BRIEFING

viewpoint my world

ADRIAN SWINSCOE SPEAKER AND AUTHOR OF RARE BUSINESS

The fact that half of the Premier League’s clubs are now owned by foreign investors has caused much debate in the UK. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, the Premier League has done a fantastic job of attracting foreign investment. I think the reasons behind its success include:

• It’s one of the world’s most

competitive leagues

• It’s home to some of the most famous sporting brands globally

• It’s the world’s most watched sporting league, broadcast to more than 600 million people in over 200 countries.

Some believe UEFA’s new Financial Fair Play regulations will affect the game’s attraction for foreign investors. I don’t think so. The Premier League, with its high level of competition, ability to attract top stars and general global appeal, will ensure it remains attractive to international investors in years to come.

10 | springboard | www.ukti.gov.uk Global Investment Conference to be held pre-Olympics

SPEAKING IN NEW YORK in late September, the Prime Minister announced plans for a Global Investment Conference for investors and business leaders. Due to be held in London on the eve of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it will host a programme of business summits, including the British Business Embassy, highlighting key sectors for global growth, and an online British Business Club.

Located on the UK Trade & Investment website and accessed via a dedicated URL, www.britishbusinessclub.org, the British Business Club will provide a single place for registered members to access details of UK business activity in and around the Games. From late 2011/early 2012, the online club will enable members to build profi les and virtual

Marine sector sails ahead with 2012 buyer event

relationships with international companies ahead of potential business dealings closer to and during the Games. UK Trade & Investment will deliver the events

programme, which is expected to generate, over time, an estimated boost of at least £1bn for British business.

NEXT STEPS

To fi nd out more about the British Business Club, visit www.britishbusinessclub.org

Alternatively scan the Quick Response code with your smartphone, go straight to the site and register.

THE BRITISH MARINE FEDERATION (BMF) and UK Trade & Investment are arranging for buyers from the world’s leading boat and superyacht builders to visit the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show at the ExCel centre in Docklands for one-to-one meetings with UK suppliers on 10-11 January 2012. The Department for Business, Innovation

and Skills (BIS) recently announced a new strategy for the marine and maritime industries that could result in sector growth of up to £8bn. Under the plan, the commercial, leisure and naval industries will be brought together under one banner to drive exports, increase skills and attract investment. Drawing on the thinking of business,

government and academia, the Marine Industries Growth Strategy (MIGS) is the fi rst integrated UK strategy for this sector and could lead to a £25bn marine industry by 2020.