The Department for Business and Trade has announced the appointment of Kate Harrisson as the new His Majesty's Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for China and Hong Kong. Ms Harrisson, who is currently the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) Director for the Asia Pacific, is set to assume her new responsibilities in September 2026. Her extensive experience in both the diplomatic service and the private sector, particularly within the region, is expected to be a significant asset in this key role.
Ms Harrisson's career with the Foreign Office began in 2000, following earlier work in China's private sector. Her distinguished diplomatic career includes postings as British Ambassador to Peru, Deputy Head of Mission in Vietnam, and previous assignments in Beijing and Hong Kong. Within the FCDO headquarters, she has contributed to UK relations with India and policy on refugees and conflict prevention. She also completed a two-year secondment to Arup as Strategy Director for Emerging Markets between 2022 and 2024, further broadening her commercial perspective.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for UK-China trade relations, following the recent UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) held on 2 July at Mansion House. Co-chaired by Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, the JETCO built upon the groundwork laid during the Prime Minister's visit to China in January 2026. That visit had already facilitated approximately £2.2 billion in export deals and an estimated £2.3 billion in market access opportunities for British businesses over a five-year period.
In her new capacity, Ms Harrisson will be responsible for overseeing all Department for Business and Trade activities in China and Hong Kong. Her mandate includes a focus on expanding the overall trade and investment relationship, enhancing market access for British companies – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – and shaping trade policy. She will work closely with UK-based government colleagues, British ambassadors, and the wider diplomatic network across the region to achieve these objectives.
Ms Harrisson expressed her enthusiasm for the role, highlighting the dramatic pace of change and global competition in the region since her first visit over three decades ago. She emphasised the importance of supporting UK businesses in the world's second-largest economy and leveraging that experience globally. Ms Harrisson takes over from Lewis Neal, who has held the position since September 2023 and has been credited with securing new market access for British firms, supporting exporters, and attracting investment into the UK.