The sustainability series: Julia Johns from Gradient Consultants

Hi Julia! Can you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?

I'm Julia Johns, the ESG Lead at Gradient Consultants, an award-winning firm of Chartered Building Surveyors and Compliance & ESG Consultants. We work with private and public sector clients across Sussex, London and beyond, offering a range of services including building surveying, asbestos consulting, and social value consulting.

In my role, I focus on making sustainability a key part of everything we do, ensuring that our work not only meets our clients' needs but also drives positive social and environmental outcomes. As a member of IEMA and a certified Social Value Associate Practitioner, I support clients to ensure they maximize their impact, my goal is to help them create lasting value for everyone involved, from employees and customers to the environment and society as a whole.

When did you become a B Corp, and why did you decide it was an important thing for Gradient Consultants to do?

We officially became a B Corp in 2021. It was something we’d been thinking about for a while because we wanted to align our business practices with our values. Being a B Corp means more than just focusing on profit – it’s about considering our impact on people and the planet. We felt it was the right path to ensure that the way we run Gradient reflects the positive change we want to see in the world. Plus, it’s a great way to hold ourselves accountable and continue improving.

What’s the biggest takeaway you learnt during the B Corp process?

The biggest takeaway for us was realising how interconnected everything is – from our internal culture to our environmental impact and the relationships we have with clients. The B Corp process encouraged us to look at our business holistically. It wasn’t just about ticking boxes; it really got us thinking about how every little change can contribute to a much larger, positive ripple effect. We also learned the importance of continuous improvement – becoming a B Corp is just the start!

Why do you think the B Corp movement is important for your sector in particular?

In our sector, which focuses on consultancy and the built environment, there’s a massive opportunity to make a difference. The decisions we help shape have long-term impacts on communities, buildings, and the environment. The B Corp movement is important because it emphasizes that businesses in our field should be driven by more than just financial outcomes – we should be thinking about sustainability, ethical practices, and the people affected by our work. It’s about leading by example and showing that you can be both profitable and purposeful.

You’re also co-founders of Building Better Business – can you tell us a bit more about why you set it up, and how you bring people together?

Absolutely! Building Better Business is something we’re really passionate about. We teamed up with fellow B Corp Boutique Modern to create a networking event bringing together purpose-driven leaders who are focused on making a real social and environmental impact, especially in the built environment. It’s all about sharing ideas and learning from each other on how we can improve sustainability, social value, and work toward achieving net zero – particularly when it comes to adapting and constructing new buildings and spaces.

We wanted to create a space where like-minded people could connect, share experiences, and help solve the challenges we’re all facing. Whether you’re already on your B Corp journey, seasoned veterans looking to push the boundaries even further or just curious to learn more, we invite everyone to come along, meet inspiring people, and be part of this exciting community. It’s all about uniting and pushing forward the conversation on building better for the future!

With thanks to Julia from Gradient Consultants. Find out more about Gradient Consultants here, and check out Building Better Business here. 

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk