The AERL is delighted to invite you to participate in a webinar discussing the new international strategy for UK-based financial and professional services, led by TheCityUK, with Sir David Wright GCMG, LVO. Following a presentation covering TheCityUK’s international strategy and recent developments in financial and professional services, AERL members will have the opportunity to discuss, with leading experts in the area of services trade, the UK’s international competitiveness, trade policy and potential role in taking forward multilateral initiatives. The Q&A following the presentation will be moderated by Minoru Nakamura from the Embassy of Japan, Co-Chair of the AERL.
About TheCityUK:
TheCityUK is the industry-led body representing UK-based financial and related professional services. We champion and support the success of the ecosystem, and thereby our members, promoting policies in the UK, across Europe and internationally that drive competitiveness, support job creation and ensure long-term economic growth. The industry contributes over 10% of the UK’s total economic output and employs more than 2.3 million people, with two thirds of these jobs outside London. It is the largest tax payer, the biggest exporting industry and generates a trade surplus exceeding that of all other net exporting industries combined. It also makes a real difference to people in their daily lives, helping them save for the future, buy a home, invest in a business and protect and manage risk.
- Sir David Wright GCMG, LVO, Group Global Advisor, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Chairman Skarbeck Associates. Chairman, TheCityUK Japan Market Advisory Group.
Sir David took up his two current roles in early 2018. Before that he was Vice Chairman and then Senior Advisor at Barclays, and a member of Barclays’ Asia Pacific Executive Committee. Prior to joining Barclays, Sir David was the first Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment in the UK (the British overseas trade and investment promotion agency), a position he held between 1999 and 2002. He had a long career in the Diplomatic Service, including positions in Tokyo, Seoul, Paris and London. He worked as Private Secretary to the UK's Cabinet Secretary and also as Private Secretary to HRH The Prince of Wales. Sir David held the positions of British Ambassador in Korea (1990 to 1994) and Japan (1996 to 1999); he is fluent in French and Japanese and speaks Korean. He was a Board Member of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group from 1999 to 2018. Sir David has been Chairman of TheCityUK Japan Market Advisory Group since 2017, leading the financial and related professional services industry’s work on Japan.
- Nicola Watkinson, Managing Director, International Trade and Investment, TheCityUK
Nicola leads TheCityUK’s International Trade and Investment team, which provides deep expertise and unique insight into the markets and trade relationships underpinning the UK’s success as a leading global financial centre. Prior to joining TheCityUK, Nicola was General Manager, The Americas for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission and Deputy Consul General in New York, where she led a 90-strong team based across North and South America and managed five consulates. She has previously held senior positions across Asia, Europe and Australia leading international business development for the Australian Government.
- Richard Hill, Trade and Investment Policy, Financial and Professional Services, TheCityUK
Richard works in TheCityUK’s international team where he specialises in international trade and investment policy. He worked closely with a range of UK-based financial and related professional services businesses, as well as officials and regulators, to help develop TheCityUK’s new international strategy.
