ONE of Britain’s most senior business leaders yesterday hailed Greggs for its pioneering breakfast clubs initiative – and said they were a shining example of good work in the community.

CBI director general John Cridland, pictured below, visited Beech Hill Primary School in Denton, Newcastle, as part of a visit to the North East during which he addressed the business group’s regional annual dinner.

Mr Cridland used his address to respond to Labour leader Ed Miliband’s remarks at his party conference in Liverpool this week in which he sought to make a distinction between “good” and “bad” businesses. Mr Miliband also talked of “predator” companies and “asset strippers”.

Mr Cridland acknowledged there were some “bad apple” companies but he criticised the idea that the business community was full of “rogue institutions”.

“The majority of companies are doing good by doing good business,” he said.

Mr Cridland cited Greggs as a role model of responsible business for its breakfast clubs initiative. More than 7,000 children across some of the most deprived communities in the UK now enjoy a free breakfast thanks to the long-running scheme.