Business heavyweight named as the next president of the CBI

Roger Carr, 63, will succeed Helen Alexander at the end of her term of office in June 2011.

He has heavyweight business credentials. He is chairman of British Gas owner Centrica, a director of the Court of the Bank of England and a senior adviser to US buyout firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

Past roles include chief executive of Williams plc and chairman's roles at Chubb, Thames Water and Mitchells & Butlers.

He chaired the board of Cadbury until its controversial takeover by Kraft earlier this year.

Ms Alexander said: "I am delighted that Roger Carr is joining the CBI team. His extensive experience as chief executive and chairman of some of the UK's most successful companies make him a great choice for the role of president.

"Roger Carr and John Cridland, (the incoming director general] will be a formidable partnership. They will ensure that the voice of business and the concerns of members are heard during the testing times ahead and that the CBI goes from strength to strength."

The employers' organisation said he would play a leading part in its advocacy work, meeting with ministers, promoting UK plc at a global level and chairing the CBI board. It is an unpaid appointment.

Mr Carr said: "It is a privilege to be chosen as CBI President at this critical time for business. Driving the UK's economic recovery during the next two to three years will be a real challenge, but I believe that the CBI, led by John Cridland, will have a valuable contribution to make. I look forward to working with John and the rest of the CBI team."

Mr Carr becomes deputy president in January. Members will be asked to endorse his appointment as president at the AGM.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, a Visiting Fellow to the Said Business School, Oxford and is a Companion of the Institute of Management. He has served on a number of external committees throughout his career, including the CBI Manufacturing Council, Higgs Committee on Corporate Governance and Business for New Europe.

HSBC chairman Stephen Green was to have taken on the role of CBI president, but was instead appointed as trade minister in the coalition Government.