Dragons chairman David Buttress has been appointed as the Government’s new “cost of living business tsar”.
The Cabinet Office said Buttress, who is also the founder and former chief executive of online food order and delivery service Just Eat, will work with the private sector to develop new business-led initiatives to help people struggling with the squeeze on living standards. This will include building on price locking campaign schemes, product offers and the expansion of business-run programmes.
Buttress was awarded the role by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay on a voluntary basis and will continue in the position until the end of the year. He will join Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi on Tuesday at a meeting with supermarkets and sports organisations to discuss what assistance can be offered through initiatives like the Government’s holiday activities and food programme.
Announcing the appointment, Barclay said Buttress would bring a “wealth of experience” and the “vigour and ingenuity of business” to the role.
“Businesses and organisations across the country have stepped up time and time again when the nation needs it most. The financial pressures people are facing as a result of current global challenges will be no different,” he said.
"I am delighted to have David Buttress on board, bringing with him a wealth of experience along with the vigour and ingenuity of business to go even further in efforts to support British families throughout this difficult time."
In addition to Buttress and the Education Secretary, Tuesday's meeting will be attended by representatives from Co-op, John Lewis Partnership/Waitrose, Swim England, Sport England, and English Football League.
"The rising cost of living that we are all facing, both in the UK and globally, provides business and industry with a unique challenge and opportunity to do our bit," said Buttress.
"I am looking forward to working closely with my private sector colleagues, to help support our communities and customers with practical and real cost of living saving initiatives."
Having served as Just Eat's CEO between 2013 and 2017, Buttress was appointed chairman of the Dragons in September 2017, months after the Newport region were taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union.
Since 2019, he has been in talks about returning the Dragons to private ownership. However, he admitted last year that the takeover deal for the Dragons is in "a state of paralysis" due to the financial uncertainty in Welsh rugby.
Despite that, he remains a key figure in sorting out Welsh rugby's issues. He recently rubbished suggestions that the Welsh game cannot support four professional sides as he called for a more stable, long-term funding model.
