New IoD chief’s call for radical shake-up

Simon Walker, the former chief executive of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA), who previously held senior positions at Reuters and British Airways, was revealed as the replacement to Miles Templeman at the business membership organisation.

Also a former adviser to the Queen and Conservative Prime Minister John Major, Mr Walker will begin the role on October 3.

“I will be campaigning for growth and the competitiveness of British business,” said Mr Walker in a statement. “We’ve taken the UK’s competitiveness for granted for too long and now find ourselves with an excessively high tax burden, an overregulated labour market and creaking transport and energy infrastructures.

“Only the most competitive countries can thrive in today’s global economy. Britain has lost its competitive edge and radical reform is the only route to sustainable growth, stability and long-term job and wealth creation.”

The IoD lobbies politicians and civil servants to champion the causes of its 40,000-plus members.

“I relish the prospect of representing the business community at a time of great economic challenge and opportunity,” added Mr Walker.

“Our members have a vital role to play in leading and sustaining our country’s economic recovery, and I look forward to building on the good work already done by the IoD.”

The membership organisation has long backed the Government’s austerity package, which aims to slash public sector spending by £81bn. Mr Walker said the IoD will set out its own growth wish-list in October.

“There are many potential reforms on the supply side of the economy which would significantly improve future growth,” he said. “The IoD will publish its own growth plan in October and from day one I will campaign to see it implemented in full.”

Mr Walker joined the BVCA in 2007, where he worked to improve the buyout sector’s reputation before leaving this year. Prior to that he was at media group Reuters for five years. Previous roles include communications secretary to the Queen, director of corporate affairs at British Airways and a special adviser to John Major.

Regional IoD chairman Margaret Wood said: “We in Yorkshire will throw our full weight behind him as we all work to tackle this recession and fight our way out.

“Miles Templeman has really worked hard to modernise the IoD and to represent its members. The Yorkshire region will do everything it can to support the efforts of the good work of the new director general.”

Mr Templeman said it has been a “great privilege” to serve the IoD for the past seven years. He added: “I’m pleased, despite the economic pressures that most of the government policies are in the right direction, though they still have to fully implement them.”

n The IoD yesterday revealed five Yorkshire business leaders who will go forward to its national Director of the Year Awards in London on September 23.

Graeme Hall, managing director of Leeds-based medical equipment company Brandon Medical, Tom Mellor, director of Driffield’s Wold Top Brewery, and Martin Port, managing director of Leeds vehicle tracking firm Masternaut UK are shortlisted in the small and medium-sized company category.

Peter Birtles, of Sheffield Forgemasters, is a finalist in the large business category, while Simon Gray, founder and managing director of Leeds-based Boost Drinks, is nominated for Young Director of the Year.