The Brands Taking Stands movement is not limited to action in the U.S. by American-based companies. Businesses in the U.K. now find themselves pushing back against government policies on Brexit that they think damaging to their bottom lines and to society in general. A public letter signed by 70 leading corporate executives has called for a “people’s vote” on any final Brexit deal. Signees include former executives from Marks and Spencer, Lloyd’s of London, and Sainsbury’s; the chief executives of Waterstones and Unipart; and the founders of Lastminute and Innocent Drinks, among others. “We are now facing either a blindfold or a destructive hard Brexit. Both these options will further depress investment. They will be bad for business and bad for working people. The uncertainty over the past two years has already led to a slump in investment, which will make our country poorer.” The references to “bad for working people” and to making “our country poorer” show how a holistic concept of what is good for business now transcends a bottom line only focus.

John Howell, Editorial Director