GBI

What GBI does

Global Business Initiative on Human Rights (GBI) is a UK-registered non-profit private limited company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Eastbourne, United Kingdom, that operates a closed, member-funded peer-learning community for major multinational corporations implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The organisation describes itself as 'the only business organisation to focus entirely on human rights' and serves senior practitioners at companies including Unilever, Mars, Shell, BHP, Coca-Cola, BASF, Maersk, Vale, Trafigura, Total, ABB, HP, GE, Hilton, NXP, Syngenta, Stora Enso, and Bechtel, with active regional engagement programmes in Africa, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.

GBI's core offering is a portfolio of always-on digital resources and convening services rather than a single software product. The Business Practice Portal (launched June 2018) is the flagship member-facing platform distilling collective member experience on UNGP implementation, covering topics from conflict-affected operations to climate-and-human-rights integration, biodiversity, mergers and acquisitions, grievance mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement. The member-only Legal and Policy Tracker provides ongoing intelligence on regulatory developments including EU mHREDD/CSDDD, National Action Plans, and the UN treaty process. Supplementary content assets include the 'What good looks like' guidance briefing series (with a compendium released November 2025), the GBI Conversations podcast, peer-reviewed journal articles in the Business and Human Rights Journal, and an annual cadence of in-person and remote peer learning meetings.

Revenue is generated through corporate membership dues on a recurring subscription basis; pricing is not publicly disclosed and prospective members are invited to contact GBI directly. The organisation employs a small specialist team (11-50 range per firmographics) supplemented by an international network of senior advisors including former European Parliament Vice President Heidi Hautala (Special Advisor), Gerald Pachoud (Senior Advisor, former Special Advisor to Prof. John Ruggie), Prof. Anita Ramasastry, Jonathan Drimmer, and Andrea Shemberg (Chair). GBI is governed by a Chair-CEO structure (Andrea Shemberg as Chair, Ron Popper as CEO since January 2019, with a CEO succession process open for January 2027) and holds standing partnerships with Clifford Chance, UNDP, WBCSD, IHRB, BHRRC, ICAR, DIHR, IOE, Chatham House, CEBDS, ICRC, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.

Name

GBI

Legal name

Global Business Initiative on Human Rights

Website

https://gbihr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GBI is a UK non-profit membership organisation, founded in 2009, that convenes major multinational corporations in a peer-learning community to advance implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights through its Business Practice Portal, Legal and Policy Tracker, and guidance briefings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seaford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership Dues: GBI is a member-funded organisation whose members are a 'committed group of major multinational corporations with operations in diverse industries and regions'. Revenue is generated through membership subscriptions that fund peer learning programmes, deep-dive projects, the Business Practice Portal, Legal and Policy Tracker, webinars and global engagement. Membership is by application/invitation and not publicly priced.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

GBI is a UK-based non-profit membership organization that convenes multinational corporations in a peer-learning community to advance corporate respect for human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Its core offering combines member convenings, regional workshops in Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific, and proprietary online resources (Business Practice Portal, Legal and Policy Tracker) with the "What good looks like" guidance briefing series and the GBI Conversations podcast.

Product overview

GBI's offering is a curated portfolio of resources and convening services — anchored by the GBI Business Practice Portal as the core member-facing platform — rather than a single unified software product. The Business Practice Portal is supplemented by a "What 'good' looks like" compendium of practical examples, the GBI Conversations podcast, the GBI Legal and Policy Tracker (an online tool monitoring legal and policy developments), Member Peer Learning meetings, region-specific Global Engagement Work in Africa, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, ad hoc Guidance Briefings and Reports (such as the "Effective downstream human rights due diligence" report and the "Blind Spot in the Boardroom" issue paper), and GBI Newsletters. Together these products form GBI's integrated member offering: the Portal and Tracker are the always-on digital resources, the podcast and briefings deliver ongoing knowledge content, and the peer learning meetings and regional engagement work provide the in-person/regional layer that ties the portfolio together for member companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GBI Conversations: GBI's podcast series featuring conversations with thought leaders on business and human rights topics.
• GBI Business Practice Portal
• What 'good' looks like
• GBI Legal and Policy Tracker

