Corporate greed will form key part of the election debate, says entrepreneur

ONE OF the most significant issues in June’s General Election will be the conduct of big businesses and major corporations in the UK, according to a leading Yorkshire businessman.

Gordon Black CBE, who was the chairman of Keighley-based Peter Black Holdings from 1977 until 2007, argues that it is essential for the Conservatives, if they are to achieve the landslide that some are predicting, to distance themselves from the worst excesses of capitalism.

He said: “Businesses, both large and small, should not be driven by greed, self-interest and exploitation, but loyalty, co-operation and integrity. These latter qualities have been sadly lacking in too many high-profile companies recently.”

Mr Black wrote a book about his business journey last year.

He said. “Any success we had at Peter Black was partly due to the fact that we encouraged our management to treat our suppliers in the way we would like our customers to treat us – you reap what you sow.

“The so-called gig economy has hastened this trend, with zero-hour contracts, impossible targets and distant, demanding management. We need to return to core business values that stress the team not the individual; steady and solid growth; and giving something back to the community.”

He added: “There is widespread distaste for corporate greed and excess in the UK at the moment and I suspect all three main political parties will be focusing heavily on this during the election campaign.

“For the Conservatives to prosper, they need to distance themselves from the worst examples of broken capitalism.”

Mr Black will be speaking at The Buy Yorkshire Conference next month.

Organised by the Yorkshire Mafia, the event will be held for a seventh year at the Royal Armouries Hall in Leeds from May 16-17. More than 5,000 delegates and 185 exhibitors are expected to attend the event.