The government has launched the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to guide the development of a modern Industrial Strategy, aimed at boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and improving living standards across the UK.
The Council brings together leading business figures, academics, and trade union representatives, including Clare Barclay, President of Microsoft EMEA (Chair), Dame Anita Frew, Chair of Rolls-Royce, and Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy. This independent body will provide expert advice to ensure the strategy focuses on key sectors, innovation, and investment opportunities.
The strategy will target high-growth sectors and regional clusters, promoting the UK as a prime destination for global investment. It forms a key part of the government’s Plan for Change, designed to drive economic renewal and attract investment into cutting-edge technologies, green energy, and skilled industries.
The inaugural meeting will take place today, attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, at Lloyd’s of London. Discussions will focus on breaking barriers to growth, fostering innovation, and aligning policy with emerging themes from the recent Industrial Strategy Green Paper, which received over 3,000 consultation responses.
The Council will also monitor and evaluate the strategy’s progress, ensuring policies are informed by robust evidence and analysis. The government has committed to placing the Council on a statutory footing, making it a permanent and independent body.
Full list of Industrial Strategy Advisory Council members:
- Clare Barclay, President, Enterprise & Industry, EMEA, Microsoft (Chair)
- Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, University of Manchester (Deputy Chair)
- Kate Bell, Assistant General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress
- Rt Hon Greg Clark, Executive Chair, University of Warwick Innovation District
- Professor Dame Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge
- Dame Anita Frew DBE, Chair, Rolls-Royce Holdings
- Chris Grigg, Chair of the National Wealth Fund (ex officio)
- Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy
- Sir John Kingman, Chair, Legal & General and Chair, Barclays UK
- Tunde Olanrewaju, Senior Partner, McKinsey
- Professor Henry Overman, Professor of Economic Geography, LSE
- Henrik L. Pedersen, CEO, Associated British Ports
- Richard Pennycook, interim Chair, Skills England (ex officio)
- Dr Aislinn Rice, Non-Executive Director, Software NI
- Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary, Community Trade Union
- Baroness Shriti Vadera, Chair, Prudential plc and Chair, The Royal Shakespeare Company