Sir Mike Rake appointed CBI President Designate

Sir Mike Rake is to succeed Sir Roger Carr as President of the Chartered Business Institute (CBI) at the end of his term of office in June 2013. CBI members will be asked to endorse his appointment as President at the annual general meeting.

Commenting on Sir Mike’s appointment, Sir Roger Carr says Sir Mike will be a great addition to the CBI team: “His extensive international business experience across a wide variety of sectors will be hugely valuable and make him an excellent choice for the role of President.

“I am confident that Director-General, John Cridland, and Sir Mike will work well together and that the voice of business will continue to be both authoritative and clear.”

The CBI President plays a leading role in the organisation’s advocacy work, meeting with ministers and senior civil servants, promoting UK business internationally and chairing the CBI Board. It is an unpaid appointment.

Sir Mike adds: “I am delighted to have been asked to take on the role of President of the CBI at this critical stage of economic development.

“The CBI provides an objective apolitical view on those matters which are most important from a business perspective, ensuring the economy can start to grow and create jobs, particularly for the young.

“I very much look forward to working with John Cridland and to continuing the excellent work carried out by Sir Roger.”

Sir Mike is Chairman of BT Group plc. He is also Chairman of easyJet plc and will be standing down in the summer. He is Deputy Chairman of Barclays plc and a director of McGraw-Hill Inc. He also chairs the Henley Festival and is Vice-President of the RNIB and a member of the Board of the Transatlantic Business Council.

Sir Mike has previously held a number of senior roles, as the first Chairman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills from 2007-2010, Chairman of Business in the Community from 2004-2007. From May 2002 – September 2007, Sir Mike was Chairman of KPMG International, prior to which he was Chairman of KPMG in Europe and Senior Partner of KPMG in the UK.