Better Business Act https://betterbusinessact.org/ The world needs business at its best Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:51:03 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://betterbusinessact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-bba-favicon-32x32.png Better Business Act https://betterbusinessact.org/ 32 32 Steve Reed’s approach to water companies shows the only way to change business behaviour is to change the rules of the game https://betterbusinessact.org/steve-reeds-approach-to-water-companies/ Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:50:22 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=14258 Steve Reed’s approach to water companies shows the only way to change business behaviour is to change the rules of the game 22nd July 2024 Chris Turner, Campaign Director, Better Business Act With Thames Water on the brink of collapse and sewage scandals breaking across all parts of the UK, serious intervention was needed from […]

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Steve Reed’s approach to water companies shows the only way to change business behaviour is to change the rules of the game

22nd July 2024

Chris Turner, Campaign Director, Better Business Act

With Thames Water on the brink of collapse and sewage scandals breaking across all parts of the UK, serious intervention was needed from the new government. And that’s exactly what we’ve seen from Steve Reed, the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Within his first week in the role, he has sent a clear signal to the water sector: clean up your act. And the most effective way to do it, he says, is by enshrining the interests of customers and the environment in companies’ Articles of Association.

For too long, we have been watching companies pay huge dividends to shareholders whilst behaving questionably at best, and criminally at worst. This behaviour is driven by company law, which steers directors to put shareholders first – often at the expense of the planet and their workers or customers. Examples such as P&O Ferries firing 800 staff over a Zoom call, Shell backtracking on climate commitments, and Boohoo’s appalling treatment of workers at a factory in Leicester show just how damaging it is when businesses put shareholder interests above all else.

Mountains of regulation and reporting exist which many hope will improve corporate behaviour. Yet it’s clear that the problem will not be solved until businesses move away from short-term shareholder-first thinking. And from Steve Reed’s decision this week, it seems that the government agrees. The only way to harness the collective power of the business community to tackle our shared challenges is to update corporate governance rules.

Business has enormous potential to become a force for good. We know this from our work with over 2,000 UK B Corps, and from the example of thousands of social enterprises and progressive businesses like Timpsons, whose CEO has just been invited to join the cabinet. At a time when the new government has so many huge problems to solve, we need to go further than just water: we must update the rule-book for all businesses. 

The Better Business Act would update Section 172 of the Companies Act to ensure that all businesses, not just those in the water sector, prioritise people and planet alongside profit. Almost 3,000 businesses including Iceland, Anglian Water, Tony’s Chocolonely and Virgin, alongside influential organisations like the RSPB, the Institute of Directors and ShareAction are backing the act. A healthy, growing economy needs a bedrock of strong corporate governance. The time for a change to the rules has arrived.

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UK public back change to company law to put people, the planet and profit on more equal footing https://betterbusinessact.org/uk-public-back-change-to-company-law-to-put-people-the-planet-and-profit-on-more-equal-footing/ Wed, 15 May 2024 20:01:13 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=14225 UK public back change to company law to put people, the planet and profit on more equal footing 16th May 2023 New research released today reveals that over three quarters of the UK public (76%) believe that, more than ever before, the law needs to change to give businesses a legal responsibility to prioritise people […]

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UK public back change to company law to put people, the planet and profit on more equal footing

16th May 2023

New research released today reveals that over three quarters of the UK public (76%) believe that, more than ever before, the law needs to change to give businesses a legal responsibility to prioritise people and the planet alongside making a profit.

UK law currently requires firms to operate under a legal regime of shareholder primacy, meaning company directors too often put profit ahead of society and the environment.

The research, which looks at UK opinion on business responsibility, was conducted by B Lab UK ahead of this year’s Better Business Day (Thursday 16th May).

Better Business Day will see a broad coalition of businesses call to enact the Better Business Act — a proposed change to Section 172 of the Companies Act that would empower company directors to align the interests of shareholders with their employees, customers, local communities and the environment.

Support for the change spans political preferences with voters across the party divide strongly giving their backing; 85% of Labour supporters, 70% of Conservative supporters, and 89% of both Liberal Democrat and Green Party supporters said they were in favour of the proposed amendment to the law.

When respondents were asked about their biggest single motivator for backing the change, looking after people was at the forefront. 

Over a quarter (28%) polled believed the most important reason was to protect employees, with recent developments such as the Post Office scandal highlighting a need for change.

This was followed by the need to support the public during the ongoing cost of living crisis (26%) and the fact that businesses should have a legal responsibility to protect the environment (25%).

Around the UK, Wales is the biggest supporter of the proposed amendment, with 86% of people polled there saying the law must change.

The research showed that increasingly the public are looking to businesses to act as a force for good and will prioritise those that do. Almost half of respondents (47%) said that they will only work for companies that show themselves to have a responsibility towards wider stakeholders including their employees, customers, local communities and the environment. 

45% also said they would only invest in, and purchase goods from, companies who act in a responsible way, indicating that businesses who prioritise people and the planet have a competitive advantage.

Mary Portas, Chair of the Better Business Act, and founder of Portas agency, said:

“The data is clear. And so is the cultural mood. The British public are crying out for businesses to make a change and make it their legal right and responsibility to look after people and the planet. 

We see this demand across the board. From all parts of the UK. All age ranges. All political persuasions. As we head into the election, it’s a challenge the next government cannot ignore. 

Thousands of businesses have already prioritised responsible decision-making.  It’s only fair that the government now supports every company – big and small – in their journey towards becoming a better business.”

Chris Turner, Campaign Director of the Better Business Act and Executive Director of B Lab UK, said:

“It’s been three years since we launched the Better Business Act campaign. In that time, we’ve seen a growing majority of the UK public demand more from the companies they engage with, while leaders of these organisations also recognise that we need to change ‘business as usual’. Over 2,500 UK companies from all sectors and of all sizes are now backing the Better Business Act, demonstrating the urgency for the next Government to take action and empower all business leaders to prioritise people and the planet alongside profit. 

