What will a Boris Johnson premiership mean for the tech industry?

Leaders in tech and beyond react to Boris Johnson's appointment as prime minister

The channel is chewing over the implications of what a Boris Johnson premiership means for UK businesses.

The former mayor of London beat Jeremy Hunt, winning two thirds of votes to replace Theresa May as leader of the Conservatives.

Hunt replaced Johnson as foreign secretary in May's Cabinet after Johnson resigned from the position last year in opposition to May's soft Brexit plans.

Lawrence Jones, founder and CEO of UKFast, said he was "relieved" that the controversial MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip would be moving into 10 Downing Street.

"Having met both Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson, the choice between the two became quite clear," he said.

"Hunt said he would drop corporation tax. You would think I'd be over the moon at that as a businessperson but really, I don't want a drop in tax, and neither do most of the businesspeople I know. It's this tax that funds essential services like schools, the police and hospitals, which are chronically underfunded.

"Right now we need to invest our money in this country and in our public services, so cutting taxes may win a few hearts and minds in a very small minority, but it's not what the country needs.

"I want a strong economy where everybody prospers and I believe Boris is best equipped to deliver on that."

Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), stated that Johnson needs to get on with the business of ensuring an orderly Brexit on 31 October.

"The message to Boris Johnson from business communities around the UK couldn't be simpler: the time for campaigning is over - and we need you to get down to business," he said.

"Companies need to know, in concrete terms, what your government will do to avoid a messy, disorderly Brexit on 31 October - which would bring pain to communities across the UK and disruption to our trade around the world.

"We need to see swift action on practical, real-world issues here at home that hold businesses and communities back."

Mike Cherry, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) echoed this sentiment.

"Securing a pro-business EU withdrawal agreement that can command a majority in the House of Commons is task one for this new administration," he said.

"Brexit has been absorbing government bandwidth for years now, leaving domestic challenges unaddressed. Chief among these is a broken business rates system, spiralling employment costs and derisory broadband and phone connectivity.

"We need to see a real sense of urgency from this new prime minister when it comes to creating a pro-enterprise environment.

"As things stand, small business confidence is at rock-bottom: political uncertainty has left us unable to invest, grow and plan for the future.

"The UK has long been one of the best places in the world to do business. It's crucial that we keep it that way."

Richard Turner, SVP of EMEA at CyberArk, tweeted that Johnson has already proved to be funnier in his acceptance speech than his predecessor had been in her career as PM.

Meanwhile Marc Waters, UK boss at HPE, tweeted a picture of himself with the new PM, stating that he was looking forward to working with Johnson's new government.