Responsible Business Seminar: The Journey of a Professional Services Firm through B Corp Accreditation and the New Standards.

The Journey of a Professional Services Firm through B Corp Accreditation and the New Standards

Emma Gaudern, EMG Solicitors

Tuesday 20th October 2026 | City Campus East, 1 Room 403 | 5 - 6:30pm, Refreshments from 4:30pm

Overview

EMG Solicitors achieved B Corp certification in May 2024, becoming only the second law firm in the North East to earn the status.

Being B Corp certified is more than a badge, it's a commitment to balancing purpose with profit. In this session, Emma Gaudern shares EMG Solicitors' journey to becoming B Corp certified, exploring the motivations behind the decision, the challenges encountered and the lessons learned along the way.

Since April 2025, B Lab's new standards have reshaped the certification landscape. Emma will offer insights into how EMG is adapting to B Lab's new standards as the firm prepares for recertification in 2027.

Whether you're considering B Corp certification or looking to embed greater social and environmental impact into your business, this session offers practical insights from first-hand experience.

About the speaker

Emma is a solicitor and Chief Executive Officer of EMG, specialising in acting as professional deputy and trustee for vulnerable and incapacitated individuals, representing clients that vary in their range of disabilities, from learning difficulties through to the most serious of acquired brain injuries.

As deputy or trustee, Emma works with the clients, their family members and support network to make sure that their needs are catered for and they are being enabled to live life as they choose, as far as that is possible.

This involves empowering clients to make as many choices for themselves as they can, and then supporting them in achieving their aims.

As CEO of EMG, Emma oversees the firm's strategic direction and supports the development of its growing team of specialist lawyers and professionals. She works closely with the executive leadership team to develop and implement EMG’s strategy, with a focus on sustainable growth, supporting clients, investing in its people and delivering excellence, while ultimately striving to change lives.

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The Responsible Business Seminar series is run by the Responsible Business Research Group at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University. The seminars are open to and delivered by both academics and practitioners, covering recent research and examples of good practice in relation to contemporary issues within the field of responsible business. The seminars take place monthly, always on a Tuesday evening (with very occasional exceptions) from 5pm, with refreshments available from 4:30pm. For more information on upcoming seminars, please visit our website (https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/responsible-business-seminar-series/)or email Dr. Sally Wightman at sally2.wightman@northumbria.ac.uk.

Description supplied by the event organiser.