During a time when people are battling a cost-of-living crisis, global temperatures are rising and inequality is reaching new heights, updating Section 172 of the Companies Act would ensure that business becomes part of the solution to the social, environmental and economic challenges we face.”

During Better Business Day, B Lab UK will be releasing a new video in support of amendments to Section 172 of the Companies Act. The film will show UK business leaders sharing elevator pitches as to why they support the campaign. 

These contributors are Mary Portas (Co-Chair of Better Business Act and Founder of Portas Agency), Amy Clarke (Chief Impact Office of Tribe Impact Capital), Chris Turner (Executive Director of B Lab UK and Campaign Director of Better Business Act), Dr Ateh Jewel (Entrepreneur), Safia Minney (Author and Entrepreneur), and Luke Boase (Founder of Lucky Saint).

To find out more information visit https://betterbusinessact.org/ 

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information contact:

Caroline Lott

Caroline@higginsonstrategy.com 

07849 485970

About the polling:

  • Source: Polling of 2081 UK adults undertaken by Yonder from the 3rd – 6th May 2024

About B Lab UK:

  • B Lab UK’s purpose is to redefine success in business through building a community of engaged businesses, raising awareness of the B Corp movement and influencing change in the UK economy. The Better Business Act is a business-led campaign by B Lab UK, driven by leaders who recognise that the law has fallen behind business culture and who have proven that this approach to business works for everyone.

About Better Business Act:

  • The Better Business Act is urging all of Britain’s business leaders to call on the Government to amend Section 172 of the Companies Act to ensure businesses are legally responsible for benefiting workers, customers, communities, and the environment while delivering profit. 
  • To achieve this, it has brought together a broad and growing coalition of over 2,500 businesses from across all sectors and regions of the UK to help deliver this new contract between business and society.

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Hosting Your Own BBA Event https://betterbusinessact.org/hosting-your-own-bba-event/ Thu, 08 Feb 2024 10:05:39 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=8672 Hosting Your Own Better Business Act Event.

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Hosting Your Own BBA Event

Our coalition members regularly speak at and even create their own events to showcase the aims of the Better Business Act and explain why they are supporters.

When you participate in an event about the BBA, it highlights your commitment as a purposeful business and it encourages other businesses to join our coalition, strengthening our cause and moving us forward in our key goal of amending s172 of the Companies Act.

The more our members help us spread the word, the stronger we become. See below our top tips for running events:

  • What and how? Be clear about your event’s topic and what the format will be: do you want a panel with one moderator? Or one speaker with a presentation and a Q&A from the audience?

  • Virtual or in-person? The pandemic continues to put real life events in jeopardy so organising a virtual event might be safest. If you really want a face-to-face event, we recommend making virtual plans too, just in case you have to pivot online.

  • Think about your speakers: it can work well to include speakers with different perspectives on the subject – that makes it more interesting for the audience. Try to include some diverse backgrounds and opinions if possible.

  • Moderate and record. If you can, involve a moderator to help manage the questions and responses between your audience and the panel or speaker. It takes the pressure off the speaker and allows a more fluent exchange. The moderator can also record the event, so you can post it online for those who weren’t able to attend live.

  • Promote it on your channels in good time… and consider asking some organisations and individuals directly – that can boost your response rate.

  • Get us involved. Let us know about the event at the early stages of planning. We can help with speakers, guest lists, content and promotion.

We look forward to working with our amazing coalition, continuing the campaign to change s.172, to create a fairer, greener future for everyone.

If you have questions or comments, please email act@betterbusinessact.org.

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Wake Up to Better Business https://betterbusinessact.org/wake-up-to-better-business/ Tue, 25 Apr 2023 05:59:00 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=7937 Wake Up to Better Business 26th April 2023 INTRODUCTION Today we are launching our Wake Up to Better Business campaign. To kick us off, we’re having breakfast in Westminster with MPs, policy makers and business leaders and convincing them of the need for the Better Business Act’s proposed changes. Across the next two weeks, we’re […]

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Wake Up to Better Business

26th April 2023

INTRODUCTION

Today we are launching our Wake Up to Better Business campaign. To kick us off, we’re having breakfast in Westminster with MPs, policy makers and business leaders and convincing them of the need for the Better Business Act’s proposed changes. Across the next two weeks, we’re asking our supporters to raise awareness of the campaign, show why they are supporting and engage their MPs.

THE NEED

This small change in the law will have a huge impact on our future. As things stand, the 2006 Companies Act means businesses are primarily accountable to shareholders and this profit-first mindset means we are sleepwalking into social and climate crises. Even Margaret Hodge MP and Jonathan Djanogly MP, two MPs involved in debating the 2006 Act, now believe an update is needed.

Additionally, voters increasingly feel that the current law is not fit for purpose: just one in ten believe that businesses should have a legal responsibility to solely maximise their profits. Whereas, over two thirds would support the Better Business Act’s proposed changes. (Executive Summary, 2023)

THE CAMPAIGN

The Better Business Act is calling for an amendment to Section 172 of the Companies Act, which sets out the ‘job description’ for company directors to ensure they align social and environmental impact with shareholder returns.  

Our growing coalition of now over 2,000 UK businesses, led by co-chairs Mary Portas and Douglas Lamont, is coming together to wake the Government up to the benefits of ensuring businesses prioritise people and the planet alongside profit. Businesses including Innocent, Iceland, Suez, Graze and organisations such as the RSPB, Institute of Directors and ShareAction are pushing the campaign forward.

The public also want this change. The vast majority (78% pro) are now backing a change to company law that would see the interests of people and the planet sit alongside those of shareholders when making boardroom decisions. Our new research shows the proposed shift is consistent across party divides, with strong support among those planning to vote conservative (73%) and current Labour supporters even more likely to be in favour (87%) (Executive Summary, 2023).

Ahead of next year’s general election, we want to make sure the Better Business Act’s proposals are included in all the main parties’ manifestos, and this campaign will help raise awareness amongst key policymakers and MPs.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IN WESTMINSTER?

