On 21 September the Prime Minister David Cameron announced in New York UKTI’s programme of activity to deliver an economic legacy around the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and introduce the new GREAT campaign.
The British Business Embassy at Lancaster House will be the centrepiece of UK Trade & Investment’s international business programme during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games will be a spectacular celebration of sport but also offer the greatest business networking occasion on the global calendar. Sponsors, corporates, bid and host cities will all come to meet, influence and do business.
IDA Managing Director Colin Watson has been invited to sit on the creative panel for Lancaster House, along with Sir Paul Smith; Lord Hall Chief Executive, Royal Opera House, Chair Cultural Olympiad; Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries; Caroline Rush Chief Executive, British Fashion Council; Penny Johnson, Government Art Collection and others. “This is an ideal initiative to let creative Britain shine, and the Interior Design industry is no exception”.
UKTI will showcase UK capability and expertise and the UK’s investment proposition to these key audiences through a series of high level, high impact, high quality, daily sector themed summits.
Lancaster House is an excellent facility at the heart of the Olympic action in London and next to the IOC Headquarters at Spencer House. The Embassy will emphasise the tradition and reliability of the UK proposition supported by a showcase of what is best about modern creative innovative Britain - a digital installation ‘Imagine’ which will profile UK innovation at its best.
The ‘British Business Embassy’ brand will be ‘exported’ to enhance regional and international network activity during the Games and the concept will be reprised at global events which attract corporate audiences such as Sochi 2014/Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016.
What are its Objectives?
- The programme will present the UK as a thought leader, a creative and innovative nation and source of solutions from products and services to technologies and ground breaking ideas. It will position the UK as the world’s best trading partner and investment destination and underscore that as the global hub Britain is Open for Business.
- UKTI will invite 200-250 Global CEOs from 30 countries including eight Sovereign Wealth Funds to a Global Investment Conference that will improve their perceptions of the UK and continue to build our strategic relationships.
- UKTI is charged with helping UK companies win business overseas, and in doing so, promoting growth. Through the activity at The British Business Embassy and associated events around the UK and overseas, UKTI will provide a platform for over 3,500 UK based companies to meet and do business with key international decision makers and buyers who will be identified by our overseas network.
- Taken with other UKTI activities on the basis of our current metrics this activity could generate over £1 billion of value for the UK economy.