Advisory Council - Trade and International Affairs

Chris is responsible for leading DIT’s contribution to cross-Whitehall international policy and developing its own strategic thinking function.

He was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2015 to 2019 and previously Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia, where he also led the UK’s relationship with Somaliland. From 2003 to 2006, he was posted to Japan as First Secretary for Energy and the Environment.

In London he worked from 2009 to 2010 as Head of South Asia Group at the FCO, with a focus on Pakistan and Afghanistan. Prior to that he led the FCO’s nuclear deterrence and disarmament policy team.

Melinda has a wealth of international experience across a range of high-profile policy issues in government including international development, economic transformation and climate change.

Following a role as Deputy Director and head of DFID’s Economic Growth and Resilience Department, Melinda went on to take up a role as DFID’s Director of Strategy, she was then appointed Director of Strategy at the FCDO, following their merger with DFID.

She previously led the UK negotiating team at the UN for the Sustainable Development Goals. And has worked extensively with the United Nations, Multilateral Development Banks and the European Commission.

Sam is responsible for Oxfam’s advocacy strategy, policy development, political risk management, and overseeing relationships with UK politicians and institutions. Prior to this, he was at Amnesty International UK, in their advocacy and campaigning team.

Caroline is a barrister and chartered accountant, who specialises in UK regulatory issues, having spent much of her career in tax.

Having worked on the UK implementation for the provisions of the EU Audit Regulation, her focus is on the implications for the profession of EU exit and the technicalities of trade and investment.

She’s a member of the Professional and Business Services Council's Trade Technical Group, the ICAEW's Investigation Committee and a Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers.

Emily directs the Global Economic Governance Programme which fosters research and debate on how to make the global economy inclusive and sustainable. Her research examines the political economy of global trade and finance, focusing on the ways in which governments can exert influence in asymmetric negotiations. 

Emily holds a DPhil in International Political Economy from the University of Oxford, and an MSc (distinction) in Development Economics from the School of African and Oriental Studies, University of London. She previously worked in Ghana's Ministry of Trade and Industry, for Oxfam GB, and for the UK Department for International Development.

Since 2016, Matthew has been responsible for co-ordinating engagement with government and industry partners as part of ABP’s preparations for the UK’s departure from the European Union.

He leads ABP’s thought leadership, communications and engagement programme on a range of key policy areas, including decarbonisation and freeports.

Matthew holds an MSc in International Relations from the University of Bristol.

William looks after QinetiQ’s government relations and public policy.  He set up ‘The 5% Club’ of employers who seek to increase investment in Britain’s young people by expanding the provision of workplace-based training for under-25s.

He previously worked at the RICS leading on land and property issues, notably the Home Buying Reform, flood management, rural, environmental, land use and regeneration portfolios.  He gained chartered status of the Royal Town Planning Institute in recognition of his research services to the land use profession. He began his career at the Home Office, as part of the UK’s law enforcement community.

Mark is responsible for ensuring Kuehne + Nagel meets the needs of their customers around trade compliance and the delivery of customs operations in the whole of the UK regardless of mode. This includes the roll-out of Brexit within their organisation covering customers, technology and people to ensure a smooth transition.

From 2007 to February 2018, Mark was National Operations Director for International Forwarding in the UK. He managed all 10 international branches that handle air, sea and road both in for imports and exports.