New Business Council Ushers In Partnership Era

14 Sep 2023

Published in: British Chambers of Commerce News

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New Business Council Ushers In Partnership Era

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New Business Council Ushers In Partnership Era

The BCC has held its inaugural meeting of its new Business Council alongside Cabinet Minister, the Rt Hon Michael Gove and Shadow Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves.

The new body, comprising some of the most prominent British businesses, has been brought together to work in partnership with politicians to drive the future of the economy at this crucial time.

The Business Council will focus on five key challenges and will develop policy proposals that will help transform the future of the UK economy.

Its initial recommendations will feed into a Business Manifesto in the new year that will aim to influence political party manifestos ahead of the General Election.

The Council will then work to develop follow-up papers - to help the next Government set a business-backed agenda from day one and establish a long-term strategy for growth.

Business Council members will focus on at least one of the challenges. The challenge themes will all be chaired by five experienced business leaders, working with commissions of businesses, experts, Chamber representatives and academics.

They will begin meeting in the coming weeks and will produce their first policy recommendations in early 2024.

BCC President and Business Council Chair, Baroness Martha Lane Fox, said: “Now more than ever, businesses must come together to tackle the challenges facing the UK economy.

“In the face of economic disruption and with a general election looming, our new, national Business Council will help the voice of business to be heard loud and clear by policymakers.

”Together in partnership with politicians, it will find the answers to the key issues facing the UK economy, so it was great to have Michael Gove and Rachel Reeves join us for our inaugural event today.

“The expertise and experience that our council members bring to the table allows for a powerful and engaging debate about the problems but also helps to identify the solutions.

“Firms are realistic and understand the financial limitations that the Governments of both today and the next five years will be facing.

“But it’s through initiatives like these that we can work collectively to make a real difference for businesses on the frontline of the economy and give them the tools they need to succeed.

“This was an excellent first meeting to act as a springboard in developing practical and pragmatic policies across the five challenge areas.”

The Rt Hon Michael Gove said: “The Government is focused on the Prime Minister’s missions to grow the economy and halve inflation.

“Levelling up plays a crucial part in that which is why I’m so pleased to be meeting with leading businesses at the BCC Business Council to discuss challenges and opportunities across the country and am very grateful to the British Chamber of Commerce for their excellent work on the Business Council.

“Boosting skills up and down the country and improving digital connectivity are key tenets of spreading opportunity across the UK, and will in, turn, contribute to economic growth.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The first meeting of the Business Council was held in the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords from 8.30am to 10am Photos of the Council Meeting can be found here.

2. Attendees: 

Special guest speakers: • Rt Hon Michael Gove MP – SoS for DLUHC? • Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer? Attendees included:?? • Baroness Martha Lane Fox – BCC President?and Business Council Chair • Shevaun Haviland – BCC Director General? • John McCabe – CEO North East England Chamber of Commerce • Vicky Pryce – Chair of the BCC Economic Advisory Council? • Priya Guha MBE – Digital Revolution Chair? • Michael Hayman MBE DL – Global Britain Chair • Lisa Witter – Green Innovation Chair • Franck Petitgas – Prime Minister’s Business and Investment Advisor ?

Business Council members (in attendance)? • John Cummins, Aviva? • Louise Kingham CBE, BP?? • Nigel Milton, Heathrow Airport? • Yasmin Diamond, IHG Hotels & Resorts? • Rob Burlison, Intuit? • Professor Ian Pickup, The Open University? • Ernst Schulze, DP World? • Helen Wylde, Wildanet? • Jonathan Oates, Drax? • Jonathan Townsend, Princes Trust (UK) • Nick Potter, Simplyhealth • Tom Clementi, Pool RE Business Council members (not in attendance) • IAG – International Airlines Group ??

3. The 5 challenges and respective chairs are:

• People and Work: Baroness Ruby McGregor Smith CBE, former CEO of Mitie Group PLC and former BCC President.

• Digital Revolution: Priya Guha MBE, Venture Partner at Merian Ventures and former UK Consul General to San Francisco.

• Green Innovation: Lisa Witter, entrepreneur, Co-Founder?of Apolitical and the Apolitical Foundation and emeritus member of the board of directors for Climate Counts.

• Global Britain: Michael Hayman MBE DL, co-founder of StartUp Britain and Chairman of Entrepreneurs at Coutts & Co.

• Local Economy Of The Future: Sebastian Munden, Chair of WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and Ad Net Zero, former Chief Executive of Unilever UK & Ireland.

4. Background

• The Business Council will meet once more this year, in December, and then quarterly thereafter.

• Each Business Council member is also a member of at least one of the Five Challenges

• The Chairs of the Five Challenges will report back on progress within their workstreams at each of the Business Council meetings