Greg Clark to head new business department

GREG CLARK will head up a new department for business, energy and industrial strategy as part of new prime minister Theresa May’s cabinet reshuffle.

Clark replaces Sajid Javid, who has been handed Clark’s old brief as secretary of state for communities and local government, in the newly configured department. It will replace both the department for energy and climate change and the department of business, innovation, and skills.

Commenting on his newly created role, Clark said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed to lead this new department charged with delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy, leading government’s relationship with business, furthering our world-class science base, delivering affordable, clean energy and tackling climate change.”

In other changes, David Gauke has been promoted to chief secretary to the treasury, the second in command at the finance ministry.

Gauke, whose new role includes responsibility for public spending, previously served as financial secretary to the treasury, having previously served as exchequer secretary. His appointment follows the decision to make Philip Hammond chancellor.

As a shadow minister for the treasury, Gauke focused on tax policy such as tax simplification and corporation tax reforms. As the minister for tax, Gauke has been a key exponent of the government’s plans to make tax digital.

In his new role, Gauke will be responsible for treasury interest in devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and public expenditure including:

• spending reviews and strategic planning
• in-year spending control
• public sector pay and pensions
• Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) and welfare reform
• efficiency and value for money in public service
• procurement
• capital investment
• infrastructure deals

PwC alumnus Justine Greening has been made secretary of state for education. Greening, who trained as an accountant with PwC worked as a finance manager with Centrica before being elected as a member of parliament in 2005.

Elizabeth Truss, a qualified management accountant, was named as the first ever female lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice.