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Nicola Lovett, CEO of low-carbon energy and services provider ENGIE (UK & Ireland), has been appointed as chair of the CBI’s Public Sector Partners Council.

Under Nicola’s leadership, ENGIE has set out an exemplary zero carbon strategy, and is working alongside businesses, government departments and local authorities to assist them with their own carbon reduction ambitions.

As chair of the CBI’s Public Sector Partners Council (PSPC) – a CBI standing committee – Nicola will help guide the CBI’s work on issues related to the delivery of public services and infrastructure, and public-private partnerships more broadly.

The appointment comes as the UK’s COVID pandemic response highlights what can be achieved when business and government work together in the national interest.

Business has proved an essential partner – assisting the NHS and other public services – from fitting out Nightingale hospitals in a matter of days, through to developing and delivering life-saving vaccines.  

Commenting on Nicola’s appointment, Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, CBI President, said:

“It is fantastic to welcome Nicola as Chair of the CBI Public Sector Partnership Council and I am excited to begin championing the value that business brings in the service of the nation alongside her.

“Nicola brings an expertise and drive to the council which will ensure government-business relationships continue to grow going forward, particularly around the increasingly vital issues of building sustainability into public spending and helping the regions level up across the country. Green technology and services have a vital role to play in helping the UK’s economic recovery.

“We are exceptionally grateful to Adrian Gregory for his dedicated leadership of the council since 2018 and the continued collaboration between industry and government in the coming years.”

Nicola Lovett, incoming Chair of the CBI Public Sector Partners Council and ENGIE CEO, said:

“I am delighted to be appointed as Chair at such an important time for government-business relations, when the Public Sector must rise to meet challenges such as the ongoing pandemic, climate change, digitalisation and the housing crisis.

“I look forward to leading the coalition of businesses within the Council continuing to not only articulate the collective value we bring to the Public Sector, but also to further strengthen the Council’s relationship with government and the wider public sector – ensuring suppliers are best placed to deliver outcomes that support government priorities in a transparent and responsible way.”