Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a discussion on Brexit and the economy at the first meeting of a new business council today, a bid to rebuild bridges with companies concerned over Britain’s departure from the European Union.

After losing the governing Conservatives’ parliamentary majority at an ill-judged election last month, May has stepped up efforts to engage with business after some firms criticised her government for failing to address their worries over Brexit.

Many companies have urged the government to push the European Union to agree a clear and lengthy transitional arrangement after Britain leaves the bloc in 2019 to help them make investment decisions.

Steps to boost the nation’s economy

The meeting marks a shift for May, whose former aides had wanted to break what they felt was an overly cosy relationship between big business and government before her authority was weakened at the June election.

“Theresa May will tomorrow chair the first meeting of a new business council, which will provide a direct link to business on the government’s Brexit strategy, as well as looking at wider issues such as the development of a modern industrial strategy and steps to boost the nation’s economy,” May’s spokesman said.

The council would meet on a regular basis and its cast list would change on a “rolling basis to ensure broad representation across different sectors and industries over time,” the spokesman added.

Alongside the new business council, there will be regular meetings with Britain’s five main trade organisations chaired by Chancellor Philip Hammond, business minister Greg Clark and Brexit minister David Davis to focus on Brexit.