DIT offers up to £140,000 for next trade watchdog chief exec

Personnel change comes after former chief exec leaves to join police watchdog


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The Department for International Trade is offering up to £140,000 for the first chief executive of the UK's post-Brexit trade watchdog, after the last candidate resigned.

Claire Bassett stepped down as chief exec of the Trade Remedies Authority last month to take up a post in the Independent Office for Police Conduct, 

The regulator is still in shadow form as DIT’s trade remedies investigations directorate. It is currently carrying out transition reviews into EU measures to determine whether they are fit for purpose for UK industry.


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Now DIT is seeking a candidate who is "interested in creating a real lasting impact by delivering a priority new government function", according to a job advert.

The successful candidate, who will earn between £90,000 and £140,000, will lead the organisation as it transitions from a directorate to a statutory organisation when the trade bill passes. The TRA will then be responsible for investigating claims of unfair trading practices, such as the dumping of foreign products on the UK market at under-fair market rates.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate independence of judgement and the ability to "provide constructive leadership" to the executive and non-executive board of the TRA. They must be able to communicate effectively and be confident in a public-facing role.

"The successful candidate will be expected to be a visible and authoritative presence on the public stage and in engaging with senior figures in the private and public sector and will be a credible figure with employers," the job ad said.

The personnel change comes just over a year after the TRA's inaugural chair designate, former ambassador Sir David Wright, stepped down from his role for personal reasons.

Wright’s successor, Simon Walker, is heading up the Reading-based watchdog until the new chief exec is appointed.

Applications for the role close on 29 June.

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