Masterclass & Keynote Speakers

the following are our masterclass and keynote speakers

Vince Cable

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade

Vince Cable was born in 1943. He was educated at Nunthorpe Grammar School in York and read Natural Science and Economics at Cambridge University, where he was President of the Union, after which he studied for a PhD at Glasgow University.

Vince worked as Treasury Finance Officer for the Kenyan Government between 1966 and 1968. From 1968 to 1974 he lectured in Economics at Glasgow University. He worked as a First Secretary in the Diplomatic Service in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1974-1976). He was then Deputy Director of the Overseas Development Institute, which included a period working as a Special Adviser to the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, John Smith MP. From 1983 to 1990, Vince worked as Special Adviser on Economic Affairs for the Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Sonny Ramphal.

From 1990, Vince Cable worked for Shell International and in 1995 became the company’s Chief Economist. He was appointed head of the economics programme at Chatham House and since becoming an MP in 1997, was appointed a fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford and was a visiting research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Global Governance at the London School of Economics.

He joined the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet in October 1999 as spokesman on Trade and Industry after a spell as a junior Treasury spokesman. Until he was appointed to the Coalition Government as Business Secretary in May 2010, he had been the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor from November 2003 and from March 2006 Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
 

Lord Powell of Bayswater

Co-Chair, Asia Task Force

Lord Powell was private secretary and adviser on foreign affairs and defence to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and subsequently Prime Minister John Major.  He is now an independent cross-bench member of the House of Lords where he serves on the Select Committee on the Constitution.  He also co-chairs the Government’s Asia Task Force with Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Lord Powell serves on a number of company boards including Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) in France, Caterpillar and Textron in the US, Hong Kong Land and Mandarin Oriental Hotels in Asia and Schindler Group in Switzerland.  He chairs the International Advisory Council of Rolls-Royce and sits on several International Advisory Boards including Barrick Gold and the US insurance company ACE. 

He is a Trustee of the Aspen Institute in the US as well as of the British Museum Trust, the International Institute for Strategic Studies and Atlantic Partnership which he chairs.  He is a Fellow of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

Lord Powell is married and has two sons.

Stephanie Flanders

BBC Economics Editor

Stephanie Flanders has been the BBC’s Economics Editor since April 2008. Prior to that she had been Economics Editor for BBC2’s Newsnight.

She is a former speech writer and senior advisor to US Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers in the Clinton Administration; a reporter for the New York Times; a leader-writer and columnist for the Financial Times; and an economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies and London Business School.

Her blog, Stephanomics, recently won the 2010 Harold Wincott Award for online journalism. Stephanie will chair the Business Masterclass at the London conference.
 

Andrew McLaughlin

Group Chief Economist, RBS

Dr Andrew McLaughlin is Group Director, Communications and Group Chief Economist for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS). Before joining the Group, he spent three years in corporate finance advisory work with Ernst and Young. Andrew holds a first class honours degree in Economics and Politics. His 1993 doctoral thesis won the prestigious Walter Bagehot prize for best UK dissertation. Andrew spent several years working in academia before beginning his commercial career. He published a book on the automobile industry in 1998. He is a member of the University of Nottingham Globalisation and Economic Policy Advisory Board and sits on the CBI Economic Affairs Committee. Andrew is a regular commentator in UK print and broadcast media and also a columnist in China Daily, China's leading business newspaper.  Andrew will be speaking and participating in the Masterclass at the Explore Asia event in London.

Tamara Mellon

UK Business Ambassador

Tamara Mellon is best known as the Founder of Jimmy Choo. She was its Chief Creative Officer from its inception in 1996 through to its acquisition by new owners in late 2011. Jimmy Choo remains a British company and Tamara built it into one of the world's most prominent and innovative luxury brands. She was responsible for the company's creative vision and was the central figure in the business' development and strategic direction . Tamara oversaw the growth of Jimmy Choo from a single London boutique to an internationally respected brand, with over 100 stores globally, from San Francisco to Shanghai. In 2008 the company was named the 2008 British Designer Brand of the Year by the British Fashion Council.

Tamara was born in London and educated in England, the USA and Switzerland. In addition to her business and significant philanthropic interests she was awarded an OBE for services to the fashion industry in 2010. An entrepreneur at heart, with a unique record in building global brands, Tamara is now working on her next ventures.

Theo Paphitis

Businessman

Theo Paphitis is best known for his star role in the popular BBC TWO TV series Dragons’ Den.  Filming starts for the tenth series this spring.  He is a retail expert, having revived the fortunes of notable brands such as La Senza Lingerie (UK) which he sold in 2006 and Ryman Stationery, where he is Chairman.  Theo’s latest big venture is the multi-channel lingerie retail business, Boux Avenue.

Theo presented the series, Theo’s Adventure Capitalists, shown on BBC Two and throughout over 50 countries worldwide.

www.theopaphitis.com
www.ryman.co.uk
www.bouxavenue.com
 

Chris Dodson

Entrepreneur and Inventor

Chris is currently the Chairman of the Mortimer and Torftech Groups of Companies as well as a Fellow and Council member of the Institute of Directors in London.

Chris Dodson is a mechanical engineer with over 35 years experience in commercial technology development for industry, particularly for energy use reductions. Chris has designed low energy buildings, low energy industrial processes and produced the Queens Award winning biomass to energy systems, the TORBED® Energy Technologies, which are being applied around the world in a wide range of applications.

Today, hundreds of industrial and commercial plants employ his many inventions and technologies to carry out a wide variety of processes. Examples include the ‘white’ that goes into bright white paint, fat free snacks, fire retardants in office buildings, puffed rice cereals, minerals for car brake linings and wall plaster, destruction of hazardous wastes and production of green energy from biomass and wastes to name but a few. He has particular expertise in the construction, negotiation and management of licence and technology agreements internationally.

