New Zealander named as UK’S free trade negotiation adviser

BRITAIN has hired Crawford Falconer, New Zealand’s former trade head, as chief negotiation adviser to manage the UK’S free trade deals once the country leaves the EU.

The former ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) – who is a dual UK/NEW Zealand citizen – will be responsible for negotiating free trade deals with countries outside the EU; striking deals covering specific sectors and products; developing the Department for International Trade (DIT) as a “centre of excellence for negotiation and British trade”; and supporting the UK as a member of the WTO.

“It will be top of the Government’s agenda to turn the enormous new opportunities opening up for the UK into win-win agreements with our trading partners around the globe,” said Mr Falconer, who will begin in his role later this summer.

Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, said the appointment showed the UK was “attracting the very best global talent”.

Crawford Falconer, former New Zealand ambassador to the WTO, will begin his new role later this summer