Theresa May dissolves 'big business' panel

Theresa May has moved further from the David Cameron era – and provided more evidence of a revised approach to business – and dissolved an influential advisory panel of top bosses.

The group, which replaced a previous one hand-selected by Cameron's predecessor, Gordon Brown, had for the past six years offered a quarterly forum for big business leaders to share their views with No 10.

It featured around 20 senior figures, including the chief executives of Rolls Royce, Legal & General Virgin Money and easyJet.

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However, says The Guardian, May has "disbanded" the group – and she has "not created an alternative team".

A spokesperson said the Prime Minister "will seek to draw on a range of advice from businesses big and small".

Reactions to the move were mixed.

In the Financial Times, concern was cited among business leaders concerned at "May’s lack of interest in talking to business, compared with the enthusiasm shown by the Treasury and other departments".

One member of the panel said it "does not bode well for how we get our views across to government". Another said May's past involvement with issues raised by the group showed her "style is one of enforcement, rather than consultation".

There was praise for the move from small business figures in the Guardian, however. They indicated it could pave the way for the government to prioritise the interest of smaller companies over big-hitters in the City.

Mike Cherry, the national chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "This is the right moment for No 10 to review its business engagement structures and to broaden them – and we look forward to making sure that small businesses are part of that."

May has sought to characterise her agenda in Downing Street as being about reforming capitalism, saying during her campaign to become prime minister: "It is not anti-business to suggest that big business needs to change."