Despite his group of companies being SMEs, they have licensed technology and are successfully selling capital plant, equipment and services into China, Thailand and Cambodia with ongoing negotiations to supply large process plant technology into Indonesia and Malaysia.

Dr Neil Bentley

Deputy Director- General

Dr Neil Bentley was appointed deputy director-general in February 2011.

He has worked for the CBI since 2002 holding a variety of senior roles with responsibility for policy areas including climate change, energy, infrastructure, public services reform, employment and skills.

Prior to joining the CBI, Neil worked at IT services company EDS Ltd, where he was the HR lead on a series of Global and European outsourcing deals, and advised on industrial relations across the EMEA region. Neil's doctorate is in industrial relations. Neil will be chairing the Keynote Speaker session in London.

UKTI Experts from Asia

the following are our UKTI experts from Asia

Brian Davidson

Consul-General in Shanghai

Brian Davidson took up his appointment as Consul-General in Shanghai in January 2011.  Brian has a wealth of knowledge on the opportunities in China having previously served from 2006 - 2010 as Consul-General in Guangzhou and in Beijing in the early nineties. The Yangtze River Delta, of which Shanghai is the hub and which contains rapidly developing cities such as Hangzhou, Hefei, Suzhou and Nanjing, is one of China's most entrepreneurial and economically dynamic regions, accounting for 25% of China's GDP.  Brian will be running workshops in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Belfast and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Simon Lever

Consul-General in Chongqing

Simon Lever took up his appointment as Consul-General in Chongqing in October 2010. His China experience stretches back to the nineties, when he covered infrastructure projects at the Embassy in Beijing and was Head of the China Markets Team at DTI. Chongqing is China's fastest growing inland city and has been designated by the central government as a development hub for western China. Simon will be running workshops in London & Belfast and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Alastair Morgan

Consul General in Guangzhou

Alastair Morgan has been Consul General in Guangzhou since December 2010. Before that he was Director of Trade and Investment for China in Beijing (2007 – 2010), and Director of Inward Investment for Japan in Tokyo (2002 – 2006). He has spent his career working for government with business, much of it in Asia. The Southern China region, with an economy larger and more diverse than most countries, has for thirty years led China’s rapid economic growth. Current policies aiming to transform its industry base play to UK strengths in financial services, creative industries, environmental technologies, and advanced engineering.  More generally, with skills, infrastructure, supply chain and business support services consistently rated among the best in China, and Hong Kong on its doorstep, it is an increasingly user-friendly and sophisticated business environment.  Alastair will be running workshops in London and Manchester and available for one-to-one meetings in London. 

Andrew Seaton

British Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macao

Andrew has spent much of his career dealing with Britain’s relations with China and Hong Kong. Having worked in Hong Kong since 2008 and previously in the 1990s, it is clear to Andrew that while Hong Kong has long been an important market for British companies, it now offers better opportunities than ever, both as a fast-growing and open market in its own right, and as a user-friendly and highly efficient platform from which to tackle the Chinese and other key markets in the region.  Hong Kong also has more HVOs, five, than any other UKTI market. The  UKTI team at the Consulate General has helped British companies in a wide range of sectors expand their business in and through Hong Kong.  Andrew will be running workshops and will be available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Stephen Cartwright

Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong & Macao

Stephen Cartwright has been Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong since mid 2010. His previous UKTI assignments have been in HQ and as Head of the UKTI Energy Team in Oslo. While Hong Kong has long been an important market for British companies, it now offers better opportunities than ever, both as a fast-growing, open, prosperous and vibrant market and  as a user-friendly and highly efficient platform from which to tackle China and other markets in the region.  Hong Kong also has more HVOs, five, than any other UKTI market. The  UKTI team at the Consulate General has helped British companies in a wide range of sectors expand their business in and through Hong Kong.  Stephen will be running workshops in London and Salford, and will be available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Peter Beckingham

Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai

Peter Beckingham has been Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai since February 2010, where his main responsibility is trade and investment in Western India, which accounts for over 20 % of India’s GDP. Prior to his current posting, Peter was British Ambassador to the Philippines from 2005 – 2009. His previous postings  include Sydney (where he was CG and DG of Trade & Investment), Canberra, New York and Stockholm, and he was the Foreign Office Director in London of the Joint (FCO/DTI) Export Promotion Directorate, the fore-runner of UKTI. Peter will be running workshops in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and London and available for one-to-one meetings in London.
 

Ian Felton

Deputy High Commissioner in Bangalore

Ian Felton has been Deputy High Commissioner in Bangalore since August 2011. British companies in Bangalore are participating in the growth in the IT sector but are also present in life sciences (such as stem cell research) and advanced engineering (in particular aerospace) which are major sectors in the city.  Ian was previously British Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea where he worked on promoting trade for British mining and energy companies. Ian has also been posted as Deputy Head of Mission in Cambodia and prior to that spent four years at the UK Mission to the United Nations where he worked mainly on UN economic and social development programmes. Ian will be running workshops in Birmingham and Manchester.

