Our governance
The main decision-making, executive and managerial bodies at Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
The roles and structure of our board and committees.
Department for Business and Trade Board
The Departmental Board is the principal governance body of DBT and is chaired by the Secretary of State. The Permanent Secretary is also a member.
Its remit is to support the Secretary of State in the strategic and operational leadership of the department.
Members
- Jonathan Reynolds MP – Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Chair)
- Justin Madders MP – Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets (Deputy Chair)
- Gareth Davies CB – Permanent Secretary
- Tara Smith – Chief Operating Officer
- Paul Drechsler CBE – Lead Non-Executive Board Member
- Professor John Latham CBE – Non-Executive Board Member
- Iain Anderson – Non-Executive Board Member
- Katharine Braddick – Non-Executive Board Member
- Mike Clancy – Non-Executive Board Member
- Nita Clarke OBE – Non-Executive Board Member
- Dr Roni Savage FREng – Non-Executive Board Member
- David Sayer – Non-Executive Board Member
- Karina McTeague – Non-Executive Board Member
Other ministers, director generals and senior officials will be invited to board discussions as their priorities demand.
Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC)
The Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) provides independent advice to support the Board and Accounting Officer in their responsibilities for issues of risk, control and governance. Karina McTeague will continue in her role as ARAC chair until the 2023-24 Annual Report and Accounts are laid, after which John Latham will take up this role and Karina will step down.
Members
- Karina McTeague – Non-Executive Board Member and Chair of the ARAC
- Hanif Barma – Independent Member
- Jim Watson – Independent Member
- Sharon Dean – Independent Member
Attendees
- Gareth Davies CB – Permanent Secretary
- Bidesh Sarkar CBE – Chief Financial Officer
- Susan Clark – Financial Audit Director, National Audit Office (NAO)
- Leena Mathew – Value for Money Audit Director, International Group, National Audit Office (NAO)
- Karen Holland – Head of Internal Audit, Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA)
Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC)
The Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC) is a subcommittee of the board that examines arrangements for:
- remuneration, talent management and capability arrangements for senior staff in DBT
- the appointments of senior Executive and Non-Executive leaders in DBT and its partner organisations
- effective governance within DBT
Members
- Gareth Davies CB – Permanent Secretary
- Paul Drechsler CBE – Lead Non-Executive Board Member
Attendees
- Rebecca Woodward – HR Director
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee:
- drives the department’s overall performance and delivery against DBT’s mission, vision and objectives
- ensures the effective management of the department
- develops and implements operational strategy
- plays a decision-making role on issues escalated from its sub-committees
Members
- Gareth Davies CB – Permanent Secretary (Chair)
- Crawford Falconer KCMG – Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser
- Joanna Crellin – Director General, Domestic and International Markets and Exports
- Amanda Brooks – Director General, Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations
- Ceri Smith – Director General, Strategy and Investment
- David Bickerton – Director General, Business Group
- Gavin Lambert and Caleb Deeks – Director General, Competition, Markets and Regulatory Reform Group
- Tara Smith – Chief Operating Officer
- Kate Joseph – Director General, Economic Security and Trade Relations
- Tim Reid – Chief Executive UK Export Finance
- Nathan Phillips CBE – Strategy Director
- Bidesh Sarkar CBE – Chief Financial Officer
- Ben Cropper – Chief Economist
- Becky Woodward – Director of Human Resources
- Jon Tunney – Director of Communications
Professional specialists, for example, Legal Directors (Adrian Roberts and Jane Hill) will receive Executive Committee papers and be invited to comment and/or attend specific items when their expertise is required. Chief Scientific Adviser (Julia Sutcliffe) is free to attend official meetings but is not a full member of the Executive Committee.
Performance and Risk Committee
The Performance and Risk Committee monitors DBT’s performance and performs deep-dives into departmental risks. It ensures departmental business is conducted on budget, on target and on time.
Co-chairs
- Tara Smith - Chief Operating Officer
- David Bickerton - Director, Business Group
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee (IC) leads on investment decisions related to high value or high-risk projects and programmes in DBT’s portfolio.
Co-chairs
- Amanda Brooks - Director General, Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations
- Ceri Smith - Director General, Strategy and Investment
People Committee
The People Committee oversees all aspects of the workplace environment, including DBT’s strategic, policy, and operational approach to Human Resources, internal communications and diversity.
Co-chairs
- Jo Crellin - Director General, Domestic and International Markets and Exports
- Gavin Lambert and Caleb Deeks - Director General, Competition, Markets and Regulatory Reform Group