Michael Ward
Biography
Michael Ward is a career diplomat who has specialised in European affairs and promoting trade and foreign direct investment to the UK. He took up his position as Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand at the Department for International Trade, in February 2017.
Previous to his posting to Australia, Michael was the Interim Managing Director for Volume Exports and Investment at the Department for International Trade (DIT), where he led the operation to transform the way DIT supports and serves larger numbers of UK exporters and foreign direct investors.
Prior to this role, Michael was Director, Department for International Trade in France, and Regional Director Inward Investment for Europe.
Other roles at DIT include Director, Strategic Relationship Management and Director, Infrastructure, and Low Carbon. Michael has also served at the UK Representation to the EU in Brussels, as a Foreign Policy Advisor at the European Commission, and as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Budapest.
He read Modern Languages (French and German) at Oxford. Michael is bilingual in French and also speaks Turkish and Hungarian.
Previous roles in government
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British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific (Australia & New Zealand)
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Director, Department for International Trade France