Recommendation 5

Overseas posts have a range of roles and priorities and may not be consistent in promoting investment across the UK. Potential investors’ first contact with the Department is often with staff in overseas posts whose role is to help them identify and access investment opportunities in the UK. But there is scope for teams in overseas posts to develop their knowledge of investment opportunities across the UK and ensure they are presented clearly to investors. We are concerned that these staff may have varying levels of knowledge and expertise, and support for inward investment Supporting investment into the UK 7 may not be a priority among their other responsibilities, particularly in countries where there are only one or two investment deals each year. The Department says that it has taken steps, such as organising conferences, to ensure that staff overseas have up-to-date knowledge, and training on investment is available to all embassy staff. HM trade commissioners are the senior officials with responsibility overseas for trade and investment and, in addition, each overseas post produces a country plan which reflects trade and investment plan objectives. Recommendation 5: The Department should work with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to ensure that supporting investment is part of the overall priorities of overseas posts and, where required, staff receive any training they need to build knowledge on strengths and opportunities for investment throughout the UK. More training could be offered to staff of both departments when they are in the UK up to and including Ambassadors between different country postings.