Our governance
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-07)

The main decision-making, executive and managerial bodies at Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

The roles and structure of our board and committees.

Department for Business and Trade Board

The Departmental Board is the principal governance body of DBT and is chaired by the Secretary of State. The Permanent Secretary is also a member.

Its remit is to support the Secretary of State in the strategic and operational leadership of the department.

Members
- Peter Kyle MP (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/peter-kyle) – Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Chair)
- Gareth Davies CB (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gareth-davies) – Permanent Secretary
- Tara Smith (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tara-smith) – Chief Operating Officer
- Paul Drechsler CBE (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/paul-drechsler) – Lead Non-Executive Board Member
- Professor John Latham CBE (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/john-latham) – Non-Executive Board Member
- Iain Anderson (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/iain-anderson) – Non-Executive Board Member
- Katharine Braddick (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/katharine-braddick) – Non-Executive Board Member
- Mike Clancy (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/mike-clancy) – Non-Executive Board Member
- Nita Clarke OBE (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/nita-clarke) – Non-Executive Board Member
- Dr Roni Savage FREng (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/roni-savage) – Non-Executive Board Member
- David Sayer (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/david-sayer) – Non-Executive Board Member
Other ministers, directors general and senior officials will be invited to board discussions as their priorities demand.

Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC)

The Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) is a subcommittee of the board and provides independent advice to support the Board and Accounting Officer in their responsibilities for issues of risk, control and governance.

Members
- Professor John Latham CBE (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/john-latham) – Non-Executive Board Member and Chair of the ARAC
- David Sayer (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/david-sayer) – Non-Executive Board Member
- Hanif Barma – Independent Member
- Sharon Dean – Independent Member
- Anne Obey – Independent Member
Attendees
- Gareth Davies CB (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gareth-davies) – Permanent Secretary
- Tara Smith (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tara-smith) - Chief Operating Officer
- Ruth Nolan – Chief Financial Officer
- Eleanor Parker – Financial Audit Director, National Audit Office (NAO)
- Leena Mathew – Value for Money Audit Director, International Group, National Audit Office (NAO)
- Karen Holland – Head of Internal Audit, Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA)
Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC)

The Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC) is a subcommittee of the board that examines arrangements for:
- remuneration, talent management and capability arrangements for senior staff in DBT
- the appointments of senior Executive and Non-Executive leaders in DBT and its partner organisations
- effective governance within DBT
Members
- Paul Drechsler CBE (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/paul-drechsler) – Lead Non-Executive Board Member and Chair
- Gareth Davies CB (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gareth-davies) – Permanent Secretary
- Nita Clarke OBE (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/nita-clarke) – Non-Executive Board Member
Attendees
- Rebecca Woodward – Chief People Officer
Executive Committee

The Executive Committee:
- drives the department’s overall performance and delivery against DBT’s mission, vision and objectives
- ensures the effective management of the department
- develops and implements operational strategy
- plays a decision-making role on issues escalated from its subcommittees
Members
- Gareth Davies CB (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gareth-davies) – Permanent Secretary (Chair)
- Amanda Brooks (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/amanda-brooks) – Director General, Trade
- Ceri Smith (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/ceri-smith) – Director General, Office for Investment
- Caleb Deeks (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/caleb-deeks) and Gavin Lambert (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gavin-lambert) – Director General, Competition, Markets and Regulatory Reform Group
- David Bickerton (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/david-bickerton) – Chief Strategic Business Adviser
- Isobel Stephen (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/isobel-stephen) and Joanna Crellin (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/joana-crellin) – Director General, Domestic and International Markets and Exports
- Jaee Samant (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/jaee-samant) – Director General, Business Group
- Kate Joseph (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/kate-joseph) – Director General, Economic Security and Trade Relations
- Sam Lister (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/sam-lister) – Director General, Industrial Strategy
- Tara Smith (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tara-smith) – Chief Operating Officer
- Tim Reid (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tim-reid) – Chief Executive UK Export Finance
- Nathan Phillips CBE (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/nathan-phillips) – Strategy Director
Professional specialist directors are invited to attend specific items when their expertise is required.

Performance and Risk Committee

The Performance and Risk Committee monitors DBT’s performance and performs deep-dives into departmental risks. It ensures departmental business is conducted on budget, on target and on time.

Co-chairs
- Isobel Stephen (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/isobel-stephen) and Joanna Crellin (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/joana-crellin) – Director General, Domestic and International Markets and Exports
- Tara Smith (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tara-smith) – Chief Operating Officer
Investment Committee

The Investment Committee leads on investment decisions related to high value or high-risk projects and programmes in DBT’s portfolio.

Co-chairs
- Amanda Brooks (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/amanda-brooks) – Director General, Trade
- Sam Lister (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/sam-lister) – Director General, Industrial Strategy
People and Operations Committee

The People and Operations Committee oversees all aspects of the workplace environment, including DBT’s strategic, policy, and operational approach to Human Resources, internal communications and diversity.

Co-chairs
- Caleb Deeks (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/caleb-deeks) and Gavin Lambert (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gavin-lambert) – Director General, Competition, Markets and Regulatory Reform Group
- Kate Joseph (https://www.gov.uk/government/people/kate-joseph) – Director General, Economic Security and Trade Relations