On the 26th we are hosting breakfast in Westminster. MPs, policy makers and business leaders will be hearing from Mary and Douglas, our cochairs. We will have a panel discussion hosted by Campaign Director Chris Turner, which will explore the Better Business Act and well hear from Anu Chugh, CEO of Pukka Herbs, Holly Branson, Chief Purpose and Vision Officer at Virgin Group and Labour MP Darren Jones. Well be meeting some of our key political stakeholders across the day so make sure you keep an eye out on our social media channels to find out what were up to!

Keep an eye out for The Better Business Times being given out in Westminster this morning and MPs enjoying their morning coffee from our branded Keep Cups!


GET INVOLVED

26th April

Help us launch ‘Wake Up to Better Business’ with a thunderclap moment across social media this morning. Make sure you tag your local MP to ask if they will come to Westminster and discuss the change, and hashtag #WakeUptoBetterBusiness so we can reshare it.

Over the next two weeks:

  • Sign up to the coalition if you haven’t done so already. 
  • Demonstrate why your business supports the Better Business Act by using our adaptable asset. Make sure to tag us in this post, so we can re-share it!
  • Write to your MP and tag them on socials to ask for their support of the amendment of Section 172 of the Companies Act. 
  • Host your MP at your business. Use this toolkit to see how best to engage with your constituency MP and showcase better business.

The Wake Up to Better Business campaign is supported by Kin + Carta.


RESOURCES:

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David Attenborough’s Wild Isles is a reminder as to why we need better business https://betterbusinessact.org/attenboroughs-a-case-for-amending-the-companies-act/ Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:03:33 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=7814 People’s Plan for Nature & Business within the UK 14th March 2023 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’S WILD ISLES IS A COMPELLING CASE FOR UPDATING THE UK COMPANIES ACT TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES Attenborough has returned to our screens with the UK based BBC Series, in which he explores Britain’s extraordinary biodiversity and nature. While the species […]

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People’s Plan for Nature & Business within the UK

14th March 2023

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’S WILD ISLES IS A COMPELLING CASE FOR UPDATING THE UK COMPANIES ACT TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES

Attenborough has returned to our screens with the UK based BBC Series, in which he explores Britain’s extraordinary biodiversity and nature. While the species and scenes captured serve as a celebration of the wonders of the British Isles, in true Attenborough style it rings as a plea to halt further environmental decay.

Providing a testament to the species which exist on Earth, it champions the growing initiatives that are occurring to sustain and protect our planet. One specific UK initiative is The People’s Plan for Nature. Better Business Act’s coalition supporters RSPB, have partnered with WWF and the National Trust, to bring about an assembly of people across the UK to develop a democratic plan for nature within the UK.

The participatory assembly will take place this month, and lead to The People’s Plan for Nature recommendations being published in Spring 2023. It will propose recommendations for governments, non-governmental organisations, businesses and individuals to begin action towards protecting Britain’s incredible biodiversity.

While it is exciting to witness the strengthening of initiatives aimed at protecting the planet and nature, these cannot happen alone. In a recent Civil Service Environmental Network conference attended by BBA campaign director Chris Turner, the theme of collaboration between civil society, policymakers, businesses and MPs was stressed. For real change, an institutional wide shift in fundamentally valuing the environment and society is necessary.

In order to protect the rich biodiversity across the UK, and the planet, businesses can no longer be thinking about only profit. We need to ensure businesses take a responsible approach – and believe the best way to do this is through the Better Business Act, a legal change to company law that commits businesses to align the interests of their stakeholders.

The Better Business Act is a coalition of over 2,000 organisations who are committed to asking the Government to change Section 172 of the Companies Act in order to reform directors’ duties and enable businesses to align the interests of profit, with the interests of people and the planet. The coalition includes Patagonia, The Body Shop, ShareAction and a wide range of organisations who agree that we need to change the law urgently to get businesses to think differently about how they value the environment as a stakeholder. The RSPB is one of these coalition members, who, when joining the coalition, wrote…

We need to see greater action by business for a nature positive world”

We reiterate RSPBs call to action, and ask businesses across the country to begin aligning the interests of profits with the interests of the planet and people. Currently, a majority of businesses are utilising a top down race to harness the short term gains of vast profits. Programmes like Attenborough’s ‘Wild Isles’, are an urgent reminder of what is at stake if we stick to the status quo.


Mia Stumper, Campaign Intern 

Better Business Act

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Looking back at 2022… https://betterbusinessact.org/looking-back-at-2022/ Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:26:09 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=7282 2022 has been a busy year for the Better Business Act. In this post we look back at some highlights.

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Campaign developments in 2022…
Here are some highlights of the year from the Better Business Act

Progress for the Better Business Act

We’ve made huge strides in raising awareness of the campaign, most excitingly at Better Business Day in April which generated over 20 pieces of media coverage, allowed us to meet over 50 MPs and put us firmly on the agenda in Westminster. 

We’ve welcomed our second Co-chair, Mary Portas to lead the campaign alongside Douglas Lamont. Mary has been spreading the word in speeches in front of the British Chambers of Commerce, Woman of the World Festival, in Cornwall at Anthropy, on Times Radio, Woman’s Hour and across social media.

We’ve also had some brilliant media coverage this year, rounding off with this recent piece from Campaign Director, Chris Turner in the Times.

The Power of Business Report

We’ve also been working to show how important the BBA will be in tackling crises and spoke to businesses within the coalition to produce this guide with B Lab UK on the Cost of Living crisis. 

A year of collaboration

We have convened our Legal Advisory Group, a group of lawyers advising on the campaign’s legal strategy and look forward to continuing work with them, and our Public Affairs Working Group in 2023.

We have been speaking to the TUC and the Institute of Directors about the draft Act and even sharing the things we’ve learnt across the last few years with colleagues around the world who are watching with interest.

Finally, we were delighted to be asked to give evidence in front of the BEIS Select Committee in October, and finished the year off with an exciting trip to Downing Street to talk to some of the PM’s advisors about the need for the Better Business Act.

We look forward to working with our amazing coalition, continuing the campaign to change s.172, to create a fairer, greener future for everyone.

