Two new vice-presidents for CBI
Published : June 2008
The CBI today announced the nomination of two new vice-presidents, Sir Philip Hampton and Helen Alexander CBE. The pair are due to begin their roles in July.
“Philip and Helen will be great additions to the CBI’s leadership team. Both have extensive business experience,” said Martin Broughton, president of CBI.
Ms Alexander will be stepping down from her position as chief executive at the Economist Group after 23 years at the firm. During that time she is accredited with almost doubling sales and has been applauded for introducing the magazine to new markets such as India and China. She was awarded a CBE in 2004 for services to publishing.
Other credentials the Oxford graduate holds include an MBA from Insead business school and non-executive positions at Rolls-Royce and Centrica. She is a governor of St Paul’s Girls’ School and a trustee of the Tate Gallery.
Ms Alexander said: “As the CBI looks to broaden its global reach I look forward to helping ensure that its voice is heard by governments and other decision makers around the world.”
Like Ms Alexander, Sir Philip Hampton has an MBA from Insead and is an Oxford graduate (MA in English). He is the chairman of J. Sainsbury plc, having taken the role in 2004. Previously, he has held finance director roles at Lloyds TSB, BT and British Gas. Mr Houghton identified Sir Philip’s leadership of the Treasury’s ‘Hampton Review’ into regulatory and inspection and enforcement as particularly important to the CBI.
“Profitable businesses are essential to our prosperity and all our social services. The CBI’s business voice will be especially important as we approach the prospect of a very keenly contested election,” said Sir Philip.
Once the CBI Council have ratified the nominations, the pair will join the organisation. Ms Alexander will become the first female vice-president.
