The Prime Minister welcomed Prime Minister Yildirim of Turkey to Downing Street for a bilateral meeting earlier today. The leaders agreed on the importance of the UK-Turkey relationship and continuing efforts to deepen our cooperation. They discussed … read more
Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, has appointed Ian Baulch-Jones as a new non-executive director to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Ian will take up the post on 28 November 2017 for 2 years.
Ian is an award-winning senior leader, having held positions with National Grid, Deutsche Bank, E.ON, MORGAN EST plc, ITNET UK Ltd (now part of the Serco Group of Companies).
Ian brings to the board an in-depth knowledge of IT and business transformation.
Bridget Rosewell OBE, Chair of DVSA, said:
I am delighted that Ian Baulch-Jones is to join the board of the DVSA and I very much look forward to working with him.
His knowledge and experience will be of great benefit to the board, and the agency, helping people stay safe on Britain’s roads.
The appointment process for non-executive directors has been run in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments guidelines. All appointments are made on merit on a personal basis, and political activity and affiliations play no part in the selection process.
The Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox, has this week announced that the Department for International Trade (DIT) will recruit for a new team of Her Britannic Majesty’s Trade Commissioners (HMTCs) to represent the UK in key markets across the world.
The HM Trade Commissioners, one of the government’s manifesto commitments, will play a vital role as the UK leaves the European Union and takes its place as a global champion of free trade in charge of its own independent trade policy. The HM Trade Commissioners will head the global operations of DIT, leading on export promotion, inward and outward direct investment, and trade policy overseas on behalf of the UK government.
The 9 geographical areas that the HM Trade Commissioners will cover are:
The HM Trade Commissioners will be senior Civil Service appointments. It is anticipated that appointments will be confirmed during the first half of 2018.
International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said:
read moreThis is an exciting and challenging opportunity to represent the UK in key markets around the world. We will be seeking the brightest and the best, from both the public and private sectors to use their extensive regional and in-country knowledge, together with their business and government expertise to help build a global Britain.
The new HM Trade Commissioners will be providing a clear vision and direction to my Department’s global operations. That will require providing intelligence on the ground, deciding what tailored action is required in their region, and playing a vital role in our future global trading relationships.
Karen is the first woman appointed to this role, and is uniquely suited for the position having previously served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, and more recently as the Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.
The current Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Matthew Rycroft, has been in the post since 2015 and will handover in January 2018 when he returns to London to take up his new role as Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Development.
On being announced as the new Ambassador to the United Nations, Karen Pierce said:
The UK has long been a strong supporter of the UN and its role at the heart of the global rules-based international system at a time when it is coming under challenge. Through our role as a permanent member of the Security Council and position as the UN’s third largest donor, the UK will continue to work with others to tackle the pressing security, stability, development and prosperity challenges of today.
Our security and economic interests depend to a large extent on a strong and effective United Nations. I am honoured to be appointed as the UK’s Ambassador and to head the UK cross-government effort at the UN. I undertake to ensure we are an active force in New York for progress and partnership.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:
Britain has a proud history of working for positive change through the United Nations, not least in addressing the problems in Libya and Syria. I know Karen has the diplomatic skills, energy and patience to continue this vital work, and I congratulate her on her appointment.
Karen Pierce’s full career history can be found here.
read moreThe Queen has approved a Knighthood for Antony James Zacaroli QC.
The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Knighthood be conferred upon Antony James Zacaroli QC on his appointment as a Justice of the High Court.
Antony James Zacaroli was called to the Bar in 1987 and took Silk in 2006.