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• Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch appoints Army Reservist and former Defence Minister Mark Lancaster into brand-new role
• Lord Lancaster will engage with industry leaders, ministers and other key players both in the UK and overseas to drive UK defence exports
• UK is the world鈥檚 second-largest defence exporter, and its defence sector contributed 拢10.6 billion to the economy in 2020 鈥� supporting 92,000 jobs

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has appointed Lord Mark Lancaster as the Government鈥檚 new Defence Export Advocate, to drive the UK鈥檚 export success across its world-class defence sector in a brand-new role.

Lord Lancaster 鈥� who will report directly to the Trade Secretary 鈥� will take on a programme of visits both overseas and at home to promote UK defence exports, developing relationships with industry leaders, foreign government ministers and other key industry players to create new export opportunities for UK firms.

He will also help drive defence export success in the UK, visiting key defence shows like Defence Security Equipment International (DSEI), Farnborough International Airshow and others, using his influence and experience to engage with key contacts such as defence company CEOs.

The UK鈥檚 defence sector is hugely important to the economy. In 2020, it supported over 92,000 full-time jobs across the country 鈥� including over 20,000 each in South West and North West England 鈥� areas where the sector makes a significant contribution to local economies, such as Gloucestershire and Cumbria.

In 2020 the sector also had a turnover of 拢25.3 billion, while the wider aerospace, defence and security sectors supported 415,000 direct jobs in 2022.

Lord Lancaster brings a wealth of specialist defence experience to the role 鈥� as an active Brigadier in the Army Reserves, and having served as a Defence Minister between 2015-2019. He was also previously a Major in the Territorial Army, having served as part of NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo and Bosnia.

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

The UK鈥檚 defence sector is worth billions in exports and drives growth, investment and jobs in every corner of the country, helping to grow our economy and moving us forward in the Race to a Trillion exports.

Mark knows that more exports and investment are just what this industry needs to boost jobs and help us stay ahead of the competition, and I鈥檓 delighted to have him on board to spearhead our efforts.

Defence Export Advocate Lord Lancaster said:

Our defence export sector makes a crucial contribution to the country, bringing advanced jobs, cutting-edge defence capabilities and investment to the UK.

I鈥檓 delighted to be taking on this role to boost our exports further, and help to cement the UK鈥檚 standing as a global leader in the defence sector.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Our thriving defence industry is a national asset, worth billions of pounds, supporting our Armed Forces and driving growth, innovation and significant investment across the UK.

It鈥檚 right that we prioritise supporting British industry with a dedicated champion for UK defence exports, and Mark is the right man for the job.

Lord Lancaster will initially focus on defence export opportunities in Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia and Qatar, as well as countries in NATO鈥檚 Eastern Flank 鈥� markets which DIT鈥檚 Defence and Security Exports Directorate, UK DSE, has identified as where Lord Lancaster will be able to make the biggest impact in his role.

The role of Defence Export Advocate is unpaid and similar to that of a Trade Envoy 鈥� but with a global remit, rather than focusing on any one geographic region.

Background

• The UK鈥檚 defence export sector makes a significant contribution to the economy. The UK remains the world鈥檚 second largest-defence exporter over the last 10 years, behind only the US.
• Source for all above statistics: ,
• In November 2021, DIT launched the Race to a Trillion as part of its 鈥楳ade in the UK, Sold to the World鈥� Export Strategy, which aims to help UK businesses reach 拢1 trillion in exports per year by 2030.