FSB and CBI present a unified business voice

FSB and CBI present a unified business voice

For the first time the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) are joining forces to deliver a united message: big and small businesses - the reality is collaboration not conflict.

The UK economy’s continued growth depends on an approach that gets the best out of companies of every size. Driving a wedge between small and big business is not helpful to securing the growth we need in our economy.

The FSB, representing the interests of the self-employed and small businesses, and The CBI representing a cross section of businesses of all types, are coming together at the Great Business Debate in London on Thursday 2 July 2015 at Birkbeck College.

On the panel:

- Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Policy Director Mike Cherry

- Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Director General, John Cridland

- Amazon, Director of Public Policy (UK & Ireland) Lesley Smith

- Creative Nature CEO, Julianne Ponan

Mike Cherry, FSB Policy Director, said: “The business community is an ecosystem and entirely interdependent. We need to focus less on big v small business, and and more on how to encourage mutually productive relations and the journey from small to big. We must remember that every business was small once and that many small companies have ambitions to grow."

It’s in the interests of big companies to invest in the smaller ones they depend on and government needs to play a role, working with businesses of all sizes to deliver jobs and growth, investment in people and technology. This will improve productivity and competitiveness, higher living standards and more exports

John Cridland, CBI Director General, said: “The new Government is hitting the legislative ground running, looking to use it’s Enterprise Bill to reduce regulation and create a business environment that encourages entrepreneurs. These are objectives which firms from sole traders to multi-nationals welcome."

The event will take place from 8.30 to 10.30am this Thursday (2 July) at Birkbeck College, Malet Street Building, Torrington Square, WC1E 7HX.

Media wishing to attend the event or request interviews should RSVP to the CBI press office at press.office@cbi.org.uk or 020 7395 8239


About Federation of Small Businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has around 200,000 members across 33 regions and 188 branches.