Profile: Richard Lambert

Mr Lambert will replace the current CBI director general Sir Digby Jones.

After six years, Sir Digby is the CBI's longest-standing director general and is credited with doing much to raise the business group's profile.

Mr Lambert is to step down from his position on the Bank of England's monetary policy committee and take over at the CBI in July.

The decision to appoint someone close to the government is seen as marking a change from Sir Digby, who has strong industry ties.

The future well-being of everyone in the country depends on the dynamism and prosperity of our business sector Richard Lambert, new CBI head

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Lambert said the CBI should lead in the quest for "a simple and competitive tax and regulatory regime and for improvements in skills and education".

He said the biggest issues businesses faced were rising energy prices and the pensions crisis.

Future well-being

He also stressed that British business needed a powerful voice: "It is not a separate interest group - the future well-being of everyone in the country depends on the dynamism and prosperity of our business sector."

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, retail analyst Theresa Wickham said the appointment of Mr Lambert, a former Financial Times journalist, was "very interesting".

She added: "Though he understands governments, he can't be seen as the voice of government."

Mr Lambert has conducted independent reports for the government following his departure from the Financial Times, including one on BBC News 24 and another on the connection between higher education and business.

Mr Lambert meanwhile said he had no "political baggage" .

The new CBI head beat hundreds of others to the post. More than 700 people were contacted for the directorship. A preliminary list of 300 people was shortened to 31 people, of which about a third were women.