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International Trade Secretary, , appoints 2 new HM Trade
Commissioners (HMTCs)
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New York Consul General Antony Phillipson appointed as
HMTC for North America
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Mumbai Deputy High Commissioner Crispin Simon named for
South Asia role
As the UK prepares for future trade agreements with countries
around the world, International Trade Secretary, , today (Monday 5 February) names 2
new HMTCs. They will champion British trade with some of the UK’s
biggest economic partners.
With 90% of growth projected to come from outside the EU, Dr Fox
said the appointments signal “a new way of doing things”, with
far more autonomy for his senior officials to improve trade with
key markets of the future.
Antony Phillipson has been appointed as HMTC for North America,
while Crispin Simon has been appointed to the South Asia role.
International Trade Secretary, , said:
With the IMF predicting that
90% of growth will come from outside the EU, we need to look at
where the emerging markets are and put UK businesses in prime
position to benefit.
That is why, as an international economic department, we are
introducing a new way of doing things with the appointment of
our HM Trade Commissioners.
They will have more autonomy to do what works best in their
region to improve trade with key markets of the future.
Antony and Crispin bring a wealth of in-country knowledge and
expertise to their new roles, alongside an extensive network of
contacts in North America and South Asia – 2 key growth markets
where British companies already have a well-established
presence.
In North America, the United States is the UK’s single largest
trading partner and biggest export market, accounting for 14.5%
of all UK trade and more than 18% of British exports in 2016.
Whilst in South Asia, trade in goods and services between the UK
and India alone was worth more than £15 billion in 2016. Both
regions are home to some of the world’s largest and
fastest-expanding economies.
These appointments follow an innovative new approach by the
Department for International Trade (DIT) which last month
published a list of upcoming visits by
ministers, calling on businesses to have their say on ‘in
market’ issues. Dr Fox and his team will be visiting India and
the United States in the next few weeks, where they will also
meet with the new HMTCs.
DIT Permanent Secretary, , said:
I am delighted to welcome Antony and Crispin to their new
roles. They have both already done a fantastic job promoting
the UK overseas, and securing inward investment to the UK.
As HMTCs, they will play an important role leading our work
overseas to help British businesses export and grow
internationally, and attracting investment into the UK.
Speaking after his appointment, HMTC for North America Antony
Phillipson said:
The US and Canada are 2 of the UK’s most important trading
partners. Developing our independent trade policy and future
agreements will boost companies on both sides of the Atlantic
looking to invest, create jobs and spread growth.
Crispin Simon, HMTC for South Asia, added:
The strength of Britain’s highly-skilled workforce is widely
recognised in South Asia, with Indian companies alone creating
or protecting more than 11,000 jobs in the UK last year.
British businesses exporting and investing in India also
support one in 20 jobs in the country’s private sector – and I
am excited to be helping more UK-based companies unlock the
trading opportunities that one of the world’s fastest-growing
economies has to offer.
Background
About HMTCs
All of the new HMTCs will cooperate closely with HM Ambassadors
and High Commissioners, the wider diplomatic network, and other
HM Government colleagues based in countries in their region, in a
joined-up and coordinated government effort overseas to promote
UK trade and prosperity.
In total, there will be 9 geographical areas that the HM Trade
Commissioners will cover:
- Africa
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Eastern Europe and Central Asia Network
- Europe
- Latin America
- Middle East
- North America
- South Asia
Richard Burn was
last week appointed HMTC for China during the Prime Minister and
Dr Fox’s visit to the country.
Further HMTCs will be appointed shortly.
About Antony Phillipson and Crispin Simon
Antony
Phillipson is Her Majesty’s Consul General in New York
and Director General of International Trade North America. Most
recently, Antony was Director of Trade and Partnerships in the
Department for Exiting the European Union.
Crispin Simon is
the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India and the
Director General of the Department for International Trade, India
and South Asia. Crispin has extensive experience across both the
private and public sectors.
