EEF picks top defence and trade civil servant to succeed Scuoler
4 Sep 2017
Manufacturers’ association the EEF has appointed a top civil servant at the Department for International Trade to succeed Terry Scuoler as its new chief executive.
Stephen Phipson currently heads the DIT’s Defence and Security Organisation, providing export support for the defence and security industry.
Prior to his previous role at the Home Office, Phipson spent 35 years working for a variety of manufacturing businesses including CEO of Stadium Group and president of global security company Smiths Detection.
EEF chair Judith Hackitt said: “We are delighted to appoint someone with Stephen’s background, which includes a deep understanding of advanced manufacturing and of government. There are many challenges ahead for UK manufacturing and I know he will provide leadership for our sector at this crucial time.”
She also paid tribute to his long-serving predecessor, Scuoler, who steps down at the end of 2017, praising his “outstanding service” to the organisation.
Phipson said he was “proud and honoured” to succeed Scuoler and added: “I look forward to leading a highly motivated and professional team through a period when EEF has a significant opportunity to increase support to the whole of UK manufacturing and help strengthen its world-class innovation and competitiveness.”
* The EEF has welcomed government proposals to pilot 100% Business Rates Retention.
Chris Richards, head of business environment policy, said: “EEF research has shown that manufacturers don’t believe local authorities are working together enough to support economic growth. Today’s news that business rates retention is back on the agenda for local authorities that come together to ‘pool’ business rates across real economic geographies at the local level, should be seen as a step in the right direction.
“Business rates pools will help to reinstate the link between economic development at scale and tax sustainability.”
