UK manufacturing industry brought closer to trade negotiations

International trade secretary Liz Truss has launched two new UK manufacturing trade advisory groups to support the UK’s upcoming trade negotiations.

The two groups, one for the automotive, aerospace and marine sectors, and the other for British manufactured and consumer goods, are part of a major new business engagement drive designed to support trade.

As trade talks with Japan, the US, Australia and New Zealand intensify, the trade secretary is stepping up engagement with key industries across Britain, including manufacturing and automotive.

Their advice will be used to help inform the government’s negotiating position and deliver key industry asks that benefit the whole UK, including securing new market access on products like ceramics, cars, steel and beef, and agreeing cutting-edge digital trade rules.

The new groups are comprised of the best and brightest businesses people from all parts of Britain, from Brompton Bicycleto Airbus, as part of the Department for International Trade’s efforts to ensure trade deals benefit all regions and devolved administrations.

Automotive, aerospace and marine members


  • Airbus UK - Katherine Bennett - senior vice president

  • BMT Group - Sarah Kenny - chief executive officer

  • JCB - Philip Bouverat - director

  • MAKE UK - Stephen Phipson - chief executive officer

  • McLaren Automotive - Ruth Nic Aoidh - executive director, commercial & legal

  • Nissan Europe - Kevin Fitzpatrick - senior vice president, manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain management

  • Princess Yachts - Antony Sheriff - executive chairman

British manufactured and consumer goods members


  • Bridgnorth Aluminium - Simon MacVicker - managing director

  • British Footwear Association - Lucy Reece Raybould - chief executive officer

  • Brompton - Will Butler Adams - managing director

  • Burleigh - Jim Norman - commercial director

  • Cambridge Satchel Company - Julie Deane - chief executive officer and founder

  • Cheaney Shoes - Jonathan Church - managing director

  • Cosmetics Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) - Nicholas Shaw Núñez - head of international

  • Growth & Regulatory Services

  • Gola (Jacobson Group) - Tony Evans - chief executive officer

  • John Smedley - Bill Leach - global sales director

  • Johnstons of Elgin - Simon Cotton - chief executive officer

  • Lucideon - Tony Kinsella - chief executive officer

  • MPM products - James Bracewell - chief operating officer

  • O’Neils - Kieren Kennedy - managing director

  • TATA Steel - Deirdre Fox - director, strategic business development

  • Tratos UK Ltd - Maurizio Bragagni - chief executive officer

  • UK Fashion & Textiles Association - Paul Alger - director, international business

  • Walpole - Helen Brocklebank - chief executive officer
DIT www.gov.uk/dit
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