CBI director general Sir Digby Jones, who is stepping down in the summer, has laid out how Birmingham should be run while insisting he would have no interest in standing for elected mayor.
He has also revealed he is writing what is likely to prove an explosive book about his time at the head of one of Britain's top business organisations.
Despite rubbing shoulders with some of the world's leading politicians and gaining the respect of both Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown, Sir Digby said he had no ambition to go into party politics.
There has been much speculation that Birmingham could eventually follow London and others down the route of an elected mayor, against the wishes of city council leader Mike Whitby.
Councillor Whitby (Con Harborne) and Sir Digby have clashed over what role the latter might play in Birmingham.
But Sir Digby insisted: "I am not interested in being an elected mayor.
"That is not a statement about Birmingham - I do not wish to go into democratic politics. I want to be independent.
"I have seen party politics at first hand for the last seven years, and I don't like what I see.
"The CBI role is political but it is not party political. I would not last five minutes in party politics - I would be forever saying the wrong thing.
"A career in the Birmingham Council Chamber or in the House of Commons is not for me."
Sir Digby also told The Birmingham Post: "What Birmingham needs is quality civic leadership and that means politicians who are statesman-like.
"Politicians should reach out more and bring people in from all different walks of life."
Sir Digby plans to take a three-month holiday before throwing himself into newspaper, radio and charity work.
He will accept four to five serious jobs and has also agreed to become an adviser to Birmingham quantity surveyors Buck-nall Austin.
But there is one thing the former Birmingham lawyer is adamant about.
"I am not going back into the law." ..SUPL:
