Varun Chandra is reportedly seen as a leading contender to become the UK’s next ambassador to the US.
Washington: US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, has praised Indian-origin British political adviser Varun Chandra while describing him as a “trusted friend” and an “excellent representative” of Great Britain.
“Always great to be with Varun Chandra. He is an excellent representative of Great Britain and a trusted friend. Our partnership is deep and the future looks bright,” Luttnick said in his post on X.
Chandra is a British political adviser and businessman with Indian roots. He was born in 1984 to immigrant parents in South Shields in northeast England. He currently works at 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Special Adviser on Business and Investment, where he has played a key part in UK-US trade talks, including helping to secure a trade agreement with the Trump administration.
Chandra’s career covers finance and strategic advisory work. He has previously worked at Lehman Brothers and also served as a managing partner at Hakluyt, a firm known for its corporate intelligence and high-level strategy. He is widely viewed as someone who connects business leaders and government decision-makers with ease.
A Financial Express report said that because of his close ties with senior figures in the Trump administration, including Lutnick, Chandra is also seen as a leading contender to become the UK’s next ambassador to the United States.
According to The Guardian, Chandra does not hold an official trade position in the UK government, but his frequent presence in Washington shows how influential he has become in Keir Starmer’s team.
