The Archbishop of Canterbury today calls on business and market leaders to be less self-serving and to adopt a new model known as "inclusive capitalism".
Justin Welby criticises in particular a tendency for employers to hire from middle-class backgrounds.
He urges them to be more open to seeing "equal potential in anyone". This cannot happen without employers themselves taking the lead, as well as backing from government, he says. And for that to happen, there needs to be leadership, especially among employers and from government.
"Inclusive capitalism will not happen by accident," he says, because of the "selfish" nature of capitalism.
As an example, he cites a youth employment project in Darlington where employers set out to recruit people who were not work-ready but needed training and development.
"The results for the employers were as good as they were for their new trainees," he says, writing on the eve of his address to this week's Conference on Inclusive Capitalism in the City of London.
"Rather than just seeking a return on investment, there has to be a generosity that reaches out."
Any model of capitalism that relied solely on self-interest would lead to the collapse of society, he warns, writing in the Telegraph.
"Altruism, the imitation of the God who acts in love that does not seek return, is a crucial part of a stable and functional society."
The Archbishop says: "A Christian understanding of inclusive capitalism begins with the nature of God, who in Jesus Christ reached out to include all humanity in salvation. What that looks like for each individual is purpose, calling and a destiny with God. Inclusive capitalism offers the opportunity for people's potential to be realised, while also encouraging creativity at all levels."
