Lifestyle and wellness brand Bamford has been certified as an official B Corporation (B Corp) – a business that balances purpose with profit.

The award is only given to companies that use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment

The Bamford wellness brand was first launched in 2007 as a branch of the organic farming business Daylesford Organic – one of the first real trailblazers in the organic movement in the country.

Both businesses were founded by Lady Carole Bamford on the belief that we need to be more mindful of our connection to the earth; to live consciously and to respect the land that provides for us.

To achieve the certification, companies are scored on five areas; governance, workers, community, environment and customers.

Based on the B Impact assessment, Bamford and Daylesford earned an overall score of 87.3. The average for businesses who complete the assessment is currently 50.9.

There are currently almost 4,000 Certified B Corporations from more than 150 industries and 70 countries. Other spa and wellbeing brands which have achieved B Corp status include Comfort Zone, Elemis, Aromatherapy Associates, The Body Shop and Aesop.

Upon achieving the B Corp status, Bamford said: “Over 40 years ago I had a very simple idea, to farm and produce nourishing organic food while simultaneously giving back to our land.

“Everything I’ve sought to do through my businesses since then has been rooted in that same philosophy. To protect and work with nature, rather than against it.

“When I started farming organically in the 70s it was often difficult to convince others of the need to take care of the planet, so it gives me hope for the future to see how far the world has come since then.

“Today we’re joining a global community that is striving to set the world on a different course. Being certified confirms that we meet B Corps high standards of social and environmental performance across all areas of Daylesford and Bamford – from farming and food production, to our cafes, spas, skincare, clothing and homeware.”

She added: “I hope that our B Corp status inspires more brands to use their business as a force for good.”