{"value":{"id":1784187,"memberId":4119,"member":null,"memberRole":"Secretary of State for Business and Trade","uin":"HCWS517","dateMade":"2025-03-13T00:00:00","answeringBodyId":214,"answeringBodyName":"Department for Business and Trade","title":"Board of Trade","text":"<p>I am delighted to announce that I have appointed a new Board of Trade.</p><p>The newly formed Board will be an advocate for UK businesses at home and abroad, championing the country’s 5.5 million SMEs and realising their export potential. This will help super-charge growth for the economy as part of the Plan for Change.</p><p>The newly appointed advisers have been handpicked for their deep sector expertise and knowledge, representing some of the UK’s most successful businesses. They will play a crucial role in supporting the department’s growth priorities, focusing on supporting small businesses and boosting exports.</p><p>The Secretary of State is pleased to appoint:</p><ul><li>Omar Ali</li><li>Mike Hawes OBE</li><li>Dame Vivian Hunt DBE</li><li>Allison Kirkby</li><li>Paul Lindley OBE</li><li>Catherine McGuinness CBE</li><li>Michelle Ovens CBE</li><li>Mike Soutar</li><li>Sarah Walker</li><li>Dr Charles Woodburn CBE</li></ul><p>In addition to the following <em>ex officio </em>advisers:</p><ul><li>Secretary of State for Scotland, The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP</li><li>Secretary of State for Wales, The Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP</li><li>Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP</li><li>The Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King</li><li>Minister of State for Investment, Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE</li><li>Minister of State for Industry, Sarah Jones MP</li><li>Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security, The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP</li><li>Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Justin Madders MP</li><li>Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Services, Small Business and Exports, Gareth Thomas MP</li><li>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</li></ul><p> </p><p>The role as a Board of Trade adviser is unpaid and voluntary.</p>","house":"Commons","noticeNumber":1,"hasAttachments":false,"hasLinkedStatements":true,"linkedStatements":[{"linkedStatementId":1784191,"linkType":"JointStatement","linkDate":"2025-03-13T00:00:00"}],"attachments":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Statements/1784187","method":"GET"}]}