The United Kingdom has appointed Lord John Hannett of Everton OBE as its new Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka, with the aim of enhancing trade relations and supporting business opportunities between the two countries.
The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, welcomed the appointment, stating, “With Lord Hannett’s support, we will continue to develop partnerships in key sectors such as education, financial and professional services, renewable energy, and IT-enabled services. His experience will help facilitate economic collaboration between the UK and Sri Lanka.”
Lord Hannett, a trade unionist and Labour life peer, said he was pleased to take on the role. “I look forward to working on strengthening the UK’s trade relationship with Sri Lanka and supporting UK businesses in exploring opportunities in the market,” he commented.
Recognized for his contributions to economic policy and workers’ rights, Lord Hannett was appointed OBE in 2020 and made a life peer in 2024. In the House of Lords, he continues to focus on economic and labor issues.
Trade Envoys like Lord Hannett support the UK Government’s international trade efforts by working with Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Trade Commissioners. Their role includes engaging with governments, leading trade delegations, and addressing market access challenges to support business growth.
