Kate Harrisson
Biography
Kate Harrisson was appointed His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong in September 2026.
Kate joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2000 after working in the private sector in China. Her previous roles in the FCO include Deputy Head of Mission to Vietnam, Political Counselor in Beijing and Economic Consul in Hong Kong.
In London she has worked on the UK’s relations with India, policy planning and the UK’s work in the United Nations including on refugee policy and conflict prevention. Kate was also part of the cross-government team supporting Afghan reconstruction with a specific focus on counter narcotics. She served as British Ambassador to Peru from April 2018 to March 2022.
Kate holds a Masters in Social Anthropology and degrees in Modern Chinese Studies and Psychology. She and her partner Nick have three children. In her spare time she likes to travel.
HM Trade Commissioner for China
The HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) leads on export promotion, inward and outward investment, and trade policy overseas on behalf of the UK government.
Work includes developing and delivering a regional trade plan setting out Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade’s (BIST) priorities in important global markets.
Previous roles in government
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British Ambassador to Peru