4. Utilize
Headcount in latest accounts: 139
HQ: Basildon, Essex
Date of certification: May 2025
This Essex-based MSP opted to become a B Corp in response to customer and staff demand, Group MD Guy Hockin told us last May, as he predicted more of his peers would follow suit.
The Microsoft, SonicWall and Sage partner turned over £20.9m in its latest year, making it one of the larger MSPs to gain its B Corp stripes.
Achieving the certification took “an immense amount of dedication and effort from our entire team over 18 months”, Lucy Johnson – who is a member of Utilize’s Sustainability Committee – tells us below.
Q&A with Utilize Applications Account Management Lead Lucy Johnson
What was your main reason for becoming a B Corp?
Becoming a B Corp felt like a natural step for Utilize because we’ve always seen ourselves as a people‑first business. We want to be the best we can be for our colleagues, our clients, and our suppliers. Achieving B Corp status allowed us to formalise that commitment – to people, sustainability, and ethical business practices – while holding ourselves accountable to high standards as we continue to grow.
B Corp is perhaps best associated with consumer goods brands. Does it really make sense for an MSP or IT solutions provider to have it?
Absolutely. Even though B Corp is often linked with consumer brands, it makes just as much sense for an MSP. Technology businesses have a real impact on people, workplaces, and the environment, so it’s important that we operate responsibly too. For us, B Corp is a way of showing clients, employees, and partners that we’re genuinely committed to balancing commercial success with positive impact.
What’s the main benefit of becoming a B Corp?
For me, the biggest benefit of becoming a B Corp is the credibility and accountability it brings. It reinforces our internal culture, helps us attract clients and talent who share our values, and keeps us pushing ourselves to improve in areas like sustainability, governance, and employee wellbeing.
How much time and money did it take?
It took an immense amount of dedication and effort from our entire team over 18 months to achieve this certification. The standards are rigorous and not easily met. It was a worthwhile investment, though, as the process pushed us to look closely at how we operate and helped us identify meaningful opportunities to improve.
What was the hardest aspect of becoming a B Corp?
One of the hardest aspects was evidencing all the great work we already do as a business. We knew we were doing these amazing things, but pulling together the level of detail and documentation required across multiple areas was a real challenge. The process forces you to examine everything closely – but that scrutiny is also what gives the certification its value.
Do you have any constructive criticism of the process?
The process can feel complex and time‑intensive, particularly for growing businesses. More clarity around timelines and requirements at certain stages would be helpful, but overall the rigour is essential to maintaining the credibility of the certification.
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