Businesses must once again be seen as a force for good Put simply, business used to be seen as a force for good. In the UK, you only have to look at what Cadbury and Rowntree's contributed to the communities in which they grew from nothing to understand how valuable businesses can be. There are some things businesses could quickly put in place to demonstrate that they are committed to making a positive impact. Increasing transparency would allow the public to see and judge their wider contribution to society. This is not about corporate social responsibility box ticking, it's about companies taking a holistic approach to reporting and showing the positive impact they have on communities by being successful. Companies could publish their societal impact and this would clearly show which businesses should be celebrated for their contribution, while simultaneously driving others to improve. In addition, encouraging business to sign up to a "Leading UK Businesses Charter," with specific criteria, would highlight those companies prepared to adhere to a code of best practice. On top of this, the UK economy needs a more confident consumer and this will only happen if business reconnects with its customers. The relationship between companies and their customers has changed to such an extent that many customers feel they are little more than a means to a profitable end. We must be open with our customers and remember that we are in business to serve them and not vice versa. Over the long term, businesses will only flourish if society does. As an investor, we at Alliance Trust know that successful, sustainable companies keep their eye on the horizon, not just the bottom line. Investment trusts - the industry that I work in - were set up in the mid-19th century to preserve the wealth of shareholders, our customers, over generations. Seeking a "quick buck" is not what our customers want and those investment trusts that have understood this have been operating for more than 100 years; those that did not are no longer with us today. Almost 70pc of our shares are either directly or beneficially held by private individuals. While some see investment trusts as old-fashioned and boring, we know that our shareholders - teachers, nurses, grandparents, builders, pensioners - see a solid, sustainable business, taking a long-term and prudent approach to protecting their savings. We aim to remain true to that. Our 125th anniversary is testament to the longevity of the business and the sustainability of the model. Our motto - "Investing for Generations" - is as true today as it was when the company was founded. Our shareholders and customers want to sleep at night in the knowledge that their investment is safe; that they have access to the market but are protected from the risk. Their trust in us is one of our most prized assets. We know that it takes years to build trust and a moment to destroy it. Business must recognise that it will be for society to determine when trust has been rebuilt, not business. And yet, it is fundamentally our responsibility to tackle this. The British economy depends on this trust being rebuilt. Katherine Garrett-Cox is CEO of Alliance Trust