Tesco chairman named vice-president of CBI

The CBI has revealed that it has appointed the chair of Tesco and Barratt Developments as its vice-president.

John Allan starts in October, with the business lobby group’s board and chairs’ committee having unanimously approved his appointment. CBI president Paul Dreschsler, recently re-elected for another year, said: “At this important time for the economy and the country, Allan brings a wealth of busi- ness experience to further strengthen the CBI’S board.”

He added that Allan’s “extensive” background in the logistics, business services and retail sectors as well as board roles “will provide terrific insights into consumers and the economy across all parts of the country”.

The Cbi/pearson Education and Skills Survey published separately today called for skills needs to drive reforms after it found that 61 per cent of businesses fear a lack of suitably qualified candidates to fill highly skilled posts.