Corporate Conscience Index
Ethics in UK business: Holding the line in a changing world
Are UK businesses still doing the right thing?
The ‘corporate conscience’ is an increasingly important consideration for legal professionals at large, with growing scrutiny on senior executives to ‘do the right thing’. But in today’s complex business landscape, what does that truly mean?
The question of a corporate conscience
In a climate shaped by political uncertainty, global corporate realignments, and shifting US priorities, UK leaders face unprecedented pressure and responsibility. The question is clear: Are businesses holding the line on doing the right thing or letting trust erode?
About our corporate conscience index
To find out, we asked 250 General Counsels (GCs) and Chief Legal Officers (CLOs) across UK corporates. The result is a report that examines how businesses today are approaching ethical decision-making, where business conscience meets commercial reality and where the gaps remain. It’s the first outcome of a multi-year initiative designed to track UK business ethics, amidst the changing political, technological and societal landscape.
Learn how:
- The US administration's criticism of the 'EDI agenda' is directly reshaping UK corporate ethics
- The conflict between ethics and profit is driving a ‘principle and practice’ disconnect
- Senior legal professionals see the future of ethical decision-making
"Our task now is to prove that business conducted with conscience is possible and building brand trust can drive commercial success, not restrict it.”
Philippa Dempster
Senior Partner
Philippa Dempster
Senior Partner & London Office Managing Partner
Receive a copy of our report today
Submit your details below to receive a copy of our report by email.
The numbers that matter
of UK legal leaders say ethics matter more than ever in business decisions
say profit still outweighs 'doing the right thing'
have scaled back or dropped EDI and sustainability efforts
Doing the right thing
‘Doing the right thing’ is a mantra we’re all familiar with, but when up against profit, it can mean more talk, less action. It’s always been a difficult balance, but it’s getting harder. It takes bold leadership to get the balance right today.
Freeths is committed to that. When Freeths won two landmark court cases on behalf of subpostmasters wrongly prosecuted by the Post Office, we showed why it’s imperative that organisations act with ethical integrity, not just legal compliance.
Hold the line
We believe it’s more important than ever for corporations to carry a conscience. We know that the UK’s GCs and GLOs are mindful of making decisions within an ethical framework, and 88% have frameworks in place when they are advising businesses about decisions they are taking.
GCs and GLOs have a very important role to play as the ethical guardians for UK businesses. Ethical leadership isn’t optional – it’s the foundation of trust, reputation, and resilience. This report is a call to action for UK PLC to hold the line on doing the right thing, regardless of the headwinds.
Corporate conscience index
Based on insights from 250 senior legal leaders, our report uncovers the real state of corporate ethics today and why holding the line matters more than ever.
Receive a copy of our report today
Submit your details below to receive a copy of our report by email