UK Ambassador Embarks on Nationwide Roadshow to Drive Economic Growth

Strategic Insights -

UK Ambassador to Italy, Ed Llewellyn, has begun a nationwide roadshow to drive economic growth and strengthen ties between the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's (FCDO) extensive overseas network and every region in the UK. The roadshow is part of the UK Government's Plan for Change, which aims to make Britain the best country to do business with. Ambassador Llewellyn is visiting over ten regions across the country, meeting with mayors, regional businesses, and key stakeholders to build connections and promote trade and investment opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK Government's Plan for Change aims to drive economic growth by using the FCDO's international networks to represent the interests of British businesses and consumers overseas.
  • The nationwide roadshow is part of the plan to boost international trade and investment with key markets such as Japan, Canada, Germany, and Italy.
  • Ambassador Llewellyn has met with South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and visited steel manufacturers Marcegaglia and Danieli, among others, to build relationships and identify opportunities for trade and investment.
  • The UK Ambassador to Italy has been deployed to South Yorkshire by Foreign Secretary David Lammy to drive economic growth and raise the international profile of the region.
  • South Yorkshire has a strong connection to Italy, with a shared history dating back to the 19th century, and has the potential to be a key driver of growth for the UK economy.
  • The UK's trade with Italy was £52.8 billion in 2024, with many companies across South Yorkshire benefiting from this trade.
  • The UK Government's Modern Industrial Strategy, launched last week, is a 10-year plan to deliver growth right across the UK, and the UK's Trade Strategy sets out the role international trade and investment will play in delivering that growth.

Statistics:

  • The UK's overseas network is being used to represent the interests of British businesses and consumers globally.
  • The UK Government's Plan for Change aims to make Britain the best country to do business with.
  • The UK's trade with Italy was £52.8 billion in 2024.
  • Marcegaglia has announced a £50 million investment in Sheffield, which will build a new clean steel electric arc furnace, supporting 50 new jobs directly and indirectly.
  • The UK Government has launched the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, which includes a 10-year plan to deliver growth right across the UK.

Sources:

  • "Foreign Secretary David Lammy has deployed the UK's Ambassador to Italy, Ed Llewellyn to South Yorkshire today to boost economic ties as part of a new roadshow to drive growth in every part of the UK" (UK Government)
  • "The UK Government's Plan for Change is making Britain the best country to do business with, and I am looking forward to building on today's roadshow discussions to showcase South Yorkshire on the international stage" (Ambassador Llewellyn)
  • "Italy is now the UK's 9th largest trading partner" (UK Government)
  • "Total trade between the UK and Italy was £52.8 billion in 2024" (UK Government)
  • "Marcegaglia has announced a £50 million investment in Sheffield" (Sheffield City Region)
  • "The UK Government has launched the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, a 10-year plan to deliver growth right across the UK" (UK Government)
  • "The UK's Trade Strategy sets out the role international trade and investment will play in delivering that growth" (UK Government)