24 October 2007
Gordon Brown has hosted his first Business Council meeting at 10 Downing Street after establishing the group earlier this year.
The council’s purpose is to provide advice on broad issues that affect enterprise, business and the long term productivity and competitiveness of the economy. Members of the group include Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Terry Leahy of Tesco and Sir Alan Sugar of Amstrad. Other attendees included Arun Sarin, CEO of Vodafone and Sir William Castell of the Wellcome Trust.
The group discussed a range of business issues with the Prime Minister and attending ministers, including Chancellor Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Business John Hutton and Secretary of State for Innovation and Skills John Denham.
The meeting discussed the need for globalisation to be an inclusive process. The British open economy was praised, and attendees agreed on the need to look at the global pressure points and restrictions on opening other markets to British business.
The Council agreed on the need for a critical mass of employers to engage on adult skills.
There were also substantial discussions around intellectual property rights and the need to get the right national infrastructure for British businesses. They agreed to do further work on climate change and energy security issues.
Mervyn Davies, Chair of Standard Chartered and of the Business Council, said:
"The Council provides the opportunity to bring highly-experienced business minds into a new dialogue with government. In the meeting there was great energy and enthusiasm to make a real difference to the UK’s future success."
Image copyright: Reuters
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