Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : New Scottish Export Champions announced after successful first year of the scheme [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 September 2023.

Ten new Export Champions for Scotland have been appointed to the Export Champions scheme.
After a successful start to the Export Champions scheme, ten new Export Champions for Scotland have been appointed

They join the thirteen appointments made last year, ensuring a broad range of sector expertise is in place

Working closely with the Department for Business and Trade and Scottish Development International, their role will be to encourage more Scottish businesses to consider selling abroad

Ten new Export Champions have been appointed for Scotland after a positive start to the scheme that was launched just under a year ago.

In October last year the first ever Export Champions for Scotland were selected and tasked with promoting the benefits of exporting.

Since then they have taken part in over 78 engagements where they have spoken at events, shared advice with others in their sector and encouraged other companies across Scotland to consider selling to overseas markets.

The new appointees, selected in partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI), cover a broad range of sectors from life sciences, to hydrogen energy and legal services.

UK Government Minister for Scotland and Exports Lord Malcolm Offord said:

With our current Export Champions having made such an excellent start, we were keen to grow our team here in Scotland to ensure that we were doing all we can to help companies start their export journey.

Our new, larger team now cover an even broader range of sectors, and I look forward to them sharing their success stories of selling abroad and encouraging other Scottish businesses to start doing the same.

Reuben Aitken, Scottish Enterprise Managing Director of International Operations, said:

Exports drive productivity and our Scottish economic performance.

Scottish Enterprise and our global Scottish Development International colleagues are committed to working with partners to support Scottish companies’ growth by selling their innovative products and services to overseas markets.

We have been pleased to help identify these latest Export Champions who we know will help encourage and inspire future Scottish businesses to trade internationally.

Each of the new Export Champions were selected by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with SDI, with each having a successful track record of trading internationally and a desire to share their expertise with others.

One of the new Export Champions is Natalya Ratner, from educational technology company Robotical Ltd based in Leith. They developed a programmable robot called Marty, an educational tool that has now been sold to over 1,000 schools across 65 countries worldwide.

New Export Champion for Scotland, Natalya Ratner of Robotical Ltd said:

Exporting has made a huge difference to our company. Although we are very much a Scottish company, we were international from the start as it was the best area for growth.

We want more Scottish companies to become successful exporters, so I’m delighted to become an Export Champion. I’ll be really pushing the message on the importance of selling abroad and the growth it can bring to the other companies that I meet with.

Naysun Alae-Carew is another new appointee and is Managing Director of Glasgow-based Blazing Griffin, who specialise in video game development, film and TV and production and high-end post-production services.

With a growing team of 72 creative, digital and technology professionals, Blazing Griffin’s growth trajectory has been fuelled not only by a growing domestic market but also by their thriving exports business.

Managing Director of Blazing Griffin, Naysun Alae-Carew, said:

I’m honoured and excited to be appointed as an Export Champion. We look forward to sharing the insights and strategies that have driven our success with other Scottish companies and help them reach into new territories around the world.

We are staunch believers that Scotland has the potential to excel on the world stage without sacrificing its focus on domestic capabilities. It’s a great time to be part of a nation that is outward-facing, yet deeply committed to local development.

Dr Sharon Fitzgerald, a partner at law firm DLA Piper, has also been named as one of Scotland’s new Export Champions.

For years, DLA Piper has been exporting international best practice in legal services and project procurement, gained through working on major Scottish infrastructure projects such as the Queensferry Crossing.

Dr Sharon Fitzgerald, Partner at DLA Piper said:

I’m delighted to have been selected as an Export Champion for Scotland. At DLA Piper we have exported international best practice in legal services and project procurement to a range of different countries across the world. We’ve also supported our clients in a variety of sectors to do business internationally.

I want to share this experience with others. There are so many opportunities out there and I’m eager to see Scottish businesses make the most of these.

Each Export Champion will now work closely with both DBT and SDI, attending events and providing peer-to-peer exporting support to other businesses in their sector.

