Chamber boosts links with new trade ambassadors

The Chamber 's international business team has been boosting links with key trade partners across the pond.

Both the US and Canada have appointed senior trade ambassadors, whose mission is to help grow business between those countries and the UK.

At the US, Brenda VanHorn has been appointed commercial counselor at the country 's London office of the Commercial Service.

The US Commercial Service (CS) is part of the US Department of Commerce 's International Trade Administration, and offers companies a full range of expertise in international trade.

The UK branch - based at the London Embassy in Nine Elms Lane, Battersea - supports US businesses in the UK, and also works with UK companies to invest in the United States.

Brenda VanHorn has worked at the US Department of Commerce for more than three years, and before her current role was a principal commercial officer in Mumbai, India.

She has also worked for the Department of Commerce in Morocco as an international trade administrator and in Warsaw, Poland, as a commercial attach�.

Before that she held several position in the graphics industry in the US.

Chamber international director Mandy Hague was invited to meet Mrs VanHorn at a reception at the US Embassy.

Also present was Rosemary Gallant, minister counselor for commercial affairs, and US charge d 'affaires Philip Reeker (pictured), who has only been recently appointed himself.

Ambassador Reeker took up his role in London in August. Prior to that, he led the State Department 's Bureau?of?European and Eurasian Affairs as acting assistant secretary (March 2019 - July 2021).

He was also previously civilian deputy and policy advisor to the commander of US European Command, in Stuttgart, Germany.

Mandy Hague said: “It was just so nice to be able to see people face-to-face and continue to build relationships with the USA embassy and help UK companies and Transatlantic Chamber members to invest and trade in US. ”

There is also a new senior trade commissioner at the Canadian government 's Trade Commissioner Service in London.

This is Colin Barker, who previously worked in Ottawa for Global Affairs Canada, as director of the softwood lumber division. He also worked for the same organisation in Brussels as a trade and economic policy secretary.

The Trade Commissioner Service helps Canadian businesses by connecting them with funding and support programs, international opportunities, and its network of trade commissioners in more than 160 cities worldwide.

Mandy Haque said: “We have already been having conversations with members to help support them with Canadian trade.

“We welcome the appointment of Colin Barker, who has great expertise and knowledge in helping members to trade with and invest in Canada. ”