FPB looks at business sustainability

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is publishing a landmark survey on business sustainability.

This is being timed to coincide with the launch of an initiative entitled Trading for Good, which aims to celebrate the role played by small firms in regional communities.

Senior policy adviser for the FPB Alex Jackman underlined the fact that enterprises are central to local areas, adding that they need support trading locally, as well as nationally and internationally.

He acknowledged the importance of encouraging firms to export. Indeed, chief economist for the British Chambers of Commerce David Kern has praised companies that have already managed to do this, describing them as having successfully adjusted to the new economic reality.

Mr Jackman stated: "From supporting their local workforce to working closely with suppliers, business owners want to get involved in the big society and many already are - certainly most take their corporate social responsibility duties very seriously."