UK appoints new HM Trade Commissioner to drive trade and investment relationship in the Middle East and Pakistan

The UK Government has appointed Oliver Christian as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan and His Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai, succeeding Simon Penney.

 Oliver will lead the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade in the region, working in partnership with governments and businesses to deliver economic growth at home and abroad. In 2022, the UK’s bilateral trade between the UK and the Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP) stood at £61.3bn, with bilateral trade between the UK and the UAE reaching an all-time high of £21.5bn in the same period.

 As HM Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Oliver will lead the government’s work promoting UK economic, commercial, political and consular interests, supporting HM Ambassador to the UAE, Edward Hobart CMG.

Prior to his appointment, Oliver was Head of the Prime Minister's Business Unit in Downing Street, having served four prime ministers from 2019 to 2023. Oliver was responsible for maintaining a trusted link between the Prime Minister, Whitehall and the boardrooms of UK and international businesses and investors. He oversaw over £78bn of investment and export deals, establishing the UK Global Investment Summit and the creation of the Office for Investment during his tenure in Downing Street.