Heligan leads the way with B Corp certification
- 13th Nov 2024
The 200-acre working estate and gardens nestled on Cornwall’s south coast near Mevagissey has been open to the public and home to historic working gardens, varied natural habitats, and plentiful wildlife species for over 30 years. It enables and inspires connections to nature through the beauty of the gardens, its story of restoration, outdoor play, unique events and a sustainable food story.
B Corp is a global movement dedicated to benefitting all people, communities and the planet. As part of the rigorous assessment process and world-renowned high standards, the entirety of Heligan’s business operations were evaluated across five key impact areas over the past 18 months: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers.
Heligan achieved an overall B Impact score of 91.3, which exceeds the average of other B Corps in the UK, within the tourism sector and for a business of its size. Heligan is proud to become one of almost 9,000 B Corps around the world.
The Reintroduction of Beavers on the Heligan estate is part of our plan to improve biodiversity
- Heligan has recently introduced glow-worms and water voles to the estate, alongside a beaver re-introduction project, helping to provide a home to rare native species and increase biodiversity, as well as educate visitors on the importance of conservation.
- Established in 2022, Heligan is home to a Cub and Scout Group enabling children in the community to explore the rich and diverse estate while nurturing strong leadership skills and a thirst for knowledge and adventure.
- Heligan is moving towards ‘zero to landfill’ and reducing carbon footprint by building a robust waste management process.
- With a permanent staff team of over 100 local people, Heligan pays the living wage with zero gender pay gap and employment is offered to a diverse group of people.
- Heligan prioritises inclusivity for all, offering relaxed sessions of its creative events programme, as well as an annual chosen charity scheme that raises funds and awareness for local charities within the community.
- Heligan works with several universities and statutory bodies to deliver research projects around regenerative grazing, growing practices and soil health.
- As the only rare breed farm park in the southwest, Heligan prioritises the conservation breeding programme of native livestock to showcase them to the public and impact their futures.
“Joining the global B Corp community is a huge achievement so to also be the very first visitor garden in England to be recognised is extra special,” says Laura Chesterfield, MD of The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
“At Heligan we believe in a world where everybody understands their relationship with nature. Since the very beginning, we have pursued purpose, and the B Corp certification process has spurred us to dive even deeper. We have considered every aspect of our business in finite detail and, while at times the process has been challenging, it has been incredibly insightful and rewarding.”
The announcement follows Heligan’s success in last year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards which, among the accolades, celebrated the attraction as a leading wildlife-friendly business. It also comes hot on the heels of the news that Heligan has secured funding to develop a visionary new education centre. Heligan Learning Seed Pod will be an education, skills and learning hub which will help make Heligan and Cornwall an important champion for agriculture, horticulture and systems change.
“We have worked hard to ensure high-impact social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency but it’s a constant process. With Heligan Learning Seed Pod at the heart of our next chapter, we are excited to be able to share best practices and learnings, and further extend Heligan’s impact on community and people,” adds Laura.
Sir Tim Smit, founder of The Lost Gardens of Heligan comments: “Heligan is rightly proud to have become a B Corp. The intense concentration on how we can work and live better by being mindful to the overall wellbeing of everything is a foundational step to a new way of being and doing business. One day we will look back in amazement at these early tentative first steps and wonder at why everybody didn’t see the future coming.”
Tim continues: “Personally, I’m very proud of the team who have embraced the transformation with real commitment and for all of us this new status is a statement of intent about the journey still to come and not an end in itself. This is the real achievement-a profound cultural change to actually embed what we know to be right, in our actions. Congratulations all.”
As part of the achievement, Gillyflower Farm in Lostwithiel has also been recognised with B Corp certification. A member of the Heligan family, Gillyflower Farm is challenging conventions in agriculture to create a healthier, more bio-diverse and resilient landscape.
