Woodford Green-based firm, Ruddocks and Co. Chartered Certified Accountants has solidified their commitment to paying the Living Wage, by signing up to the foundation in April 2022.

Ruddocks and Co. Chartered Certified Accountants is the only accounting firm in the London Borough of Woodford to have been recognised as an accredited Living Wage employer, marking it as one of only five businesses in the entire borough to have made that commitment.

The company is committed to demonstrating the powerful impact ethics in business can make and believes that this is an important step in creating a fairer society. Ruddocks and Co. join a growing number of businesses that are committed to ensuring their employees are paid a fair wage.

The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually, calculated according to the real costs of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers who wish to ensure their employees can live comfortably on their earnings.

Ruddocks and Co. Managing Director Rohan Ruddock said:

"We want to be a force for good in society and paying the Living Wage is one important way we can do that. We want our employees to tangibly feel valued and supported, and we believe that no one should have to go without the essentials in life."

Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation stated in her March 2022 announcement

"The global pandemic has shone a spotlight on decades of global inequality. Putting human dignity at the heart of business practice, including tackling poverty and providing decent living standards, will reduce inequality and underpin social cohesion and sustainable economic growth. We are delighted to be joining BCTI to work together to drive change - now is the time for action.’‘

This announcement comes as part of a wider commitment from Ruddocks and Co. to tackling inequality and promoting social mobility. The company has also committed to increasing the proportion of employees from under-represented groups and is constantly dedicating resources for personal and professional growth through their training program for their staff. With this news Ruddocks and Co. is setting an example for businesses across the country, showing that ethical practices and paying a fair wage go hand-in-hand. We hope that other companies will follow their lead and join the Living Wage movement in ensuring that all workers are valued and compensated fairly.