16 Aug 2010

Clothing chain owner to advise UK government on spending

11:01 am on 16 August 2010

One of Britain's most successful businessmen, Sir Philip Green, has been recruited by the UK government to help it cut its spending.

Sir Philip, the billionaire owner of clothing chain Topshop, will examine expenditure from the past three years to try to identify potential savings.

He told the BBC more centralised buying by government departments might help.

Sir Philip owns more than 2,000 shops in the UK, including BHS and Topshop, which are estimated to make up some 12% of the nation's clothing retail market.

His conclusions will inform the wider Comprehensive Spending Review due in October.