Rolls-Royce chairman to sit on Brexit Business Council
The chairman of Derby-based Rolls-Royce has been chosen to sit on one of five new ‘Business Councils’ set up by the Prime Minister to advise on how to create the best business conditions in the UK after Brexit.
Ian Davis will co-chair the Industrial, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Council along with Roger Carr, the chairman of BAE Systems. Stephen Phipson (CEO, EEF) will be the business group representative on the group.
Each Council will aim to meet three times a year, twice with the Prime Minister and once with a senior Cabinet Minister, to provide high-level advice and policy recommendations on the critical issues affecting business. The Councils will also be a forum for government to share developing policy ideas and seek the views of members. says Number 10.
Co-chaired by two business leaders, each Council will have around ten members representing core sectors of the UK economy, as well as a representative from the UK’s key business groups.
The Prime Minister, Theresa May said: “The UK has always been one of the best places in the world to do business and is a leader in sectors from advanced manufacturing to the creative industries.
“Brexit presents a huge opportunity to build a better, stronger economy for people all over the country.
“So I’ve asked these new councils to advise us on the opportunities and challenges facing business as we shape the UK for the future.”
The Prime Minister will welcome the co-chairs at Downing Street for the first time on Wednesday 7 November, where she will set out their objectives and they will discuss issues such as productivity and international investment.
The other Councils include:
– Jan du Plessis (Chairman, BT Group) and Carolyn McCall (CEO, ITV) will co-chair the Telecoms, Creative, Technology and Media Council. John Allen (President, CBI) and Stephen Martin (DG, IOD) will be the business groups’ representatives;
– James Timpson (CEO, Timpson), Brent Hoberman (Co-Founder and Chairman, Founders Forum) and Emma Jones (Founder, Enterprise Nation) will co-chair the Small Business, Scale ups and Entrepreneurs Council. Mike Cherry (National Chairman, Federation of Small Business) will be the business group representative;
– Paul Manduca (Chairman, Prudential) and Shriti Vadera (Chairman, Santander UK) will co-chair the Services – Financial, Professional and Education Services Council. Carolyn Fairbairn, (DG, CBI) will be the business group representative;
– Dave Lewis (CEO, Tesco) and Emma Walmsley (CEO, GSK) will co-chair the Consumer, Retail and Life Sciences Council. Adam Marshall (DG, British Chambers of Commerce) will be the business group representative.
The Business Councils will be advisory, will hold no decision making powers and will report to Prime Minister.
