The board of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has nominated Glasgow-born businessman Brian McBride to be its next president.
He will now become the CBI’s vice president until the appointment is voted upon at the next AGM on 28 June.
McBride started his career as a salesman at Xerox and brings to the CBI a wealth of entrepreneurial experience at telecoms, electronics, and online retail companies, including as the UK chief executive of Amazon, chair of ASOS and the current chair of Trainline.
Until recently a senior adviser at Lazard, he is also the lead non-executive director at the Ministry of Defence.
McBride’s nomination comes at the same time as the CBI’s director-general, Tony Danker, continues to refresh the top tier of the organisation.
Danker commented: “His career journey makes him an unmistakably authentic business leader who understands the challenges facing local SMEs and global listed firms alike.
“His typical Glaswegian candour combined with his experience in some of the most prestigious boardrooms in the corporate world will prove invaluable to CBI and our members as we work to help them grasp the exciting opportunities in the decade ahead.”
Following the appointment to the CBI’s executive committee of Deborah Fraser, chief commercial officer and Syma Cullasy-Aldridge, chief campaign director, the CBI has now announced the appointment of four more senior member and CBI council chair roles.
Jill Ader, chair at Egon Zehnder, will join the board as a non-executive director. The CBI’s new Centre for Thriving Regions, its flagship vehicle for engaging with the government’s Levelling-Up agenda, will be chaired by Stephanie Hyde, UK chief executive of Jones Lang LaSalle.
The CBI Economic Growth Board, responsible for the driving the organisation’s economic focus, will now be chaired by Isabelle Maddock, chief financial officer at James Cropper.
Pinder Sahota, general manager at Novo Nordisk UK, will chair the CBI’s newest standing committee, the CBI Health Council. Further additions to the chairs’ committee will be announced in the coming weeks.
Danker added: “I am delighted that Jill, Stephanie, Isabelle and Pinder have all agreed to bring their considerable experience, expertise, and leadership to these roles.
“Each is a recognised leader in their respective fields, and I have no doubt that their advice and support will play a critical role in the coming months as we continue to support businesses to overcome the immediate challenges to growth and work with government on our shared ambitions to transform the economy.“
McBride stated: “Throughout my career I have seen that long-term growth stems from more investment, innovation and productivity.
“The UK now has a once in a generation opportunity to tackle the challenges businesses face today to transform the economy.”
McBride grew-up as one of eight children in a council house along with his teacher father and his mother, who worked as a nurse. He attended the local state school before graduating from Glasgow University with a degree in Economic History and Politics.
He first entered the world of business selling photocopiers for Xerox in Glasgow, before then joining IBM, and later being hired by Michael Dell to run Dell’s operations in UK and Northern Europe.
McBride continued to build his career in the digital and tech industries, first as the managing director for T-Mobile, where he launched 3G in the UK, before then moving to Amazon as UK chief executive, where he was responsible for building-up its UK operations.
Following his retirement, McBride has undertaken numerous portfolio roles, including as chair of ASOS and most recently Trainline, as well as being on the board of the BBC.
He has also been heavily involved with the private equity and investment world as senior adviser to Lazard’s Global Financial Advisory business and senior adviser with the Scottish Equity Partners.
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