If you have questions or comments, please email act@betterbusinessact.org.

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The Queen’s Speech & What It Means for the BBA https://betterbusinessact.org/the-queens-speech-what-it-means-for-the-bba/ Wed, 11 May 2022 17:00:06 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=5293 The Queen's Speech and what it means for the Better Business Act.

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The Queen’s Speech & What It Means for the BBA

The Queen’s Speech is an important moment in the Parliamentary calendar, it is used by the  Government to set out its legislative agenda for the year ahead. Yesterday, Prince Charles read out the Queen’s Speech prepared by the Government to assembled MPs and Peers. Despite calls from our coalition and wider group of business for reform of corporate governance, we didn’t get to hear the words “Better Business Act” from the future monarch’s mouth.  

Should we be frustrated that the government is ignoring the urgent need to update the rules in UK boardrooms? Yes. Should we be disappointed or lose motivation? No. Because buried in the documents the government publishes alongside the Queen’s Speech, we found an important bit of information.

Rather than fully dumping proposed updates on corporate governance as was reported in the media, the government has said it will bring forward a draft piece of legislation on the topic. This shows that last minute efforts by the BBA and others to keep corporate reform on the agenda were heard and had an impact.

Draft Audit Reform Bill

A draft bill is issued for consultation before being formally introduced to parliament, meaning it is not yet clear if or when it will become law. We plan to get involved in the consultation as the draft bill is examined. And make the Coalition’s voice loud and clear, telling the Government they should re-examine Directors’ Duties as it seeks to rebuild trust in the UK’s audit, corporate reporting and corporate governance system and making sure they include s.172 in this.

It’s a good opportunity for us to feed in…but we know that with a draft bill, delays and hold ups can mean inaction, and it’s not good enough given how urgently we need reform in this area. We’re not alone in that view.  To maintain urgency and in order to prevent another P&O, BHS or Carillion, we can’t just be feeding into the consultation process. Thankfully, there are other things we can be doing alongside.

Private Members Bill

Though the Government controls the bulk of time in the House of Commons, backbenchers also have an opportunity to bring forward their own laws through Private Members Bills. At the beginning of each session all backbench MPs are given this chance through a lottery. Those lucky enough to be drawn in the ballot are then given a chance to present their own bill to Parliament. Examples of past bills that have started this way include Investigatory Powers Act and the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016.

The BBA has a great base of parliamentary support, helped by our presence in parliament on Better Business Day. We’ll use this to give us the best chance in having the BBA taken through as a Private Members Bill. Once we know who has been picked, we’ll be calling on Coalition supporters in those constituencies to ring, write to, whatever it takes to encourage their MP to bring forward the Better Business Act. 

We look forward to working with our amazing coalition, continuing the campaign to change s.172, to create a fairer, greener future for everyone.

If you have questions or comments, please email act@betterbusinessact.org.

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The Better Business Act welcomes Mary Portas as our new Campaign Co-Chair https://betterbusinessact.org/the-better-business-act-welcomes-mary-portas-as-our-new-campaign-co-chair/ Sun, 13 Mar 2022 12:59:14 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=4907 13th March 2022 HIGH STREET ROYALTY SETS SIGHTS ON QUEEN’S SPEECH  Mary Portas, Queen of Shops, joins as Co-Chair of campaign to update law in upcoming Queen’s Speech The Better Business Act, supported by over 1,000 businesses, would update company directors’ duties on environmental and social impact Mary Portas, the high-profile business woman, today announced […]

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13th March 2022

HIGH STREET ROYALTY SETS SIGHTS ON QUEEN’S SPEECH 

  • Mary Portas, Queen of Shops, joins as Co-Chair of campaign to update law in upcoming Queen’s Speech
  • The Better Business Act, supported by over 1,000 businesses, would update company directors’ duties on environmental and social impact

Mary Portas, the high-profile business woman, today announced at the Women of the World Festival that she will co-chair the Better Business Act (BBA) campaign. The BBA calls on the government to amend the law governing how companies are run to better reflect their social and environmental responsibilities. 

She will co-chair a coalition of over 1,000 UK-based businesses, including Iceland, The Body Shop, innocent drinks and Anglian Water, who are calling for a Better Business Act to be included by the government in the upcoming Queen’s Speech. 

Discussing the benefits of responsible business at the conference, Portas said: 

“We have to unlearn all that we have learnt in business. Here’s the thing. The world isn’t filled with bad people doing bad things. It’s filled with mainly good people misguided under the sway of bad ideas. People are incentivised badly. Growth and profit needs to be replaced with People. Planet. Profit. In that order. Kindness isn’t soft. In fact these are the hard skills for the people leading business. How to listen, love and respect all the people that you work with. That’s the hardest thing to do. It takes courage and perseverance. But it will create a kinder, more freeing and collaborative future for us all.” 

The Better Business Act – also backed by the Institute of Directors – would amend Section 172 of the Companies Act which sets out the ‘job description’ for company directors to ensure they align social and environmental impact with shareholder returns. 

Portas joins Douglas Lamont, CEO of innocent drinks, as Co-Chair of the campaign. The coalition will be taking its call to Westminster on April 20th as part of ‘Better Business Day’. 

Commenting on her appointment as Co-Chair of the Better Business Act Coalition, Portas said: 

“I believe business can be a force for good in society. British entrepreneurs and businesses are the backbone of our communities up and down the country and many are responsible businesses that look after their staff, give back to the communities that support them, and reduce their environmental footprint.

“These businesses deserve the certainty and support in law that would level the playing field for responsible decision-making. But as things stand, the Companies Act still allows some companies to pursue profits at the expense of people and the planet. 

“Given the very real challenges faced by communities and the environment, we cannot abandon our social and environmental responsibilities in the pursuit of profit. What the Better Business Act is asking for is very simple really. By making a small change to the duties of company directors, we will see big changes in the real world. That’s why consumers, voters, investors, and so many businesses are behind it.” 