So far Export Champions in Scotland have appeared as panel members at the US Trade Dialogue held in Edinburgh in November last year, given presentations about the opportunities available to Scottish FinTech companies in North American markets, and provided feedback to DBT officials on the potential benefits of Free Trade Agreements.
September 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK minister’s visit to Canada and US will boost long-standing ties with key allies [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Americas and Caribbean, David Rutley is on a four-day visit to Ottawa, Louisiana and Texas.
- strengthening security and economic ties with key allies will be focus for Americas Minister on trip to Ottawa, Louisiana and Texas
- David Rutley will meet with key federal and provincial leaders to boost UK-Canadian collaboration on global security issues
- with more than $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies, visit will build on UK-US relationships that create thousands of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic
Deepening security ties with two of the UK’s closest allies and strengthening economic links that support jobs on both sides of the Atlantic will be the focus for the Americas Minister as he begins a four-day visit to Canada and the US today (Monday 18 September).

In his second visit in the role to Canada, David Rutley will meet with federal and provincial leaders over two days in the Canadian capital, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rob Oliphant to discuss UK-Canadian collaboration on global security issues.

The UK and Canada share a unique intelligence and security relationship and Minister Rutley will discuss coordination on sanctions against Russia and encourage international cooperation and support for Ukraine to ensure they win the fight against Putin’s illegal invasion.

A two-day trip to Texas and Louisiana will follow when Minister Rutley continues a programme of visits to states across the US. He will champion the UK as a great investment and business partner and highlight the unrivalled security and defence ties between the two countries.

The UK and US already have more than $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies and the UK supports more jobs in America than any other country, with more than 110,000 Texans and almost 16,000 Louisianans working for British businesses.

Economic growth and the creation of better paid jobs is among the five priorities set out by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Minister Rutley will discuss with political and business leaders how the UK and US can boost cooperation in key sectors to deliver partnerships through the Atlantic Declaration, make their economies more resilient and create jobs.

Minister for the Americas and Caribbean David Rutley said:

There are few relationships that match the closeness of those that the UK shares with the USA and Canada and I am looking forward to boosting our deep and long-standing ties during my latest visit to North America.

During his time in Texas and Louisiana, Minister Rutley will travel to Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Austin where he will hold bilateral meetings with leading state-level political and business figures.

In Ottawa, Minister Rutley will also meet with Canadian students who are joining the Chevening Scholarship programme and will shortly be travelling to continue their studies at UK universities and build lifelong bonds with the UK.
September 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : OSCE Prague Forum on Economy and Environment 2023 – UK statement [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) speaks at the Forum about Russia’s attempts to sabotage the organisation.

At a time when the organisation faces many challenges, it is important that we continue our discussions on the security issues that affect us all.

Like last year, we met again here in the context of the continuing war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. As others have noted, it was Russia who stood alone in blocking the consensus needed for an official Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF). But – as with so many of Russia’s similar attempts – it again failed to stop the rest of us from gathering to address the important security issues of the day.

Russia has told this forum several times how committed it is to the work of the second dimension. Indeed it should be. Though it may behave like it is, Russia is not immune from these threats. The Russian Arctic, for example, is warming at a disproportionate rate, causing sea level rises and agricultural shifts. Last year, deadly forest fires burned across large swathes of Siberia, as those tasked with putting them out were diverted to the illegal war in Ukraine. And Russia’s infamous levels of industrial pollution not only degrade its own environment and poisons its own people, but also leach into neighbouring countries as well. These issues should be at the forefront of their minds. And yet here we are, experiencing the latest example of their indifference and short-sightedness. As the rest of the OSCE’s membership recognises the need to address these topics, Russia remains isolated as saboteurs of this organisation, and poor judges of its membership’s resolve.

This indifference also extends to the world’s most vulnerable. As we heard yesterday, Russia’s sudden withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and the consequent spike in global food prices, will cost lives around the world – further destabilising economies and putting people at risk of starvation. To address this issue, the UK looks forward to convening an international food security summit in London in November.

The issues we have discussed over the past two days are important security topics, relevant to all of us. But they are more pressing to some participating States than to others. As we heard, climate change, for example, is particularly evident in Central Asia, where temperatures are forecast to rise disproportionately, increasing risks of floods from glacier melt, as well as droughts and wildfires. Water security, heavily impacted by climate change as well as actions in neighbouring states, is a top priority for this region. Russia’s blocking of the EEF decision not only demonstrates its disregard for these security issues, but also dismisses the concerns of its own neighbourhood.

So we commend again the Chair, and indeed all states here, for not allowing the organisation to be at the mercy of those who wish to do it harm. The OSCE plays a critical role in European and Eurasian security and must be defended as it continues its work supporting States to build resilience to security, economic and climatic shocks.

