More than 150 business leaders gathered in Parliament this morning to mark Better Business Day 2025, celebrating the UK’s growing movement of future-fit businesses showing that purpose-led decisions create profit and benefit society.
The event, hosted by B Lab UK – the non-profit driving the UK B Corporation movement – brought together key figures behind its flagship campaign, the Better Business Act. Retail visionary Mary Portas and Douglas Lamont, CEO of Tony’s Chocolonely, co-chairs of the campaign, led the charge.
The number of businesses supporting the campaign has grown tenfold in the last three years, from 300 to more than 3,000 to date. Attendees included leading B Corp-certified businesses Bloom & Wild, giffgaff, Farrow & Ball, The White Company, Coventry Building Society, and ELEMIS – all united in their commitment to building a better way of doing business.
Mary Portas OBE, co-chair of the Better Business Act, retail consultant and broadcaster, said: “The world is on a knife-edge – socially, culturally, environmentally. People are not just asking more from business, they are demanding it. But we are still shackled to outdated rules built for a world that no longer exists. This is not just an economic crisis – it is a systemic one. A system obsessed with short-term profit is killing long-term value.
“The Better Business Act will give businesses the power – and responsibility – to put people and planet on par with profit. This really is a line in the sand moment. Businesses simply need to choose – be part of the solution, or get left behind”
The event saw more than a dozen MPs join forces to encourage ministers to back new measures requiring UK-based companies to consider people and the planet, alongside profit.
Research for B Lab UK from Demos has previously found that supporting the growth of purpose-driven businesses could aid Britain’s economic recovery and boost the nation’s GDP by 7 per cent.
Last year, B Corps saw a 23 per cent increase in turnover, compared to a national average of 17 per cent, demonstrating the economic benefits of businesses adopting purpose-led principles.
The Better Business Act (BBA) sets out bold plans to update UK company law, which currently encourages businesses to operate under a legal regime of shareholder primacy, meaning that company directors too often prioritise profit over people and the planet.
The proposed law change would amend Section 172 of the Companies Act, allowing all UK businesses to think for the future by aligning shareholder interests with those of employees, customers, local communities and the environment.
The growing coalition of companies backing the proposed law change includes SMEs, high-street brands, and publicly listed companies in more than 15 sectors, including technology, finance, insurance, and science.
Meanwhile, in recent weeks, dozens of B Corps have been inviting their local MPs to see their purpose-led operations in action, with regional visits taking place in Stroud with Labour’s Simon Opher, Devon with the Lib Dems’ Caroline Voaden and Brighton with Green MP Sian Berry.
Directors’ duties are set to be debated in Parliament through a private members’ bill being brought forward by Martin Wrigley. The Company Directors (Duties) Bill is due for its second reading in the Commons on Friday, 4 July.
Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK, the charity behind the UK B Corp movement, and Campaign Director of the Better Business Act, said: “Better Business Day celebrates the growing momentum behind a new generation of business leaders who recognise that purpose and profit go hand in hand.
“With the urgent need to stimulate a stagnant economy and build resilience within business, ministers have an opportunity to back the Better Business Act, which would ensure that business plays its role in addressing the UK’s most pressing problems. This approach would support long-term, sustainable economic growth for the years ahead and ensure the UK remains a leader in promoting responsible business.”
Douglas Lamont, co-chair of the Better Business Act and Chief Executive of Tony’s Chocolonely, said: “It has been inspiring to hear from so many purpose-driven business leaders who are forging the path to build a fairer, more resilient economy that works in the interests of people and our planet.
“The strong sense of desire from these successful companies and leaders to set a higher, more balanced standard for all businesses is palpable, and the proposals set out in the Better Business Act build on the approach already in place at, and driving successful outcomes for, thousands of businesses up and down the country.”
Lord Sonny Leong CBE, Labour Business and Trade Spokesperson, told attendees: “When businesses prioritise people, planet and profit, they help to deliver exactly what this Government is working for: higher wages, lower emissions, strong communities and a more resilient economy. This alignment between policy and purpose-led businesses is not a coincidence; it is a strategy, and it is how we can win the future.
“We know business is hard, the pressures are real, and you face it every day. But for those stepping up with purpose, with integrity, we know this, we see you and we support you, and we value your leadership. Let us make the UK the most trusted, forward-looking business community in the world.”
