Nick Baird – a former UK ambassador to Turkey and the current Director-General for Europe and Globalisation at the Foreign Office – is to spearhead the export driving body UK Trade & Investment as its new CEO.
The appointment was announced alongside the details of a new five year plan for UKTI which will purportedly see it take a ‘more entrepreneurial approach’. The organisation aims to actively seek out overseas investors, help UK companies expand into overseas markets and work more closely with key British companies.
Baird will take up the reins at the government backed organisation later and will serve an initial three year tenure. He replaces Sir Andrew Cahn who retired last December.
In his current position as Director-General for Europe and Globalisation at the Foreign Office, a role he has held since 2009, Baird has been responsible for heading up the foreign Office’s work on Europe, global economic issues, migration and consular activities. He also sits on the UKTI board and chairs the Foreign office’s Economics Board.
As well as his Ambassador for turkey position, Baird has served roles in Brussels, Muscat and Kuwait.
Commenting on the appointment, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “This Government is committed to ensuring that trade and investment plays a key role in delivering our plan for growth. We want to ensure UK businesses of all sizes bring their expertise to the world and take advantage of key overseas markets, particularly the emerging economies.
“I am delighted that Nick Baird has joined UK Trade & Investment, his knowledge of the emerging markets will be fundamental to driving forward this trade mission.”
With his UKTI position falling into the Senior Civil Service Pay Band 3 category, Baird will earn anywhere from £101,500 to £208,100 per year.
