Lord Digby Jones

Lord Digby Jones is an accomplished keynote speaker, he was the Director-General of the CBI for six and a half years and was Minister of State for Trade and Investment. As one of the world’s most acclaimed business and political commentators, Digby entertains and inspires audiences across the globe.

Digby grew up just outside of Birmingham and his family owned a corner shop where he worked when he was growing up and learnt a lot about business. He attended University College London and then became a lawyer with the Birmingham based firm Edge & Ellison, eventually becoming a Senior Partner. During his time with Edge & Ellison, Digby began to believe in the creation of socially inclusive wealth.

Digby began working for CBI in 2000 and it was here that he was able to put some of his ideas about business into action. Digby is known for his strong views on the public sector and his devotion to business. Digby was knighted for his services to business and became Sir Digby Jones in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

After leaving the CBI, Digby he spent a year working for Deloitte and Barclays, he also acted as the unpaid UK Skills Envoy. While working as the UK Skills Envoy, Digby was enraged by the number of people living in the UK who were illiterate and innumerate and felt strongly about changing this in order to develop a safer and healthier society.

In 2007 he became Minister of State for UK Trade and Investment, during which time he travelled to 31 different countries to promote British business all over the world. He was also made a life peer and was titled Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham Kt. Forthright.

Since leaving his role as Minister in 2008, Digby has been a prominent business advisor in many paid and unpaid roles. Aside from running his own business, Digby Jones LLP, he serves as as Non Executive Chairman of Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, Thatcher’s Cider Ltd, Elonex Ltd, Metalfloor UK Ltd, ProBuild 360 Ltd, Argentex LLP and On Logistics Ltd and is a Non-Executive Director of Leicester Tigers plc. He is Corporate Ambassador to Aon Risk Solutions. Digby is Chairman of the Advisory Board of X-Force (the Social Enterprise helping Veterans into self-employment) and he is a Member of the South Warwickshire Multi Academy Trust. He sits in the House of Lords as a non-aligned Crossbench Peer.

Digby has spoken at political party conferences, delivered keynote addresses at conferences and events across the globe, and shares his unique insights to public and private sector audiences.

His captivating style delivers topical views on world economies, how business is changing in the 21st century and the current political climate. His ability to mix serious messages with an element of humour make him an ideal choice for corporate events.