A key political innovation developed by the current UK Government was the appointment of ‘outsiders’ to ministerial positions within the Cabinet.The first of these external recruits to a “Government of all the talents” was Lord Digby Jones, the former head of the CBI who joined as Minister for Trade and Investment back in June 2007.
Just over a year and a half later, he resigned from the position, and later described his period as minister as "one of the most dehumanising and depersonalising experiences" anyone could have.
His replacement in the post seems to have fitted in far better, despite having spent his entire career in the high octane world of banking and finance.
Lord Mervyn Davies has been a breath of fresh air in the efforts to develop a coherent approach to UK trade and investment.
A son of Abersoch, he served as chairman of the Standard Chartered Bank for three years prior to joining the government, which was preceded by five years as the company’s chief executive.
He has taken to his job like the proverbial duck to water and has proved popular with businesses as well as politicians and policymakers.
It is certainly no coincidence that, since his arrival, there has been a renaissance in policymaking towards the support for new industries such those based on advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and digital technology.
Given his experience in the Far East, he has also been a champion for growing trade between the UK and emerging economies such as China and India. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, he noted that Britain exports twice as much to Spain as it does to China and three times as much to Spain as to India.
It is an issue that politicians have been slow to grasp and whilst other countries have flooded into these two countries, the UK’s commitment to further commercial links has tended to be lukewarm at best.
Lord Davies is also very keen to develop enterprise, particularly in Wales.
As chairman of Bangor University’s Council, he has taken a real interest in the economic success of North West Wales and he recently argued that the region needs solutions to address its distinctive economic issues.
One of these, which I wholeheartedly agree with, is to encourage more people to enter the world of entrepreneurship and that there needs to be an era in Wales which has a “huge emphasis on enterprise and really encouraging young people to start businesses.”
Unfortunately, after a tremendous start at the beginning of this decade, most universities and colleges have placed entrepreneurship on the back burner.
For example, when I left Bangor Business School as their chair of entrepreneurship back in 2004, there was no replacement and the post, and the centre I managed, was abolished. Hopefully, this will be something that he may well try to address in the future.
Mervyn Davies has made an outstanding contribution to government in a short time.
However, there are now various rumours that, with a potential change of government on May 7th, that he is looking to return to the commercial world, possibly as Chairman of an FTSE100 company.
That would be a great loss to this country and some have even urged David Cameron, if he wins the election in less than three weeks time, to keep this outstanding individual in his post.
One can only hope that if the call from the Conservatives comes, Lord Davies will continue with his evangelic work for the businesses of this nation. As this country’s emerges from the recession, his experience, expertise and enthusiasm will be needed more than ever.
Lord Davies is also very keen to develop enterprise, particularly in Wales.
As chairman of Bangor University’s Council, he has taken a real interest in the economic success of North West Wales and he recently argued that the region needs solutions to address its distinctive economic issues.
One of these, which I wholeheartedly agree with, is to encourage more people to enter the world of entrepreneurship and that there needs to be an era in Wales which has a “huge emphasis on enterprise and really encouraging young people to start businesses.”
Unfortunately, after a tremendous start at the beginning of this decade, most universities and colleges have placed entrepreneurship on the back burner.
For example, when I left Bangor Business School as their chair of entrepreneurship back in 2004, there was no replacement and the post, and the centre I managed, was abolished. Hopefully, this will be something that he may well try to address in the future.
Mervyn Davies has made an outstanding contribution to government in a short time.
However, there are now various rumours that, with a potential change of government on May 7th, that he is looking to return to the commercial world, possibly as Chairman of an FTSE100 company.
That would be a great loss to this country and some have even urged David Cameron, if he wins the election in less than three weeks time, to keep this outstanding individual in his post.
One can only hope that if the call from the Conservatives comes, Lord Davies will continue with his evangelic work for the businesses of this nation. As this country’s emerges from the recession, his experience, expertise and enthusiasm will be needed more than ever.
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