Heron Financial
A Certified
Corporation
Mission
At Heron Financial, we place education at the core of our mission,
empowering individuals, families, and our professional partners to
make informed, future-focused decisions on financial well-being and
environmental responsibility.
Our accessible, fee-free advice extends from mortgages to a
comprehensive suite of protection measures, underscoring the
importance of both financial security and environmental sustainability
in‘home and lifestyle choices.
We are deeply committed to enhancing our clients’ understanding,
nurturing our team’s growth through on-the-job education and
training, and enriching our professional partnerships with shared
knowledge and insights.
Operating seven days a week with unwavering dedication to inclusivity,
we leverage technology to augment our services, aiming to forge a
path toward a healthier, more secure tomorrow for all.
Heron Financial The trailblazing
B Corp Mortgage Broker in the UK
“We are thrilled to announce that Heron Financial has officially achieved B Corp certification, joining a select group of companies committed to using business as a force for good. This recognition is not just a milestone; it reflects our deep-rooted belief in the power of purpose-driven business.
Becoming a B Corp means we have been rigorously assessed by B Lab, a global nonprofit, to ensure we meet their standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. We are proud to be part of a movement that prioritises people and the planet alongside profit.
This journey to certification has been transformative for us. Over the past 18 months, we have evaluated every aspect of our operations—from how we support our clients to our internal practices—ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the expectations set forth by B Lab.
As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on our mission: empowering individuals and families to make informed financial decisions while promoting environmental responsibility. Our B Corp status is not just an accolade; it’s a promise to our clients and community that we practice what we preach.
The following pages offer a small snapshot into our journey, our values, and the positive impact we strive to create. At Heron Financial, we’re not just helping people secure mortgages; we’re helping them build brighter futures for themselves and for generations to come.
Thank you for being part of our story.”
Matt Coulson
Founder, Heron Financial
Effective Homes Partner
Green Institute Ambassador
On Hand Corporate Volunteer 2024
Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter
Pictured: Heron Vegetation Clearance Day 4.06.2024
What is B Corp Certification?
B Corp certification signifies a profound commitment to transforming the role of business in society, challenging the traditional notion that companies should prioritise profit above all else.
This rigorous certification, administered by the nonprofit B
Lab, is a testament to a company’s unwavering commitment to
redefine success in business by meeting the highest standards of
verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.
The certification process is extraordinarily demanding, requiring companies to undergo a comprehensive B Impact Assessment that scrutinizes every aspect of their operations.
This meticulous evaluation examines a company’s impact across five critical dimensions:
1. Governance
2. Workers
3. Community
4. Environment
5. Customers
To achieve certification, a company must attain a minimum score of 80 out of a possible 200 points, a benchmark that demands exceptional performance across all areas. Moreover, B Corp certification necessitates a fundamental change in a company’s legal structure. Certified companies must amend their governing
documents to explicitly consider the interests of all stakeholders – not just shareholders ~ in their decision-making processes.
This legal requirement ensures that a company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility is deeply embedded in its DNA.
The certification is not a one-time achievement but a continuous journey of improvement. B Corps must recertify every three years, facing increasingly stringent standards with each recertification.
By achieving B Corp status, we’ve joined a global movement of businesses using their collective power to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Our Overall
B Impact Score
86.7
Our
Impact
Score
80
Benchmark
to Certify
for B Corp
50.9
Median Score
for Ordinary Businesses
86.7
B Corp certification requires a B Impact Assessment score of 80+ points. It’s rare to achieve this first time and most businesses will spend time improving their score.
Our B corp score is 86.7. Given the median score for ordinary businesses who complete the assessment is currently 50.9 we are extremely proud of this achievement.
Ina B Corp assessment, the impact areas are the core categories used to evaluate a company’s overall social and environmental performance.
These areas typically include:
Governance, which assesses transparency and accountability.
Workers, which evaluates employee treatment, compensation, and benefits.
Community, focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social contributions
Environment, measuring ecological impact and sustainability practices; and
Customers, assessing how products or services promote public benefit.
