July 2 2015


The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) are joining forces to deliver a united message: Big and small Businesses - The reality is collaboration not conflict.

The FSB, representing the interests of the self-employed and small businesses, and The CBI representing a cross section of businesses of all types, are coming together at the Great Business Debate in London today.

On the panel:

- Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Policy Director Mike Cherry
- Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Director General, John Cridland
- Amazon, Director of Public Policy (UK & Ireland) Lesley Smith
- Creative Nature CEO, Julianne Ponan

Mike Cherry, FSB Policy Director, said: "The business community is an ecosystem and entirely interdependent. We need to focus less on big v small business, and and more on how to encourage mutually productive relations and the journey from small to big. We must remember that every business was small once and that many small companies have ambitions to grow."

It's in the interests of big companies to invest in the smaller ones they depend on and government needs to play a role, working with businesses of all sizes to deliver jobs and growth, investment in people and technology. This will improve productivity and competitiveness, higher living standards and more exports

John Cridland, CBI Director General, said: "The new government is hitting the legislative ground running, looking to use it's Enterprise Bill to reduce regulation and create a business environment that encourages entrepreneurs. These are objectives which firms from sole traders to multi-nationals welcome."