hidden_voices

Hidden Voices: The CBI, corporate lobbying and sustainabilityOn the issue of the proposed Operating and Rinancial Review (OFR), the institute said that itwould impose an excessive standard of care on directors, would not achieve clear reporting,and would unfairly expose directors to potential liability for missing forecasts. The IoD’s focusis clearly on shareholders rather than other users of company reports, and it said, “There islittle evidence that shareholders will want the additional information”. 113The IoD’s stance has tended to be influenced significantly by its director general – the fulltimeleader of the organisation. Until recently, the holder of this post tended to be openlysupportive of Tory policies and opposed to Labour. The immediate predecessor to thecurrent Director General was George Cox who adopted a more moderate and co-operativestance, but this was unpopular with many members. 114 He was replaced in September 2004by former brewing executive Miles Templeman.British Chambers of CommerceWeb link: www.chamberonline.co.ukPresident: Bill MidgleyDirector General: David FrostMembership: 135,000 businesses employing four million peopleSlogan: The only truly representative voice for UK businessMembership and organisation: The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is a network ofmore than 100 local chambers of commerce whose members are mainly smaller localbusinesses but also include the local branches of larger companies. It claims to representmore than 135,000 businesses employing four million people. Multiple large-companyrepresentation allows BCC to claim that it has more big company members than the CBI andis “the only truly representative voice for UK business”. 115 BCC is also linked to theInternational Chamber of Commerce global network.Policy stance: BCC shares the concern of other business groups with regards to regulation,and compiles a “burdens barometer”, which claims that regulations introduced by Labourhave cost business more than £30 billion. It is particularly opposed to employment regulation,especially the EU Working Time Directive, and says that the minimum wage should befrozen.BCC contemplated a merger with the CBI a few years ago, and has been through a period ofupheaval. Under new leadership it has put renewed effort into lobbying, explicitly competingwith the CBI but adopting a conciliatory stance with the Labour Government. 116Federation of Small BusinessesWeb link: www.fsb.org.ukChairman: Carol UndyMembership: 185,000 – mostly small businessesMembership and organisation: The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) was formed in1974 for self-employed people, in protest at the introduction of a special self-employedNational Insurance ‘tax’. Its membership is still drawn from the smallest businesses.Policy stance: The Federation remains preoccupied with tax and other financial issues,,including opposition to fuel price increases. It also joins other organisations in opposingregulation of business – especially employment regulation. It does not explicitly address52