Peter Kyle, the UK’s new business secretary, is embarking on a diplomatic tour to Washington and Beijing this week, aiming to boost economic growth. The MP for Hove, who struggled with dyslexia and left school without qualifications, has risen to lead delicate trade talks with the world’s two largest economies.
Kyle, who previously served as science and innovation minister, is known for his close ties to big tech. He has been criticised for meeting tech sector representatives 28 times in six months, including with Google, Amazon, Apple and Meta. He also used ChatGPT for work advice, such as podcast suggestions and definitions of scientific terms.
Despite the criticism, colleagues describe Kyle as hard-working and decisive. Former adviser Theo Bertram said he was approachable and lacked ego. Kyle has also faced questions over a 2023 Silicon Valley trip partly funded by Hakluyt, a corporate intelligence firm, which he declared to Parliament but not a dinner organised by the company.
His new brief covers traditional industries like hospitality and steel, alongside technology. He inherits challenges from predecessor Jonathan Reynolds, including the impact of US tariffs and rising national insurance costs. Kyle has urged businesses to take more risks to drive growth.
