Strategic Trade Advisory Group

The Strategic Trade Advisory Group (STAG) provided a forum for high-level strategic discussions between government, and stakeholders representing a cross-section of interests from all parts of the UK on trade policy matters.

This group has closed

The STAG is no longer convened and has been replaced by updated stakeholder management structures managed by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Engagement continues at all levels with our key stakeholders, to help secure the best outcomes for the UK.

Role

The Strategic Trade Advisory Group was established in April 2019, prior to the departmental merger of the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The STAG is no longer convened

Chair and structure

The group was chaired by the Minister for Trade at the former Department for International Trade (DIT). The secretariat function was provided by DIT.

It met as required, but about 3 times a year. The group published summaries of meeting discussions.

Membership

STAG was made up of 21 members and 4 experts.

In line with its commitment to review the membership and functionality of the group, DIT published an Expression of Interest for new members in July 2020.

The membership of the group was designed to represent the views of business, civil society, consumers and academia from across the country. The group was expanded to include a greater number of ‘nationwide’ business representatives from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was also expanded to include a dedicated representative for the environment and climate. Members were selected to provide a breadth of knowledge and experience.

Membership for the period 2020 to 2022 was:

  • Minister for International Trade (chair)
  • Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, Confederation of British Industry (business representative organisation)
  • Mike Cherry OBE, Federation of Small Businesses (SME)
  • Paul Nowak, Trades Union Congress (Trade Unions)
  • Nick Coburn CBE, Ulster Carpets (regional/national business)
  • Liz Cameron CBE, Scottish Chamber of Commerce (regional/national business)
  • Andy Richardson, Volac International (regional/national business)
  • Marc Shrimpling, Osborne Clarke LLP (regional/national business)
  • Emma Ormond, Primark (regional/national business)
  • Matthew Kilcoyne, Initiative for Free Trade (think tank)
  • Professor Julian Beer, Birmingham City University (academia)
  • Sue Davies MBE, Which? (consumer choice)
  • Scott Steedman CBE, British Standards Institution (consumer protection and standards)
  • Dirk Willem te Velde, Overseas Development Institute (trade for development)
  • Nick von Westenholz, National Farmers Union (agriculture)
  • Julian David, Tech UK (digital)
  • Bina Mehta, KPMG (professional and business services)
  • Denise Valin Alvarez, Burberry (fashion and textiles)
  • Michael Gidney, Fairtrade Foundation (non-governmental organisation)
  • Philip Bouverat, JCB (manufacturing)
  • Shaun Spiers, Greener UK (environment and climate)

Experts - in addition to the 21 members, the STAG also consisted of 4 experts:

  • Adam Marshall, Consultant
  • Robert Colvile, Centre for Policy Studies (trade policy expert)
  • Mark Littlewood, Institute of Economic Affairs (trade policy expert)
  • Mark Abrams, Trade Finance Global (trade finance expert)
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