The Cotswolds is famous for its rolling countryside, honey-coloured villages, and thriving independent businesses. Protecting everything that makes the region so special requires more than simply appreciating it. It requires businesses willing to take responsibility for their impact.

The Cotswold Letting Agency has recently published its first Impact Report, demonstrating how a successful property business can balance commercial success with genuine care for people, place, and the environment. Following its certification as a B Corporation in 2025, the report provides a transparent look at the agency’s achievements, ambitions, and commitment to continuous improvement.

∙ A MAJOR B CORP MILESTONE ∙

One of the report’s biggest achievements is the agency becoming a Certified B Corporation, achieving an impressive score of 88.3, comfortably exceeding the certification threshold of 80. The certification recognises businesses that meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

For Founder Fergus Mitchell, B Corp certification was never intended as the destination, but rather a framework for continually improving the way the business operates for its employees, customers, community, and the environment.

∙ SUSTAINABILITY WITH SUBSTANCE ∙

The report highlights a number of meaningful environmental initiatives already in place. The agency now operates on a 100% renewable electricity tariff, has introduced two electric vehicles into its fleet, has become a Certified Carbon Neutral Business, and has established a long-term target of reducing its carbon emissions by 5% every year.

Practical changes, including rainwater harvesting, composting food waste, energy audits, and supporting local conservation projects, demonstrate that sustainability has become embedded in day-to-day operations rather than remaining a marketing message.

∙ INVESTING IN PEOPLE ∙

Looking after its team is clearly just as important. All six employees live locally, employee satisfaction sits at 93%, everyone is paid at least the Real Living Wage, staff benefit from private health insurance, flexible working, professional development, and a profit-sharing commission scheme linked to company performance.

∙ SUPPORTING THE COTSWOLDS COMMUNITY ∙

The agency also demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting the wider Cotswolds economy. More than 60% of its expenditure is with local businesses, 97% of its top suppliers are local, and it has committed to donating 0.1% of annual turnover to charitable causes each year. The report also highlights support for organisations including Caring for the Cotswolds, Cotswold National Landscape, Maggie’s Oxford, and Green Runners.

Closer to home for us, we were delighted to see Cotswolds Concierge and our monthly Cotswolds Huddles recognised as part of the agency’s commitment to strengthening connections between local businesses and communities.

∙ A BETTER EXPERIENCE FOR OWNERS, TENANTS, AND GUESTS ∙

Alongside sustainability, the report reinforces The Cotswold Letting Agency’s commitment to excellent customer service. The business maintains five-star Google and Trustpilot ratings, provides annual property inspections for owners, encourages visitors to support local independent businesses during their stay, and gives every guest guidance on respecting the local community and environment while exploring the Cotswolds.

∙ SETTING AN EXAMPLE ∙

Increasingly, travellers, homeowners, and tenants want to work with businesses whose values align with their own. The Cotswold Letting Agency‘s first Impact Report demonstrates that sustainability, transparency, and commercial success don’t need to compete with one another.

Instead, they can reinforce one another, creating a business that not only delivers exceptional service, but also contributes positively to the landscape and communities that make the Cotswolds such a remarkable place to live, work, and visit. As Fergus Mitchell concludes in the report, becoming a B Corp is “just the start.”

∙ Read the full Impact Report here ∙