Portas added: 

“The government wants to tackle the climate crisis, promote global Britain and level up our country. It won’t achieve any of these without business operating at its best. I’m inviting anyone who agrees to join me in Westminster on Better Business Day, on April 20th.” 

Douglas Lamont, CEO of innocent drinks and Co-Chair of the campaign, commented: 

“I’m really excited about Mary becoming a co-chair of the Better Business Act campaign. In just under a year we have grown to a coalition of over 1,000 businesses, who prove that acting responsibly can go hand-in-hand with success and profitability. We have been meeting with MPs up and down the country to make the case for the Better Business Act to make a real difference to company law. With Mary’s energy and expertise, I am confident we can take this movement to another level and ultimately achieve our goal having the law changed as we work towards harnessing the power of business to build a fairer and more sustainable future.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors 

About Mary Portas 

Mary Portas is one of the UK’s most high-profile businesswomen. After making her name transforming Harvey Nichols into London’s sexiest fashion destination, Mary launched her own retail consultancy and creative agency, Portas, which continues to work with and advise businesses ranging from Louis Vuitton to Sainsbury’s. She has been a regular on our TV screens, advised the government on the future of high streets and developed a fashion label. Her proudest achievement to date is the creation of twenty-six Mary’s Living & Giving shops for Save the Children. She is the author of Shop Girl and Work Like a Woman. Her talk was for TedxLondon, exploring “The Kindness Economy”, a view on the future of how we shop and live in the 21st century has formed the basis of her #1 ranking podcast of the same name, and her most recent book, Rebuild; How to thrive in the kindness economy, published by Penguin Random House. 

About the Better Business Act 

The Better Business Act (BBA) is a business-led campaign, driven by leaders who recognise that the law has fallen behind business culture and who have proven that this approach to business works for everyone. 

The BBA is urging all of Britain’s business leaders to call on the Government to amend Section 172 of the Companies Act to ensure businesses are legally responsible for benefiting workers, customers, communities and the environment while delivering profit. 

To achieve this, we are bringing together a broad and growing coalition of leaders from across all sectors and all regions of the UK to help deliver this new contract between business and society. 

For further information, please contact: 

Better Business Act 

media@betterbusinessact.org 

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Demo new post https://betterbusinessact.org/demo-new-post/ Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:49:59 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=4352 What kind of world do we want to live in?

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What kind of world do we want to live in? If the events of the past 12 months have presented human society with huge challenges, they have also offered each of us a historic opportunity to take stock of our lives and our direction.

From the social and economic fault-lines laid bare by the pandemic, to the ongoing struggles for equality and safety on the streets. From working lives hurriedly reshaped around video calls, home-schooling and the kitchen table. From the future of democracy and capitalism to the almost overwhelming realities of the climate emergency. Rarely in human history has there been greater urgency for us to be at our best and make positive changes for each other and our planet.

This turbulent, extraordinary year has touched every individual, but also poses huge questions to businesses. How do we recover and come back stronger in the short term? What will we do to protect and preserve our planet for our children and grandchildren? Are we ready to acknowledge our responsibility in making positive change for the society in which we operate? 

Aligning the long term interests of all stakeholders from shareholders, to the planet to our employees is both the challenge and the opportunity. What businesses that do this well have shown (many of whom are fellow B Corp companies) is that this is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do – delivering strong returns for shareholders as well as operating in a responsible way.

It’s for this reason that I’m a passionate supporter of the Better Business Act, with its ambition to create a clearer legal framework for directors to align the long term needs of all stakeholders with a simple amendment to the current Companies Act. 

Behind the Better Business Act is a broad – and growing – coalition of businesses including household names like The John Lewis Partnership, Danone, Ben and Jerry’s, innocent and The Body Shop as well as hundreds of other businesses of all shapes and sizes from right across the UK. In partnership with us are a range of thought leaders and academics including Paul Polman and Social Value UK. To join the coalition, sign up here.

As Co-chair of the Better Business Act coalition, I urge my fellow business leaders across the UK to join us, by pledging their support to the campaign and helping to ensure that all businesses place their responsibilities to workers, suppliers, customers, communities and the environment side by side with their ambition to grow, prosper and deliver profit. For the image of business to be restored in the eyes of the public from greed to good it is essential the leaders of today are seen to be stepping up to shape new higher standards for tomorrow, rather than hiding behind the broken models of the past.  

With enough support from businesses of all shapes and sizes, we can then work with those at Westminster to turn our ambition in to a reality. The UK has a proud history of leading the way on corporate governance, and this change can be an important first step in a reset that is long overdue.  In a year where the eyes of the world are on us as we host the G7 and COP26 this Act would be a strong symbol of positive change.

The tipping point is right in front of us, if we seize the moment as leaders, I am confident that business will be at the heart of securing a fairer and more sustainable future for everyone and that really would be something to tell the grandchildren about.

Douglas Lamont
Douglas Lamont, CEO of innocent and Co-chair of the BBA

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BBA Coalition Supporters https://betterbusinessact.org/bba-coalition-supporters/ Mon, 01 Nov 2021 16:01:00 +0000 https://betterbusinessact.org/?p=749 2030hub 23B Solutions 4 Data Solutions Limited 4Couture 58 Gin Ltd A Studio of Our Own ABA Abacus Fairhomes Ltd Abel & Cole Above and Beyond Recruitment Abundance Investment Accelar Limited Accept & Proceed Ltd Accordant Solutions Ltd Accountech Solutions Limited Accuro Private Office ACUMED Data Ltd Adlens Ltd ADLIB Aeguana Limited Akt London Ltd […]