Products and services

• GBI Business Practice Portal An online resource hub distilling the collective experience of GBI member companies on integrating human rights due diligence into core business operations, governance and decision-making; designed for business practitioners.
• GBI Legal and Policy Tracker Member-only online tool that tracks global legal and policy developments on business and human rights across jurisdictions, helping members monitor regulatory change.
• "What good looks like" Guidance Briefing Series and Compendium A compendium of concrete practice examples and good-practice illustrations developed with GBI member companies to support implementation of human rights due diligence across topics including stakeholder engagement, grievance mechanisms and supplier engagement.
• GBI Conversations Podcast A podcast series featuring conversations with business leaders, policy makers and human rights experts on pressing business and human rights issues.
• GBI Member Peer Learning Meetings Confidential peer learning convenings for GBI member companies that provide a safe space for sharing practical experience, dilemmas and emerging practice on business and human rights challenges.
• GBI Global Engagement Work (Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific) Region-specific programmes focused on advancing responsible business conduct and human rights in Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific markets, complementing GBI's global membership work with on-the-ground dialogue and activities.
• Effective Downstream Human Rights Due Diligence Report Guidance report examining challenges and good practice in downstream value chains, authored by GBI and targeted at member companies implementing human rights due diligence.
• Issue Paper "Blind Spot in the Boardroom" Issue paper addressing the gap in board-level engagement and oversight of human rights issues in corporate governance, including the under-recognition of international criminal law by businesses.
• GBI Newsletters Regular email newsletters providing members and subscribers with updates on GBI activities, new publications, policy developments and upcoming events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% of executives believe human rights are a matter for businesses, not just for governments (per GBI-backed EIU report, 2015)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Pillar TwominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025GBI and Pillar Two to co-host an interactive workshop at the 2025 United Nations Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific (announced September 2025).
• Conselho Empresarial Brasileiro para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (CEBDS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023GBI and CEBDS co-organise workshops on climate and human rights in Brazil (May 2023), publish recommendations on climate/human rights integration for Brazilian companies (April 2025), and partner on a podcast in the run-up to COP30.
• Remedy ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023GBI, the Remedy Project and the UN Global Compact Network Thailand co-organised a Roundtable on Access to Remedy for business practitioners in Bangkok (June 2023).
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019GBI and WBCSD co-convene practical workshops on business and human rights in Mumbai (August 2019), Asia Pacific practical exchanges (November 2020), and Brazil workshops (July 2020, July 2021).
• London School of Economics (LSE) - short course on Business and Human RightsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017GBI taught at the LSE intensive two-day business and human rights short course in London (July 2017).
• National Business Initiative (NBI) - South AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016GBI, NBI and the Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA) co-convened a business-to-business meeting on corporate respect for human rights in Johannesburg (May 2016), attended by over 100 business leaders; report published September 2017.
• Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Co-convener with GBI and NBI of the South Africa Business Leaders' Dialogue on corporate respect for human rights (May 2016, Johannesburg).
• Clifford ChancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015GBI and Clifford Chance co-publish briefings for business on the changing legal landscape on business and human rights, including National Action Plans, EU mandatory due diligence (mHREDD/CSDDD), and the adoption of Omnibus I (Feb 2026). Joint webinars on navigating a changing legal landscape.
• Global Compact Network ChinaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Co-convener with GBI, IHRB, Peking University International Law Institute, Guanghua School of Management and Tracktwo of the China Responsible Business Forum pilot.
• Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012IHRB co-convened GBI's Business Learning Project China (since 2012) and the China Responsible Business Forum (pilot year 2014-2015) alongside Peking University International Law Institute, Guanghua School of Management, Tracktwo and GBI.
• Global Compact Network IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Co-organiser with GBI and Partners in Change of the Business and Human Rights Roundtable in New Delhi (November 2009).
• Chatham HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI members, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Chatham House and select guests held a consultation and workshop on business and human rights in conflict and post-conflict affected areas (February 2020). Chatham House research on business and human rights trends informed GBI Director Mark Hodge's panel participation (2015).
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI collaborates with UNDP on practical workshops on the UN Guiding Principles for business practitioners in Africa (May 2022). UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean co-hosted the first UN Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Medellín (2013). UNDP Asia Pacific's Sean Lees authored a 2026 issue piece on biodiversity for GBI.
• Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI and BHRRC co-author blogs and reports on effective remedy through multi-stakeholder engagement (2017), access to remedy in Myanmar and South Africa (2018), and 'Respect in Practice' (2015).
• International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI and ICAR (along with the Danish Institute for Human Rights) convened a Business Dialogue on National Action Plans in London (April 2014) and a consultation on the U.S. National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct (2015). GBI Director Catie Shavin participated in an ISHR/ICAR panel on human rights defenders and NAPs (June 2016).
• Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-convener with ICAR and GBI of Business Dialogue on National Action Plans (April 2014, London).
• International Organisation of Employers (IOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI and IOE jointly led a Business and Human Rights Capacity Building Workshop hosted by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Doha (April 2016); IOE-Eversheds Business and Human Rights Symposium in Geneva (April 2016) featured GBI Director Katryn Wright moderating a session on human rights reporting.
