Eleven government departments have each appointed a Head of International Trade Profession to champion trade negotiation skills and help ensure that the UK develops appropriate expertise.
The International Trade Profession aims to raise the skills and ambitions of those working, or aspiring to work, in international trade by opening up new roles and career opportunities in the UK Government, supporting talented people to develop careers in trade and providing a training programme for them.
Announcing the initiative, the Chief Trade Negotiation Advisor, Crawford Falconer, said: “We are ensuring government attracts the best and brightest talent by not only offering trade professionals a clear route into working on trade policy, exports and investment at the centre of government but also nurturing their ability for the future through access to world-class training.”
The need for the UK to develop its own trade negotiation capacity has been highlighted by Brexit, with the possibility of the country having to take on responsibility for something that for many years has been the responsibility of the EU.
Commenting on the announcement, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said that, by establishing the International Trade Profession, the Government has embedded the development of trade negotiation capability at the heart of its agenda and taken another important step in getting UK trade policy Brexit-ready.
That view was echoed by CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn who commented: “Business will warmly welcome the appointment of Heads of International Trade Profession across Whitehall, demonstrating that the Government is building expertise and capability in a crucial area for post-Brexit Britain.”
