As B Corp Month kicks off, Stroud Brewery founder Greg Pilley is issuing a challenge to the brewing community: stop choosing between ethics and the balance sheet.
Here, he argues that “business as usual” is a relic of the past, and the experience of the brewery, and the other 2,700-plus B Corporations in the UK, proves that aligning people and the planet alongside profit unlocks a competitive edge, drives customer loyalty, attracts top-tier talent, and opens doors to new commercial opportunities that traditional models miss.
Greg Pilley
B Corp Month runs throughout March and is a global celebration of companies which have adopted the tough standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability needed to achieve B Corporation certification. The movement is exploding: there are now more than 10,300 B Corps across 103 countries, with the UK hosting the greatest concentration — over 2,700 certified businesses employing more than 200,000 people.
Other brewers that have joined the ranks include Tiny Rebel, Small Beer, Toast Ale, and Days Brewing.
By injecting £714,500 into the local economy during 2024 and 2025 alone, employing local people, and operating as a near net-zero enterprise — among a host of other positive activities — the brewery shows that high ethical standards are not a luxury for the few, but give a huge competitive advantage for the companies bold enough to embrace the change.
“I’m immensely proud of what Stroud Brewery has achieved,” said Greg. “Since our early days, using our business as a force for good has sat alongside brewing great-tasting beer. Our experience proves it is possible for business to be a win-win for everyone. It doesn’t have to be simply about making a profit, regardless of the negative effect on society.”
While many traditional business models focus purely on finances, B Corporations take a “triple bottom line” view: considering the effects of their decision-making and activities on profit, people, and the planet.
The people element begins at home, with most staff living locally, and the brewery is proud to support many young people in their first job: more than 40% of employees are under the age of 24.
“Our B Corporation status is a huge boost to finding great talent,” said Greg. “When we’re recruiting, most applicants quote our ethical and sustainability activities as the reason why they want to work with us.”
The local community is equally important. Prioritising local suppliers ensures that wealth remains within Gloucestershire and supports local businesses, maintains jobs for local people, and reduces transport miles.
Furthermore, the brewery’s commitment to Stroud is a matter of gratitude. “Local people enabled us to start, to expand, and they came to our aid during the pandemic, when the future looked precarious,” Greg explained. In return, the brewery donated £27,700 in 2024-25 and provided free venue space to charities and community groups. They have also been a Company Friend of Stroud Valleys Project for 20 years, supporting the charity to regenerate local nature.
Becoming a B Corp is no easy feat. It’s a rigorous process where companies are assessed on their ethical and social impact, including on workers, community, and the environment. They have to re-apply every three years to renew their certification, the ethical business equivalent of the organic certification process.
“When we started in 2006, the business world often viewed corporate social responsibility as nothing more than writing an occasional cheque to charity,” said Greg. “Mixing business and sustainability was virtually unheard of. It’s fantastic to see how attitudes have shifted 180 degrees. Being ethical is now recognised more and more as being serious about business.”
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