Barry Lowen

Director of UK Trade & Investment for India

Barry Lowen has been Director of UK Trade & Investment in India since 2010. Based in New Delhi, he covers the whole of India and all sectors, giving him a comprehensive overview of the way in which bilateral business is developing. As India continues to grow and as Indian companies continue to globalise, there are huge opportunities for UK business. Barry's previous postings have included Director of Asia for UKTI in UK, Head of Engaging with the Islamic World Group at the FCO and Deputy Head of Mission and Consul-General at the British Embassy in Riyadh. Barry will be running workshops and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Mike Nithavrianakis

Deputy High Commissioner in Southern India

Mike Nithavrianakis has been Deputy High Commissioner in Southern India, based in Chennai, since 2009 and a major part of his portfolio focuses on enhancing the trade and investment relationship between the UK and South India. Mike has been a career diplomat since the 1980s with diplomatic postings to Malaysia, Russia, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and, most recently, Greece, where he was Deputy Head of Mission and Consul-General. Mike will be running workshops in London, Glasgow and Belfast, and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Mark Canning

British Ambassador to Indonesia

Mark Canning was appointed British Ambassador to Indonesia in June 2011. He previously served as Ambassador to Zimbabwe (2009-11) and as Ambassador to Burma (2006-2009). His career has focused strongly on South East Asia – his current tour in Jakarta is his second in Indonesia and he has served also in Malaysia and Burma – and on the promotion of trade and investment. On his appointment as Ambassador to Indonesia, Mark said “Indonesia  is important to us in so many ways, not least in terms of trade and investment”. Mark will be available for one to one sessions in London.

Deborah Clarke

Director of Trade & Investment for Indonesia

Deborah has been Director for Trade & Investment at the British Embassy Jakarta since July 2009. Before that, she was Private Secretary to the Minister for Trade and Investment in London. Prior to that she was Consul General and Director of Trade and Investment in Vietnam, Head of the South East Asia Unit at the then British Trade International in London and Deputy Director General of the British Trade & Cultural Office in Taipei. Deborah will be running workshops in London and Salford and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Matthew Smith

UKTI Deputy Director of Trade & Investment

Matthew started his UKTI career in London, where he worked to attract investment projects from Korea. He then had posting to San Francisco and Seoul before relocating to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is a good choice for UK companies looking to do business in Asia due to the English language, familiar legal systems, competitive costs and good infrastructure.

James Chan

Senior Trade Manager

Since joining UK Trade & Investment Kuala Lumpur in 1997, James has been assisting UK companies to do business in Malaysia in a variety of sectors including Aerospace (Civil), ICT, Power and Transport Technologies.

Currently, he is the Senior Trade Manager responsible for advising & assisting UK companies to win business in the oil & gas and aerospace (civil) sectors in Malaysia. His team also has responsibility for ICT and Creative Industries. He has a great deal of experience and local contacts and would be happy to meet with UK companies wishing to learn more regarding opportunities in Malaysia. James will be leading market clinics in Salford.
 

Richard Buttrey

UKTI Head of Trade, Japan

Richard Buttrey is UKTI Head of Trade (all sectors) in Japan.  Having spent 3 years in New Delhi he is well placed to compare and contrast developing and established markets based on first-hand experience.  Japan is Asia’s high-tech powerhouse, somewhere where promises are kept and promptness is valued.  There are huge opportunities for creative and dynamic British businesses as Japan regenerates and innovates after the Tsunami, and the market evolves in response to major demographic and economic change.  Richard will describe some specific themes such as Business Resilience, Nuclear Decommissioning, Asset Management, eHealth and Enabling ICT, as well as UKTI Japan’s new pro-active approach to soliciting SME interest and supporting your expansion plans.  Richard will be running workshops in London and Salford and available for one-to-one meetings in London. 

Derek Page

Director of Trade & Investment for the Philippines

Derek has been Director of Trade & Investment for the Philippines since April 2009. Previously, on secondment from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in London, he was responsible for the development and global deployment of UKTI's web-based Customer Relationship Management system. Derek worked in the financial and leisure industries in the UK and overseas before joining the Diplomatic Service. His overseas career has largely focused on the delivery of trade and investment services, with postings in Scandinavia, South Africa, India, Germany, South America and both the Middle and Far East. Derek will be leading workshops in London and Salford and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Judith Slater

Deputy High Commissioner and Director of Trade & Investment for Singapore

Judith arrived at the British High Commission, Singapore in September 2011 as Deputy High Commissioner and Director of Trade and Investment. She joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1988 and has since held a variety of posts including, most recently, Deputy High Commissioner in Pretoria, South Africa from 2007-2011. Prior to this she served as British Consul-General in Houston, Texas and has also had overseas postings in New Delhi and Canberra. In the FCO in London, Judith’s posts have included Private Secretary to the Minister of State responsible for relations with Asia, and Head of Nuclear Policy Section in Non-Proliferation Department. Judith will be running workshops in London and Belfast and is available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Elsie Yim

Senior Trade & Investment Attaché, Singapore

Elsie Yim is the Senior Trade & Investment Attaché in Singapore. Elsie will be leading workshops in Salford.

Douglas Barrett

Head of Trade and Investment in Seoul, South Korea

Douglas Barrett has been Head of Trade and Investment in Seoul, Korea since July 2009. He has spent the last 25 years working on Asia and Asia Pacific issues. Following postings in Manila and Islamabad, he was HM Consul in Mumbai from 1996 to 2000. He was a Commercial Officer and later Head of Trade and Investment in Shanghai from 2001 to 2005. He then worked in private industry as Director for Asia Pacific at British Expertise, the UK’s premier trade organisation for the promotion of services. During his time at British Expertise, Douglas organised and led six to eight trade missions a year to the Asia Pacific region, mostly to India and China. Douglas will be leading workshops in London and Salford and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Stephen Metti

Head of Commercial Section, British Trade & Cultural Office, Taiwan

Stephen Metti joined the British Trade & Cultural Office in Taipei as Head of the Commercial Section including Science & Innovation in August 2008. In Taiwan, he has been involved with UK-Taiwan bilateral trade talks and identifying High Value Opportunities for British companies. Stephen started work in Trade and Investment at the South West Regional Office in Bristol, working with local companies on SMART and SPUR innovation programmes, and regional selective assistance projects. He has subsequently been involved with UK trade development in South Korea, Japan and Malaysia, and inward investment from India and Australia. He served as Head of Inward Investment in Copenhagen from 2003-2006, and then worked in UKTI's Business Group leading on attracting global inward investment from the Creative & Media sector. Stephen will be running workshops in London and Salford and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Bradley Jones

