Good for Business, Better for You: Our GBC Accreditation Explained
You deserve to work with a financial planning business that shares your values. That’s why we’re proud to be part of the Good Business Charter (GBC), an ongoing commitment to ethical and responsible business. We’ve held this accreditation since 2021, and its principles continue to guide the way we operate every day.The Good Business Charter helps highlight organisations that take a fair, ethical, and transparent approach to business. It’s available to businesses and charities with 10 or more employees and is built on 10 core components of responsible business. It highlights companies that support their employees, treat customers and suppliers fairly, reduce their environmental impact, and pay taxes responsibly.
The 10 components at the heart of the Good Business Charter are:
1. Paying the real Living Wage – to all directly employed staff and regularly contracted workers.
2. Fairer hours and contracts – including clear employment terms, reasonable notice periods, and stable working hours wherever possible.
3. Employee well-being – supported through fair workplace policies that promote both physical and mental health, and protect against unreasonable penalties for legitimate sickness.
4. Employee representation – ensuring that staff have a voice within the organisation and are able to contribute to decision-making.
5. Diversity and inclusion – fostering a respectful, inclusive culture. We are proud to have an Inclusion and Diversity Policy in place to guide and support this commitment.
6. Environmental responsibility – taking clear and proactive steps to reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainability in how we work.
7. Paying fair tax – fulfilling our tax responsibilities honestly and fairly, with a clear commitment to transparency in how we work with HMRC.
8. Commitment to customers – maintaining high standards of service and honest, open communication to build long-term, trusting relationships.
9. Ethical sourcing – ensuring that our supply chains are consistent with our values. We support the principles of the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code.
10. Prompt payment to suppliers – meeting our payment terms as agreed. The GBC requires businesses to sign the government’s Prompt Payment Code.
As a client, you can feel confident knowing you’re working with a financial planning team that is committed to fairness, transparency, and long-term relationships. Our approach is built on ethical practice, environmental responsibility, and a deep respect for the people and partners we work with.
Matthew Fowler, director at Fowler Financial Planning, said:
“We are delighted to be one of the first financial advisory businesses to be accredited with GBC. We believe that great financial outcomes come from doing the right thing for our clients, our team, and our wider community. Through our own experience, we hope to encourage more businesses to embrace this great initiative.”
When you choose Fowler Financial Planning, you’re choosing a business that values more than just outcomes — we care about how we get there. The Good Business Charter is one way we demonstrate our commitment to doing things the right way, while helping you achieve the results that matter most.
