Board of Trade

The Board of Trade is one of the government’s flagship advisory bodies on trade and the economy. Comprised of 10 appointed business advisers and a number of ex-officio advisers, representing the UK Nations and City of London, the newly formed board will advocate for UK businesses, in particular the country’s 5.5 million SMEs, at home and overseas, ensuring they realise their full export potential, and contribute to economic growth across all UK nations and regions.

The President of the Board of Trade is Jonathan Reynolds MP, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

Advisers to the board

The newly appointed advisers have deep sector expertise and represent some of the UK’s most successful businesses. They will play a crucial role in delivering the government’s growth mission, with particular focus on ensuring UK businesses, especially SMEs, realise their export potential.  

The Secretary of State is pleased to appoint:  

  • Omar Ali  

  • Mike Hawes OBE  

  • Dame Vivian Hunt DBE  

  • Allison Kirkby  

  • Paul Lindley OBE  

  • Catherine McGuinness CBE  

  • Michelle Ovens CBE  

  • Mike Soutar  

  • Sarah Walker  

  • Charles Woodburn CBE  

In addition to the following ex officio advisers:  

  • Secretary of State for Scotland, The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP  

  • Secretary of State for Wales, The Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP  

  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP  

  • The Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King  

  • Minister of State for Investment, Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE  

  • Minister of State for Industry, Sarah Jones MP  

  • Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security, The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP  

  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Justin Madders MP  

  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Services, Small Business and Exports, Gareth Thomas MP  

  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety, Baroness in Waiting (Government Whip), and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Legislation), Baroness Jones of Whitchurch  

Advisers are appointed for a 12-month period and may be reappointed. Additional advisers may be appointed as appropriate.  

The role as a Board of Trade adviser is unpaid and voluntary.

Board of Trade work

The previous iteration of the board met 15 times in the following locations:  

  • London (February 2024)  

  • London (June 2023)  

  • Cardiff (November 2022)  

  • Barrow-in-Furness (March 2022)  

  • Derry-Londonderry (November 2021)  

  • Glasgow (July 2021)  

  • Virtual (March 2021)  

  • Virtual (October 2020)  

  • Belfast (May 2019)  

  • Durham (February 2019)  

  • Swansea (November 2018)  

  • Coventry (September 2018)  

  • Stirling (May 2018)  

  • Preston (March 2018)  

  • Bristol (October 2017)  

From 2020 to 2022, a series of reports by the Board of Trade offered recommendations for government to consider.

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