Emma Bourne OBE

Biography

Emma Bourne OBE was appointed Director General for EU Reset and Trade at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in February 2026. She leads Defra’s work on trade with the EU and the rest of the world.

Prior to this, Emma was Director for Circular Economy at Defra, leading major reforms of the UK’s packaging sectors and the development of a plan to support greater resource circularity across a range of other sectors. 

She previously led Defra’s EU Exit strategy, legislative and border and Northern Ireland Programme, and was the UK Government lead negotiator on agrifood for the Windsor Framework - the trade agreement with the EU which adjusts the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Other roles have covered a range of social and economic policy issues and leadership of multiple major government programmes, including establishing a nation-wide programme for families with complex problems; and leading an organisational change programme at the former Department for Communities & Local Government. 

Emma was appointed OBE in 2019 for her services to public administration.