The Minister for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk, has today appointed Allan Cook CBE to chair the Advanced Engineering Sector Advisory Board – a body of representatives from industry, academia and Government tasked with providing strategic advice to UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).
Mr Prisk said:
“I’m delighted to confirm the appointment of Allan Cook. The Advisory Board provides a valuable role in bringing business into the heart of UKTI’s work to help UK companies make the most of global trade and investment opportunities. Allan brings with him a wealth of experience which, as we strive to rebalance the economy and increase the UK’s position as a high-tech exporter, will be well-used by UKTI.”
Allan Cook, Chairman of Atkins, said:
“It is a privilege and an honour to be taking on the role of chairman of UKTI’s Advanced Engineering Sector Advisory Board in challenging times. Anyone who knows me will recognise that I relish this and I am looking forward to playing my part.
“How this sector positions itself globally over the next few years will have a major bearing on how well the UK economy recovers from the travails of recent times.
“The UK must become increasingly adept at using its resource of expert engineers on the world stage if it is to really achieve strong economic recovery. There can be no doubt that our universities, leading consultants, manufacturers and contractors have world class skills but we will not succeed with that alone.
“What is required is for us to show off our skills, seek new markets and really push ourselves forward.”
Welcoming the appointment, Ian Godden, Chairman of the aerospace trade association, A|D|S, said:
“We are delighted to hear of Allan’s appointment to the UKTI Advanced Engineering Sector Advisory Board. The Government have found an excellent person for this important role. Allan is passionate about British engineering, has the business background to combine with that passion, and is achievement-orientated: thereby providing a powerful source of leadership and advice to UKTI and to Ministers.”
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of the automotive trade association, the SMMT, said:
“The advanced engineering sector is sure to benefit from Allan’s significant knowledge, experience and industry contacts. The UK has globally competitive manufacturing expertise and his influence will help to develop and market this in a strategic and influential way. This appointment strengthens industry’s arm as we work to re-balance the economy through exporting goods and services to markets around the world.”
Welcoming the appointment, Graham Dewhurst, Director General of the MTA, the Manufacturing Technologies Association, said:
“In an increasingly globalised and interconnected world, it's vital that we continue to make the case for Britain's outstanding advanced engineering sector, both at home and abroad. With that in mind we welcome Allan Cook's appointment as a strong voice for British engineering and manufacturing.”
Media contact
For more information, please contact James Clements in UKTI Press Office on 020 7215 2491 or james.clements@ukti.gsi.gov.uk.
Notes to editors
1. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
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2. Allan Cook was appointed a non-executive director at Atkins in September 2009, taking up the post of chairman on 1 February 2010. He is a chartered engineer with more than 30 years’ international experience in the automotive, aerospace and defence industries. He was chief executive of Cobham PLC until the end of December 2009. Prior to this he held senior roles at GEC-Marconi, BAE Systems and Hughes Aircraft. He is a non-executive director of Marshall of Cambridge (Holdings) Limited and a member of the operating executive board of J.F. Lehman & Company. He is also chairman of UK Trade & Investment’s Advanced Engineering Sector Advisory Board, chairman of the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies (SEMTA), past president of the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), past president of the Society of British Aerospace and Defence Companies (SBAC), director of the Industry Forum, director of the Apprentice Ambassador Network and a committee member of the UK Ministerial Advisory Group for Manufacturing. He was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in 2008 and is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
3. UKTI has established a series of sector advisory groups formed of senior businessmen to advise it on strategic issues pertaining to their sector. These groups of senior business figures form an important link to their industries, providing business validation and challenge as well as credibility to UKTI’s activities. The Advanced Engineering Sector Advisory Board (AdESAB) was formed in 2007 bringing together the hitherto separate aerospace, automotive and engineering sectors. AdESAB is composed of business people from those sectors, who give strategic advice to UKTI on international trade and investment in the sector.