September 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – Statement on Arbitrary Detention [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

The UK’s Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Delivered during the 54th UN Human Rights Council.

Thank you, Mr President. The United Kingdom thanks the Working Group for their report and for the insights provided.

The UK Government reaffirms our condemnation of arbitrary detention in all forms and calls for perpetrators to be held to account. Arbitrarily detaining individuals is unacceptable, unjust, and contrary to States’ obligations under international law.

Persons in marginalised and vulnerable situations, including human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society activists, face disproportionate levels of arbitrary detention. Like others, we welcome the report’s emphasis on concerns relating to an increased number of human rights defenders working on environmental issues being arbitrarily detained.

Whether globally or locally, human rights defenders contribute towards the realisation of human rights and the strengthening of the rule of law. We call on all States here today to ensure that human rights defenders can operate openly and safely, including being free from risk of arbitrary detention.

Working Group,

What examples of best practice to protect and safeguard human rights defenders from arbitrary detention can you share today?

Thank you.

September 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Ministerial appointments [18 September 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 September 2023.

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:
- Jacob Young MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities;
- Gagan Mohindra MP as an Assistant Government Whip.
This follows the departure from Government of Dehenna Davison MP.
September 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints new HM Trade Commissioner to lead UK-China & Hong Kong trade and investment relationship [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 September 2023.

The Department for Business and Trade has appointed Lewis Neal as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for China & Hong Kong.
- Lewis Neal appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China & Hong Kong
- With total UK-China & Hong Kong trade worth more than £137 billion, the region offers huge potential for UK businesses
- Lewis joins department’s team of nine HM Trade Commissioners encouraging UK trade and investment and promoting Global Britain across the world
The UK’s Department for Business and Trade has today [18th September] appointed Lewis Neal as the new HMTC for China & Hong Kong. The appointment comes after UK Minister for Investment Lord Dominic Johnson visited Beijing to open the UK pavilion at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).

As the new Trade Commissioner for China & Hong Kong, Lewis’ priorities will be to secure inward investment in sectors such as low carbon, automotive and financial services, remove market access barriers that hinder UK-China & Hong Kong exports, increase the exports to the region and make the UK the educational system of choice for China & Hong Kong.

Prior to joining the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, Lewis was Director for Economic Diplomacy at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Lewis brings a wealth and breadth of experience across economic, trade and security issues and has worked across key sectors for UK-China & Hong Kong trade such as financial services, infrastructure, and international regulatory issues.

Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, said:

Our network of HMTCs bang the drum for Britain across the world, promoting UK trade, investment, and export finance.

I am delighted to welcome Lewis to this role and am confident he will build on our outstanding track record on trade in China and Hong Kong, expanding opportunities for British businesses in one of the world’s fastest growing markets.

The UK has a significant trade and investment relationship with China & Hong Kong, with more than £137bn of trade over the twelve months to the end of March 2023, making the region equivalent to the UK’s 3rd largest trading partner.

HMTCs represent and promote the UK in important markets across the world, leading on export promotion, inward and outward investment, and trade policy overseas on behalf of the UK government. Their work includes developing and delivering a regional trade plan setting out the Department for Business and Trade’s priorities in important global markets.

HM Trade Commissioner for China & Hong Kong, Lewis Neal, said:

I am excited to be joining the Embassy in Beijing and the UK’s China and Hong Kong network.

With recent visits from the Foreign Secretary and Minster of State for Investment for the first time in several years, my priority is to keep that momentum going by continuing to support growth for both UK businesses as well as Chinese and Hong Kong investors in key sectors in the UK.

There are great potential areas of UK strength including: education, low carbon, automotive sector, financial services, and health sectors where we can deepen trade and collaboration to deliver greater economic security and prosperity and global challenges such as climate change.
September 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New taskforce to tackle teacher workload [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 18 September 2023.

Government announces membership of taskforce working towards reducing teacher and leader workload, alongside support to embed flexible working.

Work is underway to support teachers and leaders to tackle unnecessary workload, as the government establishes a new taskforce of unions, teachers, and sector leaders. The taskforce will help support the government’s wider ambition to reduce working hours for teachers and leaders by 5 hours per week within 3 years.

