FOREIGN SECRETARY SENDS TOP AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Published 4 July 2025 at 3:27pm

• Foreign Secretary dispatches top diplomats to all parts of the UK to boost regional ties and deliver economic growth under the Government’s Plan for Change.  

• UK Ambassadors and High Commissioners to over ten countries to return home for the tour, with stops planned in all nations and regions of the UK. 

• Roadshow hits South Yorkshire today, with a visit from Britain’s Ambassador to Italy. 

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has deployed the UK’s Ambassador to Italy, Ed Llewellyn to South Yorkshire today to boost economic ties as part of a new roadshow to drive growth in every part of the UK.

The visit to South Yorkshire is part of a new roadshow launched by the Foreign Secretary David Lammy to drive economic growth in every part of the UK by building connections between regions in the UK and growth-driving markets.

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. 

Ambassador Llewellyn is one of over ten top British diplomats dispatched on a cross-country tour to build relationships with mayors and regional businesses right 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, Germany, and Italy, as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change. 

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 

“South Yorkshire has a strong connection to Italy but there’s so much more we can do to boost trade and investment.

“I am sending my Ambassador to work directly with local businesses to build connections so they can harness their expertise and champion the interests of South Yorkshire 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.” 

Ambassador Llewellyn met with South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard on Thursday evening. On Friday, he visited steel manufacturer Marcegaglia, which announced a £50 million investment in Sheffield during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Italy last autumn. This investment will build a new clean steel electric arc furnace, supporting 50 new jobs directly and indirectly. 

He also toured the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham – visiting Italian steel manufacturer Danieli and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), which is part of the national High Value Manufacturing Catapult network of research centres.

Ambassador Llewellyn said: 

“It’s exciting to be in South Yorkshire as part of this first-of-its-kind roadshow – going the extra mile to develop relationships that will help us supercharge growth to every corner of the UK.

“Sheffield has had a close affinity with Italy since the 19th century, when many Italian workers arrived in West Bar and played a vital role in the city’s economy.

“We’re hitting the road to speak directly to community leaders and businesses, so that not a single opportunity is missed to generate trade and investment wins overseas. 

“The UK Government’s Plan for Change is making Britain the best country to do business with, and I am looking forward to building on today’s roadshow discussions to showcase South Yorkshire on the international stage.” 

The regional roadshow comes as the UK Government marks one year in office. It 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 overseas. 

Italy is now the UK’s 9th largest trading partner. Ambassador Llewellyn will use today’s roadshow visit to build on figures which show total trade between UK and Italy was £52.8 billion in 2024 – with many companies across South Yorkshire benefiting. 

Ambassador Llewellyn’s visit to South Yorkshire follows the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s launch last week of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. 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.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: 

“My job is growth—building not just a bigger economy, but a better one. But that kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident. If we’re serious about creating an economy where everyone can stay near and go far, then we need to take our message to the world.

“That’s why having Ambassador Llewellyn right here in South Yorkshire is so vital. South Yorkshire is already home to world-leading companies and cutting-edge research, and we’re determined to grow our international footprint.

“By working directly with the UK’s diplomatic network, we can open new doors for local businesses, attract investment and build the partnerships that will power our economy for the future.”