The report, “Governance Framework for the Evolution of a Cross-Border Trade Ecosystem,” led by Michael Brookbanks FIET from Surrey Business School provides practical guidance to complement existing Government strategies aimed at creating a more efficient, resilient and trusted cross-border digital trade environment.
Michael commented:
“The UK has already taken important steps toward a modern digital border. Our aim is to provide a framework that help bring policy, technology and operational realities into closer alignment. Strong collaboration will ensure the UK continues to lead internationally in digital trade.”
Global supply chains and UK customs operations have faced sustained challenges in recent years—from economic shifts and global uncertainty to the impacts of EU exit and increased volumes of goods requiring customs clearance. However, there have been failures in deploying digital platforms to address the problem of cross-border trade.
This research acknowledges the substantial progress made through the 2025 UK Border Strategy, recent digital border pilot programmes, and the Electronic Trade Documents Act, which sets the legal foundation for digitised trade documentation. Building on these achievements, the paper identifies ways to further strengthen coordination across departments and with industry partners to ensure technology, data standards and policy evolve in a coherent and mutually reinforcing way.
Supporting this research, in his foreword, Lord Holmes of Richmond MBE highlights the UK’s strong position in digital trade innovation and emphasises that enhanced collaboration, leadership and innovation will help fully realise the benefits of recent legislative and technological advances.
The proposed Collaborative Governance Framework provides an evidence-based structure for multilateral cooperation. Key recommendations include:
- Appoint a single body to lead and coordinate the UK’s cross-border trade digital transformation.
- Establish a unified government–industry vision for a fully digital, end-to-end trade system.
- Apply the new governance framework to drive coordinated change across government and industry, to co-create digital trade solutions.
The research draws on extensive engagement with government departments, trade bodies, industry consortia, and international standards organisations, as well as insights from recent border technology demonstrators.
ENDS
DECaDE is the UKRI Centre for the Decentralised Digital Economy, bringing together expertise in AI, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), and cybersecurity, alongside business, law, and human-centred design. The centre collaborates with over 30 commercial partners, including Adobe and the BBC, and works closely with policymakers, including the Cabinet Office and Scottish Government.
Media contact:
DECaDE
University of Surrey
decade@surrey.ac.uk
michael.brookbanks@surrey.ac.uk
