Former Director of Strategy at both the BBC and ITV, Carolyn currently holds a number of non-executive positions with global outsourcer Capita, small cap manufacturer Vitec, Lloyds Banking Group, the Competition and Markets Authority and the UK Statistics Authority.
She plans to step down from all her current non-executive directorships when she takes up her role at the CBI, apart from remaining a trustee of the charity Marie Curie. Carolyn will take over from John Cridland, who has led the CBI since January 2011, in November.
She will work closely with CBI President-Designate Paul Drechsler in ensuring the interests of British businesses of all sizes across the UK are represented in Whitehall, Brussels and internationally.
Commenting on Carolyn’s appointment, CBI President Sir Mike Rake said:
“Carolyn is a remarkable business leader with an impressive background as an economist, journalist, management consultant and policy strategist. This includes being a member of the Prime Minister’s Downing Street Policy Unit and holding senior roles at the BBC and ITV.
“Carolyn’s CV speaks for itself. Her wealth and breadth of experience will be critical in steering the CBI through choppy political and economic waters, including an EU referendum.
“She will take over the reins from John in November and will lead a formidable team at the CBI.”
Carolyn Fairbairn added:
“I am delighted to be joining the CBI as Director-General. The CBI has an outstanding track record of championing the conditions that enable British businesses to flourish.
“The debate around Britain’s relationship with the European Union and the productivity challenge facing our economy will be two of the defining issues of the next few years, and I greatly look forward to representing the voice of British businesses of all sizes on these questions and many others.
“Now perhaps more than ever, thriving British companies hold the key to the future prosperity of our country.”
Earlier this month the CBI announced that Paul Drechsler, Chairman of diversified global firm Bibby Line Group, has been nominated to succeed Sir Mike Rake as CBI President with members asked to endorse his appointment at the annual general meeting on July 13th.
Commenting on Carolyn’s appointment, Paul Drechsler, CBI President-Designate, said:
“Carolyn’s passion for business and her dynamism shine through.
“She combines a varied and extensive business background with a wide range of non-executive experience on audit and remuneration committees across a range of sectors and bodies.
“I am delighted that the CBI’s Chairmen’s Committee has welcomed her appointment and look forward to working alongside Carolyn and the CBI team to continue to ensure the voice of British business – small, medium and large – is heard loud and clear.”
Commenting on the departure of current Director-General John Cridland and his contribution to business, Sir Mike Rake added:
“I’d like to thank John on behalf of CBI members for his outstanding service and dedication to the business community.
“After more than 30 years at the CBI, banging the drum for business of all sizes at home and abroad, he will be sorely missed.
“Among John’s many achievements during his CBI career are putting the growth potential of medium-sized businesses on the economic and political map and his work on the Low Pay Commission in introducing a national minimum wage.
“He has also been a passionate advocate for an education system that delivers for all young people and his clarion call to get more businesses involved in education from primary schools and beyond has resonated in boardrooms across Britain.”
John Cridland, the current CBI Director-General, added:
“In the coming months I will be working tirelessly to ensure that the priorities of CBI members for the new Government are pursued relentlessly - from pushing for an ambitious EU reform agenda to addressing the aviation capacity crunch in the South East.
“While I will be sad to leave the CBI later this year, I am delighted to pass the baton to Carolyn, who will become the eleventh Director-General of an organisation that I have been proud to serve for more than 30 years.”