Each area is scored to reflect a company’s efforts to balance profit with purpose, helping determine B Corp certification.
Beginning our journey back in September of 2011, Heron Financial was established by Matt Coulson and Warren Harrocks, both extremely passionate about the industry. Through building long-lasting business relationships our solid client base has grown through referrals. With technology at the
forefront of Heron Financial, the company is proud to be one of the leading Mortgage and Protection firms in the UK. Our fast growing regard and reputation continues to soar and this is reflected with over 550 excellent reviews on Trustpilot.
With a ‘people first’ attitude to business, Matt and Warren have heavily invested in apprenticeships throughout the duration of Heron Financial. By supporting the younger generation through the early days of their career, the duo provides excellent training and leadership skills alongside encouragement and job satisfaction.
At Heron Financial we work hard simplifying mortgages whilst building client relationships that last. Which we have encapsulated in our mission
statement and 5 core values, which are:
- Team work | One team one goal.
- Clients and Partners | Walk in their shoes.
- Technology | Embracing innovation.
- Environment | Our terrarium
- Personal Qualities | Stand Tall
Pictured right: Charity Food Bank Donations
Pictured above: Heron Wellness Walk
Ailsa Holmes
Staff Member at Heron Financial
“When I joined Heron Financial in 2023, I was completely new to the financial sector and, rather judgmentally, I expected a lot more ‘black suits’ and serious, unfun, corporate liaising’ but was greeted instead by a very friendly, approachable team, keen to have a positive impact on more than just out lenders and clients, but the wider industry and planet too; this impact-driven culture was a very welcome surprise!
The company-wide B Corp initiative seems to have opened many interesting opportunities, particularly through collaborations with On Hand; a charity-based platform for facilitating remote and local charity work. Every good deed or habit earns you ‘hero points’ and plants trees in The Heron Financial Forest in your name as part of the Madagascar Reforestation Project!
This has allowed our colleagues to be recognised and praised for any voluntary work they’ve been doing and charities they have been supporting; we have everything from blood donors to scout leaders to youth football coaches earning points
and it is really encouraging to see. On Hand have fostered a connection between individual actions and
broader global goals, meanwhile B Corp are a fantastic example of how we have embedded corporate
responsibility into our office culture.
For me personally, B Corp and On Hand have afforded me the opportunity to grow as a person,
not just professionally, but by becoming more socially aware and inclusive.
It is packed with opportunities for both involvement and education. For instance, they facilitate
and prompt discussions around diversity and inclusion, such as the social impacts of hidden
disabilities or promoting ways of empowering women in your workplace and all for hero
points/trees to plant too!
It is so rewarding and exciting to be a part of such a widespread initiative and it makes me
proud to work in our team.”
Chloe Timperley
The Green Finance Institute
“It has been a pleasure to work with Heron Financial as green pioneers in the mortgage industry,
having run the GFI’s Green Mortgage Certificate training course for the team. The GFI continues
to partner with and support mortgage biptoges as they upskill brokers and understand the
impact sustainable products can have on a prosperous long term future for homeowners.
It would be wonderful to see many more following Heron’s lead.”
– GFl Green Mortgage Campaign Lead
Partner with us
Heron Financial is actively seeking partners, collaborators, and changemakers who believe
that financial success and social responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Partnerships with
organisations committed to:
- Advancing sustainable finance
- Promoting ethical business practices
- Driving positive social and environmental impact
As the first B Corp certified mortgage brokerage in the UK, we offer a unique partnership
opportunity for businesses seeking to collaborate with a truly purpose-driven financial
innovator.
Our rigorous B Corp certification is a testament to our deep commitment to social and
environmental responsibility, providing a compelling avenue for brand alignment with a
forward-thinking organisation. By joining forces with us, you’ll be part of a growing
movement of responsible businesses that are redefining success beyond traditional
financial metrics, distinguishing yourself in the market through a meaningful and impactful
partnership.
Interested in discussing the possibility of collaborating with Heron Financial?
Call us on 0203 195 1982 and ask for a member of the BCorp team.
Alternatively you can email us at: bcorp@heronfinancial.co.uk
