Monday 14th September saw the launch of Ella’s Kitchen founder, Paul Lindley’s new campaign for the creation of public benefit companies, celebrated at the market open of the London Stock Exchange.
An influential group of entrepreneurs and businesspeople, drawn together by their belief in business as a force for good, gathered to watch the market open in honour of this new campaign. Paul Lindley and Kerry Kennedy, President of the Robert F. Kennedy Centre for Justice and Human Rights and daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, then led a discussion session chaired by Michael Hayman on the urgency of doing well by doing good.
As one of Britain’s highest profile entrepreneurs, Paul Lindley has already made his mark with Ella’s Kitchen and Paddy’s Bathroom, both of which are focused on having a positive impact alongside achieving financial success. Seven Hills co-founders Michael Hayman and Nick Giles’ book Mission: How the Best in Business Break Through also drives this message home.
The market open was also attended by James Perry from B Lab UK, a not-for-profit supporting UK B-corps, and FTSE Chief Executive, Mark Makepeace. Given this true gathering of like minds, the event was a great success and an inspiring start to the week.
The market open was timed to coincide with the launch of the B Corporation movement, which will create a certification for companies pursuing social and environmental goals alongside financial ones. Clearly the Mission message – that businesses need purpose – is gaining ground across the UK business scene.