![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/520000/images/_523018_jones150.jpg)
Mr Jones, 44, was named on Tuesday afternoon as the successor to Adair Turner for the high-profile role of director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Birmingham-born Mr Jones is currently chairman of the CBI's West Midlands region.
He was described by colleagues as a hard-working, ebullient businessman with a wealth of experience.
The rewards of the job are pretty good - a £200,000 pay package for running a staff of 230 and managing a £17m budget.
It is certainly a post with some clout. A survey of the most powerful people in the UK put Adair Turner at number 93, just behind the Pope.
What the job involves is formulating policy on behalf of the 250,000 public and private companies and 150 trade associations which belong to the CBI.
Corporate lawyer
CBI president Sir Clive Thompson said of the new director general: "His breadth of business experience across many sectors, his international work and his understanding of the needs of manufacturing and smaller firms give him the depth and perspective he needs to represent the interests of CBI members.
"This is the first time that a serving CBI regional chairman has been appointed director general and there is no doubt that his inside knowledge will enable him to hit the ground running."
Mr Jones said: "It will be a challenging time for British business and I believe the CBI can make a real difference at this time of great change."
He began his career with corporate law firm Edge and Ellison and joined KPMG in 1998.
Mr Jones is married with no children. His interests include the theatre, skiing, cycling and rugby.
Inquiry into energy provider loyalty
Brown considers IMF job
Chinese imports boost US trade gap
No longer Liffe as we know it
The growing threat of internet fraud
House passes US budget
Online share dealing triples
Rate fears as sales soar
Brown's bulging war-chest
Oil reaches nine-year high
UK unemployment falls again
Trade talks deadlocked
US inflation still subdued
Insolvent firms to get breathing space
Bank considered bigger rate rise
UK pay rising 'too fast'
Utilities face tough regulation
CBI's new chief named
US stocks hit highs after rate rise
US Fed raises rates
UK inflation creeps up
Row over the national shopping basket
Military airspace to be cut
TUC warns against following US
World growth accelerates
Union merger put in doubt
Japan's tentative economic recovery
EU fraud costs millions
CBI choice 'could wreck industrial relations'
WTO hails China deal
US business eyes Chinese market
Red tape task force
Websites and widgets
Guru predicts web surge
Malaysia's economy: The Sinatra Principle
Shell secures Iranian oil deal
Irish boom draws the Welsh
China deal to boost economy
US dream scenario continues
Japan's billion dollar spending spree