B Corp Month feels like a good moment to reflect on what becoming a B Corp has meant to us, and to me personally.
Ellis Wines has been family run since 1822, which is something we’re incredibly proud of. Today, the business is run by my dad and my two uncles, and my brother, my cousin and I all work within the business as part of the next generation of the family. Becoming a B Corp wasn’t about chasing a badge or jumping on a trend. It came from conversations about the kind of business we want to help shape and lead long term.

We’ve always tried to operate Ellis Wines in a way we’re proud of, looking after our people, building long-term relationships with our customers, supporting our community and being mindful of our environmental impact. Our team is at the heart of the business, and creating a workplace where people feel valued and supported has always mattered to us. What attracted us to B Corp was that it looks at the whole picture; not just sustainability in isolation, but governance, community, customers, employees and the environment. It’s considered the gold standard when it comes to responsible business, and we felt it was time to formally recognise the way we operate and hold ourselves accountable to keep improving.

One area that really developed through this process is our role in the wider community. We’ve got some long-standing partnerships with a few charities, but B Corp encouraged us to be more intentional about them. We’ve introduced more structured volunteering opportunities for the team and encouraged initiatives that bring people together while raising money for good causes. Taking part in events like the Thames Bridges Trek was a great example, not just raising funds but creating shared experiences for our team at the same time. They’re small steps, but they feel meaningful.

It was also about future-proofing. As part of the next generation in the business, we feel a real responsibility to make sure Ellis Wines continues to thrive, not just commercially, but ethically and sustainably too. B Corp felt like a framework that would challenge us, stretch us and help guide us long term.

My brother and I led the certification process from start to finish. It became our project for around 18 months, working across departments to gather evidence, review policies and really scrutinise how we do things. It was detailed, at times intense, and there were plenty of hours spent going through documentation and spreadsheets, but we actually ended up certifying sooner than we’d originally aimed for, which made kicking off 2026 as a Certified B Corporation even more special.

One moment that felt really special was making the call to tell my dad and uncles the news. We had quietly suspected we might certify earlier than planned, but we kept that to ourselves. Being able to surprise them and tell them we’d done it was a really proud moment, and they were incredibly proud too.

We also kept the news from the wider team for around six weeks so we could announce it properly at our AGM in January, that was a surprisingly hard secret to keep! We were so excited, but we wanted to celebrate it together, in person, and recognise that this wasn’t just our achievement. It belonged to the whole business.

Going through the assessment gave us the opportunity to properly step back and look at the business as a whole. While we knew it would be thorough, what stood out was just how much we were already doing. It forced us to recognise that many of our day-to-day decisions genuinely reflect our values. It was also a reminder not to compare ourselves too much to others, but to acknowledge the progress we’ve made and be honest about where we can keep improving.

Looking back on the whole process, the overriding feeling is pride. B Corp certification isn’t easy, and it shouldn’t be. It requires hard work, honesty and commitment across the whole business. Personally, I’ve always tried, where possible, to support B Corp brands because I believe in what they stand for. To now say I work for a B Corp business, and that Ellis Wines is part of that community, feels incredibly rewarding. It’s a big step for the company and one that means a lot to me.

One of the things that has really stood out since certifying is how welcoming the B Corp community is. There are so many forums, groups and events that genuinely bring people together to share ideas, challenges and advice. It doesn’t feel competitive, it feels collaborative and that sense of community makes it even more meaningful to be part of it.

We know this isn’t the end.. recertification will come around sooner than we think, and we’re already looking at where we can improve further and strengthen what we do.

If you’re a customer or fellow business owner and are curious about the process, especially during B Corp Month, we’re always happy to share our experience. It’s a journey, but one we would wholeheartedly encourage.