BCC Welcomes New Era of Economic Diplomacy

21st March 2025

Reacting to a speech by the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, at the BCC’s Driving International Trade Conference, Director General, Shevaun Haviland, said:

"The Foreign Secretary’s announcements on a closer working relationship with UK business will be music to their ears. 

"Quarterly meetings, trade roadshows, better intelligence sharing, and a fresh approach to economic diplomacy -  that puts business and politics on an equal footing - are all very welcome. 

"For the Chamber Network, the announcement that all Ambassadors and High Commissioners will become honorary Presidents of their host country’s British Chamber is a special highpoint. 

"Alongside the creation of a new Diplomatic Advisory Hub in partnership with the BCC, I have no doubt that the future for the UK’s international trade relations will be very bright. 

"There will undoubtedly be choppy waters ahead as we navigate a new era of global protectionism, but I firmly believe that this much closer working relationship will help the UK thrive."