His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific (4836582)

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific 

Location: Singapore 

Salary: £125,000 base salary plus appropriate overseas allowances 

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade supports UK economic growth by helping businesses invest, innovate and export. Employing more than 8,500 people across 100 countries, the department’s overseas network is organised into nine regions, each led by one of His Majesty’s Trade Commissioners. 

The opportunity 

We are seeking an exceptional international leader to shape and deliver the UK’s trade and investment agenda across Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the ASEAN countries, Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to the British Ambassador to Japan and accountable to the Secretary of State, you will translate the Government’s growth, industrial and trade priorities into a clear and ambitious regional strategy. 

Asia Pacific encompasses mature economies, rapidly growing markets and markedly different political, commercial and cultural environments. This is a role of exceptional breadth and complexity, requiring sound judgement about where UK Government attention and resources can make the greatest difference. You will: 

• Drive exports, inward investment and market access, remove barriers to trade and lead major commercial campaigns across the region. 

• Lead and empower a substantial, geographically dispersed and multicultural team, creating an inclusive, engaged and high-performing culture across countries and time zones. 

• Build influential relationships with ministers, ambassadors, senior officials, investors and business leaders in the UK and across Asia Pacific. 

• Identify and pursue opportunities arising from changing markets, the UK’s industrial strategy and emerging sectors, potentially including defence, AI, quantum and fusion. 

• Represent the UK at the highest levels of government and business, providing strategic insight that strengthens UK decision-making and advances national growth and competitiveness. 

The person 

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following:

Leadership:

Experience of leading a complex, matrixed organisation, providing strategic leadership to geographically dispersed teams, managing significant budgets and empowering others to deliver organisational goals. A proven ability of leading through change, navigating tensions and building effective cross-cultural relationships with empathy and influence.

Commercial Understanding:

Highly developed commercial acumen and judgement, with a track record of successful delivery across a variety of commercial issues and opportunities, an understanding of the issues facing businesses overseas, and experience of making decisions and delivering deals based on a strong understanding of trade and investment issues.

Innovation:

Proven ability to create a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, capitalising on technological developments and emerging opportunities to deliver transformational outcomes at pace and scale.

Strategic Collaboration:

Experience working in complex stakeholder, political and commercial  environments, building effective partnerships to align diverse perspectives, influence and achieve shared outcomes with ability to successfully collaborate across different parts of UK government and key stakeholders. Skilled in building trusted senior relationships, applying sound judgement, commercial awareness and diplomacy to deliver sustainable results. Understanding of the UK devolution agenda and the role of Mayoral Authorities in driving regional growth.

Public Engagement:

Outstanding communications skills with the ability to advocate the UK’s position effectively to a range of different audiences, and the confidence and expertise to undertake public engagements, including media.

Previous experience in Asia Pacific, or of living overseas, would be helpful but is not essential. We welcome candidates from government, business, professional services, economic development and other internationally focused organisations. Transferable commercial, strategic and leadership capability will be more important than experience in any single sector. 

Why this role? 

This is a rare opportunity to shape the UK’s economic relationship with one of the world’s most dynamic regions. As one of nine leaders in the department’s overseas network, you will combine strategic freedom, senior access and visible national impact, using your international and commercial expertise to support UK growth, jobs, investment and competitiveness. 

For further information about the role, please contact Andrew Timlin on 07887 777735 or Laura Bennallack on 07779 610232. 

Closing date: 22 November 2026

Contact information

Department Business Innovation Science Trade

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