Gloucestershire strengthens its position as a hotspot of ethical businesses
A team of accountants that works closely with scores of Gloucestershire firms has become the latest pin-up for a growing movement that is making the county a hot spot for ethical businesses.
Dear reader,
After a spell away from posting we return this week with news of a special win for one of the Founding Partners of The Raikes Journal, which has joined a movement that speaks volumes for the kind of county Gloucestershire is.
We are entering a new phase for Raikes, hence the quiet period recently, as planning gets underway for 2026 and some potentially big changes. As a result, we are slimming down our output each week until Christmas.
Subscribers now number almost 1,000 - growth from zero over the last 20 months - and readership of editions is more than 12,000 a month. If you think that each edition usually contains six to eight stories, feel free to times the eyes on stories by that number.
If you did, it would make this small operation, an outlier as the only Gloucestershire-headquartered platform leading by delivering journalism, a winner in terms of figures.
Raikes has built what it believes is the most credible business news website covering Gloucestershire, a quiet space away from the roar of marketing noise fast-flowing through the social media channels.
It seems it’s delivering something an increasing number of people want.
We have our Founding Partners and supporters to thank for this. If you would like to join them, please do get in touch.
Very best regards,
Andrew Merrell (editor).
*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service.
* It is a digital magazine and community interest company whose supporters believe, like us, that journalism about Gloucestershire is worth keeping alive. Everything you read here - original stories about our county - is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne; our sponsors, Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.
If you upgrade to paid you’ll be part of this CIC too. We’re dedicated to championing the county, its businesses, charities, education and training providers, and to creating an even stronger community. And you’ll be able to see past the paywalls often put on our 2cnd and 3rd email editions of the week, that lock our archive and our Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series. You’ll be able to comment on our stories too.
Usually you can sign up to support The Raikes Journal and make what we do possible (real journalism about Gloucestershire) for just £2.30 a week - or £1.80 a week if two or more people sign up at once. Or you can go all in and become one of our Founding Partners or Founding Members!
New chief executive officer for leading business group
Business West today announces that Douglas Ure will become chief executive officer from January.
Ure joins from Marsh McLennan, a global professional services firm, where he held various leadership positions in the UK and Asia.
He will take over from Phil Smith, who retires after more than 30 years at the organisation.
Colin Skellett, chairman of Business West, said: “His (Ure’s) experience and vision will help Business West grow and evolve, while staying true to its commitment to driving prosperity for businesses and our region.”
Skellet thanked Smith for what he called “his outstanding contribution over three decades”.
Ure said: “I see this role as an opportunity to bring my skills, passion and experience to help South West businesses and the region to prosper.”
Accountancy firm strengthens Gloucestershire’s position as a hotspot of ethical businesses
A team of accountants that works closely with scores of Gloucestershire firms has become the latest pin-up for a growing movement that is making the county a hot spot for ethical businesses.
By Andrew Merrell.
It’s a badge of honour many businesses aspire to, and not an easy feat to obtain, but the number of firms achieving it in the UK is making the nation the world’s number one hotspot for ethical businesses.
And the latest firm to receive B Corp accreditation from the world-wide watcher, judge and jury of such things, B Lab, is another Gloucestershire firm, Randall & Payne.
It's achievement further underlines the county as a major UK hotspot for businesses outside of London prepared to undergo the rigorous process and prove a commitment to “doing well by doing good”.
It’s a journey that involves them declaring themselves legally committed to serving all their stakeholders, not just making as much profit as possible for their shareholders.
Firms have to meet demanding criteria across seven categories, which include purpose and stakeholder governance, diversity and inclusion, fair work, human rights, justice, equity, climate action, environmental stewardship, circularity, government affairs and collective action.
Achieving the Holy Grail of ethical honours is proving beyond many corporates, often keen to gather up such accolades to wash reputations.
Only six per cent of British B Corps are currently larger firms with at least 250 staff - a figure that is seen to give even more credit to those who make the grade.
For Randall & Payne the effort has been such that the grand reveal proved an emotional moment.
