Luke Mayhew
Chairman
British Retail Consortium

After studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University, Luke joined the DTI. His time there included working in the Secretary of State's office. He left to join Thomas Cook where, after a period managing the shops in the South of England, he became Development Director leading the expansion of the shop network and negotiations with suppliers. During this time he gained an MSc Econ at London University.

In 1985 he moved to British Airways just ahead of privatisation where he held senior positions in Marketing and Human Resources. His responsibilities included frequent flyer, online reservations, recruitment and management development. In 1991 he became CEO of Shandwick Europe.

In 1992 Luke became a Director of the John Lewis Partnership, initially responsible for Development and then in 2000 as MD of John Lewis. He oversaw, among other things, the acceleration of new shop openings including Bluewater, the major modernisation and refurbishment programme including the transformation of Peter Jones, the introduction of advertising, the extension of opening hours and the launch of John Lewis Direct. He also chaired the London Retail Consortium.

Luke left John Lewis in 2005. Since then he has been Chairman of private equity based retailers Pets at Home and Bank Fashion. He is currently a Director of WH Smith, Brambles and Tate Enterprises.

Mark Prisk MP
Minister of State for Business and Enterprise

Mark Prisk was appointed as minister for Business and Enterprise in May 2010, in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

Mark was elected as the Member of Parliament for Hertford and Stortford in 2001. His interests include small business and enterprise, urban planning and regeneration, as well as defence and foreign affairs. He served on the Conservative front bench from 2002, covering Treasury and Business portfolios.

Born in Cornwall and educated at Truro School and Reading University , Mark is a Chartered Surveyor by profession. He worked in the property and economic development mark ets, and ran his own business for ten years before entering politics.

Mark lives with his wife Lesley in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire. In his spare time he enjoys watching rugby and cricket and singing with the Parliament Choir.

Jimmy Carr is Channel 4's face of comedy and one of the most distinctive talents on television.

Jimmy fronts the topical panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats. He hosted the prime time game show Distraction and The Friday Night Project, and co-hosted both series of Your Face Or Mine.

A quarter-life crisis prompted him to quit marketing and train as a psychotherapist before taking to the comedy circuit. Described as England's answer to Emo Phillips, his lovingly crafted material deconstructs modern living and produces more one-liners per minute than should be humanly possible.

Jimmy has guest presented Have I Got News For You, as well as appearing on Tonight With Jay Leno, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

After his appearances in the films Confetti and Storm Breaker, he will be making more outings on the big and small screens. Jimmy is also the proud author of a history of jokes, The Naked Jape.