Former BL boss joins government advisory council

Chris Grigg, former chief executive of British Land, has joined a group of key leaders to form an advisory panel to the government’s new Industrial Strategy. Grigg is joined on the advisory panel by former Tory business secretary Greg Clark, who is now executive chair of the University of Warwick Innovation District. The 16 business leaders have been brought together to offer government independent advice and recommendations as it develops its Industrial Strategy to support its growth mission.   The strategy will help maintain a pro-business environment to capture a greater share of internationally mobile investment and motivate domestic businesses to boost their investment and scale up their growth. It will channel support to sectors and geographical clusters that have the highest growth potential for the next decade.  The advisory council will hold its first meeting later today, in which it will discuss investment, innovation, and breaking down barriers to growth in key sectors as well as some emerging themes in responses to October’s Industrial Strategy green paper.   Chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Driving long-term economic growth requires ambition and collaboration. With the Industrial Strategy advisory council, we are bringing together the brightest minds to inform our Industrial Strategy and deliver growth that will improve living standards and that can be felt across every corner of the UK.” She added: “Focusing on growth-driving sectors, our highest potential city regions and clusters, and how the pro-business environment can help them thrive, the council will also monitor and evaluate impact, with data and analysis central to this mission.” Following today’s meeting, council members will embark on an extensive programme of engagement to take account of views from businesses, academia, devolved governments and local leaders across the UK, building on the more than 3,000 consultation responses to October’s green paper.   The advisory council will be an independent body, reporting to the chancellor and business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds. The Industrial Strategy advisory council comprises:   Clare Barclay, president, enterprise & industry, EMEA, Microsoft (chair)  Dame Nancy Rothwell, University of Manchester (deputy chair)  Kate Bell, assistant general secretary,Trades Union Congress   Greg Clark, executive chair, University of Warwick Innovation District   Dame Diane Coyle, Bennett professor of public policy, University of Cambridge   Dame Anita Frew, chair, Rolls-Royce Holdings   Chris Grigg, chair, the National Wealth Fund Greg Jackson, chief executive, Octopus Energy  Sir John Kingman, chair, Legal & General and chair, Barclays UK Tunde Olanrewaju, senior partner, McKinsey  enry Overman, professor of economic geography, London School of Economics  Henrik Pedersen, chief executive, Associated British Ports   Richard Pennycook, interim chair, Skills England  Aislinn Rice, non-executive director, Software NI Roy Rickhuss, general secretary, Community Trade Union  Baroness Shriti Vadera, chair, Prudential and chair, Royal Shakespeare Company Photo © Getty Images