FSB appoint Interim Chair

Tina McKenzie has been confirmed as Interim National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), as Martin McTague steps down from the National Chair role to become a member of the House of Lords.

McKenzie has been part of FSB’s Board of Directors since 2021, and for the last four years has been National Vice Chair, Policy and Advocacy. During this time, she has led engagement with senior figures in both the UK Government and opposition parties on key issues including the cost of doing business crisis, employment rights changes, international trade, and tackling late payments by big businesses to their smaller suppliers. She will continue to lead on this top-tier engagement in her role as Interim National Chair.

Martin McTague has been an FSB volunteer for more than 20 years at local and national level, becoming National Chair in 2022 having previously been National Vice Chair, Policy and Advocacy. Throughout this time, he has been a passionate advocate for FSB members and the wider small business and self-employed community.

Last month, his peerage was announced as one of 26 new members of the House of Lords, and it is expected he will be formally introduced into the Lords following the summer recess.

FSB’s Board of Directors, chaired by Tina, will continue to give non-executive strategic direction to FSB. The organisation’s operations will continue to be carried out by staff teams across the UK, led by Chief Executive Julie Lilley, Executive Director Craig Beaumont and a wider senior management team.

Martin McTague said “I’m incredibly proud to have had the privilege to represent FSB members and the wider small business community, and to have met so many amazing, innovative and inspiring small business owners along the way. Over the last ten years of my two Board leadership roles, this has included some of the most difficult and challenging times for small businesses, when it was vital that FSB made sure the small business voice was heard loud and clear – from the protracted Brexit process to the COVID pandemic, as well as significant economic challenges, political chaos and rising costs. Leaving my role as FSB National Chair to take up my new position in the House of Lords doesn’t mean I’m abandoning my passion for championing the UK’s small businesses.”

FSB Chief Executive, Julie Lilley, said “I’d like to thank Martin for volunteering his time, expertise and determination to FSB over the last 20 years, including the last four years as National Chair. I warmly congratulate him on his peerage, and I know he will continue to be a great champion of small businesses. I’m delighted that Tina has agreed to become Interim National Chair, bringing to the role the same dynamic zeal she has shown as Policy and Advocacy Chair, and before that as Chair of the Policy Unit for FSB Northern Ireland.”