John Humphrey
Biography
John Humphrey is His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa. He was appointed in June 2022.
Prior to joining the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), John was the Group Chief Executive Officer of Kent HoldCo Limited (KHL).
Between 2012 and 2019 John was with the UK Hydrographic Office (an MOD Trading Fund). From 2015 he was Chief Executive and Accounting Officer. Before that he was Chief Commercial Officer, Deputy Chief Executive and Interim Chief Commercial Officer.
Earlier in his career, John worked in the technology sector in a variety of commercial, general management and executive roles in the UK and overseas.
He is a Younger Brother of Trinity House and was until recently a Lay Trustee of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy.
HM Trade Commissioner for Africa
The HM Trade Commissioner for Africa works closely with the wider diplomatic network and other colleagues to coordinate the UK government effort to promote UK trade and investment across the African continent.
The Trade Commissioner has full responsibility for all Department for Business and Trade (DBT) work in Africa including:
- growing the overall bilateral trade and investment relationship between the UK and Africa
- 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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HM Trade Commissioner for Africa
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Chief Executive, UKHO
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Chief Customer Officer, UKHO