About Digby
Former Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment (2007-08) and Director General of the Confederation of British Industry (2000-06) Digby is renowned for his straightforward and pragmatic approach to Business believing firmly in its wider role in Society.
His parents instilled in him at an early age a strong work ethic and the importance of education and helping others.
Born into business, and, during the sixties, living above the family’s corner shop in the suburbs of Birmingham, was to give him an early taste of how business could be an agent for good and change lives for everyone. These were important values that remain with him today.
His time as a Scholarship boy at Bromsgrove School was followed by a Royal Navy University Cadetship and reading Law at the University College, London.
As a Corporate Lawyer in the West Midlands in the eighties and nineties Digby gained first hand insight to the breadth and depth of the true potential for UK companies, brokering deals for many regional businesses around the world. This was the foundation for a much broader role as Director General for the Confederation of British Industry (2000-06) during which time he was fortunate to work alongside many excellent businesses around the UK, large and small, and support them in their efforts to globalise. He promoted Britain as a home for inward investment and as a reputable and reliable exporter. He worked closely with politicians from all sides, both at home and overseas, and became a regular contributor in all forms of UK and international media.
Digby was honoured by HM Queen Elizabeth II with a Knighthood for his services to business in 2005.
In 2007 he became a Cross Bench Peer to the House of Lords gaining the title of Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham Kb. On becoming the first Minister of State not to belong to the party of government he wanted to do things differently. During his time (2007-08) as Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment he was proud and privileged to represent UK business, “banging the drum for Britain”, as he travelled to over 70 countries, promoting their goods and services around the world.
In the past two decades Digby has worked directly with many UK businesses, large and small, family owned and plc, in a variety of non executive Director/Chairman and Board Advisory roles, in helping them to realise their fullest potential.
He has written two books, Fixing Britain – The Business of Re-shaping our Nation (Wiley 2011) and Fixing Business – Making Profitable Business Work for the Good of All (Wiley 2017).
Throughout his long career, Digby has always firmly believed in helping those unable to help themselves. He has raised funds for many worthy charities around the world and is proud to support Cancer Research UK and The Royal Navy & Royal Marine Charity.
An accomplished international speaker and orator, Digby continues to entertain and enlighten global audiences with his inspirational and topical views on business and politics in a vastly changing world.
Digby lives in Guernsey with his wife Pat.
