Barratt ceo joins PM’s 2024 Business Council

David Thomas, ceo of Barratt Developments, has joined the government’s 2024 Business Council, established to drive the government’s growth agenda.

The council of UK businesses will, according to No 10, meet regularly with the prime minister Rishi Sunak in Downing Street “to share intelligence directly from the shop floor to help boost the UK economy and create jobs”.

Thomas of Barratt joins a group of chief executives including from BT Group, Nationwide and Lloyds Banking Group on the council.

The government said the firms represented more than 200,000 employees across the UK and were “intrinsic” to the nation’s success, “whether this be the delivery of critical infrastructure, the development of new homes, or the production of aircraft engines”.

The newly appointed Business Council is set to “bring a real-world perspective” on how the current economic climate is affecting business. It will also be a forum for exploring how government and industry can work together “to boost investment and innovation, drive productivity and create highly skilled jobs”.

In addition to the council, the government intends to hear views from a broad range of SMEs through quarterly meetings with small business representative groups, held by Kevin Hollinrake, the minister …