Frances joined the Growth Board in February 2024, following a long and successful career with the Department for Business and Trade, including 15 years in the Diplomatic Service as Director Trade & Investment in Abu Dhabi, Director Trade & Investment Hong Kong and Macao and latterly, as Director Exports North America.  As a result, Frances has developed strong and strategic management, influencing and negotiation skills across all sectors and Governments, resulting in billions of pounds of exports and investments.  Since joining the Growth Board, Frances has driven our investment relationships and formed an International Flooding & Resiliency Taskforce to tackle the challenges of climate change by sharing good practice and innovation globally.