easter musings
Chocolate eggs at Easter are a tradition, and Cadbury’s, Rowntree’s and Fry’s part of our childhood. They were founded by Quaker entrepreneurs throughout the country who sought an outlet for their talents at a time when they were barred from the universities and politics -Cadbury’s were based in Birmingham, Rowntree’s and Terry’s in York and Fry’s in Bristol. One motivation was to find an alternative to the evils of strong drink, (Cadbury’s own research had found that one in every 30 houses in Birmingham was employed in the sale of alcohol) but in doing so they championed a distinct way of doing business. Cadbury’s was one of the first British companies to introduce a half day on Saturday. Housing, education, medical help, reasonable wages and pension schemes were provided. Employers like these recognised that a business can be successful without ignoring the wider context in which it operates – what we would now call corporate social responsibility.
Other companies and organisations also provided pensions. Some, which became household names, such as Colmans, Boots and WHSmith set up schemes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And smaller enterprises too voluntarily provided annuities for their workers.
The current fashion seems to emphasise the failure of past organisations to meet modern standards rather than celebrating the impulses and actions which led to something better We needn’t fall into the same trap. As someone said in another context ‘Deeds not words’.
Pensions Archive Trust Director, Jane Marshall
https://pensionsarchive.org.uk/our-collections/
This article was first published in the May 2025 edition of Pensions Age magazine.