Momentum is building behind the Better Business Act as more than 150 business leaders gathered in Westminster on Wednesday morning to call for a new model of responsible capitalism that balances profit with social and environmental purpose.
Hosted by B Lab UK to mark Better Business Day 2025, the event saw entrepreneurs, B Corp companies, and MPs rally behind a growing movement of purpose-led organisations demanding change to outdated company law. At the heart of the call is an amendment to Section 172 of the Companies Act — a legislative shift that would require directors to consider people, planet and communities, not just shareholders, when making decisions.
Retail legend Mary Portas OBE and Douglas Lamont, CEO of Tony’s Chocolonely, co-chairs of the Better Business Act campaign, led the charge in Parliament, arguing that business has a moral and economic responsibility to adapt to the challenges of the 21st century.
“The world is on a knife-edge – socially, culturally, environmentally,” said Portas. “We’re still shackled to rules made for a world that no longer exists. This is not just about economics — it’s systemic. The Better Business Act is about choosing to be part of the solution.”
The number of businesses backing the campaign has surged from 300 in 2021 to more than 3,000 today, with prominent supporters including Bloom & Wild, The White Company, Coventry Building Society, giffgaff, ELEMIS, and Farrow & Ball.
Backing also came from Parliament itself, with cross-party MPs joining the call to modernise corporate governance and back private members’ legislation due for a second reading on 4 July: The Company Directors (Duties) Bill, introduced by Lib Dem MP Martin Wrigley.
Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK and Director of the Better Business Act campaign, said: “The business case is clear. Last year, B Corps outpaced the national average with 23% revenue growth. Purpose-driven businesses are not only more resilient — they are economically powerful.”
New analysis by think tank Demos suggests that widespread adoption of purpose-led business models could boost GDP by 7%. The BBA would align the legal obligations of company directors with long-term value creation — taking into account stakeholders like employees, customers and local communities, not just shareholders.
Douglas Lamont of Tony’s Chocolonely added: “The desire to build a more balanced economy is palpable. This is a business-led movement, but it needs political will to unlock its full potential.”
Support was echoed by Lord Sonny Leong CBE, Labour’s Business and Trade spokesperson in the Lords, who praised companies “stepping up with purpose and integrity” and said such leadership aligned with government goals of “higher wages, lower emissions, and stronger communities”.
The call for reform comes at a time of growing scrutiny around corporate purpose. UK businesses are facing increasing pressure from consumers, employees, and investors to demonstrate ethical leadership — especially in the wake of economic turbulence, climate risk, and social inequalities.
B Lab UK has coordinated dozens of visits for MPs to tour B Corp businesses in their constituencies in recent weeks, including trips to Brighton with Sian Berry MP, Devon with Lib Dem leader Caroline Voaden, and Stroud with Labour’s Simon Opher.
As Westminster debates the next chapter for UK business, the message from campaigners is clear: better business isn’t just possible — it’s already happening. The Act, they argue, is about levelling the legal playing field to let responsible businesses thrive.
As Mary Portas put it: “The Better Business Act is the line in the sand. You either step up, or get left behind.”