The launch of the workload reduction taskforce follows the 6.5% pay award announced in July when the Education Secretary committed to reducing teacher and leader workload.

The group of 14 includes representatives from all 4 teaching unions, as well as teachers, leaders, academics and other sector experts. The variety of expertise within the group will provide insight from across all parts of the education sector, from on the ground perspectives to those in positions of management and leadership. The first meeting will take place later this week.

Alongside measures to tackle workload, the Department for Education is also planning an update to its teacher recruitment and retention strategy to continue to attract, support and develop the highly skilled teachers needed to inspire the next generation.

Schools Minister, Nick Gibb said:

We’ve seen rising schools standards over the last decade, and that wouldn’t be possible without the work of great teachers. We do, however, continue to hear the concerns of teachers and school leaders about workload, which is why we want to build on the past successes in reducing workloads and continue to remove additional burdens, so that teachers can focus on what they do best: teach.

This builds on the generous pay rise agreed earlier this year, as part of the government’s continued commitment to building a highly skilled, well supported teaching profession.

This builds on a report from earlier this year that found two-thirds of teachers reported that they spent over half of their working time on tasks other than teaching, rising to 77% of secondary teachers.

School leaders will also receive support to embed flexible working in their schools, as a new toolkit is set to be launched later this month with practical resources to help them implement practices including job shares, part-time working and ad-hoc flexibility such as the occasional personal day. A further 5 new flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools (FWAMS) have today been announced, complementing the 7 announced in June this year.

The FWAMS appointed are Lapal Primary School of Hales Valley Trust, Newport Girls’ High School Academy Trust, Aspire Alternative Provision School, the Halifax Academy of Impact Education Multi-Academy Trust, and the Reach Academy Feltham of the Reach Academy Trust.

Michael Scott, of Newport Girls’ High School said:

Newport Girls’ High School is delighted to be re-designated as the flexible working ambassador multi academy trust and school for the west midlands region. Having helped a number of trusts to improve their flexible working offer during phase one of the project in 2021-2022, we look forward to spreading the word further and wider over the next 2 years.

The FWAMS will champion flexible working and provide bespoke peer support in how to implement it within the profession. This delivers on the commitments in the teacher recruitment and retention strategy.

Since its launch nearly 5 years ago, the department has made considerable progress in delivering its teacher recruitment and retention strategy to attract, retain and develop the highly skilled teachers needed to inspire the next generation. This includes implementing a ‘golden thread’ of professional development, ensuring all teachers have access to high-quality training and support at every stage of their career.

This winter, the department will publish a strategy update that builds upon its commitment to give every child a world class education delivered by great teachers. The update will provide an update on delivery of previous commitments, and set out priorities for the coming years.

September 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints new HM Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific to strengthen trade and investment links [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 September 2023.

The Department for Business and Trade has appointed Martin Kent as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Asia Pacific.
- Martin Kent appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific
- With total UK-Asia Pacific trade worth more than £120 billion, the region offers huge potential for UK businesses
- Kent joins department’s team of nine HM Trade Commissioners encouraging UK trade and investment and promoting Global Britain across the world
Martin Kent has today [18th September] been appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, succeeding Natalie Black CBE.

As the new Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, he will generate business opportunities for the UK while contributing to the growth of sustainable, resilient, and productive economies across the region.

Prior to his new role, Martin Kent was the Minister and Deputy Head of Mission in the British Embassy Tokyo, a Director within the Department for Business and Trade, and also HM Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa. He started his career with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and has worked across the Asia Pacific region, including in BCG’s Singapore and Australia offices.

Alongside trade and investment, Kent will pursue regional security priorities in his new position, protecting free trade and supply chains and continuing the progression already made by the AUKUS security pact.

Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, said:

Our network of HMTCs bang the drum for Britain across the world, promoting UK trade, investment, and export finance.

I am delighted to welcome Martin to this role and am confident he will build on our outstanding track record on trade in Asia Pacific, expanding opportunities for British businesses in one of the world’s fastest growing markets.

With total UK-Asia Pacific trade worth more than £120 billion, the region offers huge potential for UK businesses.

The recently signed trade deals with Australia and New Zealand are set to deliver an economic boost by driving trade up by 53% with Australia and 59% with New Zealand and could also mean reduced prices for UK consumers on favourites such as wine, Tim Tams and kiwi fruit and lowered costs on machinery parts for UK manufacturers.

