A COMPANY in Winchester has joined a select group around the world by winning certification for balancing profit with doing good.

Studio Republic is the first creative agency in Hampshire and only the second business of any kind in the county to become a B Corp.

B Corp businesses are committed to the highest social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, with a commitment to “using business as a force for good”.

The certification is held by 2,500 businesses across 50 countries, including ice cream favourite Ben & Jerry’s, drinks brand Innocent and clothing brand Patagonia.

Studio Republic’s directors Chris Todhunter and Jack De Wolf say they set out to become a B Corporation in 2018 as the company evolved into a more sustainable businesses supporting increasingly ethical clients.

Mr De Wolf said: “We’re all ecstatic about our B Corp certification. It’s so important to us to ensure we’re recognised as an agency that’s both committed to running business sustainably as well as supporting sustainable businesses through our digital work.

“Future clients and employees can now be certain that we are exactly who we say we are – ethical and trustworthy. This is a really proud moment for us.”

Accreditation as a B Corporation is a rigorous process that ends with the accreditation being written into the company’s articles of association.

The process, managed by the company’s sustainability lead Halina Myers, takes more than 100 hours.

Studio Republic is one of only 16 creative agencies in the UK to become a B Corp. it joins brands such as the Body Shop, Alpro, Pukka, Green & Blacks, the Big Issue and the Guardian.

The business was founded more than 16 years ago but has focused on ethically-minded businesses, charities and non-profit organisations exclusively for the past two.

Its clients have included the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust, the Ordnance Survey’s GetOutside campaign, the Green Party and the homelessness charity Step By Step.