Purpose-driven communications group Social is celebrating after recording a 32% increase in turnover to over £3.4 million for the latest financial year.
The group’s performance has resulted in a 38% annual increase in profitability.
2021 saw Social establish four new divisions: Social Invest, which specialises in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) consulting; Social Net Zero, a dedicated climate change communications consultancy; Social Tech Communications, which supports technology businesses; and an office serving Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria.
The rapid growth has seen the Manchester headquartered group increase its total headcount to 50 colleagues.
In parallel to its financial accounts, Social has published its latest impact report, demonstrating how it has lived up to its commitment to have a material positive impact on society and the environment.
The report also gives detail of Social’s work on four significant pro bono campaigns, its donation of 3% of pre-tax profits to eleven good causes, and the voluntary work carried out by staff under its new policy of five days’ paid volunteering leave for all colleagues.
The report assesses Social’s progress against the B Corp standards relating to social and environmental performance. Having submitted its application for B Corp accreditation, Social hopes to undergo verification in the coming weeks.
John Quinton-Barber, founder and group CEO of Social, added: “I’m beyond proud of the performance we’ve achieved over the past year. To enter new specialist sectors during a pandemic and take on new team members remotely was a real risk. But we backed ourselves and the team has delivered brilliantly.”
“I’m even prouder that we’ve achieved this in parallel with our determination to have a material positive impact on society and the environment. I believe passionately that the elements of the ‘triple bottom line’ – planet, people and profit – are mutually reinforcing.
“We have one value at Social, ‘Life Happens’, and it’s never been truer than in the past two years. So, I’m extremely grateful for the ambition, courage and empathy shown by every single member of the team.”