joe white mbe appointed new uk consul-general in sf, with new technology envoy role

Joe White MBE, a general partner at Entrepreneur First, a Greylock-supported early-stage deep tech investment fund, will be departing his position following his appointment as Her Majesty’s Consul-General, San Francisco, and Technology Envoy to the United States – a newly created and significant role within the U.K. government.

A prominent figure in the U.K. technology sector for the past two decades, White recently served as co-chair of GBx, a carefully selected network of British entrepreneurs. He also held a non-executive director position with the U.K.’s Behavioural Insights Team, providing guidance on technology products designed for social impact. Previously, he was a co-founder of Moonfruit, a platform for websites and e-commerce solutions that hosted 7 million sites before being acquired by Yell.com in 2012. He was awarded an MBE by HM Queen in 2017 in recognition of his services to technology businesses.

White will contribute substantial experience as both an entrepreneur and venture capitalist to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This appointment represents a novel approach for the U.K., as White’s responsibilities as HM Consul-General are combined with those of the newly established Technology Envoy to the United States. Sources at TechCrunch indicate this will involve significant engagement not only in San Francisco but also in Washington, DC, as technology gains increased prominence on the political agenda under the Biden administration.

In this dual capacity, White will oversee the operations of the Consulate, cultivate relationships throughout the northwestern United States, collaborate with the U.K. Ambassador to the U.S. on areas of mutual interest – notably technology and entrepreneurship – and assist Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner in “promoting the U.K. as a preferred partner for trade, investment, and research and development.”

According to a statement released by White, “It is a great honour to represent the U.K. at this important juncture, and I am pleased to support our globally recognized tech industry, which continues to flourish. I anticipate working closely with U.K. government tech teams both in the U.S. and the U.K. to strengthen our growing and vital relationship with the U.S. tech community.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab commented, “The U.K. and the U.S. are each other’s largest investors, and this appointment demonstrates our dedication to the technology sector. I am confident that Joe will excel in this expanded role as we strive to build back better and foster an innovative global economy in the wake of the pandemic.”

White is scheduled to begin his new assignment later this year, reporting to Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

TechCrunch Comment:

Joe White is exceptionally well-suited for this position. His qualifications, experience, and timing align perfectly to make a significant impact.

Having been a founder, an investor, and having worked within both European and American markets, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of the tech landscapes in both the U.K. and Silicon Valley. He maintains strong connections across these ecosystems. Additionally, his wife, Wendy Tan White MBE, holds the position of vice president at X, formerly Google X, Alphabet’s research and development company, and co-founded Moonfruit alongside him. Furthermore, White is familiar with the realms of politics and diplomacy, as his father, Michael White, served as the political editor for The Guardian newspaper for many years.

The U.K. government actively supported the tech industry during the administration of Prime Minister David Cameron. While this support waned somewhat following Brexit, the current chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has demonstrated his commitment through the creation of the U.K.’s Future Fund, which was considered a success during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.K. and U.S. share a common history and interconnected industries. The U.K. has traditionally served as a gateway for U.S. startups expanding into Europe, while Silicon Valley now hosts a substantial number of entrepreneurs and investors originally from Britain. Given current issues such as concerns regarding the practices of U.S. Big Tech companies in the U.K. – including legislation addressing online harms – as well as debates surrounding taxation and global security, it is appropriate that the Consul General’s role in San Francisco is enhanced with the addition of the Tech Envoy title.

Silicon Valley is poised to welcome a fellow technology entrepreneur into a prominent position within the U.K. government’s overseas representation. There is no more fitting individual for this important role.