Emerge Digital secures B Corp status amid AI rollout

Emerge Digital, a technology and managed service provider based in Gloucestershire, has secured B Corp Certification as it expands and develops a new AI-focused service offering.

The certification comes during a period of growth. The business has recently moved into South Wales and appointed Alex Cuthbert as Business Development Director. Cuthbert previously played professional rugby.

Emerge Digital has also extended its relationship with Gloucester Rugby, announcing a new three-year deal as part of its technology partnership with the Premiership club.

The firm now employs 24 people and reported turnover growth of 15% year-on-year. Supported users also rose by 30% over the past 12 months.

B Corp Context

B Corp Certification is awarded to organisations that meet environmental, social and governance standards. Certified companies commit to ongoing assessment as part of the B Corp framework.

The UK has more than 2,700 Certified B Corporations, the largest national B Corp community in the world. Gloucestershire has 60 certified organisations, according to figures cited by Emerge Digital.

Several of Emerge Digital's clients already hold B Corp status, including Gloucestershire-based education food supplier Green Gourmet, Lakes Showering Spaces and Equimedia. The list also includes Worcestershire businesses Hewett Recruitment and Cytoplan UK.

Widgit is another recent addition to the client roster. It develops software for symbol-supported communication and received B Corp certification in July last year.

Workplace Measures

As part of its certification process, Emerge Digital introduced a set of internal initiatives, including formalised training programmes, an employee assistance programme and a profit-sharing scheme.

Staff can take up to two additional days of paid leave each year for charity activity. Emerge Digital has chosen Cheltenham Animal Shelter and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, while employees can also use the leave to support a charity of their choice.

The company framed these measures as part of its approach to people management as it grows. UK MSPs have competed for skills across service desk operations, security, cloud and data roles, with many firms adding structured training and wellbeing support as they scale.

ApexAI Plans

Emerge Digital is preparing to launch an AI service branded ApexAI, described as a programme that places employee digital wellbeing at the centre of AI adoption.

The service combines leadership alignment and skills training, along with workflow development and ongoing community support. Emerge Digital said the approach is designed to help teams adopt AI safely and sustainably.

The focus on wellbeing and governance reflects a broader shift in the AI services market. Many providers have moved beyond tooling selection and deployment to offer training, change management and controls around data use and policy. This work has increased as businesses bring generative AI into everyday processes.

Emerge Digital operates as a managed service provider, offering outsourced IT support, cyber security and cloud infrastructure. It also works in AI and automation.

In recent years, MSPs and IT services firms have looked for ways to differentiate beyond core support contracts. Some have pursued sector specialisation, while others have expanded into advisory work around security and compliance. Certification schemes and social governance commitments have also become more prominent as buyers apply supplier assessments and reporting requirements.

Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital, linked the certification to company culture and its approach to technology programmes.

"At Emerge Digital, we've always believed that how you do business matters just as much as what you deliver. B Corp Certification validates the culture we've built, one that puts people, community and integrity at the heart of what we do, and it reflects the way we approach AI too, using technology to support people, reduce pressure and create positive impact," said Nigel Church, CEO, Emerge Digital.

Emerge Digital plans to proceed with the launch of ApexAI, with the programme built around training, workflow development and ongoing support for teams adopting AI tools.