Ex-Google chief to join PM for key UK investment summit

The former Google boss Eric Schmidt has been named as one of the highprofile executives attending the Labour government's first-ever international investment summit next week.

- Kalyeena Makortoff

Schmidt, who was chief executive of the US tech firm from 2001 to 2011, is expected to play a prominent role at the summit in central London on 14 October, where he will take the stage in conversation with Keir Starmer.

The prime minister is hoping the summit will send a clear signal to foreign investors that Britain under Labour is open for business and encourage a fresh injection of private money to drive his growth agenda.

The government said other confirmed speakers included Ruth Porat, the president of Google's owner, Alphabet; Bruce Flatt, the chief executive of the Canadian investment firm Brookfield; and Alex Kendall, the co-founder and chief executive of the UK self-driving car technology startup Wayve.

Although technology is likely to be a key focus of the summit, Elon Musk has not been invited after his controversial social media posts during August's riots.