- Amy Barklam has been appointed His Majesty's Trade
Commissioner to Latin America & the Caribbean and Consul
General São Paulo
- UK exports to the region are up 44%, and Latin America &
the Caribbean's investment stock in the UK has accelerated to
over £130bn
- Barklam will join team of nine HM Trade Commissioners
promoting Global Britain across the world and encouraging UK
trade and investment
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced the
appointment of Amy Barklam as His Majesty's Trade Commissioner
(HMTC) for Latin America & the Caribbean (LATAC) and Consul
General São Paulo, succeeding Jonathan Knott.
As the new Trade Commissioner for LATAC, Amy will generate
business opportunities for the UK while contributing to the
growth of sustainable, resilient, and productive economies across
LATAC.
HMTCs play a vital role in delivering the UK Government's growth
mission by championing British business on the global stage.
Positioned in key international markets, HMTCs facilitate
international partnerships in high growth industries.
By promoting the UK's strengths they help secure new
opportunities for British industries, support job creation at
home, and reinforce the UK's reputation as a world-leading
destination for trade and investment.
Amy will bring extensive experience of international business,
executive relationship management, investment banking and
governance to the role. Amy's career outside Government has
included senior leadership positions at global institutions
including HSBC, Morgan Stanley and DTZ (now Cushman &
Wakefield).
Outside of her corporate work Amy is deeply engaged in non-profit
governance and advocacy. She is the Board Chair of Days for Girls
UK, a Non-Executive Director at Project Accountability, and
Awards Chair for the University of Illinois Alumni Association.
Jonathan will leave post on 23 January 2026 and Amy will complete
language training before taking up the role on 27 April
2026. Oliver Ballhatchet will be Acting HMTC in the interim
period.
Amy Barklam, Designate Trade Commissioner for Latin
America & the Caribbean, and Consul General São Paulo,
said:
“I am truly honoured to have been appointed His Majesty's Trade
Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Consul
General in São Paulo. It is a privilege to return to the region
where I began my career and to work with partners across
government and business to deepen our historic ties and further
expand opportunities for trade and investment.
“The region offers enormous potential for sustainable growth,
innovation and collaboration. Together with the dedicated LATAC
team, I look forward to deepening existing relationships,
building new ones, and supporting the delivery of HMG's
Industrial and Trade Strategies across this dynamic region.”
Jonathan Knott, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for
Latin America & the Caribbean, and Consul General São Paulo,
said:
“It has been a great privilege and pleasure to serve as HMTC for
Latin America and the Caribbean over the last 5 years. The
talented, energetic and expert team which I have led has achieved
some great successes, enabling the UK's commercial relationship
with the countries of the region to grow stronger than
ever.
“UK exports to the region are up 44%, and within that the value
of export contracts the team has enabled has risen by 200%.
Latin America & the Caribbean's investment stock in the UK
has accelerated to over £130bn. And each year the team has
removed scores of barriers which were stopping UK companies
entering new markets here. These achievements sit alongside the
trade deals which the Department for Business and Trade has
agreed and implemented across the region.
“I'm so proud of what the team has delivered for all parts of the
UK, though, of course, there is much more to do. And I'm
delighted that it is Amy who will pick up these challenges and
opportunities and I'm confident that, with the excellent LATAC
team, she will take these successes to the next level.”
The Trade Commissioner has responsibility for all DBT work in
LATAC including:
- Encouraging UK exports
- Improving market access for UK companies
- Attracting inward investment into the UK
- Influencing multilateral trade policy
- Delivering on the commitments made in the UK Trade,
Industrial and Small Business Strategies
The HMTC works closely with UK-based government colleagues, UK
Ambassadors and the wider diplomatic network to promote UK trade
and prosperity in their region. Together they engage extensively
with businesses, foreign governments and wider stakeholders in
the UK and LATAC.
