Intertrade UK is a public body to promote trade within the UK which was announced as part of the UK government package to restore devolution to Northern Ireland. It was created alongside the

East–West Council The East–West Council was established in 2024 as part of the 2024 Northern Ireland Executive formation, Northern Ireland Executive reformation with a purpose to improve links between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, rest of the United Kingd ...

as part of a DUP deal behind the

2024 Northern Ireland Executive formation The 2024 Northern Ireland Executive formation followed on from the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election, but was delayed to February 2024. The 22 months delay in the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive resulted from a boycott of the ...

. It has been chaired by

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee Arlene Isobel Foster, Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (née Kelly; born 17 July 1970), is a British broadcaster and politician from Northern Ireland who is serving as Chair of Intertrade UK since September 2024. She previously served as First ...

since September 2024. The body will oversee the new Northern Ireland trade deal. This includes goods and services across the

Irish Sea The Irish Sea is a body of water that separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is linked to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel and to the Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland in the north by the North Ch ...

Panel members

Intertrade UK full panel members appointed on 28 February 2025 by

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland The secretary of state for Northern Ireland (; ), also referred to as Northern Ireland Secretary or SoSNI, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with overall responsibility for the Northern Ireland Office. The offi ...

Hilary Benn Hilary James Wedgwood Benn (born 26 November 1953) is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since 2024. A member of the Labour Party, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Leeds South, formerly ...

: * The Rt Hon. the

DBE - Chair of Intertrade UK * Dr Esmond Birnie - Senior Economist,

Ulster University Ulster University (; Ulster Scots: or ), legally the University of Ulster, is a multi-campus public research university located in Northern Ireland. It is often referred to informally and unofficially as Ulster, or by the abbreviation UU. It i ...

* Kirsty McManus - Northern Ireland Director,

Institute of Directors The Institute of Directors (IoD) is a British professional organisation for company directors, senior business leaders and entrepreneurs. It is the UK's longest running organisation for professional leaders, having been founded in 1903 and inco ...

* Suzanne Wylie - Chief Executive Officer, Northern Ireland

Chamber of Commerce A chamber of commerce, or board of trade, is a form of business network. For example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to a ...

* Roger Pollen - Head of

Federation of Small Businesses The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is a UK business organisation representing small and medium-sized businesses. It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed (NFSE). The current name for the organisation was adopted in ...

Northern Ireland * Angela McGowan - Director for Northern Ireland,

Confederation of British Industry The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is a British business interest group, which says it represents 190,000 businesses. The CBI has been described by the ''Financial Times'' as "Britain's biggest business lobby group". Incorporated by roy ...

References

External links

Safeguarding the Union command paper
2024 establishments in the United Kingdom Government agencies established in 2024 Government of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Office Devolution in the United Kingdom {{UK-gov-stub

Panel members

See also

References

External links