Liz Truss turns to panoply of business leaders for advice | Business

Dozens of business people, from farmers to FTSE 100 bosses, have been recruited to government advisory boards as ministers seek to strengthen Britain’s negotiating position in trade talks.

With Whitehall officials preparing for sensitive talks with the United States and Australia on agricultural tariffs, Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, has established 11 trade advisory groups to bring business “closer to the negotiating table”.

A panel to help to steer the UK’s stance on agri-foods is the largest, with 26 representatives of lobby groups, trade bodies and businesses. Panellists are signing non-disclosure agreements as officials try to preserve the confidentiality of tariff offers.

Britain is due to deliver its opening offer on agricultural market access to the US — including proposed duties and quotas on