30. Illuminate Technology
Headcount in latest accounts: 6
HQ: Edinburgh
Date of certification: July 2025
All businesses should be operating with B Corp philosophies, according to the founder of this recently certified Edinburgh-based MSP.
In business since 2007, Illuminate claims to serve more than 100 customers, from small owner-managed businesses to independents and large organisations.
Its main challenge in the B Corp process was the time it took to get an assessor assigned and move through the final stages, Amanda Stewart tells us below.
Q&A with Illuminate Technology Founder and CTO Amanda Stewart
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?
It matters more for businesses like ours. As an MSP, we sit right in the middle of how organisations run, from security to sustainability, so how we make decisions really matters. Yes, B Corp often gets linked to consumer brands, but it’s not about what you sell, it’s about how you operate.
For us, that means making responsible technology choices, working with the right suppliers, building an inclusive team and helping our clients run better, more sustainable organisations. It’s not about a badge, it’s about being intentional, accountable, and showing that we’re there as a trusted partner, not just to fix IT.
To be frank, I feel all businesses should be operating with B Corp philosophies.
How much time and money did it take to become a B Corp?
In our case, very little compared to many businesses. Because we were already operating in line with B Corp principles, we didn’t need to reshape the business or bring in external consultants; it was largely about evidencing what we already did.
The main cost was the B Corp certification fee itself, and the process was relatively quick because those values were already embedded in how we work every day and the ethos I had when I set up the company 19 years ago, interestingly the same year that B Corp was established.
Do you have any constructive criticism of the process?
Overall it was a really positive process, but the main challenge was the time it took to get an assessor assigned and move through the final stages. That said, it’s very much a case of B Corp being a victim of its own success; there’s clearly huge demand, which is great. If anything, it just reinforces the credibility of it, even if it does mean you need a bit of patience getting over the line.
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