The Cabinet minister said he wants to create the best opportunities for businesses to “put the ball into the net”.
He made the comments a day after the Government published its 10-year Industrial Strategy aimed at creating jobs and prosperity in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), offshore wind power and electric vehicle battery production.
Mr Reynolds and Henderson were both born in Sunderland.
Speaking at a summit hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in central London today (June 24), the Business Secretary said: “I like to be, bear with me here, the Jordan Henderson of Government. A fellow Mackem hero.
“Dictating the pace of play, protecting the back line, making the passes forward to give businesses the best opportunity to put the ball into the net.
“That’s our goal, as the Government. On the pitch, working hard, always making sure the ball goes to the right place, but fundamentally facilitating other people’s success.”
He added: “That means an ambition to nearly double the annual business investment in the sector by 2035.
“In an automotive context, that means growing our output to over 1.3 million vehicles by 2035, helping to stabilise and grow our supply chain.
“Now that’s a huge task. Previous governments would not have had this level of ambition, but we know it is well within your grasp.”
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UK factories produced 779,584 new cars in 2024.
Henderson, 35, played for Dutch side Ajax last season but there is speculation he could return to the Premier League in a sensational homecoming with newly-promoted Sunderland.
In March, Thomas Tuchel ended Henderson’s 18-month exile from international football by selecting him in his first squad as England head coach.
