A leading school trips provider has achieved a major milestone after being awarded a prestigious certification recognising its social and environmental impact.
PGL Beyond, which runs outdoor education centres across the UK and has its central operations hub located in Blackpool has secured B Corporation status following an in-depth assessment of its business practices.
The company scored 84.1 in the B Lab evaluation, a process which examines how organisations perform across areas including sustainability, governance and community impact.
The certification, which is increasingly seen as a benchmark for responsible businesses, acknowledges firms that balance profit with wider social and environmental goals.
PGL Beyond said the achievement marks a "defining moment" after several years of work to embed responsible practices across its operations.
Over the past three years, the organisation has introduced new frameworks to measure its impact and improve accountability, while also integrating environmental and social responsibility into everyday decision-making.
This has included changes to how the business is run at every level – from procurement through to boardroom decisions – as well as closer collaboration with suppliers to improve sustainability standards.
Chief executive Anthony Jones said the certification reflects a broader transformation within the company.
He said: "Achieving B Corp certification is a proud and defining moment for PGL Beyond.
"It demonstrates commitment to our purpose-led approach and reflects a fundamental change in how we operate, embedding accountability and transparency across every part of our business.
"This is not a single initiative, but a collective effort across our teams to operate more responsibly, raise standards, drive greater social impact and further reduce our environmental footprint."
The company, which specialises in outdoor education and residential trips, has also focused heavily on widening access for children who might otherwise miss out on such experiences.
Through initiatives including its Breakthrough Fund, PGL Beyond says it has already supported more than 17,000 children from low-income backgrounds by providing free or subsidised school trips.
The organisation has also placed an emphasis on inclusion, including improving access for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and is involved in wider partnerships aimed at tackling barriers to opportunity.
Alongside its social commitments, the firm has set out ambitious environmental targets.
These include plans to cut total emissions by 90 per cent by 2050 and to switch to 100 per cent renewable electricity across all of its sites by 2027.
An environmental management system has also been introduced to monitor and manage energy use, water consumption and waste across its estate, which spans more than 1,100 acres.
Mr Jones added that environmental protection is “a key focus” for the business, particularly given its reliance on outdoor environments for its activities.
He said: "We are focused on protecting the natural environments that underpin our business."
He also highlighted the importance of outdoor experiences for young people, particularly in relation to social mobility.
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"We believe beyond-the-classroom experiences are a given, not a privilege," he said.
"They play a vital role in social mobility, providing young people of all ages and backgrounds with the skills required to confidently transition into adulthood."
The B Corp recognition places PGL Beyond among a growing number of businesses seeking to demonstrate stronger commitments to environmental and social responsibility, with certification requiring ongoing reassessment to maintain standards.
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