Wood Chief Executive selected to form part of new UK Investment Council

Robin Watson, Chief Executive of Wood, is among a select group of international business leaders who will form part of a new Investment Council launched today by the UK Government .

The Council will act as an advisory body that provides provide high-level strategic direction to the Department for International Trade and wider government on their inward investment strategy, on how to improve the UK’s business environment for foreign investors and raise overall competitiveness.

The group is made up of senior leaders from the private sector across a variety of priority industries including technology, energy, infrastructure and financial services. They will provide advice that helps ensure the UK remains one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations and that an investment-led recovery continues to support jobs across the whole of the UK.

Robin Watson, Chief Executive, said: “Over the last 18 months, there has been much discussion on building back better, levelling up and realising our net-zero ambitions. Each of these goals is technically achievable but will require purposeful investment and deliberate policy choices that match societal need with our industrial ingenuity and, crucially, can satisfy the interests of both public and private investors.

I’m delighted to be part of the newly formed Investment Council and look forward to shaping the strategic choices that will help to attract inward investment into the UK and ensure we play a leading role in developing the blend of solutions required to deliver a green industrial revolution and create a more sustainable and resilient world.”

Gerry Grimstone, Minister for Investment, said: “Investment sits at the heart of our economic recovery. It drives jobs, innovation, and helps to level up the whole of the UK. The Investment Council will bring the expertise of influential global leaders right to the heart of Government, offering invaluable private sector insight on how we can make the UK the best place to invest as we build back better and stronger."

The first meeting of the Council will take place this week with outputs shared across Government to inform strategy. Later this year, the Prime Minister will also host a Global Investment Summit alongside members of the Royal Family, with the aim of galvanising foreign investment in the UK’s green industries of the future ahead of COP26.