South: New minister of state for trade and investment, says UK trade and investment

The Queen has approved the appointment of Ian Livingston as a minister of state – jointly at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office – on the retirement from Government of Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint. 

The prime minister has confirmed that Livingston, who is currently the chief executive of BT, will take up the role in December this year, at which time Lord Green will retire from Government. Livingston will continue the work Lord Green has undertaken to help Britain compete in the global race; growing the UK's exports and attracting further investment from overseas.

The prime minister thanked Lord Green for his important contribution since 2011, saying: “Stephen Green has made a huge contribution to promoting trade and investment. He has led the reform and rejuvenation of UK Trade and Investment, which now assists a significantly greater number of SMEs to export around the globe. I look forward to continuing our work together over the next six months and wish him the very best as he retires from Government.”

On Livingston’s appointment he said: “I’m delighted that Ian has agreed to succeed Stephen. He is an outstanding business leader and it is a testament to the importance of this role that he has agreed to serve in the Government in this capacity.”

Livingston added: “While it has been an immensely difficult decision to step down from my role at BT, it is a huge honour to be asked to take on this role. The Government has shown great commitment to the promotion of UK trade and investment, and I am looking forward to the important work ahead.”