Good Business Charter and CIPD partner to champion better work for all
14th January, 2026 – The Good Business Charter (GBC), the UK’s benchmark for responsible business, has announced a new partnership with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development.
This collaboration arrives at a time when UK organisations face growing expectations from employees, customers and wider society to demonstrate responsible and people-centred business practices. As the GBC’s new Component Partner for its employee focused principals, the CIPD can offer insights, resources and support for businesses looking to improve employee practices and engagement.
A partnership rooted in better work and fairer workplaces
Jenny Herrera, CEO of the Good Business Charter, said:
“The Good Business Charter is a simple and effective way for an organisation to demonstrate its commitment to people and planet. We are delighted to partner with such a respected organisation as the CIPD, who can offer expert support to our employee focused components as the Charter continues to develop. We also celebrate the CIPD’s own accreditation with the GBC and hope it will inspire many other organisations to follow suit in achieving our benchmark which puts people first.”
Ben Willmott, Head of Public Policy at the CIPD, said:
“When employers prioritise people, they build trust, improve wellbeing and engagement, and ultimately strengthen organisational performance. Investing in good people practice isn’t a cost – it’s a strategic driver of productivity, innovation and long-term, sustainable growth.
“We’re delighted to have partnered with the Good Business Charter on its employee principles and proud to have earned this accreditation ourselves.”
Helping organisations enhance how they support and develop their people
The CIPD has been championing better work and working lives for over 100 years, offering professional expertise, research insight and practical guidance to HR teams and business leaders across the UK and internationally. This partnership will make it easier for GBC members to access high-quality resources across areas such as:
- employee voice and representation
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- fair pay and contracts
- wellbeing and mental health
- effective people management and development
The CIPD and GBC worked together on the questions used to assess employers’ alignment with the equality, diversity and inclusion component of the GBC’s accreditation. They look forward to continued collaboration to the benefit of both responsible employers and their workers.
Driving positive change in responsible business and employment standards
Founded by Julian Richer and developed in collaboration with the CBI, TUC and FSB, the Good Business Charter sets a high bar for responsible business behaviour. The CIPD, with more than 160,000 members globally, has long championed better work and better working lives, providing the standards and tools HR professionals and business leaders need to build fair and productive workplaces.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About the Good Business Charter
The Good Business Charter was developed, and is overseen by, the Good Business Foundation, an independent charity established in 2019 by entrepreneur Julian Richer.
The Charter is a simple accreditation which organisations in the UK can sign up to in recognition of responsible business practices.
It measures behaviour over ten components (nine for charities and public sector): real living wage; fairer hours and contracts; employee well-being; employee representation; equality, diversity and inclusion; environmental responsibility; paying fair tax; commitment to customers; ethical sourcing, and prompt payment. An organisation must meet all ten components (nine for charities and public sector) to receive GBC accreditation.
It is open to private sector, public sector and charities of all sizes including a streamlined version for organisations with 50 employees or fewer.
Website: www.goodbusinesscharter.com
GBC media contact
Harriet Gilholm
Marketing and Communications Manager
Harriet@goodbusinesscharter.com | +44 73 5567 3964
About the CIPD
The CIPD has been championing better work and working lives for over 100 years. It helps organisations thrive by focusing on their people, supporting our economies and societies. It’s the professional body for HR, L&D, OD and all people professionals – experts in people, work and change. With more than 160,000 members globally – and a growing community using its research, insights and learning – it gives trusted advice and offers independent thought leadership. It’s a leading voice in the call for good work that creates value for everyone.
Website: www.cipd.org
CIPD media contact
press@cipd.co.uk
0208 6126400