Lord Hutton to chair new business forum

Former business secretary Lord Hutton is to become the first chairman of the new Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum.

The new forum, which will be officially launched in June, will “embed a strong, independent and diverse local business voice” for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly at the heart of local and national government.

Its aim will be to provide a strategic challenge and business promotion to Cornwall Council and Isles of Scilly Council, influencing business policy and “empowering the private sector to help determine economic strategies and interventions, shape investment and better align power of work and skills. provision that influences decision-makers and investors at local, national and international levels to promote economic growth in the region”.

Chaired by Lord Hutton, who brings a wealth of experience in economic growth, the forum will seek to engage the Duchy’s businesses, opinion leaders and decision makers to develop and promote a strong and stable economy in the region.

Leader of Cornwall Council, Linda Taylor, said: “Having a voice in Westminster is so important and to have Lord Hutton, who is respected across the political spectrum, fighting Cornwall’s corner is fantastic news for our business community.

“The first order of business for the forum will be to support Cornwall’s new ten-year economic strategy, which will set out an ambitious growth trajectory for the private sector to 2035.”

The news has been met with enthusiasm by Cornwall’s business community. Speaker of Cornwall Chamber Laura Whyte said: “We are delighted to appoint Lord John Hutton as Chair of the new Economic Forum, we believe his strong business experience and ability to ensure that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can be heard in the corridors of Westminster, can only be a positive step in highlighting the great things we are achieving in this part of the world.”

Lord Hutton added: “I am delighted to take on this role and act as an advocate and ambassador for Cornwall’s business community.

“There are great opportunities ahead of us and I look forward to working closely with businesses to secure the best possible economic future for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

John Hutton was elected to Parliament in 1992 and served as MP for Barrow and Furness until 2010. He served in Cabinet under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as Work and Pensions Secretary, Business Secretary and Defense Secretary.

Since leaving politics, he has sat on the board of public and private companies and chaired national trade associations, including Energy UK and the Nuclear Industries Association. He currently chairs the board of Pearson Engineering, a Tyneside defense company. He lives on Roseland.