News | 03 Jul 2020

Chancellor endorses Vodafone-supported Covid-19 Recovery Commission

Nick Jeffery, CEO, Vodafone UK, joins other business leaders in a new Commission tasked with reinvigorating the UK economy post-lockdown. 

Nick Jeffery, CEO, Vodafone UK, has joined the Government-endorsed Covid-19 Recovery Commission as an inaugural member and representative for the telecoms and technology sectors.  

The Commission, made up of the leaders of some of the UK’s most prominent firms, aims to develop innovative policy ideas that could assist the UK’s post-coronavirus economic recovery.

It has been broadly welcomed by Government, with three Cabinet Ministers declaring their support, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP, who said: “I welcome the creation of this Commission and want to thank the business leaders for committing time and energy to help stimulate new thinking as we all push to kick-start economic growth across every part of the country.” 

Chaired by John Allan, chair of Tesco, the Commission has decided to examine how businesses can assist the UK’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. It will be supported by an advisory panel staffed by public policy experts, academics and economists.

Nick Jeffery said: “The seismic events of recent months impact us all, but together we can rebuild our local communities.

“By working together – public and private sector – we can ensure the UK emerges from this crisis as one of the most innovative and dynamic economies in the world.”

The Commission’s remit will include how the pandemic has affected social mobility, how people’s opportunities and life chances could be improved, as well as how productivity levels and business investment could be bolstered across the whole of the UK. Further digitalisation will play a key part in the recovery process.

Besides Nick Jeffery, members of the Commission include several other business leaders, such as Tom Keith-Roach, the UK President of Astra Zeneca; Manoj Badale, Chairman of the British Asian Trust; and Ruth Cairnie, chair of Babcock.

Cabinet Minister Michael Gove MP also welcomed the creation of the Commission, saying: “Businesses in every community across the United Kingdom will have a vital role to play as we level up and build back better”.

And Business Secretary Alok Sharma MP said: “I look forward to working with the Commissioners on new ideas to boost innovation, productivity and investment across all parts of the UK.”

  • For more information about the Commission click here.