Sir Digby Jones is appointed Business Advisor to The Duke of York

Former Director-General of the CBI, Sir Digby Jones, has taken on a new position as Business Adviser to HRH The Duke of York, the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.

Sir Digby’s role, which commenced this Autumn on a part-time basis, will complement the work that The Duke does on behalf of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)- the Government organisation that works to attract foreign direct investment to the UK and provides assistance to British businesses seeking to be more competitive internationally. 

As The Duke’s role has evolved, the demand from business for his support has increased. Alongside UKTI, Sir Digby’s objectives will be to offer strategic and targeted advice to The Duke of York to capitalise on the unique contribution The Duke of York is able to make to the British business community.

The Duke of York said it was a great privilege to have a business leader of Sir Digby’s calibre working in his team.  He said he was delighted that Sir Digby had offered to continue the work he started with The Duke of York during his time as Director General of the CBI.

HRH The Duke of York said:

“Sir Digby and I worked closely together championing British business during his time at the CBI.  His extensive industry experience and expertise has been invaluable in helping me to perform my role more effectively. With his business networks both here and abroad, we can continue to achieve excellent results, and that competitive edge that will enable British businesses to stay ahead of their competitors in an increasingly competitive global economy.”

Sir Digby Jones said:

Having already worked closely with HRH, I have been impressed by his commitment to the role as Special Representative and his ability to fly the flag for British business in a very effective way, both in the UK and abroad  The Duke has been able to add value through his ability to deliver high-level access, his well honed diplomatic and lobbying skills, and his international network of contacts in the private and public sector.  It is a great privilege to work with him in this capacity and to see the benefits to British business.   The Duke has a lot to offer “team UK” and my role will be to make sure he is delivering his services where they can be of maximum benefit to the business community.

Chief Executive of UKTI Andrew Cahn said:

“The Duke of York has brought valuable support and visibility at home and abroad to the UK’s activities in promoting international trade and encouraging inward investment.

“The response from the British business community has been very positive. Business leaders who have met The Duke have been impressed by his enthusiasm for the role and believe that he is a real asset in promoting the UK as a place with which to do business.

“Sir Digby has been a tremendous supporter of UKTI and I personally have been grateful to him for his encouragement and help since I took over.  I am very much looking forward to working with him in his new role.”

Biography: Sir Digby Jones

Sir Digby Jones served as Director-General of the CBI, the Confederation of British Industry, the UK’s ‘Voice of Business’, from 1 January 2000 to 30 June 2006.

Sir Digby Jones holds a number of senior corporate advisory positions. Senior Advisor to the Executive of Deloitte, also chairing its Industry Strategy Board; Senior Advisor to Barclays Capital; Corporate and Governmental Affairs Advisor to Ford of Europe and the Premier Automotive Group; Senior Advisor to JCB; Senior Advisor to Monitise Ltd; Corporate Affairs advisor to Bucknall Austin Ltd; Special Advisor to His Royal Highness the Duke of York in connection with his role as the UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment; Non-Executive Director of Aggregate Industries Ltd, Alba plc, mhl Support plc and Leicester Tigers Rugby plc.

In 1998 Sir Digby joined KPMG as vice chairman of Corporate Finance, acting as close adviser to many public companies across the United Kingdom and in KPMG’s global markets

Sir Digby Jones is a Fellow of University College London (2004), an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University (2004), an Honorary Doctor of the University of Central England (2002), the University of Birmingham (2002), the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology (2003), the University of Hertfordshire (2004), Middlesex University (2005), Sheffield Hallam University (2005), Aston University (2006), the University of Hull (2006), Queen’s University, Belfast (2006), Warwick University (2006), Bradford University (2006) and Wolverhampton University (2006). He is President of the University College, London Campaign, a visiting professor at the University of Hull Business School and Chairman of the Birmingham University Business School Advisory Board.

Sir Digby Jones is Chairman of the Cancer Research UK Corporate Ambassadors and Chairman of the Corporate Development Board of Sense, helping those born deaf and blind. He is also a Fellow of UNICEF. He serves as an Ambassador for Investors in People. He is President of the Diversity Works initiative – a programme led by the disability organisation Scope, a Diamond Ambassador for Mencap’s WorkRight initiative, designed to spread the message of equality for disabled people, a Vice-President of Birmingham Hospice, a Patron of Lifecycle UK, a Patron of the Campaign for Learning, a Patron of Every Child a Reader, a Patron of London Excellence, and an Ambassador for the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre.

Sir Digby Jones is President of the Ambassadors for the West Midlands region and Vice President of the Birmingham Civic Society. He is a member of the Yorkshire Society, a Freeman of the City of London and a member of the Japan Society.