December 2017

share capital invested. This legislation, coupled
with the rapid technological advances of the mid-
19th century created real opportunity for anyone
running a business. Whilst co-ops remained coops,
Quakers being quick to embrace new practices,
chose incorporate, accept investment and expand.
Over time their underlying Quaker values became
diluted as new blood entered the Boardroom.
Of course once the focus shifts from customer to
shareholder things begin to change. For Rowntrees
this meant becoming part of the Nestle empire in
1988, with Cadbury bought by Kraft in 2010. Once
part of a multi-national the values of the founders
become forgotten. Today there are few remaining
Quaker businesses.
Co-ops on the other hand have retained their
values to this day. It was no surprise when Doug
Field, joint CEO of East of England Co-operative
took the chair of New Anglia LEP recently that he set
about focusing on a return to basics. He promised to
listen more to business, rather than simply chasing
investment in the area. To Doug, business leaders
in his LEP area are like members of a co-operative.
He knows that it is they, not Government who hold
the key to his region’s economic prosperity.
Today there is growing evidence that a return
to basic values can benefit any business’s bottom
line. Loughlin Hickey, co-founder of charity
Blueprint for Better Business told me that; ‘Too
many people accept that success in business
requires all to pursue their own self-interest. Not
only is that a narrow view of human instincts but
it actually blocks business potential.’ So is there
an opportunity for a new generation of Quaker
entrepreneurs to emerge?
Businesses that have purpose beyond profit
are more resilient than those that focus on profit
alone. Twitter gives voice to disgruntled customers
and millennials are increasingly choosing to work
for firms with wholesome values. I think there
is a place for Quaker led businesses today, more
perhaps than ever before.
So as a social entrepreneur and Quaker I have put
this theory to the test. Earlier this year I founded
the Turnpike Press as an ethical publisher with
overt Quaker values, we publish non-fiction books
that can confront prejudice and spark positive
social change. Out first title is a book on charity
leadership and our second will help parents and
their children improve their mental health.
Books are sponsored, with the sponsor’s
investment refunded from early book sales.
Sponsors naturally take an interest in the book they
support. They make sure it’s on message and more
importantly, open doors that can help sales. Once a
sponsor is repaid, we spilt future profits 50:50 with
the author. We publish books that can provoke
equality of opportunity for readers, sponsors and
of course our authors too.
I’ve also helped set up a few community cooperatives
and seen how well they engage local
people and thrive. Let’s see if I can develop
a contemporary version of a family-owned
Quaker firm.
t Doug Field, joint
CEO of East of England
Co-operative
t Turnpike Press,
an ethical publisher that
ensures profits are fairly
distributed
DECEMBER 2017 | 33