32 parliamentarians, including Flo Eshalomi who was appointed Trade Envoy to Nigeria, were drawn from across the political spectrum and tasked with identifying trade and investment opportunities for businesses and championing the UK as a destination of choice for investment in the assigned target markets across six continents.

Each market has been identified as presenting significant potential for growing UK trade and Trade Envoys are appointed on their ability, relevant skills and experience.

Commenting, Jonathan Reynolds, Business and Trade Secretary,  said:

“Trade and investment are key to delivering economic growth, the number one mission of this Government and a key part of our Plan for Change.

“That’s why I’ve launched a new team of Trade Envoys, who will use their experience, expertise and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth.”

Speaking on the appointment, Mark Smithson, the country director for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Nigeria, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Florence Eshalomi MP as the new UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria and look forward to working with her to deliver on the commitments made under the UK Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and unlock growth and opportunities for our two nations”

Flo Eshalomi MP and the 31 MPs will work closely with the DBT, bringing in their previous government-to-government experience, to bolster exports, attract investments, and remove trade barriers in their respective markets.

The announcement comes ahead of the new Trade Strategy in Spring, which will prioritise rebuilding the UK’s relationship with the EU and seizing opportunities to access new markets further afield.

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During the two-day visit, the High Commissioner visited the Abia State Governor,  Alex Otti where they discussed prosperity opportunities and future priorities that could be beneficial to the state and the UK.

Together with the Governor, the High Commissioner attended the graduation ceremony of the State-Level Inclusive Digital Transformation Programme funded through the UK’s Digital Access Programme (DAP).

The programme is designed to bridge the digital skills gap by delivering relevant and applicable digital skills for the state’s civil servants.

The High Commissioner also visited the Geometric Power Company, met the team developing the Abia Innovation Industrial Park, and the Aba Chamber of Commerce.

He also toured an industrial fair showcasing small and medium scale manufacturers. Discussions focused on the opportunities for growth and partnerships with UK businesses where possible. He sought their insights and advice on efforts to advance UK investment in the state.

The UK delegation included the UK’s Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade, Mark Smithson, and the British High Commission’s Political Counsellor, Tom Burge.

They also visited the National War Museum in Umuahia which showcases the history of Nigeria.

At the end of the visit, the British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, said:

“Visiting Abia State for the first time was a great opportunity to engage and interact with key stakeholders.

 “Abia state is key to boosting Nigeria’s economic prosperity and the UK is committed to driving that growth.

 “We very much want to develop our partnership – both with the state government and the good people of Abia State – to enhance prosperity in the region.”

Mark Smithson, the UK’s country director for the Department for Business and Trade, said:

“The UK’s Department for Business and Trade in Nigeria is well placed to support the Abia State government and the private sector to drive trade in the state.

“We look forward to building on discussions we had, strengthening our ties and exploring areas of collaboration and partnerships to boost trade, and deliver prosperity to both our countries.”

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He takes over from Chim Chalemera who recently concluded a 3-year posting in that role.

Mark is an experienced civil servant having undertaken a wide variety of roles both in the UK and overseas.

In this new role, he will lead on the UK-Nigeria’s trade and investment relations to deliver an increased high value inward investment and greater exports into the UK and Nigeria as well as support market access and trade policy priorities.

To mark his arrival to Nigeria, Mark said: 

“Nigeria is a country of huge importance to the UK and the world. Our historical, cultural, people to people and business ties are deep and ever growing. 

“I am delighted to take up this new role as the DBT’s country director and I look forward to forging partnerships with the Nigerian government, the private sector and the UK supply chain and to seize the opportunities this great country and our unique partnership offer to deliver a more prosperous future to both our countries.”

Prior to Mark’s arrival to Nigeria, he was based in London (2021-2024) where he led the DBT’s Capital Investment agenda first covering European and US large corporates and since September 2022 as His Majesties Government’s global account manager for large institutional investors from Southeast Asia with a focus on Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Mark Smithson headed up the Consular Section at the British Consulate General in Barcelona, Spain, between 2007 and 2013. During his time in Spain, Mark dealt with many high-profile consular cases and sporting events.

In 2013 he transferred to the US to head up of Consular services covering Florida, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico from the British Consulate General in Miami where Mark oversaw an extensive outreach programme with US government agencies and dealt with several crisis including deployments as Rapid Deployment Team leader.

He transferred to Atlanta, USA in 2017, to lead on the UK’s Tech & creative Trade and Investment agenda covering the southeast of the USA before transferring to Bangkok in 2018 where he served till 2021 to lead the team in Thailand to drive forward an increase in exports and investment and lay the ground for the UK-Thailand Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

Mark Smithson is married to Patima who is Thai, and they have a 3-year-old toddler.

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