Two leading Yorkshire business figures named on Grant Thornton UK Vibrant Economy Commission

Two Yorkshire business leaders have been selected to become members of Grant Thornton UK LLP’s newly launched Vibrant Economy Commission.

The commission is set to help the guide business and financial advisers’ efforts to build a vision for a better economy.

Deb Oxley, the chief executive of the Hull-based Employee Ownership Association, and Paul Lindley, the Sheffield-born founder of organic baby and children’s food brand Ella’s Kitchen, have both been selected.

The commission will examine the challenges and opportunities facing UK business and society.

It will focus on tackling issues that are affecting companies, cities, people and communities, and attempt to identify how growth can be more equally shared across the country.

Through a series of nationwide inquiries, the Vibrant Economy Commission aims to produce new ideas and actions that will shape a vibrant economy for the UK.

As well as Deb and Paul, the 15-strong team of commissioners also includes Will Butler-Adams (CEO, Brompton Bicycle), Claire Braithwaite (Ventures & Partnerships, The Co-operative Group), Nida Broughton (Chief Economist, Social Market Foundation) and Nick Roberts (Chief Executive Officer, UK & Europe, Atkins).

The commission members have put their names to a public letter calling on representatives from the business and public sector to join up with community representatives to help create a stronger economy for the UK.

Sacha Romanovitch, CEO of Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “As a firm we’ve set a bold strategic agenda anchored in our purpose of helping to shape a vibrant economy, grounded in the belief that great businesses work holistically to contribute to the system on which their sustainable growth depends.

“Following the successful city inquiry in Sheffield we will be launching a series of nationwide inquiries, convening people from the public, private and third sector to look at how we can achieve this.

“To add rigour to our work, I’m delighted to be able to announce the launch of our Vibrant Economy Commission made up of external people, to oversee this work and to ensure the insights create lasting value for the UK economy.”

Will Butler-Adams, Brompton Bicycle CEO and Chair of the Vibrant Economy Commission, commented: “The purpose of this commission is not to dictate what a better UK looks like, but to ensure collaboration across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors of society.

“I’m confident that this commission will play a key role in stimulating ideas and activity that will help create a more vibrant economy – one that realises the shared potential of the UK. One in which growth is more sustainable, prosperity more widely shared, and people and communities are better able to realise their potential.”