The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has appointed Paul Drechsler CBE as its president in a move that has been endorsed by CBI members.
Mr. Drechsler, chairman of the Bibby Line Group and chairman of the board of the Teach First charity, succeeds Sir Mike Rake, chairman of BT Group, to become the 26th president of the business organisation since 1965.
Commenting on his new appointment, Paul Drechsler said: “It is a great honour to be appointed CBI president at this important time for the United Kingdom’s economy.
“I’m looking forward to getting my feet under the desk, helping to power productivity and making sure our young people get the right education and skills to help them succeed in the economy of the twenty-first century. We also want to see a stronger UK at the top table of a reformed EU and to help people in all parts of the country feel the real benefits of growth.
“The CBI will have an important role to play in shaping well-informed public debate on business issues. I look forward to carrying Sir Mike’s work forward, and to working with all my new colleagues to make sure the voice of business continues to be plainly heard.”
Before serving as chairman of the Liverpool-based Bibby Line Group, Mr Drechsler was chief executive of Wates Group from 2006 until 2014. Before joining Wates, he worked for chemical manufacturer, ICI, in a variety of senior international roles in Teeside, Brazil, the USA and the Netherlands. He was also a main board director of the company from 1998 to 2003.
John Cridland, director-general of the CBI, said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Paul to the CBI as our new president. His passion and excitement for the world of business, coupled with the breadth of his experience, from Britain to Brazil, will be of tremendous value to us.”
Currently, Mr. Dreschler is chairman of the National Skills Funding Agency, and chairman of the board of the charity, Teach First. He is a board member of Business in the Community and chairman of its Education Leadership Team, and also sits on the advisory board of the school of business at Trinity College, Dublin.
In February 2015, he was made an honorary commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the construction industry.
