Robert Carmichael (1900–1973) was a visionary French industrialist deeply committed to Moral Rearmament, now known as Initiatives and Change. He devoted his life to both running his business and promoting an ethical and people-centered industry, both in France and internationally.
Of distant Scottish origin, at the head of a family business specializing in the processing of jute (a textile fiber used to make bags, twine, and carpets) located in Ailly-sur-Somme, in Picardy, he encountered Moral Re-Armament shortly after World War II. Attracted by its principles of personal transformation and social responsibility, he incorporated these values into the management of his factories, convinced that “putting people first is the only way forward for industry.”
His commitment was not limited to his own company. He played a decisive role in promoting social dialogue in France. In collaboration with Maurice Mercier, secretary general of the Textile Federation of the Force Ouvrière trade union, Carmichael contributed to the signing of the first collective agreement for the sector in France in 1951. This agreement provided for a 15% wage increase, followed in 1953 by other social advances: an 8% annual wage increase, an additional week of paid vacation, the creation of a supplementary pension fund, and a union training school.
An active member of the board of the Caux Foundation in Switzerland, Carmichael was sensitive to the plight of the Pakistani agricultural workers who supplied his raw materials and was committed to a more equitable global economy. Thanks to his active lobbying, a groundbreaking international agreement was reached in 1964 to stabilize jute prices and guarantee a decent income for producers.
A man of faith and commitment, Robert Carmichael is recognized as a pioneer of corporate social responsibility. His approach, combining economic performance with ethical commitment, has inspired numerous initiatives aimed at humanizing the world of work and promoting social peace. His legacy lives on through the programs and values promoted by Initiatives of Change, particularly at the Caux Conference Center, which continues to welcome leaders from around the world to reflect on contemporary ethical issues.
You can read an article about his life here.
