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Next CBI chair likely to be Cobra beer founder Karan Bilimoria | |
(31 minutes later) | |
The founder of Cobra beer, Karan Bilimoria, is being lined up to be the next president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) at a crucial time for the business lobby group as Britain prepares to leave the EU. | |
Lord Bilimoria, a vocal remain supporter and a campaigner for a second referendum, became the frontrunner to succeed the Tesco chairman, John Allan, as president after the group said he would stand for election as its vice-president at its annual meeting on 18 June. | |
The CBI confirmed that tradition would suggest Bilimoria’s appointment as vice-president makes him the most likely candidate to take over when Allen’s two-year term ends next summer. | |
Bilimoria, an independent cross-bench peer, turned Cobra beer into a household name after founding it in 1989 and remains its chairman. He was also the founding chairman of the UK-India Business Council. | |
“I’m very much looking forward to the role,” he said. “These are very challenging times for the country, the economy, and for British business, and the CBI has a crucial role to play. I’m looking forward to contributing.” | |
Bilimoria has previously compared the Brexit process to “watching a train crash in slow motion” and campaigned for a second referendum with the Business for a People’s Vote group. | Bilimoria has previously compared the Brexit process to “watching a train crash in slow motion” and campaigned for a second referendum with the Business for a People’s Vote group. |
He said on Sunday his personal view on Brexit was “completely separate” and that he would be aligned with the CBI as an organisation. | |
He added: “I want a resolution to this in a way that would be good for the UK and for British business.” | He added: “I want a resolution to this in a way that would be good for the UK and for British business.” |
A CBI spokesman said: “Lord Bilimoria’s views on whether there should be a second referendum are well known, yet the CBI’s position is unchanged. Passing a withdrawal agreement is the only way to avoid a damaging no-deal scenario and secure a transition period, creating much-needed breathing space for firms of all sizes. | |
Brexit mess is a 'crushing disaster' for UK business, says CBI chief | Brexit mess is a 'crushing disaster' for UK business, says CBI chief |
“Failure to break the deadlock – by all politicians compromising to find a deal that commands a majority in parliament, [that] is acceptable to the EU and protects our economy – means the clamour for a general election or a second referendum will grow.” | |
If elected next month as vice-president, Bilimoria will replace the CBI’s current vice-president, Paul Drechsler, when he steps down at the end of his one-year term. Drechsler was CBI president before Allan, and if tradition is followed, Allan will become vice-president once Bilimoria is confirmed as president next year. | |
Carolyn Fairbairn, the CBI director-general, thanked Drechsler for his contribution and said Bilimoria’s wealth of business experience would prove invaluable for the organisation’s 190,000 members at a critical time for the country. | Carolyn Fairbairn, the CBI director-general, thanked Drechsler for his contribution and said Bilimoria’s wealth of business experience would prove invaluable for the organisation’s 190,000 members at a critical time for the country. |
“Lord Bilamoria has had a remarkable career in British business, during which he has built a deep understanding what it takes to build a successful company,” Fairbairn said. | “Lord Bilamoria has had a remarkable career in British business, during which he has built a deep understanding what it takes to build a successful company,” Fairbairn said. |
The CBI president is a non-executive role that chairs the group’s board and helps to shape the organisation’s policy decisions. | The CBI president is a non-executive role that chairs the group’s board and helps to shape the organisation’s policy decisions. |
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