Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser starts at the Department for International Trade
Crawford Falconer will take up his position as the new Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser for the Department for International Trade (DIT) this week.
Secretary of State Dr Liam Fox (left) welcomes chief trade negotiation adviser Crawford Falconer outside the Department for International Trade
An internationally recognised trade expert with over 25 years of experience, Crawford will lead trade policy and the development of trade negotiation capability at DIT, following a global recruitment campaign by the department.
As Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser and Second Permanent Secretary, Crawford will be the UK government’s expert on trade negotiation and strategy, and the principal adviser to the International Trade Secretary on striking trade agreements and market access deals with the UK’s global trading partners.
Crawford will serve as an ambassador for DIT, engaging with international partners and trade counterparts to develop key strategic relationships, and will personally oversee pivotal trade negotiations on behalf of ministers.
Crawford will also act as the new head of profession for trade negotiators within the UK Civil Service, building, recruiting for and strengthening the department’s specialist trade and negotiation capability.
Crawford Falconer brings over 25 years of public service in trade and foreign affairs to DIT. A New Zealand/UK dual-national, he was previously Professor of Global Value Chains and Trade at Lincoln University. This follows a long career at the heart of New Zealand’s Foreign Office, as Deputy Secretary (Vice Minister) for International Trade and Foreign Affairs. He has also served in the OECD, as New Zealand Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, and been a judge on over 15 WTO international trade disputes.
International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said:
Crawford Falconer brings a wealth of international trade expertise to our international economic department, ensuring that as we leave the EU, the UK will be at the forefront of global free trade and driving the case for international openness.
His direct experience in global trade will prove invaluable as we build our future trading arrangements with the rest of the world.
Crawford Falconer said:
As the UK prepares to leave the EU we have a huge opportunity to be a world innovator, striking trade deals outside of Europe, and to be an ambassador for free trade across the world.
With 90% of new trade to come from outside the EU in the next decades, this is an immensely exciting time to join the Department, and I look forward to preparing for the important negotiations ahead.