May’s ‘Brexit summit’ for business leaders

THERESA MAY is attempting to build bridges with industry and give it a voice on Brexit by staging a high-powered summit with company bosses and business leaders.

The Prime Minister will tomorrow chair a Downing Street meeting between senior ministers and the chief executives of some of the UK’S biggest companies – including Tesco’s Dave Lewis and Prudential’s Paul Manduca – and influential trade bodies.

Attendees are also understood to include executives and directors from businesses including BAE Systems and Jaguar Land Rover, and business groups including EEF, the IOD and CBI. Also expected to be present are Philip Hammond, the Chancellor; Greg Clark, the Business Secretary; and Robin Walker, the Minister for Exiting the EU, who will be representing David Davis,

‘After six months of zero consultation, the pendulum looks to have swung the other way’

the Brexit Secretary, as he is in Brussels for negotiations.

The new business council – which is expected to hold regular meetings with top politicians – is being formed less than a year after Mrs May disbanded a similar body set up by David Cameron, and comes amid extreme disquiet within industry about being “shut out” by government.

“After six months of zero consultation, the pendulum looks to have swung the other way,” said one source with knowledge of the new meetings, which are expected to have a focus on sectors most likely to be affected by Britain’s decision to leave the EU.

Industry attendees are understood to include Sir Roger Carr, BAE chairman; Ralf Speth, JLR chief executive; John Pettigrew, National Grid boss; Luke Johnson, Risk Capital co-founder and Kathryn Parsons, who started tech business Decoded.