Call for applications for membership of the Strategic Trade Advisory Group
Updated 8 August 2022
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1. Background
The STAG’s principal purpose is to advise HM Government on trade policy before, and during, the future free trade negotiation cycle, helping to inform our trade policy through high level strategic discussion.
The Minister for International Trade is calling for applications with a view to selecting members with the expertise and interest in supporting the United Kingdom to build a strong trading future.
2. Features of the group
2.1 Composition
We are seeking individuals who can represent the views of business communities, civil society, consumer groups from across the United Kingdom. We want to encourage representation from the devolved administrations and to boost regional representation from the English regions.
The group will be made up of:
- a business representative organisation representative
- a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) representative
- up to 5 national and regional business representatives from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the English regions
- up to 2 consumer representatives: choice, protection, standards, facilitation
- a Trade Union representative
- an agriculture representative
- a design and manufacturing representative
- a services representative
- up to 3 civil society representatives: academia, think tanks, trade for development, environment and climate
- up to 4 expert advisers
The group will be chaired by the Minister for International Trade.
2.2 Appointment
Members will be appointed by the Minister for International Trade, from applicants meeting the requirements referred to in chapter 4 of this call. Individuals will be selected to provide a breadth of knowledge and experience across trade policy.
To facilitate an open and constructive discussion, members will be expected to conform to the highest standards of confidentiality and will be required to sign an individual Confidentiality Agreement as a pre-condition for joining the group. Members must also be willing to act in the interests of the United Kingdom and not as a representative of their organisation.
Members who are no longer able to contribute effectively to the group’s deliberations, who do not comply with the standards of behaviour set out in the Terms of Reference, or who resign, shall no longer be invited to participate in any meetings of the group.
2.3 Rules of engagement and operation of the group
Meetings of the group are chaired and convened by the Minister for International Trade.
The group shall act at the request of the Minister for International Trade and agree to be bound collectively by its Terms of Reference as a condition for joining. Membership is reviewed every 2 years.
In principle, the group shall meet upon the Minister for International Trade’s invitation on government premises or virtually. The Department for International Trade shall provide secretariat services.
Members should be prepared to attend meetings, when organised, and to contribute actively to discussions in the group. Members shall not be remunerated for the services they offer. Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by members of the group shall be reimbursed by the Department for International Trade in line with departmental guidelines.
2.4 Transparency
The Department for International Trade shall make available the dates and times of meetings, the membership of the group, a summary of the agenda and a summary of the discussions, unless it is appropriate to keep them confidential.
3. Selection procedure
The selection procedure shall consist of an assessment of the applications against the selection criteria listed in chapter 4 of this call.
In appointing members of the group, the Minister for International Trade shall aim at ensuring, as far as possible, a high level of expertise, as well as a balanced representation of relevant areas and interests, while taking into account the specific tasks of the group, the type of expertise required, as well as the relevance of the applications received.
For any further information please contact strategic.advisory.group@trade.gov.uk.
4. Membership criteria
Applicants for the group must provide evidence that they comply with the following criteria:
- evidence of relevant competence and experience in areas relevant to international trade
- demonstrable interest in the development of Britain’s sovereign trade policy
- seniority of the proposed representative
- understanding of the procedures by which Britain conducts international trade
5. Application procedure
An application must include the documents referred to below. All documents submitted by applicants should be duly completed, legible, signed and numbered sequentially.
Each application shall include an application form duly completed, specifying:
- the member category for which the application is made
- how the applicant fulfills the selection criteria listed in chapter 4 of this call
All applications that are accepted must be followed by signing a confidentiality agreement and the terms of reference of the group.
6. Deadline for application
Those wishing to be considered for membership should submit their applications by 5pm on Friday 9 September 2022.
Applications should be submitted to strategic.advisory.group@trade.gov.uk.