Holliday was speaking at Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. “The next generation are not looking for the same as I was looking for,” he said. “Social action is becoming a must-have.”
Holliday also said the concept of responsible business and “driving better social and economic wellbeing” had moved beyond the CSR report to become “the new day job”.
“It’s about embedding responsibility in our business at every level of the organisation and in every decision that is made,” he added.
He called on businesses to work together more to solve societal issues like youth unemployment, rather than launching lots of separate initiatives. “We need to collaborate more; we need to join together,” he said.
Winners at the awards included Fujitsu, which was named Responsible Business of the Year 2015. The technology firm was recognised for its work on diversity and around apprenticeships.
Energy company Centrica took home the Championing an Ageing Workforce Award for the support it offers its carers, while Unilever won the Bupa Employee Wellbeing Award for its approach to mental health. Barclays received the Jaguar Land Rover Inspiring Young Talent Award for its integrated youth employability strategy.
