Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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New Permanent Secretary appointed to Department for Business
The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Simon Fraser, currently Director General for Europe and Globalisation in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as Permanent Secretary in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. His appointment follows the retirement of Sir Brian Bender.
Simon Fraser has spent his career in the Foreign Office and the European Commission and has specialised in European, trade and international economic policy.
Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, said: "The appointment of Simon Fraser is exceptionally good news for the Department. With his European and international experience he is perfectly qualified to lead the Department. He is the leader the Department needs as it plays its part in helping Britain through the recession."
Simon Fraser, who expects to take up his new role in May, said: "It's a great privilege to be joining BERR. British business and the British economy are facing huge challenges. BERR has a vital role in helping the country come through the recession and in building a strong competitive economy for the future; restoring confidence and creating growth and jobs. I look forward to playing my part in this effort."
Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment and Acting Permanent Secretary at BERR, said: "I have known Simon for 25 years and look forward to working with him. BERR is lucky to have someone of Simon's international and economic experience and intellectual weight at this challenging time in the Department's history."
Notes to editors:
1. Simon Fraser has been Director General
for Europe and Globalisation in the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office since early 2008, and is an executive member of the FCO
Board. He leads on European and economic work in the Foreign
Office, including the G20, and manages the network of British
Embassies in Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. His
earlier Foreign Office positions include Director for Strategy and
Innovation and Political Counsellor in the British Embassy in
Paris. In the European Commission he worked as Head of Cabinet to
Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson from September 2004 to February
2008 formulating and negotiating European trade policy and Deputy
Head of Cabinet to Trade Commissioner Leon Brittan from 1996 to
1999 focussing on EU/US trade and regulatory issues.
2. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform helps UK business succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It promotes business growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads the better regulation agenda and champions free and fair markets. It is the shareholder in a number of Government-owned assets.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215
6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.berr.gov.uk
