David Reed MBE
Biography
David Reed MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and British Consul General to Istanbul. He will take up the roles in April 2026.
Prior to taking up his current role, David was Sanctions Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) from 2022 to 2025. Before that, he worked in the City of London as a commercial lawyer.
During his diplomatic career, he has served in the Republic of Cyprus, France and Poland, where he was Deputy Head of Mission. His last overseas posting was as Deputy High Commissioner to Canada from 2018 to 2022, where he focused on trade and investment and on the broader economic relationship, including on economic security and climate change.
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HM Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region
The HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region cooperates closely with the wider diplomatic network and other colleagues to coordinate the government effort overseas to promote UK trade and prosperity.
The Trade Commissioner has full responsibility for all Department for Business and Trade (DBT) work in Eastern Europe and Central Asia including:
- growing the overall bilateral trade and investment relationship
- improving market access for British companies, including small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)
- developing finance and trade policy
Previous roles in government
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Deputy Head of Mission, British High Commission Ottawa
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Deputy Head of Mission to Poland