hidden_voices

Recommendations

Info

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
Hidden Voices: The CBI, corporate lobbying and sustainabilityenvironmental issues, although responses to specific developments such as the end-of-lifevehicles directive are couched in terms of the burden on small firms.5.2 Pro-environment business lobbyistsThese are corporate lobbyists and trade associations who recognise and support the needfor regulation to protect the environment. Unlike the traditional corporate lobbyists they seeopportunities rather then obstacles for business in sustainable development.Environment Industries CommissionWeb link: www.eic-uk.co.ukChairman: Adrian WilkesMembership: More than 280 companiesMembership and organisation: The Environment Industries Commission (EIC) waslaunched in 1995 to provide environmental technology equipment and service suppliers witha strong and effective voice to influence the debate on the future of the industry amongpolicymakers in Westminster, Whitehall and Brussels.Policy stance: The Commission has been supportive of legislation and fiscal measures thatensure that the UK is an international leader on the environmental issues, thereby creatingcompetitive advantage for the UK in environmental technology and services. Its membershipcomes from industries working in areas such as land contamination remediation, sustainablewaste management (eg recycling), air pollution control, water pollution control etc. In January2005 it launched a campaign to counter the CBI anti-regulation lobby against regulations thatbenefit the environment.Association for Conservation and EnergyWeb link: www.ukace.orgDirector: Andrew WarrenMembership: 24 UK-based companies with substantial interest in energy conservationequipment and servicesMembership and organisation: The Association for Conservation and Energy (ACE) wasformed in 1981 by a number of major companies active within the energy conservationindustry. Its current members include controls manufacturers, energy service companies andmanufacturers and distributors of insulation materials. Its aim is to encourage a positivenational awareness of the need for, and benefits of, energy conservation, to help establish asensible and consistent national policy and programme, and to increase investment in allappropriate energy saving measures.ACE is separated into two core operations: a parliamentary campaigns unit, with an interestin developing and promoting sound UK energy policy, and a research departmentinvestigating many aspects of energy efficiency both in the UK and Europe.British Wind Energy AssociationWeb link: www.bwea.comPresident: Marcus RandMembership: 310 members53
Page 5 and 6: Hidden Voices: The CBI, corporate l
Page 51: Hidden Voices: The CBI, corporate l

hidden_voices

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?