Tag Archives: HM Government

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News story: Innovate UK appointments confirmed

The appointments of Gerard Grech, Priya Guha and Simon Devonshire have been confirmed today (21 April 2017) by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Innovate UK finds and drives science and technology opportunities that will grow the UK’s economy – delivering productivity, new jobs and exports and keeping the country globally competitive in the race for future prosperity.

The board regularly reviews the management and performance of Innovate UK and ensures the organisation delivers its strategic priorities and that resource is allocated effectively in the delivery of these objectives.

Gerard Grech is currently the chief executive officer of Tech City UK.

Priya Guha is Ecosystem General Manager of RocketSpace, a London start-up space. Priya was a UK diplomat for 20 years, with her most recent post being British Consul General to San Francisco.

Simon Devonshire OBE is co-founder of Talent Cupboard and was Entrepreneur in Residence at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

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News story: Acas council reappointments confirmed

The reappointment to the Acas Council of the 4 members has been confirmed today (21 April 2017) by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Acas provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law. It supports good relationships between employers and employees which underpin business success.

The Acas Council sets the strategic direction, policies and priorities for the organisation, and makes sure that the organisation meets its agreed strategic objectives and targets. It consists of the Chair and 11 employer, trade union and independent members, appointed by the Secretary of State.

Sir Brendan Barber, Chair of the Acas Council said:

I am delighted that the Acas Council will continue to benefit from my colleagues’ invaluable experience in the field of employment relations. They play an essential role as independent and impartial workplace experts.

I look forward to working with them for another 3 years strengthening our reputation as Britain’s number one employment relations service for businesses and employees.

Jane McNeill QC

Jane McNeill is a member and former Head of Old Square Chambers, a leading employment set of chambers. She has been involved in many important and test cases in the fields of employment and discrimination law, including the part-time workers’ pensions (Preston) litigation, the test cases in the Supreme Court and Court of Justice of the European Union concerning the calculation of holiday pay (Williams v BA) and the equal pay litigation.

She has acted for individuals, groups of individuals and NHS Trusts in cases at first instance and appellate level involving whistleblowing and the interpretation and implementation of disciplinary processes and procedures.

She has been a Queen’s Counsel since 2002, a fee-paid Employment Judge since 2000 and has sat as a Recorder in the County Court since 2006. She is an accredited and practising mediator.

Mike Gooddie

Mike is Director of Human Resources for the Canal & River Trust, prior to that he was vice president of Labour Relations for Asda.

Mike began his career with Shell as a graduate trainee working in both the UK and Australia, before progressing on to senior HR positions with British Airways, GNER and the BBC. He has held non-executive positions for Manchester Airport Group (MAG), Community Integrated Care (CIC) and York Archaeological Trust (YAT). He is a graduate of Leicester University and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA).

Neil Carberry

Neil Carberry is Director for Employment, Skills and Public Services at the CBI, a role he has held since February 2011. Neil has worked at the CBI for the past decade on a wide range of business issues, including employment, employee relations, pay, education, skills and public service reform.

He is a member of the CBI’s Management Board. Before joining the CBI, Neil worked in consultancy on HR issues for financial services firms. He is a member of the Low Pay Commission, which makes recommendations about the level of the UK’s National Minimum Wage. He has an MSc in Industrial Relations from the London School of Economics and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. He is the Chair of BusinessEurope’s Employment Working Group.

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak was appointed Assistant General Secretary of the TUC in February 2013, and was subsequently confirmed as Deputy General Secretary by the TUC General Council in February 2016.

He has responsibility for a number of key policy areas including public services and transport, and for the TUC’s organisation in the English regions and Wales, union organising, inter-union relations and the organisation of the TUC’s annual Congress.

These reappointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

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Press release: Dr Fox: English goods are ‘in demand’ accross the world

As Saint George’s Day approaches this weekend, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has celebrated the international demand for quintessential English food and drink around the world.

From strawberries and cream to cheddar cheese and gin – staple products of any English summer party – are proving popular internationally.

This comes as the Department for International Trade has sought to open up new markets to UK producers, launching its new ‘integrated export hub’ where companies large and small can find live export opportunities along with free advice and support to get exporting.

Right now, there are almost 200 live opportunities for food and drink exporters including opportunities as far-afield from China to India and the Middle East.

International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said:

As we celebrate St George’s day, it’s clear that many other countries around the world will also be enjoying delicious and typically English food and drink.

From the Middle East to China, products are in demand and more and more producers are making sure they make the most of these opportunities as part of a Global Britain.

Some classic English food and drink exports include:

  • Strawberries and cream has long been a favourite refreshing summer treat, enjoyed at classic sporting events like the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and at picnics across the country. Its not just the English enjoying a summer strawberry, as last year £900,000 worth of the classic fruit were exported abroad.

  • Other classics like cheddar cheese are also finding a growing following, with exports at over £229 million. One current opportunity for cheddar manufacturers is in Indonesia, while a premium food seller in India has already seen 71 applications from UK producers through DIT.

  • With the huge growth in English Gin distilleries in recent years, its little surprise that ‘mother’s ruin’ is also finding a global following and UK gin exports stood at £474,000 last year. The department also has opportunities for any gin producers to go global, with live opportunities for distribution in Greece and QingDao city in China – home to over 9 million people.

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News story: Appointment and reappointment to the Legal Services Board

The Lord Chancellor in consultation with the Lord Chief Justice has announced the appointment of Dr Helen Phillips as the interim Chair and reappointment of David Eveleigh and Marina Gibbs as members of the Legal Services Board (LSB).

Dr Helen Phillips’ appointment runs from 1 May until a new Chair is appointed and able to start. The reappointment of David Eveleigh and Marina Gibbs are from 1 April 2017 until 31 March 2020.

Dr Phillips was appointed to LSB on 9 March 2015 for 3 years. Appointed Interim Chair from 1 May 2017 she previously chaired LSB’s Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Helen is also the Chair of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, a member of the Sheffield Business School Advisory Board, and a Director of the Governing Body of Mount St Mary’s College. Helen’s earlier career was primarily as a regulator, and most recently as a board director of a regulated utility, Yorkshire Water, where she was responsible for networks and customer service, and Chair of Loop Customer Management Ltd, a Kelda Group subsidiary.

Prior to this she was Chief Executive and Board Member at Natural England and held a variety of roles in the Environment Agency.

Pursuant to paragraph 3.1 of the new Governance Code on Public Appointments, the Lord Chancellor sought the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s approval to exempt from the Code of Practice the appointment of the interim Chair of LSB to cover a short interregnum.

The re-appointments to the LSB are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

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