Director of Trade & Investment for Thailand

Bradley Jones has been Director of Trade & Investment at the British Embassy in Bangkok since October 2010. Bradley spent ten years working in Botswana, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates before joining the civil service in 1999. In addition to working on trade policy issues, Bradley was Private Secretary to five consecutive Trade Ministers and spent two years as Assistant Private Secretary to HRH The Duke of York. He was also Head of the South Asia Unit in UK Trade and Investment for three years, covering trade with India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Bradley will be leading workshops in London and Salford and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Andy Ziardis

Head of UKTI team and Deputy Consul General, Vietnam

Andy Ziardis has been Head of the UKTI team in Ho Chi Minh City and Deputy Consul General since April 2008. In Vietnam, Andy sees many opportunities for UK companies building on UK existing strengths in financial services, energy and education but expanding into retail, infrastructure and telecommunications too. Andy has been instrumental in establishing a British Urban Development Working Group, helping British based companies in Vietnam and the regions showcase British expertise to the Vietnamese authorities. The group are now exploring potential opportunities around the new international airport (Long Thanh International Airport) planned to replace the current airport serving Ho Chi Minh City as well as the local government’s ambitious plan to move the current financial and commercial district to the Thu Thiem peninsula (across the Saigon River).  Andy also takes a leading role on Retail, working closely with developers, Vietnamese entrepreneurs and UK Brands wishing to enter the market. Andy has previously served in postings across Africa and the Middle East. Andy will be running workshops in London and Salford and available for one-to-one meetings in London.

UK Business Experts

the following are our UK business experts

Paul Hussey

CEO, Strix Ltd.

Paul has spent over 20 years of his career in Asia, both in Hong Kong and Japan. He is the CEO of Strix Limited, a UK consumer technology firm, and commutes monthly between the Isle of Man and Hong Kong.  Since joining Strix in 2008, he has shifted the Senior Management to be co-located, in order to be closer to the ever growing Asian customer base. He has led a major corporate focus on UK based R&D for the China consumer, given its enormous potential.  Prior to Strix, Paul ran several Asian businesses for Multinational organizations, and started his career as an Investment Banker.Paul will be speaking at the Southern China and Hong Kong workshop in London.

Paul Smith

Executive Chairman, Harvey Nash

Paul Smith, Executive Chairman, Harvey Nash is responsible for global outsourcing services and marketing.  Paul joined Harvey Nash in 2000 after 25 years in the technology industry, founding and selling a number of software companies. He founded Harvey Nash Outsourcing now employing over 3000 software developers in Vietnam and ASEAN Region. Paul recently received an award for outstanding services to Vietnam’s ICT industry, an award for Export Excellence from the Vietnamese government and is the ICT Ambassador for Vietnam. Paul will be speaking in the Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam workshop in London.

Richard Kaye

CEO of The Fired Up Corporation Ltd

Richard was born in 1967 in Huddersfield, UK.
Following a comprehensive school education Richard began his working life as an apprentice engineer following by three years as a police officer.After leaving the Police Force in 1989 he began his business career as Managing Director of Armco Security, where he still retains a directorship and shareholding.In 1998 Richard became CEO of the Fired Up Corporation Ltd, today employing over 300 people worldwide with operations in UK, USA and China.Richard is married with a son and a daughter. Richard be will running workshops in London.
 

Robbie Swales

Founding Director of Steps

Steps is a global leader in the provision of experiential, drama based training.  Established in the UK 20 years ago, the company works internationally, with offices in London and Mumbai.  Robbie Swales is a founder director, and a leading authority on the use of drama for development and behavioural change. He has designed and delivered programmes for clients including Disney, GlaxoSmithKline, HM Treasury, Ofcom and the General Medical Council.  Robbie leads Steps India, delivering work for clients including HSBC, Amex, Accenture and Goldman Sachs. He has a degree in Education and Training from Greenwich University and an MSc in People and Organisational Development from Roffey Park Management Institute.  In 2006, Robbie was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts for his contribution towards the development of drama based training in the UK. Robbie will be running workshops in London.

Terry Cogan

Director, M&C Energy Group

Terry is the Director responsible for corporate sales across the group. Since joining the company as an analyst in 1990, Terry has worked as a Senior Analyst, Gas Manager and Analytical Manager. With activities in Europe and Asia becoming more widespread, he took on the role of Commercial Manager for the UK and France in 1999 before being appointed as a Director in 2000. Terry’s current role sees with responsibility for the global corporate Sales Team as well as overseeing and assisting in the promotion of alliances for the group. Terry will take part in the Interactive Workshops in London.

David Ellis

Director

David has worked at Benoy for fifteen years and is a key asset to Benoy's design team.

David has exceptional international experience in the retail and leisure sectors and has incorporated this knowledge in to his work on town centre regeneration schemes. His work covers a wide range from the masterplanning of city quarters to the remodelling of existing retail developments.

Based in London, David is currently leading projects around the world with projects on the drawing board in India, France and the UK.

As a project Director, David’s passion is to engage with clients through the development process and he has brought together an experienced team of designers and technicians to create deliverable solutions. David serves on the Technical Committee of the British Council of Shopping Centres.

David will be speaking in the India workshops in London.

Michael Andrews

Chief Financial Officer, Global Immersion

As Chief Financial Officer of Global Immersion, Michael Andrews has over twenty years experience in finance and international business working for Blue Chip Corporations. A qualified Chartered Accountant who made the move into Industry soon after graduation, Mike has extensive knowledge of manufacturing, service and project based industries and has spent extended periods leading finance and commercial teams in the UK, France and Italy. Mike has also worked regularly throughout Europe, USA, China and the Far East. Mike will be speaking in the Japan, South Korea and Taiwan workshop in London.

