The Social Hub has been certified by B Lab, the non-profit behind the B Corp movement, for meeting rigorous social and environmental standards to help create a better world for all.
They became a B Corp at the first attempt, achieving an overall score of 107.1 out of 200 – the average is 94.
The move sees the 1,000 plus 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 currently operates hubs combining hotel and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), food and beverage, events and coworking spaces in 18 locations across the UK & continental Europe.
The Amsterdam-headquartered hospitality and real estate group, which counts 10,000 rooms and welcomes millions of hotel guests, students, coworkers, and members of local communities to its hubs every year, has made the pioneering move to cement its social and environmental credentials – as well as blaze a trail in industries where making an impact on sustainability and community is fast becoming an essential aspect of business.
The milestone announcement kicks off a calendar of events across its hubs to celebrate and build on B Corp certification and help drive change in the industry, beginning with a Green Community Table event at The Social Hub in Delft, The Netherlands on 29 October.
Key figures from across the hospitality, real estate, and business sectors will be there to discuss the future of the respective industries, with panellists including Tim de Broekert of Tony’s Chocolonely and Baba Toure of creative agency Home.
“It’s about walking the talk. There is no hiding place – 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.
Amber Westerborg, Director of Sustainability and Impact, The Social Hub
“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.”
Becoming a B Corp involves committing to a rigorous testing process carried out every three years by B Lab across five key areas covering the entirety of an organisation’s operations, including governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
Following a year-long assessment, B Corp certification is only part of the story for The Social Hub, who is more concerned about why it has earned the certification, and what it means for its community, and the wider hospitality, real estate, and workplace industries.
“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.”
Charlie MacGregor, Founder & CEO, The Social Hub
By 2030, The Social Hub has committed to reduce 78% of its greenhouse gas emissions, produce 50% of its energy on-site, achieve further environmental certification through BREEAM (In-Use) for all properties, and divert 100% of residual waste from landfill or incineration.
Community impact is also paramount, with The Social Hub hosting over 5,500 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.
It also pledged to donate 1% of revenues to the recently launched TSH Talent Foundation, a non-profit that supports changemakers facing barriers to opportunity; presents masterclasses that upskill the next generation of social leaders through The Better Society Academy; and collaborates with Talent Garden to develop skill sprints for students and co-workers within its hubs.
For The Social Hub, B Corp certification is also significant ahead of the roll out of updated European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) for use by all companies subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
“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.”
Tessa van Soest, Executive Director, B Lab Benelux
