This is a tricky moment to represent a large part of UK business to government and the world. The economy is deep in recession, companies are alarmed by tax increases and national debt, and a general election is due in little more than a year, at a time when trust in politicians could scarcely be lower.

“I have always been willing to be patient to achieve my objectives,” said Helen Alexander, expected to be elected as CBI president on June 2. She hopes to bring to the job the values she adhered to while running The Economist Group – “devoted to free markets, to being international, to being British as well, and famous for quality and rigour and integrity”.