CBI welcomes John Allan as new President

John Allan CBE, CBI President, 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 focussing energy upon the long-term issues, like the Industrial Strategy, skills and infrastructure, we will campaign honestly and clearly for a future which is good for the British economy and good for the British people.

“Paul has been an outstanding President helping to steer the business agenda through challenging waters. I look forward to carrying his work forward and to working closely with Carolyn and all the rest of the very talented CBI team.”

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.”

Since 2015, Mr Allan has been Chairman of Tesco, the largest private sector employer in the UK. He has also been Chairman of Barratt Developments since 2014.

Previously, amongst other senior roles, he was a non-executive director at Worldpay where he was formerly Chairman. He was Chairman of Dixons Retail and Chief Financial Officer and a Board Member of Deutsche Post DHL.

He was also previously Chairman of Care UK Health & Social Care and a non-executive director of the Home Office Supervisory Board and was Chairman of London First from 2014 to 2018, a business group representing leaders of firms in the capital. He has been a non-executive director at: Royal Mail, PHS Group, National Grid, Wolseley, Hamleys, 3i and Connell.

In 2006, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to freight transport.

Notes to Editors:

The CBI President plays a leading role in the organisation’s advocacy work, meeting with ministers and senior civil servants, promoting British business internationally and chairing the CBI Board. The role of President is an unpaid post, and the President can stand for a total of three terms as set out in the CBI’s Royal Charter.