Leading cultural figures will be tasked with working alongside members of the royal family to boost Britain’s international influence as part of the government’s new “soft power council”.
The group – which will be chaired by the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, and the foreign secretary, David Lammy – will bring together “experts from across culture, sport, the creative industries and geopolitics” to promote Britain globally and provide a boost to the UK economy, according to the Foreign Office.
Notable figures lined up to join the council include the former chief of the defence staff, Gen Sir Nick Carter, the head of the BBC’s commercial arm, Tom Fussell, and the chair of the Football Association, Debbie Hewitt, according to Sky News.
Other members are understood to be Sir Peter Bazalgette, the former ITV chair, Dame Linda Dobbs, the first non-white judge in the senior judiciary, and Dame Katherine Grainger, the UK Sport chair and former Olympic rowing champion.
It is understood the council will seek to work alongside institutions including the royal family, which counts the US president-elect, Donald Trump, among its admirers.
The council will look at ways that “soft power” sectors, such as music and sport, can help to revive the economy and improve security, for example by taking a more systematic approach to the key events in cultural and sporting calendars.
Lammy said soft power is “fundamental” to the UK’s impact and reputation around the world. “I am often struck by the enormous love and respect which our music, sport, education and institutions generate on every continent,” he said.
“But we have not taken a sufficiently strategic approach to these huge assets as a country. Harnessing soft power effectively can help to build relationships, deepen trust, enhance our security and drive economic growth.
“That is why I have created the soft power council to channel British expertise as we look to reimagine Britain’s role on the world stage, reinvigorate alliances and forge new partnerships.”
Nandy said the country’s cultural exports showcase the “best of Britain” around the world.
“When international investors look to the UK, it is so often our iconic sporting events, performing arts, media outlets and creative industries that make the UK such an attractive place to grow and invest,” she said.
“We are determined to strengthen our soft power abroad, and in turn deliver a major boost to our economy, as we focus on our missions to create jobs and spread opportunity across the UK.”
The council is also expected to use the work of the royal family, such as their overseas visits, to amplify the UK’s soft power abroad.
