Mitie, the UK’s leading facilities management, transformation and compliance company, has been awarded the Good Business Charter (GBC) accreditation, reflecting its commitment to responsible business practices that support people and the planet.
With 84,000 colleagues working across the country in roles from security to sustainability and cleaning to compliance, Mitie is the largest employer to be accredited by the GBC, meeting the standard required across all ten commitments of the Charter. It has pledged to continue to uphold the commitments, which collectively promote care for colleagues, suppliers, customers and the environment, while ensuring fair tax practices.
The accreditation was marked this morning at a breakfast reception held at Mitie’s headquarters in The Shard. The breakfast was hosted by Rt Hon. Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, Jenny Herrera, CEO of the Good Business Charter and Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services at Mitie. It brought together business leaders ranging from multinationals to SMEs as well as policymakers and third parties to discuss how the Government and industry can work together in to ensure organisations are increasingly empowered to adopt responsible business practices, raising standards for workers throughout the UK whilst enabling economic growth.
Founded in 2020 by Julian Richer, founder of Richer Sounds, the Good Business Charter is the UK’s benchmark for responsible business behaviour. It was developed with the Confederation of British Industry and The Trades Union Congress, representing the voices of both businesses and workers. With 97% of the public wanting to support responsible businesses, the Charter provides an accessible accreditation that demonstrates this behaviour, including prioritising colleagues and caring for the environment.
The Good Business Charter aims to champion ethical behaviour and to provide a benchmark as to what constitutes a good business in the UK. There are over 1,000 organisations who have received this accreditation, sharing best practice on how to demonstrate responsible business behaviour through every area of operation.
By choosing to join the Good Business Charter, Mitie is helping to set a higher standard for the facilities management industry and wider British business, evidencing that major employers can lead with fairness, responsibility and care, providing a blueprint for a more ethical future of work in the UK. Mitie recognises the growing need for successful businesses to drive meaningful social impact and have as part of our ‘Plan Thrive’ mission, have committed to uplifting 1 million lives through inclusive employment and helping people to build sustainable careers.
Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services, Mitie said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved Good Business Charter accreditation, setting the benchmark for responsible business in the UK This recognition reflects our commitment to creating better places and thriving communities, supporting our colleagues, customers and communities through fair practices and sustainable growth.
“As a top ten UK employer and the largest to be accredited, Mitie is leading the way in championing fairness, sustainability, and integrity. It was a privilege to celebrate this achievement alongside Liam Byrne, Jenny Herrera, and fellow leaders who share our vision for responsible business. Together, we can drive positive change across British Industry.”
Jenny Herrera, CEO, the Good Business Charter, said: “The Good Business Charter is here to raise the bar at a time when too many businesses settle for the minimum in how they treat their colleagues, customers, suppliers and the planet. We’re so pleased to spotlight Mitie as one of the major employers standing for doing the right thing and behaving responsibly towards all their stakeholders across our ten components.”
Rt Hon. Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee said: “The determination the team has shown in achieving accreditation in less than a year is a testament to their commitment to responsible business and should serve as an inspiration to businesses up and down the country.
“Responsible business isn’t an optional extra; it’s central to driving growth – for companies, for employees and for Britain. I’m delighted to celebrate Mitie’s leadership in proving that doing the right thing is good business.”
