The Suffolk-based agency said that the certification process, which is run by non-profit B Lab, took a year, with company practices highlighted including energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency, and demonstrating commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.

The process to becoming a B Corp requires meeting targets in five areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.

Businesses must provide evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency.

Once B Corp status is reached – certified by B Lab UK – the company must make a legal commitment to maintaining these standards through amendments to its articles of association.

There are almost 6,000 companies worldwide and more than 1,000 in the UK that have been accredited as a B Corp, including several market research companies including The Nursery, Space Doctors and Zappi.

Paul Mackman, managing director at The Mackman Group, said: “As we approached our 20th year in business, instead of looking back over past achievements, we wanted to focus our vision towards the future.

“Our ethos ‘Together We Grow’ has guided us to assist people, brands and the community and achieving B Corp status is good evidence of things we were already doing.

“We are proud to be recognised for our efforts and we hope to inspire others to join along on such an important journey proving that business can be a force for good.”

Chris Turner, executive director at B Lab UK, added: “We are delighted to welcome The Mackman Group to the B Corp community.

“We know that The Mackman Group are going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”