Burford-based agency becomes the Cotswolds’ first letting agent to achieve B Corp certification, joining a global movement using business as a force for good.

The Cotswold Letting Agency has announced its certification as a B Corporation® (B Corp™), becoming the first letting agency in the Cotswolds to achieve the internationally recognised standard and joining a growing global movement of businesses committed to using profit as a force for positive change.

Verified by B Lab, the not-for-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, the certification recognises companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. It confirms that The Cotswold Letting Agency has embedded a commitment to people, planet and purpose alongside commercial success.

The announcement comes at a time when businesses are increasingly being challenged to respond to the climate crisis, social inequality and the long-term sustainability of local economies. B Corp Certification assesses the full scope of a company’s operations, examining its impact across governance, workers, community, environment and customers. The process is widely regarded as rigorous, requiring businesses to provide detailed evidence of their practices and to legally embed their commitment to purpose beyond shareholder value.

Founded on the principle of ‘balanced profit’

Operating from Burford High Street, The Cotswold Letting Agency is an independent business managing a portfolio of more than 100 high-quality Cotswold properties. Founded on the principle of ‘balanced profit’, the agency has always sought to align financial success with genuine care for people, place and community. Working within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — the largest AONB in the UK — the business recognises the responsibility that comes with operating in a protected and ecologically significant landscape.

B Corp certification formally validates the agency’s long-standing commitment to responsible business practices and its ethos of being ‘Better by Far’ — delivering high standards of property services while actively reducing environmental impact and supporting local communities. The team works closely with property owners and tenants alike, offering a locally informed, personal service that prioritises quality, trust and long-term relationships.

Sourcing from local suppliers

As part of its sustainability commitment, The Cotswold Letting Agency has taken a practical, locally focused approach to reducing its environmental footprint. The business prioritises sourcing from local suppliers to strengthen the regional economy and reduce transport-related emissions, while favouring organic and environmentally responsible materials wherever possible.

Energy efficiency is another key focus area. In partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain, the agency has pledged to invest in renewable energy solutions and undertake regular energy audits to guide improvements such as upgrading appliances and lighting to more efficient alternatives. Waste reduction forms part of everyday operations, with a strong emphasis on minimising, reusing and recycling, alongside initiatives such as a courtyard wormery that converts food waste into compost.

Water conservation measures include the installation of low-flow fittings and the use of rainwater harvesting to support the office garden. The agency has also rethought its travel habits, encouraging car-sharing, introducing an electric vehicle into its company fleet, and exploring the use of an electric bike for shorter journeys around the Cotswolds.

Training on sustainable practices

Central to the agency’s approach is its team. Staff receive training on sustainable practices and are encouraged to contribute ideas for continuous improvement, supported by reward schemes that recognise initiatives making a positive impact. Beyond the office, the business actively supports the wider community through partnerships with organisations such as Caring for the Cotswolds, taking part in conservation projects, volunteering days, and local restoration efforts.

Sustainability is also reflected in the agency’s marketing practices, with a preference for digital communication and environmentally conscious print methods, alongside a commitment to transparency by sharing progress with clients and stakeholders.

Responsibility to respect the place we work in

Founder and director Fergus Mitchell said the certification marked an important milestone for the business:
“Becoming a B Corp formalises the way we’ve always believed a letting agency should operate. Being based in the Cotswolds comes with a responsibility to look after people properly and to respect the place we work in. B Corp gives us a clear framework to keep improving, while staying true to our values. We’re proud to be the first letting agency in the Cotswolds to achieve this and to show that doing business responsibly and sustainably is not at odds with commercial success.”

The Cotswold Letting Agency now joins a global community of more than 10,000 B Corps across 102 countries and 162 industries. The UK is home to the largest and fastest-growing B Corp community worldwide, with over 2,600 certified businesses ranging from global brands such as Patagonia, The Guardian and Innocent Drinks to independent companies making a positive impact at a local level.

Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, welcomed the announcement:
“Welcoming The Cotswold Letting Agency to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit.”

For more information about The Cotswold Letting Agency and its sustainability commitments, visit www.cotswoldlettingagency.com.