Plumb Job for UK Research Innovator

Caroline Plumb, co-founder of UK research agency Freshminds, has been named in the UK government's new line-up of Business Ambassadors.

Plumb, the only Ambassador from a smaller firm, joins big names from industry and politics including Sir Anthony Bamford, Chris Patten, Baroness Hogg, Tamara Mellon and Lord Digby Jones.

The Ambassador network was created in October 2008 and has a particular focus on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Ambassadors are charged with promoting the UK's excellence in overseas markets and assisting UK businesses to recognise and exploit business opportunities. The roles are unpaid.

Speaking from his trade mission to China, PM David Cameron said: 'I am delighted that some of the most experienced and successful people from business and our universities are working with us. Their knowledge, skill and dedication to British business will play a key role in opening markets, increasing trade and encouraging investment.'

Specific activities to be undertaken by the Ambassadors include meetings lobbying to remove barriers to market access or leading events for SMEs; briefing UK Ministers and others on key business priorities and interests as they might arise; meeting overseas Ministers and inward missions; contributing to intergovernmental talks with China, India, Brazil, Russia, Vietnam, Eastern Europe and other countries; and providing insights into how UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) can best deliver for business.

The Ambassadors, sixteen of whom also served in the Network under the last Government, are supported in their role by a dedicated secretariat in UKTI, which is online at www.ukti.gov.uk .