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2030hub

23B Solutions

4 Data Solutions Limited

4Couture

58 Gin Ltd

A Studio of Our Own

ABA

Abacus Fairhomes Ltd

Abel & Cole

Above and Beyond Recruitment

Abundance Investment

Accelar Limited

Accept & Proceed Ltd

Accordant Solutions Ltd

Accountech Solutions Limited

Accuro Private Office

ACUMED Data Ltd

Adlens Ltd

ADLIB

Aeguana Limited

Akt London Ltd

Alara

Alchemy Enterprise Group

Aline

All Together Collective CIC

Alpkit

Altor Wealth Management LLP

amamus Ltd

amber®

Amplitude Communications Ltd

AMS Global Group

Analog Motion

ANDFACTS LIMITED

Andrew Wood Photography

Anglepoise®

Anglian Water Services

Anne Veck Limited

AoEC – Academy of Executive Coaching

AOK Events Ltd

Apolitical

Appetite for Business Ltd

Apptaura

ARA-UK + Dreamcatcher South Africa

Arc Hospitality Recruitment Solutions Ltd

Archetype UK

Arete Management LLC

ARK coworking

Artfinder

Article 13

Articulate Marketing

Artisan Resin Art

As It Should Be Ltd

asociat

Association of Sustainability Practitioners

At the Chapel

Attitude-Solutions

Audio Partnership Plc

Avery & Brown

Away Days

B Other Wise Ltd

Backbone IT Group

balance responsible living

Balanced Energy

Bambino Mio

Bamboo Yoga

Bates Wells

Bazoo

Be Ethical Training

Be for Beauty Ltd

Be Inspired Films

Be More Girl

Bean Research

Beauty Kitchen

Becky Dell Music Academy Studios Ltd

Beer and Coffee Co

Beettoo Limited

Belu

Bemari

Ben & Jerry’s

BEPHARMA LTD

Bespoke Smile

Bethnal Green Ventures

Better Business Network

Better Tasting Drinks Co Limited

betternotstop LTD

Beyond Governance Limited

Beyond the Deal LLP

Bidfood

Big Cat Limited

big fish design ltd

Big Idea Brand Marketing

Big Small Good

Big Society Capital

Bighams Ltd

Bikmo

bio-bean Limited

Bio&Me

Bird & Blend Tea Co

Bird Eyewear

BizSocial Networking

Black Isle Brewing Co. Ltd

Black Isle Renewables Ltd

Blue Goose Eco Coffee

Blue Skies

Blue Sky Botanics Ltd

Blue Sky HR Consultancy

Boast Consultancy

Bodhi Consultancy Ltd

BOL foods

Borough Broth Company Ltd

Bosinver Farm Cottages

Brabners LLP

Brewdog

Brewgooder

Bridgehouse

Bright Future Fundraising

Brink

BritainThinks

Bruce’s Doggy Day Care

Bthe

Bubble Chamber CIC

Bulb

Business Declares

Business Health Institute

Business On Purpose

Buttercup Learning

By Evolve Ltd T/A NONA

byen ltd

Bygg Green Ltd

Caerus Consulting Ltd

Cafedirect plc

Callaly

CanalPath Creative Ltd

Canvass

Carbon Analytics

Carbon Gold Ltd

Carter Wong Design

CCM Group Ltd

CE Change Ltd

Centrax Limited

Chaucer

Cheriton Financials

Cheshire for Good

Choose Conscious

Chronos Couture

Chrys SW11 Ltd

Cipher Risk Limited

Circle IT

Citizen Kind

Civil Service College

Clarity Environmental

Client Talk Ltd

Climate Action for Associations

Climate Business

ClimateCare

Climbing Trees

Coffee & TV

Collaborent Ltd

CommonVC

Compare Ethics

Compare Your Footprint

Compassionate Leadership Academy

Confido Talent

Connected Asset Management

Considerate Group

Construct Education

Contexis Ltd

COOK

Cornerstone Place Ltd

Cosy Direct

Cotswold Fayre Ltd

Counting Clouds Cambridgeshire Limited

Cquestr8 Ltd

Creamer & Co

Creature Media Ltd

Creed Foodservice Ltd

Criss Cross

Cross HR Limited

Crosta & Mollica

CSR Accreditation

CYD CONNECTS

Dai

Dalston’s Soda Co

DAME

Danone

Dark Woods Coffee Ltd

Dash Brands Ltd

db associates

Dear Green Coffee Roasters

December 19 Ltd

Deeper Leaders

Delphis Eco

Dieple Consulting & Training Limited

Different Kind

Digital wonderlab

Discover Amazing

Divine Chocolate Ltd

Do Goodly Foods ltd

Do Nation

Don’t Cry Wolf

Double Retail Limited

Dr Will’s

Driftime® Media

driven2deliver ltd

Dunsters Farm Ltd

Dupe vfx

E Co.

EaglePeak Consulting

Earthly

East London Francophone Ltd

Ebb & Flow Global Limited

EC One

eccountinc

ecoactiongames

Ecobites

Ecobooth

Ecodesk

Ecotone UK

EFG European Furniture Group Ltd

eKal Solutions Ltd

ELE Global

Eleos Compliance

Ella’s Kitchen

EllisKnight International Recruitment

Elvis & Kresse

EMA Consultancy Group

Employee Ownership Association

Employment Law Friend

Empower Agency

Enceladus Consulting

Enterprise Orchard

Environmental Alliance Project CIC

EQ Investors Group

Equilibrium Financial Planning LLP

ERS Medical

Escape the city

ESGgen

ESGmark® Ltd

Ethical Sales

EthicalMuch limited

Evergreen Health Solutions

Everpress

Exclusive Collection

Exosuit Limited

Experience Travel Group Ltd

Expert Advice

Exposure Ninja

Fair Enough

Fashion Formula

Fathom38

Fearless Financials Ltd

Fearne & Rosie

Fenton

FERO Retail Marketing Ltd

FETCH·IT (ECO.IT Ltd)

