Shevaun Haviland is a born optimist – a trait it seems safe to suppose has helped see her through some tough – or as she jokes is the more characteristically understated British way of putting it – “interesting” times.

As deputy director of business partnerships at the Cabinet Office and later also head of business engagement at Number 10, Haviland served the government for five years – a period that, as she tells Leadership Lessons, spanned “three prime ministers, two general elections, an EU referendum, an actual leaving of the EU, and a year of Covid”.

Things weren’t set to slow down when she assumed the role of director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in spring 2021. The intervening years have seen war in Europe and the Middle East – with concomitant energy price shocks – three prime ministers in one year, as well as new costs for business, notably around national insurance.

As well as being the first female leader in the BCC’s history, Haviland is also an entrepreneur and a veteran of big business, with stints at WPP and The Walt Disney Company under her belt.

In the episode, we talk about how this combination of business and government experience has benefitted her in her current post, the key priorities for the BCC and how Haviland sees its role evolving.

Credits:

Presenter: Antonia Garrett Peel

Producer: Inga Marsden

Artwork: Chris Barker

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