New UK Trade Envoy for Japan, Ms. Sharon Hodgson MP

Community and Business
UK Gov / British Embassy Tokyo
UK-Japan Relations

Sharon was first elected as an MP in 2005. She has taken on many roles in Parliament including on key parliamentary committees, Parliamentary Private Secretary to three different government Ministers, Government Whip, Opposition Whip, and Shadow Ministerial roles (Children and Families 2010-2013; Women and Equalities 2013-2015; Children 2015-2016; Public Health 2016-2020; Veterans 2020-2021).

In May 2021, Sharon was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Leader of the Labour Party, then Leader of HM Opposition and now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP. Sharon was nominated in March 2023 by Sir Keir Starmer to the influential position as Chairman of the House of Commons Finance Committee. In this role Sharon oversaw the expenditure on services for the House of Commons and had responsibility for the preparation and scrutiny of the House of Commons budgets. Sharon was previously a member of the House of Commons Commission which is responsible for the administration and services of the House of Commons. Currently, Sharon is leader of the OSCE UK delegation, Vice-Chair of CPA UK, and a member of the BGIPU Executive Committee.
 

“I am delighted to have been appointed as UK Trade Envoy to Japan. This is a great opportunity to be a key player in delivering this Labour Government’s growth mission and I look forward to championing UK businesses in Japan and boosting opportunities for them.

“I am proud to have major manufacturers such as Nissan based in my constituency, and I particularly hope to use my expertise through my work in this area. Our countries have a lot to gain from improving trade relations and I look forward to working with my Japanese counterparts to overcome any barriers to economic opportunities.”