Poppy Gustafsson OBE

Minister of State (Minister for Investment), Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury

Poppy Gustafsson OBE was appointed Minister of State (Minister for Investment) jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury on 10 October 2024.

Prior to entering government, Poppy was part of the team who founded Darktrace in 2013 and brought its AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to market. Under her leadership, Darktrace experienced significant growth and global expansion leading to the company being listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2021, before being sold for over £4bn.

Poppy is a chartered accountant and was honoured with an OBE for services to cybersecurity in 2019. Poppy studied maths at the University of Sheffield and is married with two children.

UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is a government department focused on driving economic growth, supporting businesses, and promoting international trade.

Formed in 2023 through the merger of the former Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), DBT aims to streamline government functions and provide more effective support for businesses expanding into global markets. The department’s primary responsibilities include formulating business policies, promoting exports, attracting foreign investment, and supporting the international expansion of domestic companies. By collaborating closely with various industries and international partners, DBT is committed to enhancing the UK’s global trade competitiveness while fostering sustainable and innovative business practices.

HM Treasury

HM Treasury is the United Kingdom’s core economic and finance ministry responsible for developing and implementing the government’s economic policy and managing public finances. Its key functions include setting the government’s budget, managing national debt, overseeing tax policies, and regulating the financial sector to ensure economic stability and sustainable growth. HM Treasury aims to promote employment, improve public services, support businesses, and secure the country’s economic stability. As a central department in shaping economic policy, HM Treasury plays a crucial role in addressing economic challenges and supporting economic recovery.