Stakeholder

Definition of 'Stakeholder'

A party with an interest in an organisation, e.g. employees, customers, suppliers or the local community. This is due to the effect that the organisations activities will have on them, although they are a "third party" in that they are outside of the organisation.

It can also be used to describe people who will be effected by a project, or who can influence it, but who are not directly involved in doing the work.