A group of influential UK businesswomen have come together to support the prospect of Labour’s Rachel Reeves becoming the first female chancellor of the exchequer.
They believe her appointment would offer a fresh perspective on economic policymaking.
The business leaders appreciated Reeves’ approach to business and her dedication to developing a solid economic growth strategy.
This support follows a previous letter signed by 121 business leaders backing Labour’s economic proposals and advocating for a change in government direction.
The new letter features signatures from 13 top female business leaders, signing in their personal capacity.
Notably, Jo Whitfield, the CEO of Matalan, and Nicola Mendelsohn, head of the global business group at Meta, which oversees Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, are among the signatories.
Other notable names include Janette Bell from First Bus, Faeth Birch from FGS Global, Irene Hays from Hays Travel, and Karen Blackett, formerly with WPP.
The letter reads “There are, however, telling gaps in the area of economic policymaking.
“There has still been no woman governor of the Bank of England, or permanent secretary to the Treasury.
“Damningly, the post of chancellor of the exchequer is more than 800 years old – and every one has been a man.
“That isn’t because of a lack of talent. We’ve seen hugely talented women of all political persuasions take leading roles, from Margaret Thatcher to Barbara Castle, Harriet Harman to Theresa May.
“The progress for representation of women in parliament is an important achievement, which we should all take pride in. But we must not rest on our laurels.”
Such exclusion of women from economic posts “poses difficult questions for our politics”, the letter continued.
“We have seen it in business and we know the same is true in politics and economics: women’s underrepresentation in economic decision-making has consequences. On issues from flexible working, to childcare arrangements, to the undervalued work that women disproportionately do in upholding economic activity, we have made only gradual progress in recent decades.
“In this election, there is an opportunity for change. As business leaders, we have had the opportunity to meet with Rachel Reeves and talk to her about her plans for the economy. We have appreciated her openness to business, and her commitment to a genuine plan for economic growth”.
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