Field Doctor

Fifty Eight

Fild

Finisterre

Fit For Purpose Consultancy Ltd

Fleet Managed Print Solutions

Flooglebinder

Flower of Life Ltd – Equinox Kombucha

Focus On Success Ltd

FocusFive Business Advice Ltd

Following the Footprints

Food Team International

FORE Partnership

Forest Holidays Ltd

Form Nutrition

Forster Communications

FortyTwo Studio

Forum For the Future

Francis Cooper Marketing Consultancy

Freestar Drinks Ltd

Freuds

Fudge Kitchen

FUEL10K

Full Stop Accounts

FundApps

Fusion Associates

Fusion Community Initiatives

Futerra

Future Business Partnership

Future Considerations

Future Focus Coaching

Future Shift

Futureground

FX digital

Gateley Plc

Given London

Global Assignments Agency

Global Ethics Liquor Co

Glow Innovation Ltd

Gneiss Limited

Gobby Ltd

Gold Key Media

Golden Stone Entertainment

Gong Communications Ltd

Good Endeavours

Good Influence

Good Karma Media

Good Turns Foundation

Good-Loop

Goodfind.io

Goodsted

Gradient Consultants Ltd

Grain Ltd

Graze

Great Workplace Cultures

Green Ant CIC

Green Code

Green Element Ltd

Green Small Business

Green&Blue

Greener Matters

greenfibres

Greenheart Consulting

Greenhouse PR

Greenr Technologies Ltd

Greenwood Place

Gregory Accounting Services Limited

Grow Business Solutions Ltd

Growing Underground Ltd

Gydeline Ltd

Habito

Haddon Coaching

Hannah Keartland Ltd

Happy

Harris Blakesley International

Hattiers Rum

Havas Just::

Havas London

Healthy Nibbles

Heist Studios

Helen Hartley Consulting

Henshall Centre

HER Business Revolution

Herb UK Ltd

Here We Flo Ltd

Higgidy

HighCastle

Himaya

HISBE Food CIC

Holden & Partners

Homethings

Honest Burgers

Honest Mobile

House of Baukjen (Izzie & Ollie Ltd)

House of St Barnabas

Hoyle’s of Oxford

HR-People First Consultancy Ltd

Hubbub Enterprise

Hudson’s Agency

Human After All

Human Organising Co

HumanForest

Humankind Research

Hunter Miller Ltd

Hyde Communications Ltd

I AM THE WORLD

i-dash Ltd

I.G. Advisors

Ice Kitchen

Iceland Foods

iCT4 Limited

IEMA – Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

ILEX SCIENTIFIC LIMITED

Imbiba

Impact Hub King’s Cross

Impactful

Import Export Support Limited

Imvelo Ltd

Includability

Inhabit

innocent drinks

Innoveat Group Ltd

INNTEL

Inspiron Learning

Institute of Directors

Intalcon Ltd

Intellisense io Ltd

Investors in People

Invivo Healthcare

ISE CIC

Jack & Grace

Jam Jar

Jam Packed Preserves

Jamie Oliver Group

JAYA Beauty Ltd

JEL Business Process Improvement Limited

JG Creative

JiraSoft Limited

Joelson JD LLP

John Lewis Partnership

JoJo Maman Bébé

Joro Experiences

Josh Wood Colour

Jude’s

Junxion Strategy

Jurande

Kambe Events Ltd

Kensington Oak Corporate Finance Ltd

Kettle Studio Ltd

Kin and Carta Plc

KIND2®

Kinectid

Kit & Kin Ltd

Koshy Associates Limited

Kricket Ltd

Lacuna Sports Ltd

Le Monsieur Ltd

Leader Executive Search

Leaders in Sport

Leadership for Sustainability

Leading Wild

Lean Practice Ltd

Leap

Learn Amp

Legacy Woodlands Ltd

Leo’s Box

Let’s Reset

LEVEL DESIGN STUDIO LTD

Lifesaver power

Lifley Limited

Lighthouse Sustainability Ltd

Lil’ Creative Studio

LiNGER Travel

Little Green Duck Ltd

Little Soap Company

Live Frankly LTD

Liver Health UK Ltd

Living Alive

Loafspark

Lollipop

Long Live King

Louisa Burman Ltd

Lovat Parks

Low Carbon

LSP Leadership Ltd

Lucky Saint

Lucky Voice Group Ltd

Luxtra Ltd

Luxury Loft Co.