• UN Global Compact (UNGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeveral GBI members (Mansour, Novo Nordisk, Shell, Coca-Cola, Total, Unilever) joined UNGC LEAD in January 2011. GBI and the Global Compact Network Australia co-convened a webinar on business and human rights in ASEAN and China (December 2015). GBI and the UN Global Compact Network Thailand co-organised a Roundtable on Access to Remedy in Bangkok (June 2023). GBI Director Katryn Wright was a blogger on the Business Fights Poverty website (2013).
• Peking University International Law InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in GBI's Business Learning Project China and co-convener of the China Responsible Business Forum with IHRB, Global Compact Network China, Guanghua School of Management, Tracktwo and GBI.
• TracktwominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-convener with GBI, IHRB and Peking University International Law Institute of GBI's China Business Learning Project and China Responsible Business Forum.
• Guanghua School of Management (Peking University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-convener with GBI, IHRB, Peking University International Law Institute, Global Compact Network China and Tracktwo of the China Responsible Business Forum pilot.
• Beijing Rong Zhi Corporate Responsibility InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in GBI's China Business Learning Project, co-organising a learning seminar and bilateral meetings with 10 Chinese and multinational companies.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI's COO Jo Reyes hosted a GBI Conversations podcast with Claude Voillat of the ICRC sharing five key messages for businesses operating in conflict-affected contexts (August 2022).
• International Bar Association (IBA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI Executive Director Mark Hodge addressed the IBA Annual Conference in Vienna on the role of In-house Lawyers in UNGP implementation (October 2015).
• American Bar Association (ABA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABA and other organisations (including GBI) convened a two-day dialogue in Geneva on the role of the legal profession in business and human rights, with focus on access to remedy (June 2016).
• Eversheds SutherlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host with IOE of the Business and Human Rights Symposium (April 2016), where GBI Director Katryn Wright moderated a session on human rights reporting, transparency and disclosure.
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) / UN Working Group on Business and Human RightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI participates in and contributes to the UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights (Geneva) and Regional Forums (e.g., 2016 Asia Regional Forum in Doha). GBI made submissions to the UN Working Group on business and human rights (December 2011) and co-hosted consultations on heightened human rights due diligence and conflict-affected areas (February 2020).
• Kenan Institute for Ethics, Duke UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvening on the UN Guiding Principles attended by GBI Members, Secretariat and Advisors (December 2011).
• Global Compact Network VietnamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkshop on 'Managing Human Rights Issues in your Companies and Organization' in Hanoi chaired by GBI Director Mark Hodge (September 2010).
• Business and Human Rights Journal (Cambridge)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI Director Jo Reyes published a thought piece on mental health and remedy in the Cambridge Journal of Business and Human Rights (November 2017). GBI Director Benn Hogan and GBI COO Jo Reyes published a Developments in the Field piece in the Business and Human Rights Journal on 'Downstream Human Rights Due Diligence' (July 2023). GBI Director Sophia Areias published a piece on rapid transition and climate/human rights integration (October 2024).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility): BSR is a global sustainable business network and consultancy working with member companies on human rights, climate, and supply chain due diligence. BSR overlaps with GBI on UNGPs implementation, member convening, and human rights advisory, but operates at a larger scale and with a broader sustainability remit.
• Shift: Shift is the leading centre of expertise on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, providing advisory, training, and thought leadership to companies and governments. Shift is one of the closest conceptual peers to GBI on UNGPs implementation, though it is smaller and more advisory-led than convening-led.
• Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI): ETI is an alliance of companies, trade unions, and NGOs promoting workers' rights in global supply chains. ETI overlaps with GBI's supplier engagement, grievance mechanisms, and human rights due diligence work, but with a workers' rights and trade union focus.
• Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR): DIHR is a National Human Rights Institution that runs the leading human rights compliance assessment tool for companies and co-convened with GBI and ICAR the Business Dialogue on National Action Plans. DIHR is a direct peer on UNGPs implementation and BHR tooling for multinationals.
• Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB): IHRB is a leading international think-and-do tank focused on business and human rights, working with companies, governments, and multilaterals on UNGPs implementation. IHRB and GBI have co-convened the China Responsible Business Forum and the China Business Learning Project, making IHRB the closest direct peer in mission, member base, and product mix.
• Caux Round Table: Caux Round Table is a global business leadership network promoting principled capitalism and stakeholder responsibility. It overlaps GBI on convening multinational CEOs on ethical business and human rights but has a broader moral capitalism framing.

Emerging players

• International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR): ICAR is a US-based civil society coalition working on corporate accountability and mandatory due diligence, which has co-convened NAP dialogues with GBI. ICAR overlaps GBI on BHR policy advocacy but is civil-society-led rather than business-led, making it a complementary rather than directly competing peer.

Broad incumbents

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): WBCSD is a CEO-led association of over 200 leading sustainable businesses. GBI and WBCSD co-convene Asia Pacific and Brazil workshops on BHR, and several GBI members are WBCSD members, making WBCSD a closely adjacent but broader sustainability-focused peer.
• UN Global Compact: The UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability and human rights initiative, with thousands of corporate participants. It overlaps GBI on UNGPs and BHR but is a much broader UN-backed platform covering ten principles, not solely human rights.

Others

• International Organisation of Employers (IOE): IOE is the largest employer organisation representing the business view in labour and social policy at the ILO and globally. IOE and GBI have co-hosted BHR capacity building workshops (Doha 2016, Geneva 2016), making IOE an institutional peer in policy convening and employer representation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/353266
• Xx.com/GBIHR

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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