Foreign Secretary David Lammy has deployed the UK’s High Commissioner to Canada, Rob Tinline, to the West of England as part of a new roadshow that aims to boost economic ties and drive growth in every part of the UK.
The visit to the West Country was part of a new roadshow launched by the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy to propel economic growth by building connections between regions in the UK and international markets with high growth potential.
Ambassadors and High Commissioners are posted for long stints in other countries, and part of their brief is to get under the skin of the place they are based. That includes getting to know the ins and outs of the business landscape, and spotting opportunities for British businesses.
Rob Tinline is one of over fifteen top British diplomats dispatched back to the UK to build relationships with mayors and regional businesses across the country.
The Foreign Secretary wants the roadshow to strengthen ties between the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s extensive overseas network and every UK region to boost international trade with key markets such as Japan, Canada and Germany, as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “The West Country has a strong connection to Canada but there’s so much more we can do to boost trade and investment.
“I am sending my High Commissioner to work directly with local businesses to build connections so he can harness their expertise and effectively champion the interests of the West of England most effectively.
“This nationwide roadshow is one of the ways I am ensuring the economic interests of British businesses sit at the heart of our foreign policy as we deliver on our Plan for Change.”
The High Commissioner visited the GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre to discuss sustainable aviation and future flight and aerospace innovation, and then headed to the University of Bath to tour its Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems.
In the afternoon, he then headed to the National Composites Centre to discuss space partnerships and see the University of Bristol’s Isambard AI Supercomputer, before ending the day by meeting with the new West of England Mayor Helen Godwin.
High Commissioner Rob Tinline said: “It’s exciting to be in the West of England as part of this first-of-its-kind roadshow – getting out across the UK, as I do across Canada to develop relationships that will help us supercharge growth in every corner of the UK.
“My colleagues and I are hitting the road to speak directly to community leaders and businesses, ensuring that we leave no stone unturned in our efforts to deliver trade and investment wins overseas. I am looking forward to discussing how we can do more to help businesses succeed overseas, and using the visit to showcase the West of England and its strengths to a Canadian audience.”
The regional roadshow builds on a keynote Foreign Secretary speech at the British Chambers of Commerce earlier this year laying out the UK Government’s mission to drive economic growth by using the FCDO’s international networks to represent the interests of British businesses and consumers on the international stage.
The High Commissioner will use the roadshow visit to boost trade links between the UK and Canada, which totalled £27.6 billion in 2024. That same year, total trade between Canada and South West England amounted to £697 million – with many companies and communities across the west of England benefiting.
Canada’s trade with the West of England is underpinned by a wide range of business and research partnerships.
World-renowned automotive, aerospace and defence company Rolls Royce announced their partnership with Irving Shipbuilding Inc in March, who are constructing the Royal Canadian Navy's future fleet of warships through the River-class destroyer program. The company’s Bristol facility will be supporting this project by manufacturing components of the ships, including MT30 Gas Turbines.
With headquarters in Bristol, health care infrastructure consulting firm Archus has been recognised for its expanding role in shaping healthcare infrastructure across Canada. Since October 2024, the team has been engaged in a growing number of consultancy projects, now scaling upwards to 15 active initiatives, from targeted developments to major system-wide transformations. Recent work includes a comprehensive Functional Programme for a new medical school in Alberta.
The world's number one home energy and electric vehicle tradeshow, called the Fully Charged Show, is headquartered in Bristol. Since 2023, they have been awarded the service contract to deliver the show in Vancouver.
Bristol-based food and drink companies such as Beyond the Bean syrups, Pukka herbal teas, Caleno non-alcoholic spirits and Tracklements condiments can be readily found across Canada.
The High Commissioner’s visit to the West of England follows the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s launch of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy last month. The Strategy is a 10-year plan to deliver growth right across the UK. The Government has also launched the UK’s Trade Strategy, which sets out the role international trade and investment will play in delivering that growth.
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said: “These regional roadshows are a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we have to offer in the West of England and I’m thrilled that this first-of-its-kind visit is with the High Commissioner to Canada. Our region already has strong links to Canada and I’m looking forward to building on those as part of the Government’s plans to deliver economic growth.
“While he’s here, the High Commissioner will get to see our fantastic aerospace industry and our work on sustainable aviation at the GKN Global Technology Centre, the innovation in engineering happening at the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems, and the AI and quantum opportunities at the National Composites Centre.
“The message is clear: we are open for business, we are the best place to invest, and we are ambitious for and focused on the future.”
