Fair pay is a right, not a privilege. It is a fundamental component of a just society and a sustainable global economy. Having spent over two decades building businesses and supply chains across China and beyond, I have seen first-hand how the decisions made in boardrooms ripple down to affect the livelihoods of workers who rarely have a seat at the table. That is why this commitment matters so deeply to me personally.

In late 2024, I had the profound honour of signing the Fair Pay Charter — a globally recognised initiative advocating for liveable wages and economic fairness — both as the Custodian of the Charter for British Business in China and as the first business signatory through C2W Group.

What Is the Fair Pay Charter?

The Fair Pay Charter is a groundbreaking initiative with the potential to transform industries worldwide, ensuring workers receive a wage that allows them to live with dignity. It has already raised wages for 5.2 million people in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and is actively working with governments and businesses in India, Malawi, Dubai, and beyond.

Founded and authored by Sheikh Aliur Rahman OBE and launched in May 2024 at Mansion House in London, the Charter is backed by some of the world’s most prominent leaders, including Baroness Patricia Scotland (Secretary-General of the Commonwealth), Nikhil Seth (UN Assistant Secretary-General), Michael Mainelli (695th Lord Mayor of London), and Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London). With its adoption projected as a UN Social Development Goal in 2030, the Charter has the potential to positively impact up to a billion people — beginning with the tea industry, where 99% of the workforce are women.

Why This Matters to Me

My belief in the Fair Pay Charter is rooted in something I have always held close: that British businesses operating internationally carry a responsibility that goes beyond profit. We are ambassadors for a way of doing business — one that is ethical, transparent, and fair. When we get that right, we don’t just build better companies; we build better relationships between the UK and the countries we operate in, and we strengthen Britain’s standing on the world stage.

At C2W, this Charter aligns with the values we have built the business on — ensuring fair treatment across our supply chain, encouraging ethical practices among our partners, and advocating for industry-wide change in global manufacturing and sourcing.

Signing the Charter was just the beginning. I would encourage every business leader — particularly those operating in global supply chains — to ask themselves a simple question: are the workers who make your products being paid a wage they can actually live on?

If the answer is uncertain, now is the time to act.

💡 Review your supply chain — are workers being paid a fair, liveable wage? 💡 Advocate for fair pay — encourage your industry peers to join the movement 💡 Sign the Charter — commit to real change for workers worldwide

🔗 Learn more about the Fair Pay Charter 🔗 Read my LinkedIn post on signing the Charter

Mark Clayton FCMA CGMA CPA — Group CFO, C2W Group | Chairman, BritCham South China | Custodian, Fair Pay Charter for British Business in China