News

Christian Aid Launches New Business Network

Tuesday February 21 2017

^{Salt Business Network manager, Helen Howe, with Salt members Julia Howl, Olu Ogunbode, Chris Sheldon and Stewart Ritchie at the network's first workshop earlier this month.}

A new network has been set up for business leaders who are committed to improving their company practices in a sustainable way.

The Salt Network, which has been launched by Christian Aid, will support leaders of all sizes of business, to improve practices at their company and influence others in their sector to change their practices. It will also give them an opportunity to provide financial support to entrepreneurs in developing countries, through a special Christian Aid fund.

The new venture is responding to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which set an ambitious target to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all.

The intention from the outset was to ensure the network is action focussed and this is being achieved already with 70% of members now planning to implement a change in their business practices as a direct result of engagement with the network. The pledges members have made include assessing the risk of modern day slavery related to subcontractors and building staff awareness on the subject.

By 2020 the network aims to have regional hubs in developing countries, with members exploring three themes a year, their first being ‘business & human rights’. Future themes are likely to include good investment, creating a value based business and tackling inequality.

Additionally, Salt members are pledging to support Christian Aid’s work financially, enabling small and growing enterprises in the developing world to grow and become sustainable. This fund will support fledgling businesses, benefitting their employees, suppliers, customers and the wider community.

Christian Aid’s Salt Business Network manager, Helen Howe, said: “As the UN rightly points out, responsible business and investment are both essential if we want to see this type of transformational change in the world. Christian Aid is responding to this by seeking to build ever closer relationships with the private sector and inviting business leaders to work with us, and with each other, to create a unique movement that unites the strengths of faith and business to tackle global poverty. This network will be motivated to learn about, support and engage in sustainable solutions for the world’s poorest communities, reframing what it means to be in business.

“We believe together we can be more ambitious and more effective in the work we do – learning from each other, supporting each other, thinking more creatively and inspiring each other to do better and achieve more.”