# Karma Capitalism

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/books/karma-capitalism/
- Published: 2025-12-17T08:07:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**What’s the point of a business without a purpose? James Reed, Chairman and CEO
of Reed and author of Why You? 101 Interview Questions You’ll Never Fear Again, 
is on a mission to reform capitalism.**

Corporations, he argues, are largely ignoring their employees, customers and wider
community in the pursuit of short-term gain and profit, while charities suffer in
the wake of the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

However, there is an alternative. In his most important business book to date, James
sets out his vision to encourage a whole new generation of PhilCos – philanthropic
minded businesses with at least 10 per cent of shares owned by a charitable foundation.

Inspired by his own company’s commitment to charity, James shares how PhilCos are
more likely to:

– Stay in business for 40 or more years

– Foster shareholders that work toward a lasting legacy

– Retain and motivate colleagues

– Improve lives through charity work

Best of all, being a PhilCo isn’t a different way of doing business. It is a different
way of being a business.

Based on his own experiences of running Reed as a PhilCo – and drawing on examples
of other successes including IKEA, Lego and Rolex – James explains how to choose
the right business model for your PhilCo, how to establish a charitable foundation
and how to reinvest your profits to make the most impact in the shortest space of
time.

Part-manifesto, part-guide, Karma Capitalism is a compelling and accessible introduction
to the PhilCo movement, proving that it’s good business to be a good business.

## About James Reed

James Reed is the Chairman and CEO of Reed – Britain’s biggest and best known recruitment
brand. Reed is a values-led and purpose-driven Philanthropy Company (PhilCo) that
has been improving lives through work since 1960.

## Reviews

“In an age where CEOs have become rock stars through cross-cultural appeal, James
Reed is a proper stadium filler”
**Daily Mirror**“A compelling, highly readable,
case for PhilCos – or philanthropy companies – where at least 10% of shares are 
owned by a charity or foundation. [James Reed] calls it “Karma Capitalism” and believes
its an innovative way for firms to deliver profits and social currency … With increasing
cynicism about old-fashioned, short-termist thinking among customers and employees,
this is a refreshing and inspiring read”.**Daily Express**

“Karma Capitalism is a persuasive exploration of how to do business differently &
to shrink the divide between the haves and have-nots. PhilCos’ harmonising of business&
philanthropic practice is an effort to share wealth, keeping government small & 
making capitalism sustainable. In a nutshell, philanthropy companies have soul”
**
Antonia Filmer, Sunday Guardian**

“James Reed is this country’s leading voice on effective, strategic philanthropy.
His new book is both a persuasive argument for the PhilCo movement and a call to
arms for entrepreneurs and executives who want to make the world – and their own
companies – a better place. Read it, then go and put his ideas into action”.
**Edwin
Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Spear’s Magazine**

“If you believe, as every successful business leader should, that giving back must
be baked into your DNA, then James Reed provides the recipe”.
**Dame Irene Hays,
owner and Chair of Hays Travel**

“Now that I’ve read this book, I cannot unsee the potential and necessity of Karma
Capitalism and the concept of a PhilCo. I will be building these ideas into my business
from day one”.
**Sharmadean Reid MBE, founder, creative consultant and advocate 
for women’s empowerment**

“Businesses (when they’re not cheating you out of your pants) have the power to 
transform and support our society for the better and James Reed’s insightful book
tells us exactly how. I know him personally and believe these ideas could lead the
way”.
**Ruby Wax, comedian, performer and bestselling author**

 * **[New Year’s Honours recognise charity sector leaders and volunteers](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/01/04/new-year-honours-recognise-charity-sector-leaders-volunteers/)(
   4 January 2023)
 * **[Big Give founder Sir Alec Reed dies at 91](https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/12/03/big-give-founder-sir-alec-reed-dies-at-91/)(
   3 December 2025)
 * **[Big Give Christmas Challenge raises £57.4 million in a week](https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/12/09/big-gives-christmas-challenge-raises-57-4mn-in-a-week/)(
   9 December 2025)**