‘‘
Members of the network are willing to share valuable know-how and insights with less experienced exporters
DESPITE a challenging global economic climate, there is a lot for UK plc to be optimistic about. UK companies are increasingly taking advantage of the enormous opportunities for trade offered by a wide range of markets across the world, while the UK continues to be a leading location for inward investment. However, with growing competition
from all corners of the globe, there is no room for complacency. Instead of sitting on its laurels, the UK has to continue to enhance its reputation and record as a springboard for global growth. This will help to ensure its economic success in the years and generations to come. To this end, UK Trade & Investment
has launched Catalyst UK, a new global network of business leaders and infl uencers to promote the UK as a place to do business. Catalyst UK comprises senior business fi gures, active internationally, who are either UK nationals or have an affi nity with the UK and are keen to enhance the country’s image on the world stage. Based either in the UK or overseas,
Catalyst UK members are available to speak at UK Trade & Investment events and promote the UK internationally, discuss their insights and views at high- level meetings with ministers and senior offi cials and assist UK Government and businesses with introductions. Some members will also mentor UK SMEs and entrepreneurs who are taking their fi rst steps in doing business overseas.
Rebecca Robson, head of Catalyst
UK at UK Trade & Investment, says: “The vision for Catalyst UK is to strengthen the country’s reputation as the international business partner of choice, attract high-level foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage more UK companies to grow internationally. “Members of the network are willing
to share valuable know-how and insights with less experienced exporters; signpost and facilitate new contacts; identify, encourage and generate commercial opportunities; and generally spend time working with UK Trade & Investment and other Government departments to promote UK Plc. We ask all members to commit to a minimum of two high profi le activities a year.”
UNIQUE COMMUNITY Run as a pilot for the last year, Catalyst UK was offi cially launched at an event at London’s Lancaster House at the beginning of March and has some 100 members – a number UK Trade & Investment hopes will increase to 500. Members are recruited through
a number of routes, including UK Trade & Investment’s diplomatic posts overseas, trade associations, chambers of commerce, sector advisory boards, UK university alumni networks, and infl uential bodies such as the Institute of Directors. Individuals represent all sectors,
including life sciences, ICT, advanced engineering, creative industries, energy and fi nance. They include an impressive >
>
ASSISTING THE AMBASSADORS
Catalyst UK aims to complement the work of UK Trade & Investment’s Business Ambassadors Network. Established in 2008, this comprises business and university leaders who work with the Government to promote the UK’s excellence internationally and highlight trade and investment opportunities. When travelling overseas, the Business Ambassadors, who together have a wealth of commercial experience and knowledge gained from a series of sectors and geographical markets, help to lobby for market access or lead events for SMEs. They can also undertake overseas visits or lead UK trade missions. “Although elements of the Business
Ambassadors’ work will echo that of Catalyst UK members,” says Robson, “their engagement is deeper and more managed. Where Business Ambassadors are engaged in overseas missions, we anticipate Catalyst members complementing their activities, for example by participating in local country events.” The Business Ambassadors
Network, which comprises leading names such as Lord Darzi, Lord Digby Jones, Tamara Mellon and Dick Olver, has already provided an impressive impetus to the UK’s trade and investment activities. Since its creation, it has encouraged UK companies to explore overseas business opportunities through more than 100 events in more than 30 countries and has been infl uential in securing inward investment projects.
springboard: |
www.ukti.gov.uk | page 31
‘‘
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52