Thursday, 24 January 2013

Business leaders back Prime Minister on Europe

A group of business leaders have offered their support to the Prime Minister’s vision for a new relationship with Europe.
 
They, including a number of Chief Executives from a wide range of industries, said that the Prime Minister’s plan for a reformed relationship with Europe gave Britain the ‘best chance of success’.

In a letter (below) to the Times newspaper, the group stressed that the proposals put Britain on the right track: ‘Now is our chance to reform the EU from within. The Prime Minister is right. This is a European policy that will be good for business and good for jobs in Britain.’

The message was delivered on the day that David Cameron set out his commitment to the UK maintaining its position as a full, committed and active member of the EU and the Single Market.

The Prime Minister said tonight that he was ‘delighted’ with the level of business support.

Sir,

As business leaders we are passionate about this country’s growth and prosperity. Britain is a trading nation and we agree with the Prime Minister that our best chance of success is as part of a reformed Europe. We need a new relationship with the EU, backed by democratic mandate.

Over recent years business has seen more and more burdens from Brussels. And the promise of a true single market in Europe has not yet been fully realised.

The euro crisis has created the circumstances for a new EU settlement.This is the moment to push for a more competitive, flexible and prosperous European Union that would bring more jobs and growth for all member states. That means finally completing the Single Market and quashing the culture of endless bureaucracy and red tape.

Now is our chance to reform the EU from within. The Prime Minister is right. This is a European policy that will be good for business and good for jobs in Britain.

This letter is signed in a personal capacity.


John Ayton Chairman, Bremont Watch Company

Sir Anthony Bamford Chairman, JCB

Sir John Beckwith Chairman, Pacific Investments

Samir Brikho Chief Executive, AMEC

William Butler-Adams Managing Director, Brompton Bicycles

Stephen Catlin Chief Executive, Catlin Group Limited

Ian Cheshire Chief Executive, Kingfisher plc

Andrew Coppel Chief Executive, De Vere Group

Gerald Corbett Chairman, Betfair, moneysupermarket.com and Britvic

Mick Davis Chief Executive, Xstrata

Philip Dilley Chairman, Arup

Paul Drechsler Chief Executive, Wates Group

Ralph Findlay Chief Executive, Marston’s

Rupert Gavin Chief Executive, Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group

Ben Gordon Non Executive Director, Britvic

Michael Gutman Chief Executive, Westfield Group (UK & Europe)

Lord Harris Chairman, Carpetright

Aidan Heavey Chief Executive, Tullow Oil

Robert Hiscox Chairman, Hiscox

Brent Hoberman Chairman, made.com

Sebastian James Chief Executive, Dixons Retail plc

Luke Johnson Chairman, Risk Capital Partners

Andrew Law Chairman and Chief Executive, Caxton Associates

Lord Leach Chairman, Open Europe

Alistair McGeorge Chairman, New Look

Jon Moulton Chairman, Better Capital

Charlie Mullins Chief Executive, Pimlico Plumbers

Jamie Murray Wells Chairman, Glasses Direct

John Nelson Chairman, Hammerson and Lloyds of London

Richard Nichols Chief Executive, College Group

Tim Oliver Chairman and Founder, Hampden Holdings

David Ord Managing Director, The Bristol Port Company

Alan Parker Chairman, Brunswick

Sir John Peace Chairman, Burberry, Experian and Deputy Chairman, Standard Chartered

Tony Pidgely Chairman, Berkeley Group Holdings

Sir John Ritblat Chairman, Delancey

Nick Robertson Chief Executive Officer, ASOS

Sir Simon Robertson Chairman, Rolls Royce and Deputy Chairman, HSBC

Xavier Rolet Chief Executive, London Stock Exchange

Sir Stuart Rose Chairman, Blueway

Joanna Shields Chief Executive, Tech City Investment Organisation

Michael Spencer Chief Executive, ICAP

Tim Steiner Chief Executive and Founder, Ocado Group

James Townshend Chief Executive, Velcourt Group

Ted Tuppen Chief Executive, Enterprise Inns

Moni Varma Chairman and Managing Director, Veetee

Paul Walsh Chief Executive, Diageo

Robert Walters Chief Executive, Robert Walters

Joseph Wan Chief Executive, Harvey Nichols

Tom Wells Vice Chairman, Charles Wells Pub Co

Nick Wheeler Chief Executive, Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts

Bob Wigley Chairman, Stonehaven

Charles Wigoder Chairman, Utility Warehouse

Lord Wolfson Chief Executive, Next plc


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