UKTI appoints new chief executive

NICK Baird has been appointed as the new chief executive of UK Trade & Investment.

Mr Baird is presently Director-General Europe and Globalisation at the Foreign Office, and the appointment at UKTI comes as the department announces its new strategy.

The five year plan will see UKTI try to adopt a more ‘entrepreneurial approach’ to deliver growth.

Mr Baird, 48, has also worked as the Ambassador to Turkey and has extensive experience of working with both the European Union and emerging markets.

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.”

Foreign Secretary William Hague added: “Nick Baird’s key role in driving a new commercialism as part of our foreign policy will stand him in good stead to make us even more effective at helping British businesses overseas and encouraging investment into the UK.”

Mr Baird, who will join UKTI later this year and hold the role for three years, said: “The launch of the new strategy for UK Trade and Investments makes this an exciting time for me to be taking up this role.”

He will replace Sir Andrew Cahn who stood down as UKTI chief executive last December. UKTI’s deputy chief executive Susan Haird will continue to act as interim chief executive until Mr Baird starts.