Today [14 January], Business Secretary has appointed three new business
leaders with a wealth of experience to support key UK sectors, as
the government looks to ramp up economic growth and opportunities
for people across the country.
Amelia Gould, Keith Anderson and Dana Strong will join
the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council – an
independent body that advises the government on
delivering the Industrial Strategy -
to improve the Council's range of perspectives and
understanding of sectors across the UK.
This comes as the government looks to drive
investment into key sectors and
deliver the higher living standards and better public
services the UK deserves.
Amelia Gould CEng FIET joins the Council with over 20 years'
experience in the global defence sector. A former Royal Navy
Engineering Officer with 11 years' service, she later moved into
enterprise architecture and senior roles at BAE Systems. Amelia
became Managing Director of Helsing UK in 2023 and is now General
Manager, Maritime.
Keith Anderson has been CEO of ScottishPower since 2018. He
previously led ScottishPower Renewables and Iberdrola's
international offshore business and earlier worked in
financial services with RBS and Standard Life, as well as
consulting with EY.
Dana Strong is Group CEO of Sky, one of Europe's
leading media and entertainment companies within
Comcast. Previously, she held senior leadership roles driving
growth and transformation at Comcast, Virgin Media, and Liberty
Global.
Business and Trade Secretary said:
Amelia, Keith, and Dana bring extensive business expertise to the
Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, helping strengthen our
efforts to drive economic growth and raise living standards for
people across the country.
This Council plays a key role in delivering our modern Industrial
Strategy, which is vital in creating the long-term stability and
growth we need by hardwiring stability for businesses - giving
them the confidence to plan not just for the next year, but for
the next 10 years and beyond.
The Government has also published the mandate
letter setting out the Council's work programme
for 2026. The letter, issued jointly by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State
for Business and Trade, commissions the Council to
provide impactful advice and analysis on key delivery
priorities over the year. These include driving
dynamism in markets alongside boosting skills and access to high
quality jobs.
Dame Clare Barclay DBE, Chair of the Industrial Strategy
Advisory Council said:
I'm delighted to welcome Dana, Keith and Amelia to
the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council. Their leadership across
creative industries, energy and defence will strengthen our work.
Their expertise will be invaluable as we drive forward
an industrial strategy focused on growth, innovation and
supporting businesses to scale, start and compete.
Dana Strong, CEO of Sky Group said:
The UK has strong foundations for growth across the whole
economy, and I am passionate about supporting UK businesses
to scale, innovate and compete internationally. Creating the
right conditions for long-term growth and productivity will
be central to future prosperity, and I look forward to
supporting the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to help
secure the UK's long-term competitiveness.
Keith Anderson, CEO
of ScottishPower said:
The UK's industrial strategy is critical to unlocking investment,
pushing productivity, and driving growth. The Advisory
Council has a vital role to play in helping realise that
potential and make a long and lasting difference for people the
length and breadth of the country. Working together, government
and business can turbocharge economic growth and build a better
future that offers opportunity, security and prosperity
right across the country.
Amelia Gould, General Manager Maritime at Helsing
said:
I'm delighted to join the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council
and draw on my experience across defence, engineering and
advanced technology to support the Government's growth mission. I
look forward to supporting the UK's industrial capability and
long‑term resilience
Notes to Editors:
- You can read the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council Mandate
letter here.
