Pictured above: (l-r) at De Marco Hunter Solicitors is Sandra Garlick with the Responsible Business Standard gold certificate and Jo Sandford

A leading law firm in Coventry has become the first in the UK to achieve a national award for being a responsible business.

De Marco Hunter Solicitors has achieved the Responsible Business Standard for operating efficiently and ethically, exceeding legislative requirements and considering its impact on people and the planet.

The employment law and business affairs specialists, based on the Middlemarch Business Park in Baginton, received the highest gold standard by the Organisation for Responsible Businesses (ORB).

As well as their environmentally-friendly practices, such as reducing paper usage and carbon emissions, the award recognises De Marco Hunter's dealings with clients, suppliers, staff and the local community.

The firm aims to be transparent and communicate in plain English with clients, allows staff to work flexible hours and from home, sources 80 per cent of supplies locally, and supports local charities, schools and the business community.

As well as providing a comfortable working environment, with access to an on-site bistro serving healthy food and gym equipment, the firm also has a "Well-Being Wednesday" to promote healthy living among staff.

Sandra Garlick, principal of De Marco Hunter Solicitors, said: "When I started the practice, I wanted to create a business where I would like to work as an employee.  

"I incorporated the best elements of where I had worked previously where staff felt valued so that people recognise us as not being a run-of-the-mill law firm but one that goes the extra mile.

"This award recognises what we set out to achieve and anyone that uses our services also knows that we operate in a responsible way."

It is the first time that a business has been audited and validated for the award by ORB, a national business membership organisation for SMEs.

Corporate social responsibility consultant Jo Sandford, who runs Coventry-based Creating Synergy, helped De Marco Hunter Solicitors towards the recognition. 

Jo said: "Corporate social responsibility is increasingly on the business agenda, particularly for SMEs.  

"As times got harder, many began to look at how they could work more efficiently and realised that corporate social responsibility could help with that.  It's not just about saving the planet, it's also about saving money."

According to ORB, research shows that businesses actively applying social and environmental considerations in their day-to-day operations can enjoy far greater long-term profitability. 

Jill Poet, managing director of ORB, said: "We are delighted to be awarding De Marco Hunter Solicitors the very first Responsible Business Standard certification. 

"Not only have they met the requirements of the standard but they have done so with flying colours and attained the prestigious gold award. 

"Sandra is very entrepreneurial and yet she and her team epitomise the ethos of a responsible company and clearly demonstrate the benefits that such an embedded culture brings to a business."