Alan Peel

Managing Director, Altek

Alan Peel is currently Managing Director, a part owner and has executive responsibilities for the ALTEK group company, which specialises in aluminium recycling technologies. From operational bases in the UK and USA, Altek sell world leading technologies to the aluminium industry across the world. Alan’s experience covers 25 years of designing, selling, managing and executing complex capital plant projects in the metals industry all over the world. Alan will be speaking in the China workshop in London.
 

UKTI Experts based in the UK

the following are our UKTI experts based in the UK

Dr Andrew Hinton

High Value Opportunities Specialist

Andrew is an experienced international business development manager and brings substantial experience from the infrastructure, performance engineering, manufacturing, energy and environmental sectors.  Andrew is currently working on helping UK companies access projects through UKTI's High Value Opportunities (HVO's) programme; including a new Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a Public-Private Partnership infrastructure expansion programme in the Philippines, a billion pound extension programme for the Singapore Rail network, and also significant mass transit / urban development programmes in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Andrew will be available for one-to-one meetings in London.

Jeremy Gordon

High Value Opportunities Specialist

Jeremy has focused on China business issues for the past 15 year, half of them based in the region.  In addition to holding directorships with companies operating in the UK and China, he has developed and managed highly regarded China-focused consulting firms in Hong Kong and the UK.  Jeremy is currently working on helping UK companies to access opportunities in high value projects including China's New Energy plan, Chongqing’s Liangjiang (Two Rivers) New Area, airport developments and in key urban development and infrastructure projects in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Jeremy will be available for one-to-one meetings in London and will be running workshops in Salford.

Steve O'Leary

SMART CITIES IN ASIA CHAIRPERSON

Steve is UKTI's Director for the Infrastructure and Low Carbon sectors. He is also responsible for UKTI's High Value Opportunities programme (matching major overseas trade opportunities to UK based suppliers), as well as their international low carbon strategy, and trade development opportunities for environment and water infrastructure; construction; sports and leisure; and transport infrastructure. Steve has worked in UKTI since 2007.

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Tim May

Director of Sustainable Urban and Regional Futures centre in University of Salford

Tim obtained degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1985) and the Universities of Surrey (1986) and Plymouth (1990). This followed a first career as an engineer in the agricultural sector and then an evening return-to-study course, during which time he worked in the retail sector. After his degrees, Tim was employed at the Universities of Plymouth and Durham before moving to Salford in September 1999.

Tim’s interests centre upon the relationship between knowledge, strategy, context and practice. He has developed these in a variety of fields and settings including: universities; local government; regional and city innovation and knowledge partnerships; international and national research council funded programmes; Whitehall and regional agencies; health, probation, prison and social services and urban and regional policy in general.

Garry Banks

Director, Arup

Garry is a chartered electrical engineer and a Director of Ove Arup & Partners Limited. He has been involved in a number of major projects across the Northwest and in Asia, Africa and the US.

As a Director of Arup, Garry has responsibility for the Liverpool business.  Garry is a board member of Liverpool Commercial District Partnership and Professional Liverpool.  He is a founder member of Liverpool’s Low Carbon Economy Committee and the Liverpool Smart City board. 

John K Davies

Smart Cities in Asia expert

As UKTI's Global Strategy and Technology Advisor, John has played a key role in the project team conducting research into the 'Smart Cities of the Future in Asia'. More generally, John provides technology and business advice to UKTI's International Sectors Group as well as operating as a Global Value Chain specialist for UKTI. He is a senior business professional with significant experience in strategic marketing, general management, international sales and business development in both mature and entrepreneurial businesses. John will be running Smart Cities in Asia workshops in London (afternoon only) and will be co-presenting and running a workshop at the Smart Cities event in Salford.

Iain Jawad

Smart Cities in Asia expert

Director of Strategic Partnerships at Frost & Sullivan, Iain is a key member of the project management team working on UKTI's 'Smart Cities of the Future in Asia' research. He has over 20 years of general management and business experience, with a particular focus on new market expansion and new proposition development. Iain supports Frost & Sullivan’s strategic partnership process, and coordinates their international strategy development activities for public economic development and innovation agencies across Europe. Iain will be running Smart Cities in Asia workshops in London (afternoon only) and will be co-presenting and running a workshop at the Smart Cities event in Salford.

Matthew Bartlett

International Trade Adviser (UKTI London)

Matthew has always had a manufacturing thread to his working life. He began his international career in an operational role with a manufacturer of haematology equipment, before moving on to a strategic role as a Senior International Development Manager within a generic pharmaceutical company, expanding the business to over 40 countries. More recently, Matthew worked as International Commercial Manager for a manufacturer of interactive whiteboards, before joining the UKTI London team in 2010. Matthew will be available in workshops in London
 

Teri Carnegie

International Trade Adviser (UKTI South East)

Teri is an International Trade Advisor & Digital Media specialist in the South East region. She has over 20 years international new product development and sales & marketing experience, including selling direct and helping companies set up global distribution networks.

As a Business graduate, she has held senior management roles in Broadcast /Telecoms and worked extensively with Software, IT and Creative Media companies.

Teri will be available at the workshops and one-to-one meetings in London.
 

Erik Childerhouse

Senior International Trade Adviser (UKTI London)

With an extensive background in publishing, Eric has worked in various sales and marketing roles covering the EMEA and all global markets. Having acquired many years of practical overseas trade experience, Erik employs a systematic approach to supporting the planning and implementation of export activities. As a Senior International Trade Adviser, Erik helps clients with: one-to-one help, advice and support; help to explore the potential of overseas markets; help in developing strategies and action plans for developing your business’s international trade activities; access to supporting research - to identify and acquire the information, knowledge and resources necessary to implement your plans. Eric will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London. 
 

