CBI president: Business must follow Dragons' example
Sir Roger Carr tells CBI Annual Conference that firms must strive to regain the respect of society
Businesses must work hard to win back the support of the public, the CBI president, Sir Roger Carr, told the lobbying group's annual conference today.
Sir Roger, speaking this morning at London's Grosvenor House, said firms must ensure that the negative aspects of business are stamped out - so that business regains the respect of society and is seen as a "career destination of choice for young and talented people".
He pointed to the entrepreneurs in the BBC show Dragons' Den as an example of successful businesspeople who have the support of public.
"To the millions of viewers of Dragons' Den, the Dragons appear competent, focused and able risk takers. No one objects to their wealth: they aspire to it, in their case it's seen as fair reward for entrepreneurial endeavour and hard work, not fat cattery."
Sir Roger went on to list the perceived faults of businesses, including "rewards for failure; lies, half-truths and hidden agendas; skulduggery; market abuse; and incompetence".
He told the audience of businesspeople and senior politicians: "If we are to ensure that business is both respected in society and the career destination of choice for our young and talented people, we must act responsibly in the way we pay ourselves, govern ourselves and conduct ourselves in every aspect of our business lives.
"In short: performance driven, values led. There is no alternative."
Read Sir Roger Carr's full speech to the CBI Annual Conference (pdf)
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