The group will also include former Lloyds TSB chairman Sir Brian Pitman and Google chief executive Eric Schmidt, Mr Cameron added.

BBC: Business leaders to advise Tories

Ms Nuland added that Mr Schmidt and Mr Richardson were "well aware" of the US government's views.

BBC: US cool on Google's Eric Schmidt visiting North Korea

Gilder has since added Novell to his Telecosm portfolio on the strength of Schmidt's "storewidth" vision.

FORBES: Digital Rules

On Sunday, Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt defended his company, saying it had "always aspired to do the right thing", but added that "international tax law could almost certainly benefit from reform".

BBC: Apple 'among largest tax avoiders in US' - Senate committee