About
About the Department for International Trade
The Department for International Trade (DIT) helps businesses export, drives inward and outward investment, negotiates market access and trade deals, and champions free trade. Our work supports productivity and our economy, providing our businesses with access to new markets, and in turn new processes, technologies and better supplies. This improves people’s living standards as they benefit from greater choice at lower prices. Equally, by driving global prosperity, trade and international investment contribute to global stability and security, as well as increasing the UK’s influence globally.
DIT is the UK's international economic department responsible for bringing together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment and help businesses succeed, delivering a new trade policy framework for the UK as it leaves the EU. DIT promotes British trade and investment across the world and is building the global appetite for UK goods and services. DIT has laid important foundations for the delivery of an independent trade policy after the UK leaves the EU, and DIT has continued to help businesses discover, access and exploit export and investment opportunities, boosting the UK economy.
DIT operates in a complex landscape. Our international network is spread across 108 countries in 177 individual locations. We have teams in the UK Regions including as part of the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine. We work across geographies and sectors; have a blend of policy and delivery responsibilities; provide face to face, digital services and marketing and events; and work in partnership with other Government Departments, in particular the FCO, BEIS and DfID. As we continue to evolve as a department we need to drive innovation in the way we work internally and with partners.
The department’s four strategic objectives are to:
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Support and encourage UK businesses to drive sustainable international growth;
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Ensure the UK remains a leading destination for international investment and maintains its number one position for international investment stock in Europe;
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Open markets, building a trade framework with new and existing partners which is free and fair;
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Use trade and investment to underpin the government’s agenda for a Global Britain and its ambitions for prosperity, stability and security worldwide.
Its fifth enabling objective is to:
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Build DIT as an effective international economic department where our people are expert, enterprising, engaged and inclusive.
DIT delivers these through a wide range of activities, products and digital services designed to help businesses take full advantage of global opportunities, helping them to succeed internationally as the UK shapes its own trade agenda and takes its place on the world stage as a great, global trading nation.
Further information on the Department for International Trade can be found here.
About Government Finance
Mike Driver
Head of Government Finance Function
The UK Government is responsible for over £750 billion expenditure a year, managing over £1,450 billion of assets and £3,500 billion of liabilities. The committed professionals who work in Government Finance are right at the heart of this. We provide advice to Ministers and senior officials, enabling them to make critical decisions and helping to tackle some of the most complex and challenging problems that affect the whole country and the communities we live in. Our ambition is to ensure finance is at the heart of decision-making across Government.
Government Finance employs some of the country’s most talented people, who are motivated by the variety and range of roles, and our ability to make a difference to society. This diversity of roles enables our people to have varied and fulfilling careers, providing opportunities for moves between departments and finance specialisms, allowing people to develop and shape their careers. We are committed to supporting our people to build their careers and achieve their potential, providing a range of opportunities to develop professional skills, build capability and develop careers across the function.
Formal Learning and Development opportunities are offered through the Government Finance Academy (GFA). The GFA brings together a comprehensive and consistent offer for all Government Finance professionals to help identify and access learning and development that will help build skills, and support our people to meet their aspirations. Beyond the formal learning offer, Government Finance is committed to providing wider opportunities for personal development through coaching and mentoring opportunities and career planning tools.
Best wishes,
Mike