Two of region’s business leaders to join Theresa May’s business council

The chief executives of Jaguar Land Rover and National Grid are among seven company bosses that will attend a new business council that has been convened by Prime Minister Theresa May.

May has been criticised for distancing herself from business, having scrapped David Cameron’s business advisory group without replacing it.

A year later, she is chairing the first meeting of her own group. Although it is expected to have different people attending, tomorrow’s meeting will include Jaguar Land Rover’s Ralf Speth and National Grid’s John Pettigrew.

Between them, the two Warwickshire-headquartered companies employ around 65,000 people in the UK.

There will also be representation from five business groups, including the Institute of Directors, the Confederation of British Industry, and the Federation of Small Businesses.

The meetings are expected to provide a platform for business to put its views about the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union directly to the Prime Minister and her ministers.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, Business Secretary Greg Clark and junior Brexit minister Robin Walker will also attend tomorrow’s meeting.

The Government’s industrial strategy, which went through a wide consultation process earlier this year, is also expected to be a key subject for discussion.