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Business community pay tribute to the Iron Lady

Britain’s business community has reacted to Margaret Thatcher’s death at the age of 87.

The former Prime Minister initiated much of the deregulation and privatisation that characterises the current UK business landscape, and key businesspeople and organisations have offered their views.

Director general of the Institute of Directors, Simon Walker, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Baroness Thatcher, and the IoD offers its condolences to her family.

“She was a great example of a strong leader, and broke new ground for female leaders in particular. Britain was privileged to have a Prime Minister who understood the importance of entrepreneurs, aspiration and business. She will be sorely missed.”

John Cridland, CBI director general, said: “Baroness Thatcher’s leadership took the UK out of the economic relegation zone and into the first division. What BaronessThatcher did to reshape the British economy gave us a generation of growth.”

Entrepreneur plumber, Charlie Mullins, launched his business in 1979, and credits Baroness Thatcher with providing the conditions in which he has found success. His 200-strong workforce will wear black armbands as a sign of respect.

Mr Mullins said: “There is no doubt that Mrs Thatcher had a major influence on me and setting up Pimlico Plumbers.

“Her loss will be felt most by those who were given the confidence to make something of themselves, people like me who got the first big break at the time and those who remember the bad years of the 1970s.

“Her passion for private enterprise showed people they didn’t just have to get on the work treadmill, but could be entrepreneurial and make a success of themselves in business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .