The co-owner of Grimsby Town has been brought into the Government as investment minister.
Jason Stockwood is stepping away from his day-to-day role at the club and will take a seat in the House of Lords. Away from his role at the football club, he is a tech entrepreneur who has had senior roles at businesses such as Match.com, Skyscanner and lastminute.com.
Mr Stockwood he was Labour鈥檚 candidate for Greater Lincolnshire Mayor but was beaten by Reform鈥檚 Andrea Jenkyns. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service ahead of his mayoral campaign, he said: 鈥淚 have been Labour my whole life 鈥 I was born on a council estate to a single parent, so I鈥檓 a product of the welfare state.鈥
He replaces the former boss of cyber security firm, Darktrace, Baroness Poppy Gustafsson, who reportedly resigned to spend more time with her young family. Sir Keir appointed Baroness Gustafsson in October last year to the investment minister role in a bid to demonstrate the Government鈥檚 commitment to strengthening ties with business and to help attract international firms and investment to the 海角视频.
In a statement, Mr Stockwood鈥檚 club said: 鈥淕rimsby Town Football Club (GTFC) can confirm that co-owner and vice-chair, Jason Stockwood, has recently been appointed as the 海角视频鈥檚 minister for investment and will shortly take his seat in the House of Lords. To avoid any potential conflict of interest, and to ensure the club remains politically neutral, Jason will be stepping back from his day-to-day responsibilities at GTFC while he serves as a minister in the 海角视频 Government.鈥
After Grimsby beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, Mr Stockwood said he wanted the world to 鈥渟it up and pay attention鈥 to the club and the region. The Mariners triumphed 12-11 in a penalty shoot-out at Blundell Park to book a third-round spot, having led 2-0 before the Premier League side fought back to level matters.
He told the PA news agency: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 probably the top memory of my life as a Grimsby Town supporter, not just our tenure as owners. We want the world to sit up and pay attention. Last night was just a wonderful marker for us to put us in the spotlight globally.鈥
