Glasgow hotel celebrates new certification with vow

The move sees the 1000+ employee organisation join a growing global group of thousands of companies reinventing business by legally committing to pursue a sustainable purpose as well as profit through B Corp certification.

The Social Hub, founded by Scot Charlie Macgregor in 2003, currently operates hubs combining hotel and student accommodation, food and beverage, events, and coworking spaces in 18 locations across the UK and continental Europe.

(Image: The Social Hub)

The group opened its first UK venue at Glasgow's Candleriggs Square earlier this year, employing more than 80 local people and serving thousands of event-goers, hotel guests, co-workers, diners, and students every week. 

There are more than 9000 B Corps globally, and more than 2000 in Europe, including two of the Social Hub Glasgow’s Scottish-based suppliers, Brewgooder and Dear Green Coffee Roasters. 

However, there are just 212 certified hospitality organisations, and fewer than 50 in Europe. 

MacGregor, The Social Hub’s founder & CEO, who was born and raised in Edinburgh, said: “Environmental and social responsibilities are crucial to remaining relevant in any industry.

"It affects customer loyalty, brand credibility, and your ability to do business. Banks are already becoming stricter on who they finance, and legislation such as CSRD makes the urgency greater.

"Any organisation that doesn't move now will have to move fast or be obsolete within five years. 

"As a large hybrid hospitality company that will soon grow to operate 23 hubs and counting across Europe, we feel the responsibility to keep innovating for the greater good and a more sustainable hospitality sector.

"B Corp certification is just the beginning.

"We plan to open more hubs and welcome millions of guests, including students, the next generation of leaders and a central part of our unique community-building model.

"From here, our contribution to creating a better society will only get bigger and bolder.”

Pictured: The Social Hub Glasgow employs more than 80 local people (Image: Supplied) Becoming a B Corp involves committing to a "rigorous" testing process carried out every three years by B Lab, the non-profit behind the B Corp movement, across five key areas covering the entirety of an organisation’s operations including governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. 

Following a year-long assessment, The Social Hub became a B Corp at the first attempt, achieving an overall Score of 107.1 out of a maximum of 200 points.

Applicants must reach a benchmark score of at least 80 while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices on energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity, and corporate transparency.

Certified companies must legally embed their commitment to purpose beyond profit. 

Tessa van Soest, executive director at B Lab Benelux, said: “Welcoming The Social Hub to the B Corp community is hugely exciting.

"Their commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit.” 

By 2030, The Social Hub has committed to reducing 78% of its greenhouse gas emissions, producing 50% of its energy on-site, achieving further environmental certification through BREEAM (In-Use) for all properties, and diverting 100% of residual waste from landfill or incineration.

Community impact is also said to be 'paramount' for the group, which hosts more than 5500 purpose-driven community events and experiences engaging more than 100,000 attendees across its locations every year, as well as working with other B Corps across its network.

Pictured: The Social Hub's director of Sustainability and Impact, Amber Westerborg (Image: Supplied) Amber Westerborg, The Social Hub’s director of Sustainability and Impact, who helped set the group on its route to B Corp certification two years ago, said: “It’s about walking the talk.

"Becoming a B Corp means you are held to the highest social and environmental standards where honesty and transparency are fundamental.

"Customer demand and the rising significance of sustainability amongst travellers, business owners, students, and the wider public are, of course, an important factor in our pursuit of B Corp certification.

"However, the biggest driver has been our ambition to be accountable and set ourselves apart on the positive impact we can make on the planet and the global community.

“This is a massive milestone in The Social Hub’s journey. Other environmental certifications are important, but B Corp matters to us because it best reflects who we are as a community, the impact we have, and where we want to get to.

"Day-to-day people may not notice much difference, but that’s because we have been aligning ourselves with B Corp principles from the start. Becoming a B Corp affirms who we are and what we stand for.

“The biggest impact we can make is to help pull the industries we operate in up and challenge other similar organisations to follow our lead.

"That’s how we can create a better society together.” 

For more about The Social Hub’s B Corp certification, visit its profile on B Lab’s website. To find out more about The Social Hub, visit thesocialhub.co.