David Wilson Homes Southern made the contribution to Benson Community Shed, a scheme that offers adults a space for social connection and practical activities, including woodworking, DIY, and skill-sharing.

The donation will go towards the group’s efforts to purchase a permanent base in Benson.

Robert Field, chair of trustees at Benson Community Shed, said: “We are very pleased with the wonderful support we have received in bringing Benson Community Shed to life, particularly from businesses operating locally that value what we do.

“It is so encouraging that David Wilson Homes is among the growing number of organisations that recognise the social and community benefits of the Shed movement. They deserve our sincere thanks for their support.”

The group aims to tackle social isolation, boost confidence, and improve wellbeing through hands-on activities.

Open to anyone over 18, the shed also provides a welcoming place to socialise.

Campbell Gregg, managing director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said the group provides ‘a valuable space for people to connect, share skills and support one another’.

He said: “Community groups like this play an essential role in improving wellbeing and reducing isolation, and we hope our donation helps to support the group’s fundraising efforts and enables it to continue its important work locally.”

The group is based near the housebuilder’s Chiltern Grange development.

For more information or to donate, visit the group’s Facebook page by searching for Benson Community Shed.

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Kallidus has achieved B Corp Certification, joining a small group of HR and people-technology companies with the accreditation.

B Lab verified the certification, which assesses a company’s operations across governance, workers, community, the environment and customers.

Kallidus, a provider of learning management systems and e-learning content, said the accreditation reflects standards applied across the business rather than to a single product or service. The process also requires companies to provide evidence of performance and to embed a commitment to purpose as well as profit in their articles.

The certification places Kallidus within an international B Corp network of more than 10,700 businesses across 104 countries and 162 industries. In the UK, more than 2,700 companies have been certified, making it the largest and fastest-growing B Corp community globally.

Sector benchmark

The move is notable in the HR and people-technology market, where relatively few businesses have secured B Corp status. The standard has become a way for companies to demonstrate social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability beyond financial measures.

The scrutiny covers internal practices as well as external relationships. For companies in workplace and training services, it also highlights whether their treatment of employees, suppliers and communities matches the standards they promote to clients.

Chris Turner, Chief Executive Officer of B Lab UK, welcomed Kallidus to the network.

“We are delighted to welcome Kallidus to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies committed to changing how business operates and that believe business really can be a force for good. We know Kallidus will be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward,” said Chris Turner, Chief Executive Officer of B Lab UK.

Business context

Kallidus serves more than 1,000 organisations worldwide, according to the company, and works with employers on workplace learning, compliance training and skills development. Its customers include businesses and not-for-profits seeking training tools and content.

The company said the certification aligns with its role in helping organisations improve workplace standards. It argued that businesses advising clients on culture, fairness and skills should apply the same expectations to their own operations.

Pat Cannon, Chief Operating Officer at Kallidus, said the certification represented a significant commitment for the business.

“Becoming a B Corp is one of the most important commitments we’ve made as a business. It’s an external, independent validation that we set the highest standards, not just in how we serve customers, but in how we treat our people, our suppliers, our communities and the planet. We help organisations build better, fairer, more skilled workplaces, so it is only right that we hold ourselves to the same standard. For our people, it is a promise that values come first. For our customers and partners, it is the assurance of working with a business built for the long term. And for our industry, we hope it signals that doing the right thing and growing a great business are not a trade-off, they are the same thing,” said Pat Cannon, Chief Operating Officer of Kallidus.

The B Corp framework has gained visibility as companies face pressure from employees, customers and investors to provide clearer evidence of environmental and social standards. Rather than focusing on a single issue, certification reviews a company across several operational areas, helping to make it a broad marker of business practice.

In the UK, the growth of the B Corp community has included businesses ranging from consumer brands to media and retail groups. Well-known names in the network include The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, Tony’s Chocolonely, The Big Issue, Finisterre, Elemis and Sipsmith Gin.

Kallidus now joins that group as it seeks to distinguish itself in the competitive workplace learning and HR software market, where buyers increasingly assess not only product features and cost but also the conduct and values of suppliers.

The certification process is rigorous, requiring companies to provide evidence of performance while legally embedding their commitment to purpose as well as profit in their company articles.

Witney Vehicle Repairs Limited was handed the ‘cessation order’ by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) who said that the business would need to re-apply for the licence after the punishment has elapsed.

An MOT test is an annual legal check to ensure qualifying vehicles over three years old meet road safety and environmental standards.

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It is mandatory to drive vehicles on public roads in the UK.

A spokesperson for the DVSA said: “DVSA’s priority is to make Britain’s roads safer for everyone. 

“As part of this, we are fully committed to taking action against anyone who undermines the integrity of the MOT. 

“We have a range of intelligence tools and data available to allow us to carry out investigations, working with the police to bring fraudsters and non-compliant testers and garages to justice.” 

The reason as to why Witney Vehicle Repairs Limited has lost its licence to carry out MOTs is not known, but it will need to show it meets the necessary standards in order to re-enter the MOT scheme.

These including ensuring an acceptable quality of testing, that MOT testers are regularly trained and that premises and equipment meets standards.

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While the business may no longer carry out MOTs, the garage itself is allowed to.

If the garage is taken over by someone else, it may again conduct MOTs.

Where this is the case, the DVSA runs checks to make sure that a different – credible – business is operating within the garage.