Heron Financial, part of Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), has made history as the first B Corp-certified mortgage broker in the UK.
B Corp certification, administered by the global nonprofit B Lab, is a rigorous process that recognizes companies committed to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Heron Financial’s certification underscores its mission to redefine the role of businesses in society.
Over the past 18 months, Heron Financial thoroughly assessed every aspect of its operations—from customer support to internal sustainability practices—to ensure it exceeded the demanding B Corp requirements. The firm achieved an impressive impact score of 86.7, far surpassing the average business score of 50.9 and well above the minimum qualification threshold of 80.
The certification is not a one-off achievement, but a continuous journey of improvement. Heron will then need to recertify every three years in order to maintain its B Corp status, facing increasingly stringent standards each time.
Achieving B Corp status has practical implications on Heron’s involvement with MAB’s Resilient Homes initiative. Delivered in partnership with Effective Energy Group, one of the UK’s leading experts in energy efficiency improvements, the proposition allows advisers to support customers with financing retrofitting work to make their properties more energy efficient, and provides easy access to trusted and accredited experts.
“Our B Corp status is not just an accolade; it’s a promise to our clients and community that we practice what we preach, and reflects our deep-rooted belief in the power of purpose-driven business,” said Matt Coulson, Founder, Heron Financial.
“As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on our mission to empower individuals and families to make informed financial decisions, all while promoting environmental responsibility. This is just the beginning of our B Corp journey, and we look forward to leveraging this opportunity to build brighter futures for our customers and generations to come.”
“I’d like to congratulate the team at Heron for becoming the first mortgage broker in our network to achieve B Corp certification,” added Karina Gerdes, Head of Resilient Homes, Mortgage Advice Bureau. “This accomplishment reflects our shared commitment to using business for good, and we’re proud to support Heron in their pledge to create a positive impact for all stakeholders, from customers to communities and the environment alike. We hope their leadership inspires other brokers to follow suit.”
“It has been a pleasure to work with Heron Financial as green pioneers in the mortgage industry, having run the GFI’s Green Mortgage Certificate training course for the team,” said Chloe Timperley, Green Mortgage Campaign Lead, The Green Mortgage Institute. “The GFI continues to partner with and support mortgage brokerages as they upskill brokers and understand the impact sustainable products can have on a prosperous long-term future for homeowners. It would be wonderful to see many more following Heron’s lead.”