By Vivienne Russell
25 September 2009
A market approach to the provision of public services would help restore the economy to some kind of equilibrium, according to the new chair of the CBI’s Public Services Strategy Board.
Speaking to Public Finance, Adrian Ringrose said he would continue to push the messages set by his predecessor, Serco chair Kevin Beeston.
‘We believe the market and the introduction of choice and contestability on a level-playing field basis is the most powerful engine for improvement in taxpayer value in public services. That is a central tenet of what we’re about,’ he said.
‘What is different at the moment is the urgency, the pace with which that needs to be implemented.’
Ringrose sidestepped suggestions that a Conservative government would be more receptive to the CBI’s agenda than Labour, saying the message was apolitical.
‘What is absolutely key to all the main political parties at the moment is there is a change agenda afoot. Everybody is hungry for ideas that will help improve the public finances as quickly as possible. I think we’re actually preaching to an audience with more commonality of need than ever before,’ he said. ‘Whether there is a change of government is a detail. Whoever is in power, the challenge will be the same.’
Ringrose took over as chair of the Public Services Strategy Board in July this year. He has been chief executive of the Interserve group since 2004.
25 September 2009
A market approach to the provision of public services would help restore the economy to some kind of equilibrium, according to the new chair of the CBI’s Public Services Strategy Board.
Speaking to Public Finance, Adrian Ringrose said he would continue to push the messages set by his predecessor, Serco chair Kevin Beeston.
‘We believe the market and the introduction of choice and contestability on a level-playing field basis is the most powerful engine for improvement in taxpayer value in public services. That is a central tenet of what we’re about,’ he said.
‘What is different at the moment is the urgency, the pace with which that needs to be implemented.’
Ringrose sidestepped suggestions that a Conservative government would be more receptive to the CBI’s agenda than Labour, saying the message was apolitical.
‘What is absolutely key to all the main political parties at the moment is there is a change agenda afoot. Everybody is hungry for ideas that will help improve the public finances as quickly as possible. I think we’re actually preaching to an audience with more commonality of need than ever before,’ he said. ‘Whether there is a change of government is a detail. Whoever is in power, the challenge will be the same.’
Ringrose took over as chair of the Public Services Strategy Board in July this year. He has been chief executive of the Interserve group since 2004.
