Heron Financial, part of the UK’s leading mortgage intermediary, Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), has become a B Corp mortgage broker in the UK.
Administered by the global nonprofit network B-Lab, B Corp certification entails an extraordinarily demanding process, and is testament to Heron’s profound commitment to redefining the roles that businesses play in society.
The UK-wide broker has been rigorously assessed to ensure it meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Over the past 18 months, the team evaluated every aspect of their operations, from how they support their customers to their internal practices, ensuring that they not only meet but exceed expectations.
Heron achieved an overall impact score of 86.7 - a considerable accomplishment given that the average score for a business completing the assessment is 50.9, and that a minimum score of 80 must be achieved in order to qualify.
The certification is not a one-off achievement, but a continuous journey of improvement. Heron will then need to recertify every three years in order to maintain its B Corp status, facing increasingly stringent standards each time.
Achieving B Corp status has practical implications on Heron’s involvement with MAB’s Resilient Homes initiative. Delivered in partnership with Effective Energy Group, one of the UK’s leading experts in energy efficiency improvements, the proposition allows advisers to support customers with financing retrofitting work to make their properties more energy efficient, and provides easy access to trusted and accredited experts.
“Our B Corp status is not just an accolade; it’s a promise to our clients and community that we practice what we preach, and reflects our deep-rooted belief in the power of purpose-driven business,” said Matt Coulson, Founder, Heron Financial.
“As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on our mission to empower individuals and families to make informed financial decisions, all while promoting environmental responsibility. This is just the beginning of our B Corp journey, and we look forward to leveraging this opportunity to build brighter futures for our customers and generations to come.”
“I’d like to congratulate the team at Heron for becoming the first mortgage broker in our network to achieve B Corp certification,” added Karina Gerdes, Head of Resilient Homes, Mortgage Advice Bureau. “This accomplishment reflects our shared commitment to using business for good, and we're proud to support Heron in their pledge to create a positive impact for all stakeholders, from customers to communities and the environment alike. We hope their leadership inspires other brokers to follow suit."
"It has been a pleasure to work with Heron Financial as green pioneers in the mortgage industry, having run the GFI’s Green Mortgage Certificate training course for the team,” said Chloe Timperley, Green Mortgage Campaign Lead, The Green Mortgage Institute. “The GFI continues to partner with and support mortgage brokerages as they upskill brokers and understand the impact sustainable products can have on a prosperous long-term future for homeowners. It would be wonderful to see many more following Heron's lead.”
