23rd November 2020 – After five years in the role, Sir Michael Rake is standing down as Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK at the end of this year. ICC welcomes Paul Drechsler CBE, former Chairman of Bibby Line Group and former President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), as his successor.
Drechsler takes on this nationally important role at a critical time for the UK; as the country emerges from the Covid-19 crisis and re-builds its international trade relations, all within the context of the need for accelerated progress towards the net-zero emissions target and a different approach to economic growth.
It is a critical time for private sector leaders – with trade and investment flows hitting record lows, and unemployment and protectionism on the rise – to make the case for open trade, inclusive trade governance, reform of the multilateral trading system, and action towards the net zero target, particularly with the UK hosting G7 and climate negotiations in 2021.
The ICC plays a key role in representing the voice of businesses at intergovernmental level – at the United Nations, G20 and World Trade Organization. But also, on a national level, acting as an impartial convener for UK business organisations, consumers, unions, NGOs and academics, and providing a forum to build consensus and collaborative action.
As the Secretariat to the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Trade and Export Promotion, ICC will also be playing an increasingly important role supporting Parliamentarians and the UK government in bringing all stakeholders to the table to ensure that trade delivers better outcomes for everyone. Building consensus around policies that foster inclusivity, drive growth, encourage investment and create jobs, will be essential to building back better from the crisis.
John Denton, Secretary General of ICC, says, “I’m delighted to be working with Paul and look forward seeing ICC United Kingdom continue to grow its contribution to shaping the world business agenda. It’s a crucial period to be working with the UK, as the country expands its role and ambitions on the international stage. Sir Michael has been pivotal in helping strengthen the voice of ICC in the UK over the last five years and I wish him all the best.”
Upon the news of his appointment, Paul Drechsler adds, “I congratulate Sir Michael on five years of great progress during his leadership of ICC, and I look forward to working with the enthusiastic ICC team, John Denton and Board colleagues on an exciting agenda following an unprecedented global health and economic crisis; a time that calls for the unique global collaboration capability of the ICC.”
