Briefing with Lewis Neal, HM Trade Commissioner for China

HMTC Responsibilities

Each of the HMTCs lead on export promotion, inward and outward investment, and trade policy overseas on behalf of the UK Government. Their work will include developing and delivering a regional trade plan setting out DIT’s priorities in important global markets.

HMTC Biography

Lewis is one of the 9 Trade Commissioners appointed by the UK Government to promote UK trade in important global markets. As the head of the Department for Business and Trade in China and Hong Kong, Lewis is in charge of all bilateral trade issues and works closely with His Majesty’s Ambassador in Beijing to promote UK trade and prosperity.

Lewis has held a range of senior roles within the UK Government. He was Director of Strategy in the Cabinet Office’s COVID-19 Taskforce in 2021-2022, leading work towards the Government’s “Living with COVID-19” Strategy and working closely with the Devolved Administrations. As Director for Economic Diplomacy at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Lewis supported the creation of UK’s post-Brexit trading arrangements and championed the UK’s important role in international regulatory standards.

Lewis was previously National Security Director in the FCDO, supporting the Foreign Secretary on Counter-Terrorism, cyber and intelligence policy issues. Earlier in his career Lewis had a number of roles in HM Treasury focusing on issues such as public spending, infrastructure and corporate and private finance issues. Lewis has also worked as a Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

He began his career at KPMG and joined SG Warburg & Co in 1985 (later renamed UBS Warburg) before becoming president and head of its investment banking industry division and global privatisation business.

He joined the Finance Committee in 2002 as a civil servant responsible for financial services and corporate policy. From 2007 to 2010, he was chairman of the Financial Action Select Committee, served as an adviser to the then shadow chancellor of the exchequer and chaired a tri-party review of the UK’s financial regulatory system.

From May 2010 to January 2013, he served as Secretary of State for Business at the Treasury and as Treasury Spokesman for the Government’s front-office members in the House of Lords. During his career in banking and government office, he has focused on international affairs, particularly in Asia. Since 2002 he has participated in successive Sino-British economic and financial dialogues.

He was an Executive Director of Jardine Group 2013 to 2020.

He was knighted in 2007 and joined the House of Lords in 2010.

Born in London in 1955, Lord Sassoon was educated at Eton College and studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University’s Christ Church College.