JLES is now a Certified B Corporation™ - Setting a New Standard in UK Engineering

Setting a New Standard in UK Engineering

JLES Group has achieved B Corp certification, joining a global community of businesses independently verified for high standards of governance, environmental performance, workforce wellbeing and supply chain accountability.

Following an independent assessment earlier this year, JLES achieved a B Impact Score of 83.9, surpassing the 80-point threshold required for certification on its first submission. Globally, few companies meet this threshold during their initial assessment, making this a significant milestone for the business.

Certified B Corporations™ (or B Corps™) are companies verified by B Lab, a global non-profit network, that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The ‘B’ stands for Benefit for all, reflecting a commitment to operate in a way that benefits employees, clients, communities and the wider environment.

For JLES, operating within one of the UK’s most scrutinised industries made the decision to pursue B Corp certification particularly meaningful. Construction contributes significantly to national carbon emissions and carries recognised risks around supply chain exploitation and workforce wellbeing.

Over a two-year period, the company undertook the B Impact Assessment, reviewing governance structures, workforce policies, environmental management and supply chain procedures across the business.

‍

The assessment recognised several practices already embedded within JLES, including:
‍

• Operating as a carbon neutral business for all direct scope 1 & 2 emissions with ongoing reduction targets.
• Robust supply chain vetting procedures designed to mitigate labour explotation risks.
• Structured professional development and employee share participation.
• Investment in workforce wellbeing, including mental health & support resources.
• Delivering infrastructure that protects developers, homeowners and communities through compliant adoption and long-term asset transfer.

‍

Commenting on the milestone, JLES Groups MD said:

"B Corp gave us a framework to measure and strengthen how we operate across our workforce, supply chain and environmental impact."

"Everyone at JLES should be incredibly proud of this achievement. The certification process is rigorous and examines every area of the business in detail. Achieving this standard demonstrates the culture and values that already exist within the company."

‍

Why B Corp Matters to JLES

Since its founding in 2004, JLES has aimed to be a purpose-led business. Its founders established the company with a commitment to investing in people and creating opportunities for young professionals to build meaningful careers within the industry.

Over time, that focus expanded beyond employees to include the wider network of people connected to the business – from supply chain partners and clients to local authorities and the communities surrounding the infrastructure projects JLES helps deliver.

In 2022, during a company-wide engagement exercise, employees were asked what mattered most to them about the future of the business. One theme stood out clearly: a shared belief that JLES should continue striving to create a positive impact for everyone it works with and around.

This feedback led to the company’s core values being refreshed for the first time since its founding, placing people and positive impact firmly at the centre of how the business operates.

Although the team had already been working in alignment with many of the principles behind B Corp, the certification itself was only discovered in 2023. From that point, JLES committed to formally pursuing the accreditation.

Rather than treating certification as the end goal, the business used the B Impact Assessment™ as a framework to better understand its impact across governance, people, community, environment and customers.

The process highlighted areas where JLES was already performing strongly, while also identifying opportunities for improvement.

For a business that had long operated on strong values buthad not always formally documented them, the certification process proved transformative. Policies were strengthened and new systems were introduced to ensure accountability could be maintained as the business continues to grow.

‍

What This Means for Clients and Partners

For JLES’ clients and partners, achieving B Corp certification reinforces commitments they already expect from the business: integrity, transparency, technical rigour and long-term thinking.

The certification does not change the fundamentals of how JLES operates – but it strengthens the framework that supports those standards.

‍

Looking Ahead

B Corp certification requires businesses to undergo reassessment every three years, ensuring standards continue to evolve alongside the industry.

For JLES, the certification represents another step in an ongoing journey.

‍"We see B Corp certification as a springboard for improvement. It connects us to a global community of businesses committed to raising standards and sharing learning."

With the foundations now in place, JLES intends to continue building on this momentum as part of its long-term commitment to responsible infrastructure delivery.

‍

Learn more about B Corp & our scores here: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/deansgate-and-co-investments-ltd-trading-name-jles-group-ltd/