Paul Drechsler
Chairman International Chamber of Commerce & London First, Company Director & Former President CBI
Covid, Brexit, disruptive technology, the climate emergency: this is a time of change and of crisis.
It is a time of challenges to which business - with its expertise and experience, its long-term perspective and its resources - must be a critical part of the answer.
The time is thus ripe for vocL.
At vocL, we believe business has lost its voice. Whether at COP26, during the negotiation of vital new trade deals, or in the debate over business ethics, the business voice has seemed strangely quiet or even to be absent altogether.
At the same time, we believe there is an urgent need, within business, for more thoughtful, truthful, inclusive, values-driven and socially responsible leadership.
Finally, we believe it is critical, as never before, for the business leaders of today and of tomorrow - business’s next generation leaders - to have a bigger, freer, more respected and more confident voice in the national conversation; and that our often overly fractious debates would be more balanced and our society fairer and less divided if they did.
Our Purpose:
We want the next generation of responsible business leaders to be confident partners to policy makers. We believe their perspectives, working alongside some of the UK’s most senior and established business leaders, are essential to a pragmatic, forward-looking national debate. When these voices are absent, the quality of policy thinking suffers.
Through our programmes, mentoring, and shared experiences, we help these leaders understand the political & policy making landscape and make informed, values-driven contributions to public policy discussions. In short, well-informed, responsible business voices strengthen our national debate and lead to better outcomes for companies, employees, consumers, and society.
We are not a narrow interest group or a lobbying organisation for business.
Our Position:
vocL is staunchly apolitical. Our focus is on policy, not politics — improving the quality of national dialogue and enabling responsible business leaders to help shape practical, progressive solutions that benefit society.
Our Rules of Engagement:
All vocL Associates, vocL Voices, eMerging Leaders, Advocates, and Supporters are asked to uphold the following principles:
1. Buy Into Our Values
2. We stand for responsible, progressive business leadership. This means broadly supporting policies that:
· Enable a prosperous economy with good jobs and opportunity for all.
· Support the principle of investing in and building infrastructure and productive capacity for our economy.
· Drive the energy transition and sustainability.
· Promote inclusion, diversity, and social mobility.
· Uphold good governance, transparency, and ethical business as a societal force for good.
3. Encourage Open, Critical Debate
While we broadly support these progressive aims, we welcome open discussion on how best to achieve them. No topic is off-limits in exploring how or at what pace progress is made — but we will not tolerate extremes of views such as climate change denial, racism, misogyny, homophobia, hate or misinformation.
4. Prioritise Policy Thinking over Party Politics
vocL does not promote or endorse any political party. We seek to help participants of the vocL programmes to influence policy thinking across all parties and together with independent policymakers where business can contribute to better societal outcomes.
5. Respect Boundaries of Debate
We do not engage in topics where business has little direct role, such as religion or global conflicts. Our purpose is to focus on issues where responsible business leadership can make a difference.
6. Create Safe Spaces for Discussion
All vocL debates and conversations, live or online, follow Chatham House rules and we always aim to provide a safe space for critical debate Our vocL App is also a safe space for members to test ideas and develop their public voice. Content shared within the App must not be reproduced or shared externally without the author’s consent.
Our Role:
vocL serves its community. It does not take institutional positions on policy or political matters. We may challenge, inform, and support policy thinking, but how individual members or their organisations engage externally is their decision.
As a Community Interest Company, vocL’s mission is to help business serve society better through responsible leadership.
Our Invitation:
Within these principles, we welcome everyone with an open, critical, and innovative mind to join the conversation, sharpening the voice of responsible business and helping shape a fairer, more sustainable society.
“I believe in the vocL vision and in the role technology can play in enabling it. Business leaders need a voice, a safe place to connect, and an effective way to nurture the next generation”
"Today's business leaders must champion change and communicate a sense of purpose. vocL empowers emerging leaders to be courageous communicators, making a genuine impact across the country.
We're in an era of change and challenge. It's time for business to step up. vocL equips emerging leaders with the power of purposeful communication."
“vocL’s goal of providing a platform for socially responsible leadership in the business world recognises the unique role that business has to play in the creation of a more just and sustainable international environment.”
"I love supporting vocL, helping the next generation of leaders make time, headspace, and process for positive action. Getting their best work done to make a difference.”
“When passionate people come together around a common cause they can really make a difference. VocL's vision to provide a way for businesses to collectively speak out for a fairer society is both urgent and exciting as new leaders find their voice and champion change.”