Data-driven marketing and technology agency Yard has achieved B Corp status just two years after completing a seven figure management buy-in funded by the Development Bank of Wales.
Yard Associates was first established in 2006 in Cardiff by founding Directors Stephan Briggs and Paul Newbury who met when working together at Lloyds Bank. Chief Executive Collette Easton became a shareholder with a stake in the business in 2021 alongside Owen Davies as Client Director when the Development Bank made its third investment in Yard with an equity stake worth 16%.
Specialising in providing data driven analysis of consumer behaviour, Yard now employs 55 people and becomes only the second B Corp certified digital agency in Wales. Customers include Sainsbury’s Bank, Sage, Camelot, British Gas Business and VisitScotland.
Chief Executive Officer, Collette Easton said: “We’re delighted to announce that we are now a Certified B Corporation, joining a global community of businesses that strive to make a positive social and environmental impact. With the financial backing of the Development Bank, we have focussed on structuring our business for the future to enable us to achieve our vision. Sustainability plays a key role in how we operate and we will continue to strive to evolve our working culture in support of our staff, to foster happy and motivated teams, and provide innovation for our clients.”
Stephan Briggs, Co-Founder of Yard, added: “I’m really proud that Yard is now a B Corp Certified business – it’s a testament to our hard work and long-term commitments. Becoming a B Corp isn’t about reaching a destination and stopping there. It’s more like an important stop on the road to becoming a business that is internally and externally more self-aware. I hope that within the next few years, the majority of businesses will have made a similar type of commitment that they can demonstrate with transparency. There’s certainly a lot more that can be achieved by all.”
Sam Macalister-Smith, Portfolio Executive with the Development Bank of Wales said: “As a long-term investor in Yard, we have seen revenue and profit more than treble since our first investment as the business capitalises on the growing UK demand for digital transformation services and software development. It’s great to see their commitment to good governance and responsible business practices being recognised.”
The £25 million Wales Management Succession Fund is financed by the Welsh Government and Clwyd Pension Fund. Loans and equity investments between £500,000 and £3 million are available for businesses in Wales.
