BUSINESS vs.

LONELINESS

Tackling loneliness is not just a responsibility, but a strategic opportunity for business. Whether through workplace culture, customer experiences, or community impact, companies can deliver profitable solutions to the problem of loneliness.

Innovate With Impact

With input from leading academics, we have developed a practical framework that can empower your company to discover fertile ground for positive social impact and economic growth  –  the space where your business can profitably address the loneliness problem by leveraging your unique capabilities and sector expertise.

Business vs. Loneliness Report

This trailblazing report presents the results of an extensive global study on loneliness we conducted with The University of Manchester, which was funded by Mars, Incorporated.

The research is based on over 50,000 individual responses—the largest dataset of its kind—from participants in five countries around the world.

The report also includes case studies and practical strategies to help companies create social impact while unlocking commercial opportunities.

One example given is how Asahi Europe & International used hospitality spaces and an online platform to help young adults in Europe overcome loneliness through meaningful social connections, based on in-depth research we conducted with the company.

“I encourage more companies to join the Business vs. Loneliness change platform and take action toward lasting change.”

Mandikova Drahomira
Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Asahi Group Holdings

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Event Speakers

  • Pamela Qualter

    Manchester University Professor and Co-chair of World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group on Social Connection

  • Jakob Forssmed

    Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, Government of Sweden

  • Mandikova Drahomira

    Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Asahi Group Holdings

  • Christian Beaudoin

    Global Head of Marketing, JLL

  • Julianne Holt-Lunstad

    Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Co-founder of Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection

  • Paolo Lanzarotti

    Former CEO at Asahi Europe & International and Former Managing Director at SABMiller

  • Angela Mangiapane

    President of Mars Global Services at Mars, Incorporated

  • Alastair Colin-Jones

    Senior Director of Business Transformation & Learning at Mutual Value Labs

The Role of Business In Confronting Loneliness

A conversation between the University of Manchester’s Professor Professor Pamela Qualter and the Economics of Mutuality Alliance’s Pascal Riederer

London Roundtable

Thursday 5 June 2025
14.00-16.30 BST + Drinks Reception 16.30-18.00 BST
Kindred, Hammersmith

An opportunity for senior business leaders to explore how companies can design and deliver profitable solutions to the problem of loneliness. Featuring practical case studies from pioneering businesses and insights from leading voices in academia, government, and the non-profit sector.

BUSINESS vs. LONELINESS

Book a Discovery Workshop

In this free 45-minute virtual workshop, we’ll help you explore how to unlock profitable, purpose-driven solutions using the insights and frameworks from the Business vs. Loneliness report. We’ll guide you through:

  • The business case for addressing loneliness

  • A quick diagnostic using the Loneliness Change Compass

  • Opportunity mapping tailored to your sector

  • Next steps for turning insights into action

“The solutions presented are practical and forward-thinking, demonstrating how companies can support the creation of meaningful connections between people, while also achieving sustainable growth.”

Pamela Qualter
Manchester University Professor and
Co-chair of the World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group on Social Connection

London Symposium

Tuesday 16 September 2025
14.00-18.00 BST + Drinks Reception 18.00-19.30 BST
Kindred, Hammersmith

Drawing on groundbreaking insights from the Business vs. Loneliness report, you’ll have the opportunity to explore an innovative framework for designing profitable, purpose-led strategies that foster connection, strengthen communities, and unlock new avenues for growth.

With fresh perspectives from pioneering businesses and thought leaders across academia, public institutions, and the non-profit world, this event is a call to action: to rethink the role of business in shaping a more connected society.

BUSINESS vs. LONELINESS

Be Part of the Solution

According to our research, 44% of people globally show medium or high levels of loneliness.

The impact of social isolation on mortality rates rivals that of well-known risk factors such as smoking and obesity. In workplaces, lonely employees take more sick days, display reduced commitment, and exhibit weaker performance.

Dysfunctional business models have contributed to this problem. But better business practices can help solve it.

Our innovative framework sets out four intervention strategies that provide pathways to action for business leaders looking to help tackle the problem of loneliness – whether through external initiatives aimed at broader societal impact or internal strategies focused on reducing loneliness among employees.

The Business Opportunity

Key findings from our Business vs. Loneliness report reveal how companies can turn loneliness into an opportunity for mutual value creation — generating both social impact and sustainable growth:

  • Contrary to common belief, and consistent with other recent large-scale studies, we found loneliness decreases with age. 29% of Gen Z feel lonely compared to 14% of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation. Yet, most interventions still focus on the elderly — highlighting a gap for products, services, and workplace cultures that prioritise belonging amongst young people.

  • Perhaps surprisingly, more than 50% of people find positive alone time a helpful way of overcoming loneliness — revealing a powerful opportunity for businesses to design environments, products, and experiences that support solitude, not just social interaction.

  • 14% of people who completed the survey say they have nowhere to go when they feel lonely, but want to connect with others — a clear opportunity for businesses to create connection-friendly spaces in places such as cafés, retail stores, and offices.

  • 60% report experiencing ‘relational’ or ‘collective’ loneliness, not just ‘intimate’ loneliness — opening the door for brands to design experiences that foster everyday social connection.

  • People not belonging to a group are 1.6x more likely to feel lonely — giving businesses a chance to build community through memberships, loyalty programs, and shared identity experiences.

  • Dissatisfaction with income doubles the likelihood of loneliness, regardless of actual earnings — suggesting companies can drive loyalty and retention among their workforce by improving perceived financial well-being, not just financial status.

Let’s Discuss

Our aim is to build a change platform by gathering diverse leaders from the private, public, non-profit, and academic spheres who are interested in using the power of business to tackle loneliness. If you would like to learn more or share your ideas, please do reach out.