A Fireside Chat – B Corp: Beyond the Badge
About
Join us as business leaders speak candidly about what B Corp really means inside their organisations.They will consider the trade-offs they have to make, the tensions B Corp creates, the costs, the cultural shifts needed and the commercial realities that rarely make it onto websites and publications.
Has B Corp really changed governance, decision-making and performance? Where has it created friction? And would they do it again?
This Fireside Chat is is designed for business owners and students at different stages of their education, from undergraduate to MBA’s, learning more about B Corp beyond the logo!
Certified B Corporations are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Becoming a B Corp represents a commitment to a more inclusive, equitable and regenerative approach to business.
Dr Brian Gregory, Director of the LUMS Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme, will host the conversation and be joined by:
Ian Steel
Owner of Atkinsons Coffee Roasters, Entrepreneur in Residence and Honorary Teaching Fellow (Lancaster University Management School)
Ian leads Atkinsons Coffee Roasters, a family business with a 187-year heritage in speciality tea and coffee. With a background in TV production and advertising, he has helped shape the brand into a much-loved destination business rooted in quality, creativity and community. Working alongside his family, Ian has expanded Atkinsons into a collection of iconic Lancaster spaces while championing transparency and sustainability. As an Entrepreneur in Residence and Honorary Teaching Fellow at Lancaster University Management School, he shares honest insights into family business, brand building and Atkinsons’ evolving B Corp journey.
Victor Giannandrea
Business Mentor, Investor, Entrepreneur in Residence & Honorary Teaching Fellow (Lancaster University Management School), and Honorary Trustee of The RDA Riding for Disabled Children
Victor brings extensive senior leadership experience to his role as Entrepreneur in Residence at Lancaster University Management School. During his career, he held sales and marketing directorships at three of the UK’s largest furniture manufacturers and developed a strong track record in growth and business turnaround. Now focused on mentoring and teaching, Victor supports students and regional businesses by sharing practical, real-world insight into leadership, strategy and commercial decision-making.
Lecture Theatre 3
Registration: 5.15pm - 6.00pm
Fireside Chat: 6.05pm - 7.30pm
Date
Thursday 19 March 2026 5:15 PM - 7:30 PM (UTC+00)Location
Lancaster University Management School
Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 4YX
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A Fireside Chat – B Corp: Beyond the Badge
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