‘Hard-working’ business secretary opens tenure with delicate trade missions to Washington and Beijing
When Peter Kyle boards a 7,000-mile flight from Washington to Beijing this week, Britain’s new business secretary could reflect on how far he has already come.
Struggling at school due to dyslexia, Kyle left with “no usable qualifications,” as he later admitted. Only in his 20s, after several failed attempts, did he make it to university. Now, just days after stepping into his second cabinet post in a reshuffle triggered by Angela Rayner’s resignation, he is leading talks with White House officials on the US-UK technology partnership. Immediately afterward, he will fly to Beijing for delicate discussions on deepening economic ties with China.
The missions to the world’s two largest economies are designed to kickstart what Kyle has called a “relentless” pursuit of growth — something that has so far eluded Labour in office.
From spad to secretary
Elected MP for Hove in 2015, Kyle grew up in East Sussex and entered politics after years in the charity sector. Those who worked with him as a special adviser in the New Labour era describe him as approachable, decisive, and diligent. “He’s a very well-liked and hard-working guy,” said Theo Bertram, former adviser to Tony Blair.
A reputation tied to tech
Kyle’s year as minister for science and innovation cemented his reputation as unusually close to the technology sector. Mentored early in his career by Anita Roddick of Body Shop fame, he now relies on artificial intelligence for advice — even consulting ChatGPT on work-related decisions.
He has met representatives of major tech firms dozens of times, drawing criticism from opponents. Victoria Collins, the Liberal Democrat business spokesperson, accused him of being unable to “defy his friends at Meta and X” on online safety and creative rights.
Kyle, often ribbed for his “tech bro” uniform of T-shirts and trainers, has embraced the criticism. “To this crime, I plead guilty,” he told an industry audience, arguing that frequent meetings proved his commitment to the brief.
The business of government
Yet Kyle’s new role extends far beyond Silicon Valley. As business secretary, he must balance devotion to traditional industries — from hospitality to steel — with the promise of Britain’s digital future. He inherits challenges including Trump’s tariffs on British goods and fears that higher national insurance contributions are stifling jobs.
Speaking to business leaders, Kyle set an ambitious goal: he wants Britain to host its first $1 trillion company, joining a select group dominated by US tech giants. Supporters say he will not hesitate to use his department’s influence to back firms he believes in. Critics warn his heavy focus on tech could alienate other sectors.
Tensions surfaced almost immediately. Last week Jean Innes, head of the Alan Turing Institute, resigned after Kyle demanded the agency pivot toward defence applications or lose government funding, triggering unrest among staff.
High stakes ahead
Kyle’s appointment signals Labour’s determination to tie economic growth to technology and innovation. But his new brief spans dozens of multibillion-pound sectors, each with competing demands. Managing those tensions — while navigating sensitive diplomacy in Washington and Beijing — will test whether the “tech bro” minister can deliver the growth his party desperately needs.