Simon Crosby

Senior International Trade Adviser (UKTI North East)

Simon will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.

Biography to follow shortly.
 

Brian Dent

Senior International Trade Adviser (UKTI London)

Brian joined UKTI following a distinguished 30-year international business career which began in marketing in fast-moving consumer goods companies and developed into pan-European general management roles in leading US multinationals. He heads London's Financial and Professional Services team and has personal responsibility for companies supplying the Global Sports industry. Brian will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.
 

Mark Eaton

International Trade Adviser (UKTI West Midlands)

Mark joined the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce in 1994 as special projects executive. In 1995, the China Trade Liaison Office was formed which Mark became the Director of in 1996. Since this time, he has led over 40 market visits to China assisting companies in direct export, establishing agencies and JVs. In January 2006, Mark was appointed as a special adviser to the CCPIT (China Council for the Promotion of International Trade) in Shandong province and in October 2008 was made an honorary citizen of the province for his work in promoting bilateral trade between the UK and Shandong. Mark will be available for workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.
 

Jonathan Gamblin

International Trade Adviser (UKTI North East)

Jonathan will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.

Biography to follow shortly.
 

Chris Lowsley

International Trade Adviser (UKTI South East)

With over 30 years practical experience in developing global export business in the Far East particularly in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, Chris specialises in providing advice to companies on doing business in China. Prior to joining UKTI, he spent 15 years managing Sales Service and distribution networks in Asia-Pacific for British and American automotive and construction machinery products multinationals. He was also Director of the Anglo-Taiwan Trade Committee and managed the national promotional programme in the UK. Chris has also written a guide to Doing Business in Taiwan and, as China Business Adviser for UKTI South East, Chris continues to lead business missions to China and provides strategic guidance and practical advice to companies. Chris will available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.
 

Steve Morrison

International Trade Adviser (UKTI West Midlands)

Steve has worked for UKTI for over fifteen years as a trade adviser and has helped over a 1,000 companies increase their export sales. Steve has good knowledge on business strategy, business planning, exporting & marketing and has led numerous trade missions overseas. Steve has worked as a commercial attaché at the British High Commission in Singapore and has recently run a successful trade mission to both Malaysia and Singapore. Steve will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.
 

Chris Parsons

International Trade Adviser (UKTI London)

Chris has over 20 years export experience, including 15 years working intensively with Russia. He started there with a US multinational, doing distributor management and direct sales, then started his own export business selling instrumentation & supplies to laboratories and processing equipment to pharmaceutical / biotechnology companies. Chris also has extensive knowledge of working with and winning business from aid/loan programmes and Foreign Direct Investment. Chris will be available in workshops in London. 
 

Ian Paterson

International Trade Adviser (UKTI London)

As an International Trade Adviser in the London Trade team, Ian has assisted over 1000 companies in the technology sector in developing their international expansion plans. Ian graduated in the aerospace industry as a Chartered Engineer and moved into large technology contract selling with Chubb Security, with resident assignments in the USA and Asia. Following attainment of an International Business MBA in London he managed at board level the International Division of Thorn EMI Security, setting up overseas operations and distribution in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with sales of £35m and 200 employees worldwide. Ian will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London. 
 

Iain Brown

International Trade Mentor, UKTI South East

Biog to follow shortly

Peter Rivett

International Trade Adviser (UKTI London)

Peter will be available in workshops in London.

Biography to follow shortly.
 

Paul Sharpe

Senior International Trade Adviser (UKTI East of England)

Paul will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.

Biography to follow shortly.
 

Graham Snape

International Trade Adviser (UKTI South East)

Graham will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.

Biography to follow shortly. 

Mitzi Swanson

International Trade Adviser (UKTI South East)

International Trade Sector Adviser – Healthcare and Bioscience
ITA Team Manager

Through UK Trade & Investment, Mitzi Swanson helps healthcare and bioscience companies to identify and commercialise international opportunities and to work with overseas markets.

Services include:

• Identifying and validating potential partners/distributors or buyers
• Promoting, through a range of PR activities and literature, your product or services
• Arranging appointments with overseas contacts
• Accessing and researching country and market information to uncover opportunities and create confidence
• Training your team on international trading issues
• Developing international business plans with expert guidance
• Assistance and funding for overseas missions and exhibitions
• Signposting to organisations and services covering all areas of international business.

Mitzi brings particular expertise in advising clients on market access and entry to the China and East Asian markets and fully understands the nature and requirements of the international business environment. She was previously Asia Managing Director of a leading UK healthcare consulting company and has over 25 years of experience working with and servicing the Pharma and Healthcare industries. Mitzi lived and worked in China (Wuhan and Shanghai) and Hong Kong for 17 years. She studied Medicine and Biochemistry at Manchester University, and speaks and reads Mandarin Chinese.

Mitzi will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.

Ravi Tandon

Regional Adviser (UKTI West Midlands)

Ravi will be available for workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.

Biography to follow shortly.
 

Steve Toogood

Senior International Trade Adviser (UKTI East of England)

With over 25 years practical experience in developing export business, Steve is the Eastern Regions lead advisor on China.  Prior to joining UKTI, Steve’s commercial career  focused on medical and industrial instrumentation, managing  the successful development and launch of new products through direct sales and distribution networks in 78 countries.  He was Vice President of Olympus Surgical Industrial America Inc. New York and Director of Industrial Business in the UK.
In his UKTI role, he has chaired a series of conferences on Doing Business in China and has led successful trade missions to China and India, most recently to Hong Kong, Guangdong and Chongqing.  Steve provides strategic guidance and practical advice on exporting and will be available in workshops and for one-to one meetings in London.
He is a Chartered Marketer , Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Institute of Export and Graduate of Sheffield University. Steve will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.

