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Discover our interactive Annual Report and get to know the impacts, achievements, and improvements undertaken by our global movement in 2024.
The Foundation Requirements set the baseline for what it means to be a B Corp. From eligibility to stakeholder governance, Grace Son explains how these requirements lay the groundwork for credible, accountable, and values-driven businesses.
From inclusive hiring to supplier diversity, advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) helps build a more equitable economy. Bernard Gouw shares how B Lab’s new standards support companies in breaking down systemic barriers.
B Lab’s new Human Rights standards align with the UN Guiding Principles, urging companies to prevent harm across their operations and value chains. In this blog, Bernard Gouw explains why this shift matters and where businesses can start.
As the climate crisis intensifies, businesses have a critical role to play. Brigitta Nemes shares how B Lab’s new standards raise the bar on Climate Action—calling for credible, measurable steps toward a net-zero, 1.5°C-aligned future.
When companies prioritize Fair Work, they foster workplaces where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered. Bernard Gouw explains how B Lab’s new standards support fair wages, open dialogue, and shared purpose for people and business alike.
Purpose & Stakeholder Governance sets the stage for B Corps to serve all stakeholders. The new standards strengthen accountability and governance, defining what responsible business leadership looks like today. Learn more from Brigitta Nemes.
From climate change to biodiversity loss, the environmental stakes have never been higher. Brigitta Nemes shares why B Lab’s new standards elevate Environmental Stewardship & Circularity as a core responsibility for business.
To create a more just and sustainable world, businesses must think beyond their own operations. Grace Son shares how companies can drive collective impact through responsible lobbying, fair tax practices, and working together for systemic change.
The B Corp community in the Benelux has reached a powerful milestone: 500 certified companies using business as a force for good. To celebrate, we’re proud to welcome our 500th member—Nyenrode Business University.
The B Corp movement in the Benelux has reached a major milestone: 500 B Corps. From pioneering startups to global brands, the community spans more than 50 industries—including fashion, finance, agrifood, retail, and many more. It includes both small social enterprises and multinational corporations, united by a shared belief that business can—and should—be a force for good.
To mark this moment, we’re proud to welcome our 500th member: Nyenrode Business University. Nyenrode brings not only academic excellence to the community, but also a deep commitment to shaping the next generation of responsible leaders.
To reflect on this milestone—both for the movement and for Nyenrode—Tessa van Soest, Executive Director B Lab Benelux, sat down with André Nijhof, Professor in Sustainable Business and Stewardship at Nyenrode Business University. In this conversation, they delve into Nyenrode’s motivation to become a B Corp, the insights and value gained throughout the certification journey, and the ambitions that lie ahead for the university in the coming years.
Tessa van Soest (TvS):
“André, congratulations! Nyenrode is now part of the global B Corp movement. What motivated Nyenrode to pursue B Corp certification?”
André Nijhof (AN):
“Even before we started this journey, impact was already at the heart of our strategy. Our mission—Serving society by shaping responsible leaders for a sustainable future—is widely known and embraced across the university. But we were looking for a framework to translate that mission into practical implementation across all departments. B Corp was the most holistic and credible framework for this ambition. That’s how it started.”
TvS:
In what ways does Nyenrode embed impact into its day-to-day activities?
AN:
Our main impact comes through education. We shape responsible leaders in accountancy, controlling, and management. To do that well, we integrate societal trends—like sustainability, inclusivity, and system thinking—into our curriculum. But it’s not just about awareness. It’s about giving students the tools to act.
That’s why we introduced a Personal Leadership and Development Journey into all programs, and we’re now expanding that into every course. Because if you want to be a good controller today, it’s not just about checking financials. It’s about understanding how ecological and social developments impact the future of a company—and how to act on that with confidence.
TvS:
How did the journey toward B Corp Certification spark change within Nyenrode?
AN:
Quite a bit! One example: before we began, we didn’t even know our own carbon footprint—despite teaching about it in our programs. The B Corp process forced us to assess all parts of our organization through the lens of stakeholder impact and build systems to act on those insights.
Mobility, for example, turned out to be a major part of our footprint. We formed a B Corp Impact Team with colleagues from across departments to come up with solutions.
TvS:
What were the biggest challenges?
AN:
Like many in the education sector, we’ve had financially difficult years. That makes it tough to make long-term investments that might raise short-term costs. But B Corp helps us shift that mindset. It’s not about choosing between impact and profit. The more we focus on being a force for good, the more resilient our business model becomes.
We already provide scholarships to increase inclusivity in education. We’d love to scale that up—but the pace depends on support from alumni and partners. B Corp helps us keep those ambitions front and centre.
TvS:
Nyenrode also explores alternative governance models. You collaborated with us on the Onboarding Nature program. Can you share more about that?
AN:
Absolutely. Governance is evolving. The traditional shareholder model isn’t fit for the future—not if we’re serious about long-term value and justice.
With B Lab Benelux and Earth Law Center, we co-created Onboarding Nature, which explores how organizations can integrate nature into its governance structure. Just like some countries grant rights to rivers or ecosystems, we looked at how companies can reflect that same thinking in their own boards and decision-making.
It’s bold, but that’s our role as a university: to explore future governance models and translate them into practical guidance for leaders of tomorrow.
TvS:
Thank you, André. We’re proud to welcome Nyenrode as the 500th B Corp in the Benelux. What a milestone—for both the movement and the future of education.
