CBI members (
www.cbi.org.uk) endorsed the appointment of John Allan as the president of the UK’s largest business organisation at its Annual General Meeting in London.
Mr Allan, chairman of Tesco and Barratt Developments, succeeds Paul Drechsler — chairman of the Bibby Line Group and the board of Teach First — to become the 27th CBI president since 1965.
Mr Allan said: “It is a great honour to be elected CBI president at this critical time for the UK’s economy and businesses.
“As a country, we face great challenges, and I will try to ensure that the CBI’s rational evidence-based solutions are presented clearly and forcefully to all concerned, and in particular to the Government.
“Whether it is finding the best-possible outcome to Brexit or focusing energy upon the long-term issues — like the Industrial Strategy, skills and infrastructure — we will campaign for a future that is good for the British economy and good for the British people.”
Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome John to the CBI as our new president.
“His passion and the breadth of his experience and knowledge — formed over decades at some of the largest employers in the country — will be of tremendous value to us at such an important juncture for British industry.”