Further benefits are to be expected following the signing of the UK’s assession to CPTPP in July. Being part of the bloc will mean that more than 99 per cent of UK goods exports to CPTPP countries will be eligible for zero tariffs.

HM Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Martin Kent, said:

I am delighted to be appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific. The region is the engine room of the global economy and is a major driver of global economic growth and opportunity for UK businesses.

I will be focused on securing and implementing high-quality Free Trade Agreements, attracting investment to all parts of the UK, opening markets for UK exporters, and positioning the UK as a beacon for free trade in the Asia Pacific region.
September 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Commission recommends how Covid pandemic should be remembered across the UK [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 18 September 2023.

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration’s final report on how the Covid pandemic should be remembered across the UK has been published.

The Commission has made 10 recommendations to the Government on how to make sure the events of the pandemic and the experiences we all went through are not forgotten.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will now work with other government departments and the Devolved Administrations to consider carefully the Commission’s wide-ranging recommendations and respond in due course.

The Commission’s recommendations include preserving existing memorials, including the National Covid Memorial Wall in central London, holding a national day of reflection every year and identifying green spaces across the UK to serve as Covid memorial spaces.

The Chair of the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, Nicky Morgan, said:

The Covid pandemic changed the lives of everyone across the UK and its impact is still felt very deeply by those who lost loved ones and those who are still suffering from the effect of the virus.

That’s why it is so important that we don’t let this vitally important period in our history be forgotten and we hope our recommendations will mean that the loved ones we have lost and the sacrifices made by so many during the pandemic will be remembered for years to come.

The Commission made their recommendations following a period of public consultation which saw thousands of people from across the UK give their views on how the pandemic should be remembered.

Groups consulted included bereaved families, young people, the scientific community and the social care, transport and retail sectors.

The Commission has also recommended that a national symbol be created to represent the pandemic, and a Covid commemoration website be set up to promote the proposed day of reflection and provide details of local memorials.

Cabinet Office Minister, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, said:

It is right that we mark the extraordinary sacrifices made during the pandemic and continue to recognise the contributions of all those who helped shape the UK’s response. I want to thank the Commissioners and the Chair for their important work.

Communities across the UK have already started to find ways of commemorating those unprecedented times, and the Government looks forward to considering the Commission’s wide-ranging recommendations and how we may support these efforts going forward.

Education also sits at the heart of the Commission’s recommendations, with the suggestion that schools and colleges teach future generations about the pandemic, highlighting people’s experiences, the role of science and the importance of a resilient society. Oral histories would also continue to be collected from groups including bereaved families, frontline workers, volunteers, the scientific community and young people.

Further recommendations include creating a funding scheme for local authorities to establish commemorative spaces in existing parks or green spaces, the creation of a specific body to coordinate a day of reflection and other Covid commemoration activities, and the development of a postdoctoral fellowship to enable researchers to support preparedness for risks posed by natural hazards.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

The impact of Covid will never be forgotten and we must find a fitting way to remember and reflect on the pandemic for generations to come.

The Commission has made a number of valuable recommendations and my department will now consider the best ways to commemorate this unprecedented period in our history.

September 20, 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

Ms Lisa Bandari has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic in succession to Mr Chris Sainty.

Ms Lisa Bandari has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic in succession to Mr Chris Sainty. Ms Bandari will take up her appointment during January 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Dates	Role
2021 to 2022	FCDO, Deputy Director for India and HMG India Coordinator
2017 to 2020	Department for Exiting the EU, Deputy Director for Ongoing EU Business and Third Country Preparation
2014 to 2016	Nairobi, Director of Corporate Services
2011 to 2014	FCO, Policy Planners, Team Leader for Asia Pacific and Africa Strategy
2010 to 2011	Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan, Director of Policy and External Relations
2008 to 2010	Kabul, Head of Internal Political Section
2007	Pre-posting training (including Farsi language training)
2005 to 2006	FCO/Home Office, Head of UK Government Forced Marriage Unit
2004 to 2005	FCO, Bosnia & Herzegovina Desk Officer

September 20, 2023

Tag: 2023

Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, said:

HM Trade Commissioner for China & Hong Kong, Lewis Neal, said:

Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, said:

HM Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Martin Kent, said:

Curriculum vitae