In his role he will lead the organisation in its discussions with officials at the Commission and Parliament over the next three years. The role comes at a critical time for the future of both the European institutions following the European elections and, the EU economy, and will help drive policies to boost manufacturing across Europe.

CEEMET is comprised of 23 national bodies representing manufacturing across Europe. Together they represent over 200,000 companies, employing approximately 35 million people.

His first duty is to launch CEEMET’s European Roadmap, in which EEF has played a key role. This sets out far-reaching proposals to help promote an industrial renaissance across Europe. It aims to support the EU’s target of raising manufacturing’s contribution to EU GDP from the current 15.1% to 20% by 2020. 

The roadmap sets out specific proposals for reform of the Commission and Parliament to make economic growth and, high skill job creation, a priority. These include:

• Fit-for-purpose policies, active leadership and concerted efforts by all stakeholders, ensuring that all EU policies which impact upon manufacturing competitiveness are fully aligned to the 20% objective.
• Access to skills-focused and dynamic labour markets, enabling R&D, innovation and job creation.
• Improved cooperation between policy makers and industry 

The proposals include the designation of a European Commissioner responsible for boosting EU policies on competitiveness with annual reporting on progress, as well as strengthening of the Competitiveness Council to scrutinise all proposed legislation to ensure it boosts rather than hinders competitiveness. There would also be far more rigorous impact assessments of legislation, whereby failure to meet rigorous competitiveness tests would mean the proposals having to be re-considered or dismissed.

Commenting, Terry Scuoler, said: “Manufacturing is critical to the future of the European economy, providing the economic growth and high skill jobs we urgently need. But, we cannot go on doing the same things over and over again and expect to see a different result. The recent elections have sent an uncomfortable message to European policymakers that must now be heeded as a matter of urgency.

“There is a growing consensus in favour of an industrial renaissance and increased competitiveness across Europe. I hope to support and contribute to future policies that will help deliver this vision.”