Neil Wynn-Jones

International Trade Adviser & Team Manager (UKTI London)

With nearly 30 years in International Trade, Neil Wynn-Jones has extensive experience in the Food and Clothing industries working in the USA, Hong Kong, SE Asia and Latin America. In private industry, Neil ran an extensive trading operation across South East Asia working primarily with Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. Neil has long championed the region and he leads a team of private sector Business Advisers helping to prepare SMEs for their first steps in foreign markets. Neil will be available in workshops and for one-to-one meetings in London.
 

Giles Blackburne

Director at China-Britain Business Council

Giles Blackburne is a director at China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), where he provides strategic and practical advice to UK companies interested in setting up in China. He also has sector responsibility for education and training at CBBC

Steve Morrison

International Trade Adviser, UKTI West Midlands

Steve has worked for UKTI for over fifteen years as a trade adviser and has helped over a 1,000 companies increase their export sales. Steve has good knowledge on business strategy, business planning, exporting & marketing and has led numerous trade missions overseas. Steve has worked as a commercial attaché at the British High Commission in Singapore and has recently run a successful trade mission to both Malaysia and Singapore.

Helen Foxley

Director of International Trade, UKTI West Midlands – Staffordshire

Helen graduated with a BA honours degree in International Marketing and Spanish and has spent over 20 years in various international sales managerial roles with multinational companies - BICC/Balfour Beatty Group; Norcros Group and Glynwed Pipesystems. She has lived and worked in Spain, Israel and South America and is a Spanish speaker. Joining UKTI in 2003 she worked for the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber as an International Trade Adviser before heading up the International team in Staffordshire in 2006. Helen has organised/participated in trade missions to Norway, Spain, South Africa, Brazil and Canada since joining UKTI and has travelled extensively to most parts of the world and specifically Central/South America. Areas of expertise include natural gas distribution, water distribution networks and the oil sector having worked closely with major utility clients such as Gas Natural in Spain/Brazil/Mexico; Aguas de Barcelona; Repsol and other major oil companies. The Staffordshire team run a centre of excellence on South East Asia for the West Midlands which covers  Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Lise Bertelsen

China Business Adviser

With more than 15 years’ experience in the China market, she has worked with a wide variety of companies, organisations and government departments within a broad range of sectors, both in China and the UK.  Located in CBBC’s London office, Lise advises companies in all sectors throughout London and the South East, but has a particular focus on Low Carbon, Environment and Water. 

Lise graduated from London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies with a BA Honours Degree in Chinese.

Stewart Ferguson

Head of Research and Consultancy for the China-Britain Business Council

Stewart Ferguson is the West Midlands Representative and Head of Research and Consultancy for the China-Britain Business Council. As the lead on the China Regional Cities Report, Stewart has an in-depth knowledge of both the opportunities and the issues UK companies may face when developing business in China.

Caron Flitcroft

Director, International Trade Team – UKTI North West

Caron has sixteen years industrial experience at Director and a senior level working in international markets. This includes 6 years at Director Level and 10 years working as an Export Manager covering Europe, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Australasia, North America and the Caribbean. Activity and work included working with Agents and Distributors, setting up joint ventures and manufacturing under licence plants, team management, strategic development of market activity with both existing and new industrial products. As Director of the International Trade Team, Caron has over 15 years successful experience in delivering international trade contracts & services across the North West, creating new exporters and developing further opportunities for existing exporters.

Robert Lawley

International Trade Adviser

I have worked for UKTI since July 2005 where my role is to work with companies and help them develop and implement International Development strategies that will in turn assist them gain business from overseas markets. I am currently responsible for companies in the Business & Professional Services, ICT, Food & Drink and Media & Music Sectors within Staffordshire. Although specifically responsible for the aforementioned sectors, I frequently work with companies across all areas of business. During my time with UKTI I have lead many Trade Missions including visits to: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Finland and Denmark. I have also developed my International knowledge through development visits to; China, Vietnam, Germany, Estonia, Turkey, Spain, Belgium the Czech Republic, Austria and Bangladesh.

I have recently gained a formal qualification in The Procedures and Operations in International Trade (POINT) and I am a member of the Institute of Export.

Paul Brinkworth

Deputy Head of Bribery and Corruption

Paul Brinkworth is a barrister called in 1990.  He was in private practice until 2001 when he joined the SFO.  He has been a case manager at the SFO since 2003, responsible for the investigation and prosecution of cases of serious and complex fraud.

He has worked on corporate frauds, “boiler room” and other investment frauds and corruption cases from Costa Rica to the Balkans.  In 2010 he moved to the Bribery and Corruption Business Area within the SFO, working exclusively on corruption cases and was recently appointed its deputy head.

Vince Cunningham

Chemical Engineer

A Chartered Chemical Engineer with an MBA, Vince has delivered factories in the UK, North America and South-East Asia.  In 2002-2006 Vince led projects to deliver unique UK technology, which could make commercial grade chipboard from waste materials, into several Chinese Provinces.

His business operations in China have taken Vince from Shanghai to Wuhan, from Guangzhou to Harbin.  He has worked extensively with Chinese suppliers, ensuring compliance with international standards.

Vince joined CBBC in mid 2006 as “China Business Adviser”.  He is CBBC sector lead for Manufacturing and Engineering issues and has helped many UK organisations enter and develop the Chinese market.  He has provided many seminars and briefings on business culture and developing the relationships that deliver success in China.

