Former Theresa May adviser warns of 'incomprehension' between No 10 and business world
1 min read
Theresa May’s former head of policy has urged Downing Street to improve relations with business ahead of Brexit.
John Godfrey, who left Government in the wake of the election result, warned of “mutual incomprehension” between No 10 and the corporate world.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Godfrey called for senior business executives to meet the Prime Minister on a quarterly basis.
“There is a shortage of business experience at the heart of government, still sometimes a degree of mutual incomprehension,” Mr Godfrey said.
He praised Business Secretary Greg Clark, saying his department “consults widely and effectively” but added it cannot “do all the heavy lifting without support from the centre”.
When she became Prime Minister last year, Mrs May dissolved a business advisory group set up by David Cameron.
The intervention comes ahead of a Brexit business meeting on Friday at Chevening, the residence being shared by Boris Johnson, Liam Fox and David Davis.
More than 20 business leaders are invited to the event, which will act as a precursor to a new advisory group which will meet every fortnight.
The group will be led by Chancellor Philip Hammond, Brexit Secretary Mr Davis and Mr Clark. Mrs May is expected to attend some meetings.
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