In conversation with Donna and Lynne: UK for Good Co-CEOs
As of 1 September 2023, UK for Good will have two women CEOs. Their joint vision is to create a cleaner, greener, fairer future for all. They will do this by inspiring and enabling businesses to improve impact on people, communities, and our planet.
Donna Okell founded UK for Good in 2021, after becoming a B Leader and has been helping businesses achieve B Corp certification ever since. Donna trains impact leaders through our ‘Leadership for Good’ programme, underpinned by the principles of the B Leader training and the B Impact Assessment. UK for Good also hosts monthly members network forums for purpose leaders from global brands to local community impact groups.
Lynne Griffiths became a UK for Good member with her business ‘AG Comms’ in January 2022. After completing our B Corp for Small Business programme, AG Comms became a Certified B Corp in 2023. AG Comms is an internal communications and employee experience agency that helps purpose-driven leaders communicate as they support equality, equity and climate action to support a better world, and their mission aligns closely with UK for Good. In November 2022, Lynne also attended our Leadership for Good training with Donna and became an Impact Consultant in April 2023.
Q: This announcement is exciting news, what does this mean for UK for Good?
Donna: Since we launched UK for Good, it has become increasingly clear that we all need to do more for people and the planet, and faster. As two women with shared values; compassion, commitment and courage, we believe that we can achieve much more together. Our combined business experience means we can help more organisations understand the impact of their decisions and improve environmentally, socially, and in their governance.
Q: What does Co-CEO mean?
Lynne: Co-CEO leadership is a management structure in which two people share the responsibilities and duties of a traditional CEO role. We will both have equal authority and decision-making power, and will work together to grow the company and accelerate our impact goals.
Q: Why did you choose to become Co-CEOs?
Donna: We recognised that our individual skills, experience, and passion for purpose was a powerful combination – why have one CEO when we can have two? We felt that this shared leadership also shows an alternative way for businesses to operate. By bringing in a co-leader, we get to share the workload and increase diversity of ideas to help shape a better business. It’s hard being a CEO, so having a partner to share that thinking and design feels incredibly exciting!
Q: How will you run the day to day business?
Lynne: Being clear on our vision, purpose, and values for UK for Good means that decision-making is much easier. Our skills and experience also naturally divide into the roles and responsibilities required to deliver our purpose. We plan to work flexibly, with transparent and open communication. We have developed a ‘Care Label’ for our ways of working too. It’s a bit like the ‘how to wash’ tag you get on clothing. This partnership is about being kind to ourselves, appreciating we are learning at every step and knowing we won’t have all the answers straight away, but our purpose will lead us.
Q: Donna, why did you take the decision to bring in Lynne?
Donna: It was an absolute no-brainer! We have worked together and been each other’s clients for some time. It was clear from the start that we are aligned on values, purpose, and drive. I believe we can achieve so much more together. Oh, and we share the same sense of humour!
Q: Lynne, what attracted you to UK for Good?
Lynne: I have admired Donna and everything she has achieved with UK for Good since I first stumbled across her on the B Lab website, looking for a B Leader. In that first meeting, we just hit it off and have collaborated at every opportunity since. I was also impressed with the thriving UK for Good membership community of purpose-led entrepreneurs and leaders. I have never experienced such honesty, openness, and trust from a business community. Joining UK for Good, and directly supporting businesses and leaders who want to improve the way they do business and make a positive impact on people and the planet, has been my dream since 2019. And now it’s a reality! I’m so proud to join Donna in co-owning and co-leading this impact business.
Q: What are your business priorities for the first 90 days?
Donna: Agreeing our priorities and plans, reviewing and refining our processes and getting our wider team engaged. We have some exciting strategic partnerships to announce in the coming months that will enable us to bring a full-service offering to our clients. Watch this space!
Want to know more about UK for Good, the work we do or how you can get involved?
Join our mailing list, connect with Donna, Lynne and UK for Good on LinkedIn, take a look at our services and programmes or join our membership.