Botham: Trade envoy for Australia, whatever next?

Good article here if anyone's interested.
www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/voices/ian-botham-trade-envoy-australia-b1907148.html%3famp

He has wines named after him there. I actually thought he had a vineyard but not sure now.

Wow whatever or whoever next?? How is he qualified? What does he know about trade? Scrapping the barrel. We are quite simply a joke.

I suppose they have all been chosen to replace the previous trade envoy, now disgraced.

The trade envoys engage with one or more emerging markets where substantial trade and investment opportunities have been identified by UK government.

www.gov.uk/government/groups/trade-envoys

Speculation, three months ago, that Australia's beef exports to the UK could rise tenfold as a result of the free-trade agreement? Let's chose someone whose nickname is Beefy as out trade envoy? Sounds about right.

www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/20/australia-beef-exports-uk-free-trade-deal-farmers

Can’t imagine why he would be chosen except he is a pretty aggressive character so he will probably do a good deal for you but possibly not for us. They probably think we are all thick and will relate to a sportsperson.

Sometimes those with no expertise can do the best job!
Australia sets great store by sports stars and many will remember him from the Ashes.
He could probably do a much better job than many politicians or bods with letters after their names could do.
His passion for his country and probably belief that some items produced can't be beaten. Let him have a go !

Didn’t he say the Australians were a load of cheats a couple of years ago?

I suppose he has been there at least, but I too am a bit mystified as to what exactly his qualifications are. But perhaps a Trade Envoy doesn't actually need to do anything except be a figurehead, presentable and if possible, a lord?

Another day in any normal country????.

Have you seen who the other trade envoys are?

It gets more bizarre by the day.

I notice that there are none for our nearest neighbours.

Do you think he has been shoehorned into the position, despite his lack of expertise?
Perhaps because of his connections?
I dont want to put words into your mouth, I'm just trying to understand.

well, I don't see what his qualifications are for the job Namsnanny, he has never run a business as far as I am aware, and although a great cricketer, I am baffled as to what he will be doing, and why.

You dont approve then GillT57?