Alex Depledge, the UK government's entrepreneurship adviser, is stepping down. She accuses ministers of treating the country's fastest-growing companies as a "sideshow" while prioritizing traditional industries. In her resignation letter, Depledge criticizes the government's focus, arguing that policy is misaligned with the needs of high-growth businesses. She claims officials overlook the scaleup sector, instead catering to established sectors. Her departure highlights a growing disconnect between the UK government and its most dynamic companies.
Depledge's exit follows a period of tension between the advisory role and government policy. She specifically points to a lack of support for scaling businesses, suggesting the administration prefers legacy sectors. The resignation underscores the challenges facing the UK's entrepreneurship agenda. Observers note that her departure may signal a need for reform in how the government engages with the tech and scaleup community. The move comes as the government seeks to boost economic growth through innovation.
The UK treasury and business departments have not yet commented publicly on the resignation. Depledge's role was intended to bridge the gap between government and the high-growth sector. Her exit leaves a vacancy in key advisory positions focused on startup and scaleup support.
Source: Sifted · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing