The Minister for Business and Trade is pleased to announce that Alastair Long has been appointed His Majesty's Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa and will take up the role in August.
Alastair currently serves as His Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain and was appointed in August 2023.
Alastair brings extensive knowledge of Africa, having served as Deputy and then Acting Trade Commissioner for Africa between 2019 and 2022.
After joining the Foreign Office in 2002, Alastair worked abroad as HMG, among other things:
- Riyadh, Deputy Middle East Trade Commissioner and Director of Trade and Investment in Saudi Arabia from 2018 to 2019
- Dubai, as Regional Director for Trade for the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan and Deputy Consul General from 2016 to 2018
- Muscat, as His Majesty's Deputy Ambassador and Consul General from 2013 to 2015
Alastair was educated at Cambridge University (Clare College) and the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Alastair Long said:
I am delighted to take up the position of His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Africa and to return to the continent. Africa is the future and as Deputy and then Acting Trade Commissioner I have seen the boundless energy and ambition of the continent.
The UK is committed to being a partner in supporting Africa and the UK's growth by listening to African priorities and bringing in the best that the UK has to offer. I look forward to working with the UK business community and the UK Government team across the continent to realize as many shared opportunities as possible.
Alastair replaces John Humphrey, who has held the role since June 2022.
John Humphrey said:
It has been a privilege to serve as the UK's Trade Commissioner for Africa, working with partners across the continent to strengthen a relationship based on performance, trust and shared economic ambitions.
Africa is central to the UK's global outlook and offers significant opportunities for commercially based collaboration and sustainable growth. Taking on the UK's strong momentum in Africa, Alastair Long will bring deep trade expertise and the focus and energy needed to deepen partnerships and explore further opportunities for mutual benefit. I wish him every success in taking on this important role.
Role of HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa
The HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa works closely with the wider diplomatic network and other colleagues to coordinate government efforts abroad to promote UK trade and prosperity.
The Trade Commissioner has full responsibility for all work of the Department of Economy and Trade (DBT) in Africa, including:
-
Expansion of overall trade and investment relationships
-
Improving market access for UK businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
-
Development of trade policy
The HMTC works closely with UK-based government counterparts, British ambassadors and the wider diplomatic network in the region to achieve these objectives.
About the Author
