More collaboration needed to prepare the UK economy for future challenges, leaders urge

Over 100 UK leaders have joined Business in the Community in calling for cross-sector collaboration to prepare the UK economy for future challenges, enabling resilience to social, geopolitical, and environmental shock.

The ‘Creating a Future Ready Economy’ report, published today by Business in the Community in collaboration with Royal London and with analysis by University of Exeter, outlines how the UK can ensure its economy is resilient to future shocks and deliver shared prosperity for generations to come.

It explores how addressing social and environmental challenges can drive economic growth and the risks to future prosperity of ignoring them, as well as providing recommended actions for business and government.

Launched at a reception in the House of Commons on Monday (20 Oct), the report comprises insights from consultations undertaken by BITC with more than 100 people, representing businesses, investors, academics, and communities. The report was underpinned by analysis from climate experts in the University of Exeter’s Green Futures Solutions team, Dr Chioma Udeozor and Dr Jesse Abrams.

These insights reinforce the findings from BITC’s State of the Nation 2025 report earlier this year, that 80% of business leaders believe that responsible business would ensure long-term economic sustainability for the UK and 96% of UK business leaders have either maintained or increased the priority they give to tackling societal and environmental issues.

Gudrun Cartwright, Climate Action Director at Business in the Community, said:

“To create a future that works for everyone, we need to ensure that our economy is future ready – resilient to the increasing social, geopolitical and environmental shocks, as Earth’s systems become less stable. Business, government, and community leaders must work together to design and deliver a just transition to this new economy and find better ways to measure progress, that demonstrate real benefits. Focusing collective efforts on making our economy future ready, is essential to ensure that the UK can achieve lasting prosperity for business, resilience for communities, and health for people and nature.”

Jo Walker, Head of Sustainability and Stewardship at Royal London, said:

“As business leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that the UK is ready for a Just Transition. Royal London is proud to be a modern mutual, owned by over two million members. Our mutuality empowers us to take a long-term view – prioritising outcomes that matter most to our members, customers, and society. This is captured in our purpose: ‘Protecting today, investing in tomorrow. Together we are mutually responsible’. It guides our strategy, shapes our culture, and drives our commitment to sustainability. As a result, a Just Transition to a future ready economy that is resilient to future shocks, is embedded into how we invest, how we operate, and how we help build shared prosperity for all.”

Dr Chioma Udeozor, Impact Fellow at Green Futures Solutions, University of Exeter, said:

“With geopolitical uncertainty and mounting climate risks, it might appear that climate action is taking a back-seat. But there is such an opportunity at hand. Clean energy is cheaper than ever. The public are on-side. The risks of inaction are huge. All this makes it essential to prepare the UK for a just transition. This will not only benefit our economy: it gives us the chance to make lives better for residents and communities. As a climate scientist who’s worked with industry partners for years, I am encouraged to see so many UK leaders recognise this reality and advocate for a just transition – one that is based on fairness and backed by science.”