What was your highlight of 2024?
The international investment summit was a great success just 100 days into the new government. Amazing work from the team landing over £60bn investment. And incredible to see Elton John perform too!
What was the hardest part of being a leader in 2024?
It’s been another incredibly busy year – not least with the general election. The hardest decisions have been what we have to stop doing so we can focus our time and energy on the main priorities.
What are the main challenges facing DBT in the coming year – and how are you planning to meet them?
The big challenge for 2025 is developing and delivering the industrial strategy. We all know growth is the number-one priority – we will be working with business to agree a plan to anchor investment and promote exports to create jobs and opportunities around the country.
What was the best Christmas present you’ve ever given or received? And the worst?
The best: a surprise Raleigh striker – though it took me longer to learn to ride it, and more scrapes, than I’d like… The worst: Liverpool being top of the league at Christmas only to finish runners up…