Lewis Neal
Biography
Lewis Neal was appointed HM Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong in September 2023.
As one of 9 Trade Commissioners appointed by the British government to promote the UK in important global markets and the head of the Department for Business and Trade in China, Lewis is in charge of all bilateral trade issues. He works closely with His Majesty’s Ambassador in Beijing to promote UK trade and prosperity.
Lewis has held a range of senior roles within government. He was Director of Strategy in the Cabinet Office’s COVID-19 Taskforce in 2021 to 2022. Here he lead work on the government’s ‘Living with COVID-19 Strategy’ and worked closely with the devolved administrations.
As Director for Economic Diplomacy at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Lewis supported the creation of UK’s post-Brexit trading arrangements and championed the UK’s important role in international regulatory standards.
Lewis was previously National Security Director in the FCO supporting the Foreign Secretary on counter-terrorism, cyber and intelligence policy issues. Lewis has also acted as Staff Counsellor in the FCDO.
Earlier in his career Lewis had a number of roles in HM Treasury focusing on issues such as public spending, infrastructure and corporate and private finance issues. He has also worked as a Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
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 and Trade’s (DBT) priorities in important global markets.
Previous roles in government
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Director, Economic Diplomacy