Who is Mark Burnett, 'The Apprentice' producer appointed by Trump as special envoy to UK?

Burnett, who has also created and produced multiple shows including Survivor, Shark Tank, and The Voice, lacks diplomatic experience

Donald Trump picks envoy to UK (File) Television producer Mark Burnett, left, along with US President-elect Donald Trump | AP

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Mark Burnett, a British television producer, as the US's special envoy to the UK. Burnett helped to produce Trump's show The Apprentice and he was also the chair of MGM Worldwide Television Group. 

"With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role," Trump said on Truth Social. 

Burnett has created and produced multiple shows including Survivor, Shark Tank, and The Voice. The Apprentice had featured Trump as its host and the show ran from 2004 to 2017. 

“Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges," Trump said. 

However, Burnett lacks diplomatic and foreign policy experience. This is not the first time Trump has appointed an envoy without any foreign policy experience. 

Trump's other picks including Charles Kushner as ambassador to France and former NFL player Herschel Walker as envoy to the Bahamas also lack diplomatic experience. 

Trump earlier had also picked Kimberly Guilfoyle, the former romantic partner of Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr, as ambassador to Greece. 

On Saturday, David Fink was named administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. “David will bring his 45+ years of transportation leadership and success, which will deliver the FRA into a new era of safety and technological innovation,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Trump picked billionaire Houston Rockets NBA team owner Tilman Fertitta to be his administration’s ambassador to Italy.

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