Tony Danker
Tony Danker | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 30, 1971 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Occupation(s) | Lobbyist, business executive |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Known for | Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (2020–2023) |
Tony Danker (born 30 December 1971) is a British lobbyist who previously served as the Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) from November 2020 until March 2023.
Early life
Danker was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and received his education at Belfast Royal Academy. He obtained a law degree from the University of Manchester and led the Union of Jewish Students between 1993 and 1994. In 2005, he completed a Master of Public Administration at Harvard University.
Career
Following his studies, Danker worked with the former Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, from 1994 to 1996. He then spent a decade as a consultant at McKinsey from 1998 to 2008 before becoming a special adviser at HM Treasury during the Brown administration (2008–2010). From 2010 until 2017, he occupied senior positions at Guardian News and Media, including roles as international director and chief strategy officer.
From 2017 to 2020, Danker served as CEO of Be the Business, an initiative backed by government and industry and launched by George Osborne with the aim of improving productivity in UK companies. He was appointed director-general of the CBI in June 2020, officially taking over from Carolyn Fairbairn in November.
In early 2023, Danker temporarily stepped down following allegations concerning inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. After an independent inquiry, the CBI terminated his employment in April 2023 due to conduct deemed below organisational standards. Danker argued that he was scapegoated for wider institutional challenges. In January 2024, the CBI reached a confidential settlement regarding a wrongful dismissal claim filed by Danker.
Views
In November 2022, Danker highlighted the necessity for increased economic growth to address escalating health and social care expenses in the UK. While recognizing Hunt's commitment to tackling inflation and maintaining fiscal discipline, he criticized the absence of strategies aimed at preventing sustained periods of low productivity and economic stagnation.
Personal life
Danker lives in London with his wife and their two sons.