History Will Be Kind (HWBK) and Deepend, both part of the Deepend Group, have successfully achieved B Corp Certification, following an 18-month comprehensive review process.

The certification, which verifies a company's commitment to high social and environmental impact standards, legal stakeholder governance, and transparency, is a significant milestone for both agencies. The certification process involved a thorough review of the agencies' impact on their team, community, environment, client and supplier partnerships, and business practices. Changes implemented during the certification process included the launch of 'History Matters', an Impact and ESG offering, evolving 'Be KIND' team benefits, committing more time to community involvement, and evolving recruitment and retention strategies to support a more diverse workforce.

"At HWBK and Deepend we’ve always believed that design, creativity and communication can do more than solve commercial challenges, they can reshape perspectives, influence policy and culture, and contribute to a better world. For this reason, we see becoming a B Corporation as not just a goal, but a responsibility. We couldn’t be more delighted to join this global community of changemakers and commit to holding ourselves to the same high standards," E-J Granleese, CEO of HWBK, said.

Matt Griffin, CEO of Deepend, echoed these sentiments, stating, "Becoming a B Corp certified has been a transformative process, and we’re only at the start of the journey. It has not only challenged us to raise the bar across our business and operations with a framework for continuous improvement, but also supports our capabilities and credibility to partner with other likeminded organisations who share in a commitment to deliver transformative impact across business, people and planet."

HWBK and Deepend's B Corp Certification aligns with their mission to partner with like-minded organisations driving change in their respective fields. The agencies have worked with a range of clients, including NFPs Australian Red Cross, St Vincent De Paul and McGrath Foundation, sustainability innovators MCI Carbon, Google and ISPT, DEI champions Randstad and Hilton, and B Corps Sharesies and Koskela.