Emma Wade-Smith OBE has been Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America and HM Consul General New York since November 2021.
Prior to this appointment, she spent nearly six years leading the UK Government’s pan-African regional trade and investment team, as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa.
Before moving into the world of trade and investment, Emma worked at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. as the UK’s Counsellor for Foreign and Security Policy.
This came on the back of a two year stint (2009-2011) heading up the UK Government’s International Crisis Response Team. She was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty The Queen for her work helping British Nationals to safety from hot spots all around the world.
Emma has had a distinguished career as a British Diplomat spanning more than two decades, with postings to Mexico and Chile as well as secondments to the United Nations in New York; the European Commission in Brussels; and the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills where she worked on international trade.
Emma is married to John; speaks reasonably fluent Spanish; is a Seahawks fan; and attempts to play golf every once in a while.
HM Trade Commissioner for North America
The HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for North America oversees all Department for International Trade (DIT) work in North America including:
- growing the overall bilateral trade and investment relationship
- improving market access for British companies, including small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)
- developing finance and trade policy
The HMTC also works closely with the wider diplomatic network and UK based colleagues to coordinate HMG activity on the FCDO’s wider prosperity agenda.
Department for International Trade
British Consul General in New York
The Consul General is the senior UK official in a Consulate General, which is a subordinate office to the Embassy or High Commission, usually located in another major city. The Consul General represents the UK government and is typically responsible for consular, visa and trade activities in their city or region.
The Consul General leads the government’s work promoting UK economic, commercial, political and consular interests in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Fairfield County, Connecticut.