Business and Trade Secretary
Industry and Trade were separate jobs until 1983, then Trade and Industry, then a run of renamed business departments. Shared with Energy from 2016 to 2023. International trade is not included. Until 1983 two Secretaries of State overlap.
Departments
Now: Jonathan Reynolds, since Jul 2026
32
people have held it since 1979: 4 women, and 2 had a second spell
1.6 years
average finished spell. Longer than 3 of the 24 other jobs
5 yrs
longest: Vince Cable, 2010–2015
49 days
shortest: Jacob Rees-Mogg, 2022
10 of 33
finished spells lasted less than a year
Who held it, and when
Under each prime minister
Everyone who held the job at any point in the term. A dashed outline is someone already in post when the prime minister took over.
AB
Andy Burnham
1 holder in 85 days
KS
Keir Starmer
2 holders in 2 yrs
RS
Rishi Sunak
2 holders in 1.7 yrs
LT
Liz Truss
1 holder in 49 days
BJ
Boris Johnson
3 holders in 3.1 yrs
TM
Theresa May
2 holders in 3 yrs
DC
David Cameron
2 holders in 6.2 yrs
GB
Gordon Brown
3 holders in 2.9 yrs
TB
Tony Blair
6 holders in 10.2 yrs
JM
John Major
3 holders in 6.4 yrs
MTEveryone who has held it
-
JR
Jonathan ReynoldsSecond spellJul 2026 – nowappointed under Andy Burnham85 days -
PK
Peter KyleBusiness and TradeSep 2025 – Jul 2026appointed under Keir Starmer0.9 yrs -
JR
Jonathan ReynoldsBusiness and TradeJul 2024 – Sep 2025appointed under Keir Starmer1.2 yrs
-
KB
Kemi BadenochBusiness and TradeFeb 2023 – Jul 2024appointed under Rishi Sunak1.4 yrs -
GS
Grant ShappsBusiness, Energy and Industrial StrategyOct 2022 – Feb 2023appointed under Rishi Sunak0.3 yrs -
JR
Jacob Rees-MoggBusiness, Energy and Industrial StrategySep 2022 – Oct 2022appointed under Liz Truss49 days -
KK
Kwasi KwartengBusiness, Energy and Industrial StrategyJan 2021 – Sep 2022appointed under Boris Johnson1.7 yrs -
AS
Alok SharmaBusiness, Energy and Industrial StrategyFeb 2020 – Jan 2021appointed under Boris Johnson0.9 yrs -
AL
Andrea LeadsomBusiness, Energy and Industrial StrategyJul 2019 – Feb 2020appointed under Boris Johnson0.6 yrs -
GC
Greg ClarkBusiness, Energy and Industrial StrategyJul 2016 – Jul 2019appointed under Theresa May3 yrs -
SJ
Sajid JavidBusiness, Innovation and SkillsMay 2015 – Jul 2016appointed under David Cameron1.2 yrs -
VC
Vince CableBusiness, Innovation and SkillsMay 2010 – May 2015appointed under David Cameron5 yrs -
M
Lord MandelsonSecond spellOct 2008 – May 2010appointed under Gordon Brown1.6 yrs -
HF
Lord Hutton of FurnessBusiness, Enterprise and Regulatory ReformJun 2007 – Oct 2008appointed under Gordon Brown1.3 yrs -
DR
Lord Darling of RoulanishTrade and IndustryMay 2006 – Jun 2007appointed under Tony Blair1.1 yrs -
AJ
Alan JohnsonTrade and IndustryMay 2005 – May 2006appointed under Tony Blair1 yrs -
PH
Patricia HewittTrade and IndustryJun 2001 – May 2005appointed under Tony Blair3.9 yrs -
SB
Stephen ByersTrade and IndustryDec 1998 – Jun 2001appointed under Tony Blair2.5 yrs -
M
Lord MandelsonTrade and IndustryJul 1998 – Dec 1998appointed under Tony Blair0.4 yrs
-
MB
Margaret BeckettTrade and IndustryMay 1997 – Jul 1998appointed under Tony Blair1.2 yrs -
LM
Lord Lang of MonktonTrade and IndustryJul 1995 – May 1997appointed under John Major1.8 yrs -
H
Lord HeseltineTrade and IndustryApr 1992 – Jul 1995appointed under John Major3.2 yrs -
L
Lord LilleyTrade and IndustryJul 1990 – Apr 1992appointed under Margaret Thatcher1.7 yrs -
NR
Nicholas RidleyTrade and IndustryJul 1989 – Jul 1990appointed under Margaret Thatcher1 yrs -
YG
Lord Young of GraffhamTrade and IndustryJun 1987 – Jul 1989appointed under Margaret Thatcher2.1 yrs -
PC
Paul ChannonTrade and IndustryJan 1986 – Jun 1987appointed under Margaret Thatcher1.4 yrs -
BS
Lord Brittan of SpennithorneTrade and IndustrySep 1985 – Jan 1986appointed under Margaret Thatcher0.4 yrs -
T
Lord TebbitTrade and IndustryOct 1983 – Sep 1985appointed under Margaret Thatcher1.9 yrs -
P
Lord ParkinsonTrade and IndustryJun 1983 – Oct 1983appointed under Margaret Thatcher0.3 yrs -
C
Lord CockfieldTradeApr 1982 – Jun 1983appointed under Margaret Thatcher1.2 yrs -
JR
Lord Jenkin of RodingIndustrySep 1981 – Jun 1983appointed under Margaret Thatcher1.7 yrs -
JB
John BiffenTradeJan 1981 – Apr 1982appointed under Margaret Thatcher1.2 yrs -
J
Lord JosephIndustryMay 1979 – Sep 1981appointed under Margaret Thatcher2.4 yrs -
JN
John NottTradeMay 1979 – Jan 1981appointed under Margaret Thatcher1.7 yrs
How we count: a spell is one unbroken run in the job by one person. A rename, or a move between two names of the same post, carries the spell on. The current holder's spell runs to today and is left out of every average. Where two people overlap, the source records both (cover during leave, for instance).