Ministerial role

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for International Trade)

Organisations: Department for International Trade
Current role holder: Ranil Jayawardena MP

Responsibilities

The Minister for International Trade’s responsibilities include:

  • future free trade agreements (FTAs)
  • implementing FTAs and continuity agreements
  • tackling market access barriers
  • global supply chains

He also supports the Secretary of State with:

  • the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU)
  • joint economic and trade committees (JETCOs) and trade dialogues
  • external engagement (via advisory groups, the Civil Society and think tank roundtables)
  • UK Trade and Investment Wales Hub
  • Welsh Government engagement

Current role holder

Ranil Jayawardena MP

Ranil Jayawardena was appointed Minister for International Trade in May 2020. He was elected as the Conservative MP for North East Hampshire in 2015.

Ranil went to his local comprehensive school in north east Hampshire and studied government at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Ranil entered Parliament representing his home constituency in 2015, and was re-elected in 2017 and 2019. Before serving as a minister, he was a member of the International Trade, Home Affairs, Procedure and Arms Export Controls Committees, and had been appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons to the Chairmens’ Panel.

He was also made Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party by the Prime Minister. Prior to his election to Parliament, he was a councillor, serving as deputy leader of the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane.

Ranil combined his service in local government with working for Lloyds Banking Group plc and is a freeman of the City of London. He also has wide ranging commercial experience from the pharmaceutical, construction, transport and leisure sectors.

Ranil is married with 2 daughters.

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