Peter Thompson

International Trade Adviser, UKTI North West

A specialist International Trade Adviser for Asia Pacific region, peter assists businesses interested in trading in Asia Pacific. Peter has over 20 years experience working as Export Sales manager for major UK manufacturing companies and has travelled extensively throughout the numerous countries in the region.

Ian Ross

Senior International Business Executive with Scottish Development International

Ian is currently a Senior International Business Executive with Scottish Development International with a remit to maximise the success of Scottish Oil and Gas companies with their international trade activities. Ian has previously lead many trade missions to Oil and Gas hubs worldwide He has 15 years UK and international sales and marketing experience in the private sector. He is educated with Mechanical Engineering (B Eng (Hons)), Business (MBA) and Marketing (CIM Diploma) degrees

Finance & Legal Experts

the following are our Finance & Legal Experts

Josh Wong

Partner, DLA Piper UK

Josh Wong is a lawyer specialising in advising UK businesses on their deals and disputes in Asia.  He has practiced in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing advising western companies on market entry and regulatory issues in China before returning to the UK where he is one of the few China specialist lawyers.  Over the past 18 months alone Josh has been involved in establishing over 30 companies and projects in China and has successfully appeared before arbitration panels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Singapore on behalf of UK companies in disputes with local parties. Josh will be running workshops in London.

Sohail Ali

Solicitor

Sohail Ali is a solicitor in the commercial and finance dispute resolution team at DLA Piper LLP (Leeds). He regularly acts for a range of international clients on a broad spectrum of contentious disputes.

He has considerable experience in advising Indian, Middle Eastern and Central Asian clients.

In recent years Sohail has advised a number of Indian based clients such as Tata Motors, Jaguar LandRover and ICICI Bank on a range of matters but with a particular focus on financial transactions.

Sohail has previously also spent time on secondment in Dubai where he advised a range of Middle Eastern, Turkish and Central Asian clients in complex structured Islamic Finance syndicated financings and restructurings. Sohail will be running workshops in London.
 

Janet Ming

Head of China Desk, EMEA RBS

Janet is based in London, UK and heads up the China Desk for EMEA Global Transaction Services RBS.  Before joining RBS in 2010, Janet Ming was the Asia Treasury Director for Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. focussed primarily on China. In November 2008, Anheuser-Busch was acquired by InBev and Janet became the Asia Pacific Treasury Director of the new company. She successfully integrated the treasury operations of 36 entities in China and 8 entities across the region bringing them to a much higher standard post merger.  Prior to Anheuser-Busch, Janet worked in Citibank, Shanghai Branch for 11 years as a senior relationship manager in the areas of Corporate Finance, Corporate Banking and Global Transaction Services.

Janet will be available in workshops in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, London and Belfast and for one to one meetings in London.

Ranjana Mirchandani

Sales Head, Global Transaction Services

Ranjana has been in her current position since January 2006 and is based in Delhi. She is currently responsible for selling Trade, Supply Chain, Cash and Payment products through a team spread across India.  Having joined ABN AMRO in 1991, Ranjana has a broad portfolio of banking experience across a variety of business areas in various client segments. Ranjana was also key member of the project team responsible for consolidation and set-up of Global Client Support Centre in Chennai and has successfully obtained in her capacity as Project Manager, the ISO Certification for Trade Services, India.

Ranjana will be available in workshops in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, London and Belfast and for one to one meetings in London.

DAVID HOUGHTON

Director of Global Strategic Partnerships for RBSG

David is currently Director of Global Strategic Partnerships for RBSG, Global Transaction Services UK acting as the key point of contact between GTSUK and many of the Government supported organisations and associations. Prior to this he was a Regional Director leading a team of International Trade and Domestic Cash Management specialists covering the SME business in the Midlands. David has over 30 years international banking experience in which time he has worked with Corporate’s and SME’s in various parts of the UK.

David was awarded an M.B.E. in the Queen’s New Years Honours List 2009 for Services to business and International Trade in the West Midlands. 

Russell Grazier

Regional Sales Director - Global Transaction Services, RBS

Russell brings over 26 years experience in the banking industry, and is passionate about supporting UK businesses grow their international trading activities successfully. He has worked within Retail, SME and Corporate Banking divisions, with the last decade or so being dedicated to specialising in Cash Management and International Trade. Over the last 12 years Russell has run both regional and national teams of Trade specialists, giving him access to a breadth of Trade knowledge both within and external to the Banking industry. With a significant proportion of SMEs expressing interest in expanding into new markets, Russell is proactive in his efforts to ensure Banking, Government and Professionals are joined up in their support for businesses aspiring to fulfil their overseas trading ambitions. Both he and his team are keen to work with all clients helping them to mitigate the risks of trading abroad, whilst maximising their cash flows, so ensuring they can trade safely and profitably.

Photo to follow shortly.

Neekesh Thakerar

Regional Sales Director

Neekesh Thakerar, Regional Sales Director, GTS Asia Pacific transferred from the UK to Singapore summer 2011. Neekesh previously worked in our GTS business based in London where he covered large multinationals, UK Corporates and Non-Bank Financial Institutions. His primary role now is to work with UK and European Corporates to support subsidiaries or in-country banking requirements locally and regionally across Asia Pacific.

Rosemary Donnabella

Head of Policy, Serious Fraud Office

Rosemary Donnabella  dual qualified  barrister and solicitor.  She was in private practice 1999 when she joined the SFO.  She has been a case manager at the SFO since 2001, responsible for the investigation and prosecution of cases of serious and complex fraud.

She has worked on various corporate frauds, corruptions and more recently she prosecuted a series of cases involving breach of Iraqi Sanctions.   In 2010 she moved to the Bribery and Corruption Business Area within the SFO, working exclusively on corruption cases and was in October 2011 appointed Head of Policy.