Market Harborough secures B Corp™ certification, reinforcing purpose-led specialist lending
20 February 2026
Market Harborough Building Society has been awarded B Corp™ certification – a major milestone that reinforces the Society’s purpose-led approach to specialist lending and ethical finance leadership, and its commitment to acting in the best interests of brokers, borrowers and the communities it serves.
The accreditation places Market Harborough among a global community of organisations that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. For brokers, it signals something simple but powerful: you are working with a lender that does things properly, with a consistent focus on responsible decision-making, openness and sustainable growth in the specialist lending space.
While B Corp certification is a standout achievement in its own right, the Society says the recognition reflects long-held values rather than a change in direction.
Chief Executive Officer Iain Kirkpatrick said
“Our ambition has always been to put purpose at the heart of every decision we make. Becoming a certified B Corp is a proud milestone for all of us. It proves that our purpose of ‘fighting for our customers and communities to thrive’ isn’t just something we say, it’s something we live – including the way we make decisions and support brokers and their clients. It shows we are building something sustainable, transparent and people-first, not chasing short-term wins.”
The certification process, led by B Lab, the non-profit behind the B Corp movement, assessed the Society’s approach to colleague wellbeing, customer experience, community impact, governance and environmental responsibility. Market Harborough exceeded the threshold score required to join the B Corp community and will now be held to a framework of continuous delivery.
Market Harborough says the accreditation gives brokers additional reassurance at a time when trust, stability and clarity matter more than ever. It means:
- Confidence in long term thinking – the Society is independently held to standards that prioritise responsible decision making and sustainable growth
- Reassurance around transparency and governance – essential for brokers placing high value or complex cases
- A lender that puts people first – from personalised underwriting to solutions-focused case support
- A partner committed to consistency – not just in lending decisions, but in how it operates as a business
Much of the Society’s wider impact has been driven by Thrive, its long-term programme focused on boosting support for members, colleagues and local communities. Through Thrive, Market Harborough has:
- Invested £2 million in social housing
- Opened its head office free of charge to local groups and charities
- Expanded colleague volunteering
- Launched Thrive Forward – an ongoing programme that aims to support 1,000 young people’s wellbeing, learning and future opportunities in 2025/2026
As a specialist lender recognised for tackling complex mortgage and bridging cases – from non-standard income to unusual property types, JBSP, multi generation, expats and more, Market Harborough says its B Corp status strengthens its role as a responsible, relationship-driven partner for brokers.
More information about the Society’s B Corp journey and its Thrive programme can be found at www.mhbs.co.uk/thrive/. Its Broker Team are available on 01858 412345 or visiting www.mhbs.co.uk/intermediaries.
