UKTI chief executive to stand down

PRIME Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to the chief executive of UK Trade and Investment after he announced plans to stand down in the New Year.

Sir Andrew Cahn has led the Government body which promotes exports and inward investment since 2006. Deputy chief executive Susan Haird will lead the organisation until a permanent successor is found.

Mr Cameron said: “Andrew has been a wonderful chief executive of UK Trade and Investment and a fantastic ambassador for the UK. He has been central to the Government’s efforts to make Britain an attractive place to invest and to sell Britain to the world. I wish him well in the years ahead.”

In 2007, UKTI was helping 15,000 companies to earn an extra £2.5bn every year and by this year that had grown to 25,000 companies earning an extra £5bn in almost 100 markets overseas in addition to playing a role in securing 759 inward investment projects.

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Foreign Secretary and Richmond MP William Hague said: “Sir Andrew has made a great contribution at the highest levels of Government.

“He has transformed UKTI into a department which is recognised internationally as the best trade promotion organisation in the developed world.”