Pictured above: Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham

Bromsgrove based commercial property company Barberry Group has appointed one of Birmingham's most respected figureheads, Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham as advisor to the group. 

Announcing the appointment, Barberry Director Jon Bellfield said, "I am delighted that Digby has agreed to advise us and commit some of his time to re-establish the good relationship we began with him in 2007. It will be extremely valuable to us to have the benefit of his contribution and detailed knowledge of the business world."

Lord Jones, who spent his early career in Birmingham, served as Director General of the CBI from 2000 -2006, taking the message about British business to over 70 countries in a six and a half year period. He became Minister for Trade and Investment during 2007 and 2008 at the request of the Prime Minister, in keeping with Gordon Brown's "government of all talents" philosophy. During Lord Jones' tenure he lobbied 31 countries in fifteen months, making 45 separate overseas visits and became a forthright advocate of UK plc or "Brand Britain" as he terms it, utilising his extensive experience in corporate finance, MBOs and mergers. The skills honed in Birmingham during his earlier career at corporate law firm Edge and Ellison.  He now sits in the House of Lords as an independent cross bench peer.

Commenting on his new role, Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham said, "Barberry is a company I have known for many years and have always respected. They are sensible and prudent and make measured decisions. The world has undergone a seismic shift economically since I last worked with them just two years ago, so it will be a challenge and I hope I can apply some of the lessons I have learned about the bigger picture on the world stage and its future impact on business in general and on the commercial property market in particular."