and personality profiling. 

On a mission to revitalise people and brands using the power of design, she offers a new creative roadmap for a more human and positive approach to sustainable change. Annalise guest lectures at Manchester University for the Enterprise Course. She is also a recognised B Leader and was appointed Co-Chair for one of the UK’s first B Corp Locals – for Greater Manchester.

Donna Okell

Founder and B Leader 

Donna is Founder and Co-CEO of UK for Good, a B Leader, and Chair of the Neuromuscular Centre charity. In 2021 Donna founded UK for Good, a B Corp Certified business, to inspire, and enable businesses to embed social and environmental impact into their organisation, grow sustainably, and to support businesses on their B Corp journey.

Donna believes as business leaders, we have a huge responsibility and opportunity to shape a better world for our children and future generations. Whether a business has no idea where to start their better business journey, is ready to pursue B Corp Certification, or courageously improve their impact on people and our planet, Donna can help businesses act as a force for good.

Programme Cost: £400+VAT per business (up to 2 employees may attend, or more if arranged with x+why).

Host or Publisher x+why