Paul Drechsler
Chairman International Chamber of Commerce & London First, Company Director & Former President CBI
Covid, Brexit, disruptive technology, the climate emergency: this is a time of change and of crisis.
It is a time of challenges to which business - with its expertise and experience, its long-term perspective and its resources - must be a critical part of the answer.
The time is thus ripe for vocL.
At vocL, we believe business has lost its voice. Whether at COP26, during the negotiation of vital new trade deals, or in the debate over business ethics, the business voice has seemed strangely quiet or even to be absent altogether.
At the same time, we believe there is an urgent need, within business, for more thoughtful, truthful, inclusive, values-driven and socially responsible leadership.
Finally, we believe it is critical, as never before, for the business leaders of today and of tomorrow - business’s next generation leaders - to have a bigger, freer, more respected and more confident voice in the national conversation; and that our often overly fractious debates would be more balanced and our society fairer and less divided if they did.
“I believe in the vocL vision and in the role technology can play in enabling it. Business leaders need a voice, a safe place to connect, and an effective way to nurture the next generation”
"Today's business leaders must champion change and communicate a sense of purpose. vocL empowers emerging leaders to be courageous communicators, making a genuine impact across the country.
We're in an era of change and challenge. It's time for business to step up. vocL equips emerging leaders with the power of purposeful communication."
“At the Royal Society of Arts, we believe that by harnessing the power of business we can help society to thrive - more resilient, rebalanced, and regenerative. We are confident that by working with vocL we can make a tangible difference in the lives of people and places in the UK and beyond.”
“vocL’s goal of providing a platform for socially responsible leadership in the business world recognises the unique role that business has to play in the creation of a more just and sustainable international environment.”
“When passionate people come together around a common cause they can really make a difference. VocL's vision to provide a way for businesses to collectively speak out for a fairer society is both urgent and exciting as new leaders find their voice and champion change.”
“The service vocL offers has never been more crucial than it is today. A forum for the next-generation to share thoughts, ideas and insights, to ultimately further develop the working world of tomorrow, is invaluable, and I'm delighted to be able to be part of it.”
"vocL offers a precious forum where today’s business leaders can get their views across, and tomorrow’s leaders can start to build the networks they will need for future success.”
"I love supporting vocL, helping the next generation of leaders make time, headspace, and process for positive action. Getting their best work done to make a difference.”