The United Kingdom’s newly formed Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy on Monday announced the confirmation of all of its ministerial positions. BEIS took shape following Theresa May’s appointment last month as the U.K.’s prime minister after David Cameron stepped down in the wake of the United Kingdom’s June 23 referendum vote to exit the European Union. The “Brexit” threw world markets into turmoil and raised questions about what role EU policies will have in the U.K. after the transition, which will take at least two years to complete.
In the days following her appointment, May shook up her Cabinet, folding the nation’s Department of Energy and Climate Change into the new BEIS, and naming then Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government Greg Clark as the secretary of state for the new department.
Rounding out the department, as announced Monday, will be lawmakers Nick Hurd as minister of state for climate change and industry; Jo Johnson as minister of state for universities, science, research, and innovation; Lucy Neville-Rolfe as minister of state for energy and intellectual property; Margot James as minister for small business, consumers, and corporate responsibility; and Jesse Norman as minister for industry and energy.
“I am thrilled to have been appointed to lead this new department charged with delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy, leading government’s relationship with business, furthering our world-class science base, delivering affordable, clean energy and tackling climate change,” Clark said in a press release.
Amber Rudd, former secretary for the DECC, has been appointed secretary of state for the Home Department; and Andrea Leadsom, who held the position of minister of state for energy at DECC, will now serve as secretary of state for environment, food, and rural affairs.
