Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
The CBI is the UK’s premier business lobbying organisation, providing a voice for employers at a national and international level. Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors which together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of the private sector-employed workforce. With offices in the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.
The CBI provides a voice for business people and their businesses on a national and international level. We speak for companies of every size, including many in the FTSE 100 and FTSE 350, mid-caps, SMEs, micro businesses, private and family owned businesses, start-ups, and trade associations and in every sector, including agriculture, automotive, aerospace and defence, construction, creative and communications, financial services, IT and e-business, management consultancy, manufacturing, professional services, retail, transport, tourism and utilities. Our mission is s to promote the conditions in which businesses of all sizes and sectors in the UK can compete and prosper for the benefit of all.
PAUL DRECHSLER
President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
Chairman of Bibby Line Group
Paul Drechsler has been appointed the 26th CBI President. He is also the Chairman of Bibby Line Group and National Skills Funding Agency
Mr Drechsler is currently Chairman of Bibby Line Group which is headquartered in Liverpool. Before that he was Chief Executive of the privately-owned construction firm Wates Group.
He joined Wates in September 2004 and became Chairman and Chief Executive in April 2006 until 2014.
Prior to joining Wates, Mr Drechsler worked for ICI PLC, spending the first ten years of his career on Teesside. That was followed by 14 years holding various senior positions and living in Brazil, the USA and the Netherlands, which concluded with five years as Chief Executive of one of ICI’s principal international businesses and as a Main Board Director (1998-2003).
He is also Chairman of the board of the charity Teach First and Chairman of the National Skills Funding Agency. He is a board member of Business in the Community and Chairman of its Education Leadership Team.
Mr Drechsler has also been recognised for his outstanding leadership, winning KPMG Chief Executive of the Year for the construction industry and PwC ‘Private Company, Chief Executive of the Year’. During his tenure at the helm, Wates Group won the Business in the Community Company of the Year and the J.P. Morgan Best UK Family Business Award.
Mr Drechsler has been a member of the CBI Board since 2012 and was Chairman of the CBI Energy Policy Committee between 2007 and 2012 and a member of the Chairmen’s Committee.
In February 2015, he was honoured by Her Majesty, The Queen with an Honorary CBE for services to the construction industry.
Mr Drechsler graduated from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, with an (Honours) degree in Engineering Science. He is married with three children.
Confederation of British Industry