Friendly Soap put fair tax at the heart of ethical credentials

Friendly Soap, the enterprise who uses ancient methods to create no-waste, biodegradable and free-from soap products, has today secured the Fair Tax Mark, joining the growing movement of responsible businesses who are proud to ‘say what they pay with pride’.

As part of the accreditation process, Friendly Soap has published their first Fair Tax Mark statement. This details a new tax policy, which commits them to shun tax avoidance. They have also provided a numerical tax reconciliation and accompanying narrative, which clearly explains how much tax they have paid and why.

Paul Monaghan, Chief Executive, Fair Tax Mark, said: “We are delighted to announce that Friendly Soap has joined the Fair Tax movement, and are proudly saying what the pay. Their certification means that customers, suppliers and staff can clearly see they have a transparent and responsible approach to tax.”

Friendly Soap, an enterprise based on achieving success by having ethics at the heart of its business model was founded by Rob Costello and Geoff Kerouac who both worked at Suma Wholefoods Co-operative (which accredited as a Fair Tax Mark business in 2019) before launching Friendly Soap. Here they learnt vital business skills, including the learning that a commitment to putting ethics before profit supports success.

Rob Costello, Friendly Soap said: “Here at Friendly Soap we’re proud to say what we pay, and contribute the tax we owe. It’s part and parcel of being a responsible business, and for us it’s just one of the ways that we can demonstrate our commitment to being a business that’s guided by ethics over profits. It’s only right that when we’re successful we pay our contribution towards the vital public services our business and our people rely on, from the NHS and flood defence, to roads and education.”

Paul Monaghan added: “Paying the right amount of tax is about fairness. We’re pleased to see businesses like Friendly Soap standing up and showing that fair tax is central to being a responsible business, in the same way as having an ethical approach to reducing an organisation’s carbon footprint or a commitment to worker’s rights.”