Ronnie Downes
- Published on: 2 March 2023
- Last updated on: 31 October 2025
Ronnie Downes is Assistant Secretary in charge of the EU & Trade Regulation Division (EUTRD). EUTRD leads the Department’s policy engagement with the EU, promoting EU competitiveness and opening the EU Single Market. In that capacity Ronnie is a member of the EU’s High Level Group on Competitiveness and Growth (which prepares the work of the EU Competitiveness Council). EUTRD also handles export licensing (of dual-use goods etc.), investment screening and related matters of economic security. Previously, Ronnie had responsibility for national expenditure and infrastructure policy in the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, and he worked for a number of years in the OECD’s Public Governance Directorate.