Trade official Ceri Morgan is now the Trade Commissioner for Europe
New Trade Commissioner for Europe to Boost UK's Export Success
Ceri Morgan has been appointed as His Majesty's Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Europe, effective from September 1, 2025. In this role, she will represent the UK's trade interests across European countries, supporting British businesses and advancing the UK government's trade objectives in Europe.
Morgan, who was previously leading the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on international trade, international food security, and the government's overseas agri-food attaché network, brings extensive experience to the table. Her key roles and achievements include establishing and heading the Global Trade Negotiations team at Defra after the EU referendum, and spearheading negotiations relating to agri-food in UK trade deals, which were critical in shaping post-Brexit trade arrangements.
Morgan was honoured with a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in King Charles’s first Birthday Honours for her "services to Capability and Inclusion in International Trade," recognising her significant contributions to enabling UK trade globally and improving inclusiveness within the sector.
The HMTC will be responsible for all Department for Business and Trade (DBT) work in Europe. She will lead a team of over 300 staff in 34 countries across the continent. Morgan is looking forward to getting to know the team and working towards delivering the government's trade objectives in Europe.
European markets are considered crucial for the success of the newly launched trade, industrial, and small business strategies for the UK's Growth agenda. The HMTC will engage extensively with UK and European businesses, European governments, and wider stakeholders. She will work closely with UK-based government colleagues, UK ambassadors, and the wider diplomatic network in Europe in delivering these goals.
The HMTC's responsibilities include improving market access for UK companies in Europe, attracting inward investment from European companies, encouraging UK exports to Europe, influencing multilateral trade policy with Europe, and delivering on the commitments made in the UK's newly published Trade Strategy. The Trade Commissioner will also represent the UK in multilateral trade policy discussions with Europe.
Chris Barton, the previous HM Trade Commissioner for Europe, has handed over his position to Ceri Morgan. Her leadership and experience are expected to be invaluable in driving the important work forward. The Trade Commissioner has been instrumental in strengthening trade ties, opening doors for UK businesses, and attracting investment that supports jobs and growth at home.
In summary, Ceri Morgan is a senior UK government trade official with substantial experience in trade negotiations, particularly in agri-food, and is now leading the UK's trade engagement efforts with Europe to promote British export success. Her appointment as Trade Commissioner is seen as a strategic move to support the UK’s newly launched trade, industrial, and small business strategies, underlining the importance of European markets for the UK’s economic growth agenda.
The appointment of Ceri Morgan as the HMTC for Europe signifies a strategic move in finance and politics, as she will influence multi-lateral trade policies and work towards attracting inward investment from European businesses in the business sector. To achieve these goals, Morgan will engage extensively with key stakeholders, including UK and European businesses, European governments, and educational-and-self-development platforms that promote economic growth, bringing her wealth of experience from past negotiations to the table. The HMTC's objectives, as outlined in the UK's newly published Trade Strategy, include boosting UK exports and improving market access for UK companies in Europe, all of which contribute to the general-news narrative of shaping post-Brexit trade arrangements and the UK's economic growth agenda.
