Severn Trent Water boss on PM's new advisory panel
Severn Trent boss Liv Garfield has joined the leaders of some of Britain's biggest firms on a new panel advising David Cameron.
Ms Garfield, 40, is part of the Business Advisory Group, which will allow ministers to hear industry's concerns about economic policy and issues, including David Cameron's renegotiation of the UK's links with Europe ahead of the in/out referendum.
It is the latest appointment for a woman who became the youngest female FTSE 100 boss by taking over as head of the company that supplies Shropshire with its water.
The group will meet on a quarterly basis from this autumn and includes leaders from a wide range of industries from manufacturing to retail.
They include Asda boss Andy Clarke, Santander chairwoman Ana Botin and the chief executive officer of BP Bob Dudley.
Ms Garfield, who has described herself as a "working mum of two kids", was lured to Severn Trent two years ago with a pay package worth up to £2.4 million after two-and-a-half years in charge of the BT's Openreach division, overseeing its £2.5 billion roll-out of fibre broadband.
She worked her way up the ranks at BT after joining in 2002 and is now chief executive of a company with 4.2 million customers across the Midlands.
She is paid a basic salary of £650,000 and also receives a pension contribution of 25 per cent, equalling £162,500. Her maximum annual bonus of 120 per cent would be £780,000.
Her inclusion in the Business Advisory Group cements her in the A-list of UK company bosses. Other companies represented on the panel include Costa Coffee owner Whitbread, EastJet, Virgin Money and Rolls-Royce.
Downing Street today said the group will "act as a sounding board through which ministers can listen to and debate concerns and priorities, and can discuss the Government's economic and business policies around key areas such as productivity, European reform and housing".
Mr Clarke said: "It's a privilege to have been asked by the Prime Minister to join his business advisory panel. I know how important the customer is to business success, and with over 30 years' experience in retail, the importance of dedication and customer service has never changed."
Ms Botin added: "I'm very pleased to join the Business Advisory Group. I believe dialogue between government and business is vital to growth and prosperity as we aim to boost UK productivity. I look forward to serious discussion about the opportunities and challenges businesses face during the rebalancing of the economy."
