- Revamped Board will have an expanded list of advisers,
including a brand new line-up of CEOs from leading food and
drink, education and creative industry companies
- New structure will focus specifically on exports in line with
Government’s ambition to reach £1 trillion worth of UK exports
per year by 2030.
- In their roles as Advisers to the Board, appointees will work
with the Department for Business and Trade to help identify and
address export barriers and promote the UK brand to the world.
Business and Trade Secretary and President of the Board of Trade
has today [Wednesday 20
September] announced a refresh of the Board of Trade at the
meeting of one of the government’s highest profile advisory
bodies on trade and economic issues.
The Board, which has existed in various forms since the 17th
century, offers advice to the government on its trade and
exporting strategy, and has included members from across
government, academic institutions and business.
In line with the Government’s ambition to grow UK exports every
year until we hit a trillion annually by 2030, the focus of the
new Board will be on working with leaders from the UK’s top
growth sectors to identify and address export barriers so
businesses can achieve their full potential. The creative
industries, for example, are heavily represented with fashion,
film and music CEOs all on the revamped Board.
As well as senior leaders from top global companies and
innovative UK businesses, such as Tufan Erginbilgiç Chief
Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce, and Sir Lucian Grainge,
Managing Director of Universal Music Group, the refreshed Board
of Trade will include thought leaders with an expertise in trade
and the economy, including Lord Mayor of London Nicholas Lyons
and Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Food and Drink
Federation.
Business and Trade Secretary and President of the Board of Trade
said:
The brilliant new members of the Board of Trade, with their
wealth of experience and expertise, will help us to identify
barriers to exporting and represent the best of Brand Britain to
the world. Some are calling for another dry, report-writing
board, but this new board will be fixers. As we seize the immense
trading opportunities post-Brexit, we need to pull our socks up
and be a team of doers. I’m confident the new Board of Trade will
fulfil that ambition.
Pearson CEO Andy Bird said:
I am excited to be appointed as an Advisor to the Board of Trade
and look forward to working with the other members of the Board
and the Secretary of State on issues that will support the UK’s
economic growth and prosperity. As CEO of the world’s leading
learning company, I firmly believe in the power of innovation to
enable transformation, and I hope I can bring this to bear in my
advisory role.
Dulas Managing Director Ruth Chapman said:
I am delighted to be joining the newly convened Trade Board as an
Advisor. As a leader of an SME with extensive experience of
exporting products globally, I look forward to bringing my
expertise on the challenges and opportunities of international
trade, helping the UK to achieve its exporting growth ambitions.
As part of the first engagements of the new, revamped board,
today Lord Dominic Johnson hosted an investors breakfast at
Fortnum and Mason with a host of luxury brands and investors
including Chanel, Bremont and Votary.
New Board of Trade advisers are:
- Andy Bird CBE
- Anya Hindmarch CBE
- Ash Amirahmadi OBE
- David Meller CBE
- Karen Betts OBE
- Libby Hart
- Lord Daniel Hannan
- Paul Golding
- Peter O’Kane
- Rt Hon Nicholas Lyons
- Rt Hon Tony Abbott AC
- Ruth Chapman
- Sarah Kenny OBE
- Sir Lucian Grainge CBE
- Tufan Erginbilgiç
- Vivienne Stern MBE
Alongside the Board of Trade, the Department for Business and
Trade provides a range of country and market specific support to
exporters of all sizes. This includes the Export Support Service,
Export Champions, International Trade Advisors and UK Export
Finance, all targeted at getting businesses across the UK
exporting more. Latest figures show UK exports were £849bn in the
12 months to the end of July 2023, up £118bn (16%) in current
prices, compared to the previous 12 months.
