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Carillion chair Green in PM talks as corporate crackdown looms

The chairman of Carillion (Frankfurt: 924047 - news) , the FTSE-250 infrastructure group, is in talks about a role advising the Prime Minister on responsible business as she plots a string of reforms to curb corporate misbehaviour.

Sky News understands that Philip Green, a former chief executive of United Utilities (LSE: UU.L - news) , has held several meetings with Downing Street officials since Theresa May became PM in July.

Mr Green served as David Cameron's adviser on corporate social responsibility for most of his term as Mrs May's predecessor.

If he continues in the role, it would make him a relative rarity among Mr Cameron's advisers in not being cast aside by the new PM.

Earlier this month, Mrs May told the bosses of major companies including BP, easyJet and Rolls-Royce that their service as business advisers was no longer required following Mr Cameron's departure from Downing Street.

Her officials have stressed that she will continue to engage with business leaders, and Sky News understands that she hosted a dinner this week which was attended by Steve Rowe, Marks & Spencer (Frankfurt: 534418 - news) chief executive, and Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.

Mrs May is expected to use a speech to the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham next week to set out further details of her plans to clamp down on corporate excess.

The PM has said she wants to introduce binding pay votes for company shareholders and employees serving on boards in an attempt to rein in soaring remuneration packages.

A green paper outlining proposals for consultation is likely to be published shortly after the Tory conference, according to Whitehall sources.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Saturday, Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, said company bosses needed to listen to the "mood music" on issues such as executive pay.

"Business needs to understand - and I think business does understand - in the wider context it isn't sustainable to have large household brand name businesses angering their consumers," Mr Hammond told the newspaper.

"Their consumers, our voters, must be important to them and their reputation.

"Their image with their consumers must be important to them."

Investors' anger at pay deals for the bosses of companies such as BP and Weir Group (Other OTC: WEIGY - news) led to a series of revolts this year.

The scandal over poor working practices at Sports Direct International (Other OTC: SDIPF - news) , the retailer, has also contributed to the perception that big business is out of touch with the public mood.

MPs (BSE: MPSLTD.BO - news) on the Business, Innovation and Skills select committee have launched an inquiry into corporate governance, focusing on pay, directors' duties and the composition of boards.

Mr Green, who is not related to his namesake, the former owner of BHS, could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Downing Street declined to comment.