Prezzo’s chair joins Build Back Better Council

Karen Jones, the executive chair of Prezzo, will represent the hospitality industry on the government’s new Build Back Better Council.

The new business council will be co-chaired by the prime minister and chancellor, with the business secretary as a standing member and other cabinet ministers attending as required.

Jones is the only representative from hospitality among 30 business leaders, which include Tesco’s chief executive Ken Murphy and Siemens’ chief executive officer Carl Ennis.

Council meetings will be quarterly, with further meetings agreed with Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak if required.

Boris Johnson said: “This Build Back Better Council will ensure that government and businesses continue to work closely together.

“It will provide an important forum for frank feedback on our recovery plans and will help ensure the steps we are taking are the right ones.”

However, the council has received criticism for not including representatives from the UK’s night time hospitality sector.

Sacha Lord, Manchester’s Night Time economy adviser, said on Twitter: “What a kick in the teeth for the Night Time economy. No representation for the fifth biggest industry in the UK. Just bankers, financiers and large scale corporate CEO’s.

“What about the independents? The heart of our high streets. Completely insulting.”