New UK PM, Liz Truss, hands huge appointment to Kemi Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch, who contested the prime minister position, and finished fourth in the race, has been appointed secretary of state for international trade and president of the board of trade.

Her appointment was made on Tuesday by the new prime minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Liz Truss.

Earlier on Tuesday, Truss was announced as the UK prime minister replacing Boris Johnson, who resigned in July.

Kemi, 42, takes over from Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who has been appointed as secretary of state for transport.

Prior to resigning from Johnson’s cabinet in July along with some other government officials over the former prime minister’s handling of a series of scandals, Badenoch was the equalities and local government minister.

Until her appointment as UK trade chief, Badenoch had also served as a junior minister in the treasury.

Born in south London, Badenoch’s parents are of Nigerian origin, and in her maiden speech in the house of commons, she described herself as “to all intents and purposes a first-generation immigrant”.