Jason Stockwood Appointed as UK Minister for Investment Following Distinguished Business Career

Major Government Appointment

Jason Stockwood has been appointed as minister for investment jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and the Treasury, following his elevation to the House of Lords as a life peer. This appointment comes after his campaign as the Labour candidate for the inaugural mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, which he ultimately lost to Reform’s candidate.

Distinguished Business Background

Stockwood’s business career includes serving as CEO and vice-chairman of Simply Business, which was recognized as the UK’s ‘Best Place to Work’ by The Sunday Times in both 2015 and 2016, with Stockwood winning the Best Leader award. The company attracted investment from New York-based Aquiline Private Equity and was later sold to The Travelers Companies for $500m in 2017.

Innovation and Investment Focus

As an active investor through 53 Degrees Capital, Stockwood has invested in various early-stage technology companies, including Olio, Chiaro, Be My Eyes and Beam. Since 2019, he has chaired the board raising money for the Horizon Youth Zone in Grimsby, and in 2020 became a Transformational Leadership Fellow at The Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

Community Impact

While serving as co-owner and Vice-Chair of Grimsby Town Football Club, Stockwood’s appointment to the ministerial position has been welcomed by the club, which praised his passion, dedication, and service to the Mariners. His new role represents a significant step in bringing business expertise to government leadership.