Swindon's NSBRC using business as force for good

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) has today announced certification as a B Corporation™ (B Corp™).

This means the NSBRC joins a global community of almost 10,000 businesses committed to high standards of social and environmental impact. 

With a ‘B Impact Assessment’ score of 124.7, the Swindon-based NSBRC far exceeds the B Corp minimum of 80, and the average business score of 50.9. 

Verified by the non-profit B Lab, this certification confirms that the NSBRC is counted among businesses that are leading a global movement in areas including social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. 

As the UK's only permanent venue for independent homebuilding advice and support, the NSBRC has helped over a quarter of a million visitors create Better Sustainable Homes since opening in 2007. Located just off Junction 16 of the M4 in Swindon, the centre is free to visit and is open six days a week, showcasing the very best building methods, innovations and technologies and hosting a range of shows, workshops and educational courses, and even doubling up as a conferencing venue with a difference.

Managing Director Harvey Fremlin said: "Building on our reputation as an employee owned business, we’re proud of this milestone, and becoming part of this global movement. But, we know the journey doesn’t end here. As part of the growing B Corp community, we’ll keep striving to improve and become a Better Sustainable Business”.

Turning their attention to also becoming a Better Sustainable Business, the NSBRC has reduced CO2 emissions by 23 percent over the past three years, and has also cut landfill waste by 17 percent in 2024/25. As a business 69 percent owned by its non-executive employees, sustainable and ethical practices are built into the NSBRC’s core values, empowering its team to lead with purpose and long-term thinking.

The B Corp community in the UK is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the world, and the NSBRC is among the first 3,000 Certified B Corps in the UK, alongside companies such as The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, The Big Issue and Good Energy.

With recertification required every three years, the NSBRC is committed to continuous improvement. 

Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said: “We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community — from startups to multinationals and across many different industries. Business is a powerful force and B Corps demonstrate that positive impact is possible in any sector. 

"Welcoming The NSBRC is an exciting moment for the Self Build & Renovation industry. B Lab UK and the rest of the B Corp community are really pleased that The NSBRC is paving the way for a new way of doing things.”