Written statement: United Kingdom Trade Envoy Programme - April 28

Minister for Trade (Sir Chris Bryant): The Secretary of State has today made the following appointment to the United Kingdom's Trade Envoy programme.

The United Kingdom's Trade Envoys are important to this Government's growth agenda. They support Ministers to deliver trade and investment outcomes within the industrial and trade strategies and attract foreign direct investment across UK regions.

Working in close partnership with our Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and His Majesty's Trade Commissioners, Trade Envoys support deeper bilateral trade relationships, lead trade missions, welcome inward delegations, and address market access challenges to ensure British firms can compete and succeed.

The role as a United Kingdom Trade Envoy is unpaid and voluntary with cross-party membership from both Houses.

The Secretary of State is pleased to appoint:

The Hon Member for Rugby (John Slinger MP) as the United Kingdom's Trade Envoy to the Republic of Korea.

Today's appointment means there are now 32 Trade Envoys focusing on 73 markets.