Speaker Bio

Sir Simon Fraser is a co-founder of the business consultancy Flint Global which advises on policy, political and regulatory issues in international markets. From 2010 to 2015 Simon was Head of the UK Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service. He ran the global network of British embassies and was on the National Security Council. In 2009-2010, as Permanent Secretary, Simon led the UK Department for Business (BIS) in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, playing a central part in planning for recovery. Prior to that Simon was for four years Chief of Staff to the European Commissioner for Trade in Brussels. He was closely engaged in EU trade negotiations with the United States and China. Since September 2024 Simon has been Chair of Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs. He is also a member of the UK board of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Committee of the Royal Society.