As the B Corp movement continues to grow, so too does the need for strong, representative governance. Grounded in community and accountability, that’s what the B Council is all about.
Established as part of B Lab AANZ’s evolving governance model in 2022, the B Council is made up of a group of volunteer leaders from across the B Corp community. Their role? To represent the voices and insights of Certified B Corporations in B Lab’s governance.
Three years in, it’s clear the model is working. With two seats open for new members, let’s shine a light on what the B Council’s been up to, what’s coming next, and how you can get involved.
A formal voice, rooted in community
At its heart, the B Council was created to ensure that the perspectives of B Corps are embedded in B Lab’s decision-making processes and strategic priorities. Not just heard or considered, but genuinely integrated.
Acting as both a bridge and a sounding board, B Council member Max van Biene describes: “We’re here to act as the strategic ears and eyes of the community”.
“To bring forward the insights, questions, and concerns of the community and help ensure they’re reflected in the direction B Lab is taking is both a privilege and a responsibility, and one I’ve found incredibly rewarding.”
— Max van Biene
Currently, members of the B Council are appointed for a two-year term, each bringing not just professional expertise, but lived experience from inside the B Corp community. With representation from the movement’s micro-enterprises to major banks, each member contributes a distinct vantage point, reflecting the realities of different sectors, business models, and community needs.
It’s this interdisciplinary approach that gives the B Council its identity, ensuring governance decisions aren’t one-size-fits-all, but responsive, inclusive, and future-focused.
Evolution of the B Council
In its few short years, the B Council has undergone significant change in terms of its focus and priorities, shares member Andrea Spencer-Cooke:
“The first year we really focused on establishing the foundations and developing the Council’s Charter; the second year involved roadtesting to see how it worked in practice, and the third year has been about evolution and renewal. We’re really proud that we’ve successfully integrated new members, maintaining continuity and a diverse range of perspectives, while reinforcing the Council’s shared dedication to the B Corp movement.”
— Andrea Spencer-Cooke
What started with foundational work to define scope and build trust has now evolved into a fully fledged community-centred governance body. But growth has not been without its challenges.
From actively testing and evolving its ways of working, to exploring new mechanisms for greater transparency, in some ways, the B Council is still settling into its role as a trusted, strategic voice that listens to the community, surfaces concerns, and brings timely feedback to the table.
For experienced governance practitioner and Chair of the B Council, Fotini Kypraios, that’s all part of the job:
“Being a part of the creation of an innovative governance model from inception to application has been an immensely rewarding experience. In addition to being part of a wonderful group of people, we are passionate about representing diverse views and contributing vital insights during a pivotal period of evolution for the B Corp movement in the region.”
— Fotini Kypraios
A direct line of accountability
Meeting regularly to share insights, the B Council is responsible for translating global trends and local sentiment into regional action. For Max van Biene, being able to play a role as a community conduit is crucial.
“A real highlight for me is the opportunity to represent the perspectives of the B Corp community on some of the big challenges and opportunities facing the movement, particularly around the evolving standards and advocacy efforts. Being part of those conversations has felt both meaningful and necessary.”
— Max van Biene
Another core function of the B Council is to raise time-sensitive concerns or opportunities directly with the B Lab AANZ team. For Andrea Spencer-Cooke, having this formalised channel directly with B Lab creates a much-needed space for building nuance and shared understanding across the movement:
“I’ve really appreciated hearing the rationale behind B Lab’s decisions, especially on the more ‘controversial’ issues. It’s helped me better understand global trends and challenges, and given me a deeper appreciation for how regional decisions are made.”
— Andrea Spencer-Cooke
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Navigating change, together
With the release of the new B Corp standards in April 2025, the B Council is continuing to play a critical role in supporting B Corps to navigate the transition. While members have absorbed plenty of optimism about the standards’ potential to deepen impact, they know change also brings a level of uncertainty and anxiety.
“What I’m hearing is an overall sense of positivity about the direction of the movement, but also some trepidation around the new standards and how they’ll be implemented.”
— Max van Biene
Similarly, Fotini Kypraios adds:
“The new standards naturally caused a mix of excitement and enthusiasm about the elevation of B Corp Certification. But also some trepidation, especially around the removal of the B Impact Score and what replaces it.”
— Fotini Kypraios
While the B Council isn’t here to provide all the answers, it does offer a vital space for constructive dialogue, collaboration and shared problem-solving as the movement continues to evolve to meet the challenges of our time.
Got questions about the new standards? Explore the new B Impact Platform or learn about the new standards in this free online course.
What’s next
There are some major B Corp milestones on the horizon, from celebrating the movement’s 20-year anniversary to reaching 10,000 B Corps and 1 million workers. As such, the next 12 months are shaping as vital ones for the B Council:
“This is a pivotal time to shape how the movement grows, without losing the integrity and collective voice that made it powerful in the first place. We want the B Council to be more accessible and visible to B Corps so we can be an even more effective mechanism through which the community can communicate their feedback to B Lab.”
— Fotini Kypraios
Setting its sights on deeper community engagement and stronger visibility at key events like Assembly 2025 in the year ahead, the primary focus of the B Council is to continue to stay accountable to the community that powers it:
“As B Lab’s global governance evolves, we want the Council to be a safe, respectful forum where we contribute constructively and add value to shaping the movement in our region. We’re also focused on helping to protect the integrity of the B Corp brand, especially at a time of significant growth and change.”
— Andrea Spencer-Cooke
Image: Think HQ
How to get involved
Passionate about the role business can play in driving systemic change? Now’s your chance. The B Council is currently recruiting for two new members, and actively inviting voices from Aotearoa New Zealand and underrepresented communities across the region to join.
Being part of the B Council “gives you a real platform to represent the voices of fellow B Corps, influence key decisions and strengthen the integrity and impact of the movement,” shares Max van Biene.
So if you’re a B Corp leader with a unique perspective and a desire to engage more deeply in the movement, we encourage you to apply.
The B Council is a powerful example of how community-led governance can drive collective action and progress. But like most things, it only works if we stay connected.
Got a question, concern, or idea? Reach out to the B Council at bcouncil@bcorporation.com.au or drop a note via the B Corp online community.
