Mitie, the UK’s leading facilities management, transformation and compliance company, has been awarded the Good Business Charter (GBC) accreditation, reflecting its commitment to responsible business practices that support people and the planet.

With 84,000 colleagues working across the country in roles from security to sustainability and cleaning to compliance, Mitie is the largest employer to be accredited by the GBC, meeting the standard required across all ten commitments of the Charter. It has pledged to continue to uphold the commitments, which collectively promote care for colleagues, suppliers, customers and the environment, while ensuring fair tax practices.

The accreditation was marked this morning at a breakfast reception held at Mitie’s headquarters in The Shard. The breakfast was hosted by Rt Hon. Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, Jenny Herrera, CEO of the Good Business Charter and Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services at Mitie. It brought together business leaders ranging from multinationals to SMEs as well as policymakers and third parties to discuss how the Government and industry can work together in to ensure organisations are increasingly empowered to adopt responsible business practices, raising standards for workers throughout the UK whilst enabling economic growth.

Founded in 2020 by Julian Richer, founder of Richer Sounds, the Good Business Charter is the UK’s benchmark for responsible business behaviour. It was developed with the Confederation of British Industry and The Trades Union Congress, representing the voices of both businesses and workers. With 97% of the public wanting to support responsible businesses, the Charter provides an accessible accreditation that demonstrates this behaviour, including prioritising colleagues and caring for the environment.

The Good Business Charter aims to champion ethical behaviour and to provide a benchmark as to what constitutes a good business in the UK. There are over 1,000 organisations who have received this accreditation, sharing best practice on how to demonstrate responsible business behaviour through every area of operation.

By choosing to join the Good Business Charter, Mitie is helping to set a higher standard for the facilities management industry and wider British business, evidencing that major employers can lead with fairness, responsibility and care, providing a blueprint for a more ethical future of work in the UK. Mitie recognises the growing need for successful businesses to drive meaningful social impact and have as part of our ‘Plan Thrive’ mission, have committed to uplifting 1 million lives through inclusive employment and helping people to build sustainable careers.   

Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services, Mitie said:

“We are incredibly proud to have achieved Good Business Charter accreditation, setting the benchmark for responsible business in the UK This recognition reflects our commitment to creating better places and thriving communities, supporting our colleagues, customers and communities through fair practices and sustainable growth.

“As a top ten UK employer and the largest to be accredited, Mitie is leading the way in championing fairness, sustainability, and integrity. It was a privilege to celebrate this achievement alongside Liam Byrne, Jenny Herrera, and fellow leaders who share our vision for responsible business. Together, we can drive positive change across British Industry.”

Jenny Herrera, CEO, the Good Business Charter, said:

“The Good Business Charter is here to raise the bar at a time when too many businesses settle for the minimum in how they treat their colleagues, customers, suppliers and the planet. We’re so pleased to spotlight Mitie as one of the major employers standing for doing the right thing and behaving responsibly towards all their stakeholders across our ten components.”

Rt Hon. Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee said:

“The determination the team has shown in achieving accreditation in less than a year is a testament to their commitment to responsible business and should serve as an inspiration to businesses up and down the country.

“Responsible business isn’t an optional extra; it’s central to driving growth – for companies, for employees and for Britain. I’m delighted to celebrate Mitie’s leadership in proving that doing the right thing is good business.”

Notes to editors

About Mitie

Founded in 1987, Mitie employs 84,000 colleagues and is the leading technology-led Facilities Management, Transformation and Compliance company in the UK. We are a trusted partner to blue-chip customers across the public and private sectors, working with them to transform their built estates, and the lived experience for their colleagues and customers, as well as providing data-driven insights to inform better decision-making.

In each of our core services of engineering (hard services) and security and hygiene (soft services) we hold market leadership positions. We also deliver transformational projects in the areas of power and grid connections, building fit outs & modernisation, decarbonisation, fire safety & security and telecoms infrastructure, alongside compliance capabilities in fire safety & security and environmental services. Our sector expertise includes central government, critical national infrastructure, defence, financial services, healthcare & life sciences, local government & education, retail & logistics, manufacturing & media and transport & aviation.

We hold industry-leading ESG credentials, including a place on the CDP Climate change A

List, and we have received multiple awards including Best Low Carbon Solution and Net Zero Carbon Strategy of the year. We have validated science-based targets that support our ambitions to reach Net Zero. We have been recognised as a UK Top Employer for the seventh consecutive year and Most Admired Company in the Support Services sector. We are also ranked 16th in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and ninth in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers list. Find out more at www.Mitie.com.  

About the Good Business Charter

The Good Business Charter was developed, and is overseen by, the Good Business Foundation, an independent charity established in 2019 by entrepreneur Julian Richer. 

The Charter is a simple accreditation which organisations in the UK can sign up to in recognition of responsible business practices. 

It measures behaviour over ten components (nine for charities and public sector): real living wage; fairer hours and contracts; employee well-being; employee representation; equality, diversity and inclusion; environmental responsibility; paying fair tax; commitment to customers; ethical sourcing, and prompt payment. An organisation must meet all ten components (nine for charities and public sector) to receive GBC accreditation. 

It is open to private sector, public sector and charities of all sizes including a streamlined version for organisations with 50 employees or fewer. 

Website: www.goodbusinesscharter.com

Good Business Charter media contact

Harriet Gilholm

Marketing and Communications Manager

Harriet@goodbusinesscharter.com | +44 73 5567 3964