This year’s B Corp Month theme, Gen B, challenges us to rethink leadership for a more just and sustainable world. As businesses work towards greater social and environmental responsibility, the expectations placed on leaders are shifting. But what will it take for the next generation of B Corp leaders to drive meaningful progress?
Tomorrow’s leaders won’t just talk about impact; they’ll be measured by it. The B Corp framework sets a clear standard demanding accountability, transparency, and long-term thinking. This means prioritising leaders who look beyond short-term success to consider the broader implications of every decision. The future of leadership within the movement will depend on those who can balance commercial priorities with purpose, ensuring that sustainability is not an add-on but an embedded principle.
But leadership isn’t just about making the right decisions internally, it’s also about recognising the power of collaboration. B Corps operate as part of a wider system, and the most effective leaders will be those who can connect the dots, build partnerships, and influence change beyond their own organisation. Leadership today requires not only expertise in sustainability but also the ability to bring people together to drive collective progress.
In a fast-changing world, adaptability is just as important as vision. The next generation of B Corp leaders will need to navigate complexity with confidence while staying true to their organisation’s mission. That requires resilience, the ability to manage uncertainty, and the skills to lead with both agility and conviction. Organisations that prioritise leadership development offering structured support and opportunities for growth will be better positioned to cultivate the kind of leaders who can drive lasting change.
A strong recruitment process also plays a crucial role. Leadership transitions are defining moments for organisations, and the way they approach hiring can set the tone for their future. Beyond assessing skills and experience, finding the right leader means ensuring alignment with purpose, values, and culture. A thoughtful, people-centred approach to recruitment one that supports candidates through the process and reflects an organisation’s values at every stage can help build leadership teams that are engaged, committed, and ready to lead with impact.
Leadership within the B Corp movement isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about shaping the future of responsible business. The next generation of leaders will be tasked with driving the movement forward, ensuring that sustainability, accountability, and impact remain at the heart of decision-making. Supporting and developing these leaders is an important step in building a business landscape that truly delivers on the promise of a fairer, more sustainable world.
Thibaut Mills
Thibaut has been a member of the senior management team with Oxford HR since 2013. He brings 20 years’ experience of working in both the private and international non-governmental sector. He has worked in a wide range of organisations ranging from dot.com start-ups to FTSE100 companies and multinationals.
Thibaut worked for several years with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Myanmar and Haiti, where he had overarching HR responsibility for over 1500 staff during the post-earthquake response of 2010.
A native French speaker with professional experience in a variety of roles including Search & Selection, International HR, Operations and management in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, he has led on over 30 Board, Executive and Director level appointments in over 20 countries.
Holder of an MBA with focus on International HR Management and Innovation. He is passionate about the INGO sector and a member of the Board of Directors for Refugee Resource.
