who we are
The Future Economy Alliance unites champions of change across business sectors working to build a stronger, fairer, greener economic climate for the UK. We represent activists, entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders who understand that profit must also benefit people and planet.
Our pioneering partnership brings together social enterprises, co-operatives, mutuals, employee-owned businesses, social investors, community-led organisations, fundraisers and third sector experts united in the vision of an economy where our entire society profits.
Current partners
Why we’re here
From Brexit to Covid and the cost of living crisis to public service pressures, our economy has been through unprecedented instability in recent years, with deepening social divisions in wealth and opportunity leaving communities across the UK clamouring for change.
In such turbulent times, mission-led business is more important than ever. Hundreds of thousands of social enterprises, co-operatives, community businesses, social entrepreneurs and purpose-driven businesses all over Britain and Northern Ireland are working every day to create sustainable wealth that makes our country stronger and fairer.
No Government can resolve such complex challenges alone; business can and must step up, to drive progress and deliver the economy of the future. Business has to work for everybody, sharing profits and power with communities, actively tackling social and environmental issues.
Ahead of the next General Election, we have a golden opportunity to build the case for business with a purpose beyond profit: business with a mission.
What we’re calling for
It’s time for a new vision, ambition and direction. We need to make sure that our next government has a business plan for Britain, focused on the following areas:
Economic reform
Business as usual isn’t meeting the needs of people or planet; the pioneering minority of mission-led businesses must become the norm. Purpose-driven business is a growing force in the UK economy, but it must be actively promoted as the mainstream way of working, through policies that encourage all businesses to drive social or environmental benefits alongside profits.
Partnership state
From healthcare to housing and energy to water, our public services are struggling to meet demand and maintain quality, and private providers are profiteering from state-funded contracts while failing to provide adequate public services. Social businesses can work in partnership with the public sector to deliver better quality and value for money, re-investing profits to improve services and reduce costs.
Climate action
With the UK’s net zero efforts described as ‘worryingly slow’ by the Climate Change Committee, we can’t rely on Government alone to tackle the growing environmental crisis; business must help shift behaviour and find greener ways of working at scale. Mission-led business models are driving green solutions to address the climate challenge, creating positive impact for people and planet.
Local power
While the “levelling-up” agenda has lost momentum, the UK is held back by entrenched inequalities, leaving many people and places feeling overlooked and underserved. Devolution can shift political power, but devolving local economic power can give communities a chance to build their own better futures. We need more businesses run in communities, by communities and for communities.
Future-fit business
Technology promises to revolutionise the economy, but emerging opportunities also bring significant challenges and risks. Tech must work for good, with guidance and support as well as any safety nets needed so that businesses can harness new digital tools to improve our economy.
How you can help
We have the ambition and expertise needed to fix our economy – but we can’t do it alone. The UK General Election is a window of opportunity, which together we need to push wide open.
Let’s make sure our next government takes a new political approach to business: doing what’s best for people and planet, not just for profits. Use our campaign toolkit to get involved.
To build an economy that delivers better for our society, we need support from across that society. We’re stronger together. Let’s fix our economy and let’s fix our future.
