UK Treasury appoints former John Lewis chair Sir Charlie Mayfield to boost business expertise

The UK Treasury has appointed Sir Charlie Mayfield, former chair of the John Lewis Partnership, to its board. Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the move will strengthen the department’s links with the business community. The appointment comes as Britain faces sluggish economic growth, a cooling business climate, and tough fiscal challenges. Sir Charlie Mayfield will not join the board alone. Edward Twiddy, a financial technology entrepreneur and chair of Northstar Ventures , will also take a seat. Jenny Scott, a former BBC economics correspondent and ex-director of communications at the Bank of England, also joins. All three will serve three-year terms starting on 1 September. The Treasury says they will each bring “fresh thinking” and practical experience to policy decisions. Reeves describes their combined expertise as “a huge amount of experience” that can help the government work more closely with business. The positions are part-time, involving 24 working days per year. They are remunerated, though the Treasury has not revealed the pay details. Mayfield aims to repair strained business relations Sir Charlie Mayfield steps into the role with a long track record in leadership and policy. He spent over 20 years in the private sector, including over a decade leading the John Lewis Partnership through one of the most challenging retail periods in history. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernise the business, adapt to online competition, and maintain the company’s employee-ownership model. In addition, Mayfield chaired the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, where he worked on bridging skills gaps and improving workforce productivity across industries. Combining corporate leadership with policy insight, this background is crucial to the Treasury’s current needs. His main task will be to rebuild trust between the government and the business community. Those ties have come under strain since Labour came to power, despite early signs of cooperation. Rachel Reeves, as Chancellor, initially won praise from corporate leaders for her pro-business tone after Labour’s election victory 13 months ago. However, the relationship cooled as key policies began to bite. One flashpoint was last October’s Budget, which introduced a £25 billion national insurance bill for employers. Business groups warned the move would raise costs, deter recruitment, and slow investment. For many in the private sector, the measure signalled a return to heavier taxation when companies were still recovering from pandemic disruptions and supply chain pressures. Mayfield’s appointment is seen as a signal that the Treasury is listening to these concerns. His role will involve advising on economic policy and acting as a bridge, encouraging open dialogue, addressing friction points, and helping shape measures that balance fiscal responsibility with business growth. Reeves has made clear she wants Mayfield to act as both a sounding board for business sentiment and a strategic thinker, capable of guiding the Treasury through the delicate task of keeping economic plans on track without alienating key industries. Twiddy and Scott to boost innovation and communication Edward Twiddy co-founded Atom Bank in 2014 after 13 years as a Treasury civil servant. He is expected to focus on “enterprise and innovation,” especially in financial technology. Reeves has been pressing regulators to speed up support for fintech and other fast-growing sectors in the City of London. Jenny Scott will advise the Treasury on improving how it explains its policies. She currently runs Apella Advisors, a strategic communications firm. Her experience includes guiding the Bank of England’s communications during the global financial crisis and the 2016 Brexit referendum. Reeves recently ordered a review of the Treasury’s communications strategy, signalling she wants the department to speak more clearly to the public and the markets. The appointments mark a push to blend government policy with real-world business and financial experience. Mayfield, Twiddy, and Scott will be under pressure to help shape policies that promote growth, restore trust, and give the public a clearer picture of the Treasury’s economic plans. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

Source: Cryptopolitan