Maanch

Made for Life Organics

Made Immaculate

Made Open

Magick®

Maia Growth Partners

Makesworth Accountants

Making Change Work Ltd

Mama Bamboo

ManíLife

Mantle

Markethinker

Marvel FMCG

Marvellous Maps

Matchable Ltd

Materialise Interiors

Matrix APA (UK) Limited

Matter of Focus

Milk & Honey PR

Mindful Chef

Mineral Digital

Mission in Action Ltd

Moment

Montezuma’s

MSQ Partners

MTArt Agency

Muckle Media

MulaShaker

MullenLowe salt

MuLondon

Multiview Media Limited

Mustard Seed Impact Limited

Myosotis Film & Photography

mypura.com ltd

Myrrh & Thyme Ltd

National Nuclear Laboratory

Naturally Social

Naturesave Insurance

Nebuli

NEDonBoard, the Institute of Board Members

Neighbourly Ltd

Neo

NEOM Ltd

NetWeaver

New Generation Ski and Snowboard School

Nice and Serious

Noance Studio

North Star Coffee Roasters

Noughts & Ones

Novus World Ltd

Nudge Exchange Ltd

Nurture Brands

NuServe Ltd

Nut and Noggin

Nutraleya

Oakham Wealth Management Ltd

Oakleaf Enterprise

Ocean Bottle

ODDBOX

Ogunte CIC

Oliver Bonas

On Purpose

One Stone Advisors Ltd

One+All

Onto

Ooni

Oppo Brothers Ltd

Optimus Aberdeen Limited

Oramai London

Origin Africa

OurPledge Ltd

Owen English & Son

Oxwash Ltd

Pala Eyewear

PALLITE®

Pangea Impact Investments Limited

Papier

Parachute Law

Paradigm Norton

Patagonia

Patients Know Best

Paul Pavli Consultancy Ltd

PayCaptain

Péarlaí Ltd

Pello Capital

Pelorus Consulting

Pentameter

People and Transformational HR Ltd

People Source Consulting

People-Centered Economic Development

Perform Green Limited

Pilot Works

Pip & Nut

Piper Private Equity

Plan B

Planet Marketing

Planet Shine

Planit-IE Ltd

Play It Green

PluggIn

Portt & Co

Powwow Events

Presca Limited

Pro Adventure Ltd

Profit Impact

Profit Through Ethics Ltd

Project Integrity Ltd

Propellernet Ltd

PROPER Snacks

Protein Holdings ltd

Pukka Herbs

Pulse Brands Limited

Pure Bundle

Purple Monster

Purplelily Design

Purpose (HR & Coaching) Limited

purpose AMPLIFIED

Purpose Union

QSA Partners LLP

Quidsi Ltd

Quorn Foods

Radiant Law

Rainbow Dragon Digital

Raising the Baa

Rare Restaurants – Gaucho and M

Raw London

Re-Balance

RE-SOURCE EL LTD

REAL Fundraising

REAL Sustainability

REALWORK

Rebelleon

Recognised

Reconome

Red Thread | Market Access Ltd

Red-Inc

REDBOX Group

reddico

Redefining Communications

Reelbrands Ltd

Relove Technology Ltd

RenewableUK

Reset Advisory Ltd

Revolt London

Rewilders Ltd

Richard Cornell Ltd

Right Digital Solutions

Risk Evolves

Robson Laidler

Roland Dransfield PR Ltd

Rubbish Ideas LTD

Rubies in the Rubble

Runway East

Saint and Sofia Ltd

Sales: Untangled®

SAM Conveyancing

Sanctus London Limited

Sarsen Capital

Scienta Search Limited

Scrumbles

Seacourt Ltd

Second Mountain Communications

Seed1 CIC

Seep Living Ltd

Seetec

Seismic

Selective Asia

Selesti

Semantrica Ltd t/a tiscreport.org

Semble

Sero Technologies Limited

SESA Community CIC

Session Event Hire Limited

Seven Legal

Shareable Ltd

ShareAction

Shine Easy

Shoot for the Jars

Shoot You LTD

Shoplight Ltd

Shoremount

Siren Communications

Sisters Grimm Ltd

Skin Insight Ltd

Skinflint Ltd

Skylark Works

Sleeping Lion

Small Beer Brew Co. Ltd

Small Stuff

Small99

smol ltd

Snowball

So & Mo

Social

Social Enterprise Mark CIC

Social Enterprise UK

Social Good Connect

Social Value UK

SocialOptic

Society

Sonaaar

Soulful Food

Spherics Technology Ltd

Spruce

St Ewe Free Range Eggs Ltd

Stand Agency

Standing on Giants

stevens.earth Ltd

Stoane Lighting

Straker Private Finance

Stroud Brewery

STRYVE

Studio Stanley

SUB 51

Subship

SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK

SunFresh Produce Ltd

SunGod

Super Being Labs

Supply Chain People Ltd

Sustainable Kitchens

Sustainable Network

Sustainable Wedding Alliance

Sustainablee

Sweetmans and Partners

Switchee

Switchfoot Accounting Limited

Sykes Holiday Cottages

Tactical Solutions

tails.com

Tax Research LLP

TBL Services

Team Tilt Ltd

teapigs

TechInclusionUK

Telic Advisory Limited

Tenzing

The Beeswax Wrap Company

The Big Issue Group

The Black Dog Collective

The Body Shop International

The CHAOS GROUP

The Cheeky Panda Ltd

The Circle Line

The Collective Dairy

The Conduit

The Craftory

The Elephant Room Ltd

The Elevate Partnership Limited

The Ethical Butcher

The Ethical Property Company plc

The Fry Group

The Garlic Farm

The Good Board

The Good Stream

The Happy Prize Company

The House

The HR Agency Limited

The HR Booth

The HR Dept Woking and Guildford

The Hub King’s Cross Limited

The Human Business

The Liminal Space

The Little Smoked Food Company Ltd

The Maturity Institute

The Media Marketing Co Ltd

The Myers-Briggs Company

The Panoply

The Preventative Healthcare Service Ltd

The Purpose Restaurant Company

The Real Olive Company

The Real Wrap Co

The Social Change Agency Ltd

The Social Innovation Partnership

The Sourcing Team Ltd

The Standing CT Company

The Supper Club

The Sustainability Academy

The TYF Group

The Typeface Group Ltd

The Unilink Group

The Verdancy Group

The Wellbeing Farm Ltd

The Zano Collective

THIS IS HOLISTIC LTD

Thomson & Scott

Thrive Renewables Plc

Tia Tamblyn

Ticket Tailor

Tickets for Good

tickr

Tiger Global

tiney

tml Partners Ltd

Toast Ale

Today The Arena

Tony’s Chocolonely

TownSq

Trafalgar Marquees

Trainspotters Limited

Travel Curious Ltd

Tribe Impact Capital

Tricordant

Triodos Bank UK

Tropic

True Horizon

Twelve

Twelve Winds Consulting

Upstarter Incubator

Upton Beach Consulting Limited

Urban Foundry Ltd

ustwo

Valconia

Vashi

VERCIDA Group

Veris Strategies

Vibrant Vegan CO

Victory and Joel Limited

Viking Signs Ltd

Virgin Management

Virgin StartUp

VIVOBAREFOOT

Vocacio Ltd

Volans

Wadds Inc.

Ward Williams Associates

Wasafiri Consulting

Waterbomb

We Are Liminal Ltd

We Can Change the World

WeAre8

Well Bean Co

Where Does It Come From?

Where Eagles Dare

Whimsycraft

Wholegrain Digital

Wicklesham Commercial Properties Ltd

Wild Cosmetics

Wild Nutrition Ltd

Wildwood Ecology Ltd

Wilkinson Hall

William Joseph

Wilton London

Winning Better

Wolf & Badger Ltd

Women in Sustainability Network Ltd

WONDEROOM

Woodland Holiday Park

Woolcool

World of Books

Worthing Green Taxis

Worthstone

Write Again Ltd

x+why

Y.O.U Underwear

Yala Jewellery

Yoti

Yoto

Yoyo Design

YUnique Marketing Ltd

ZAFD Ltd

Zedify Bristol

Zen Internet

Zenith Global Ltd

Zoë Reid

Zuto

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