Best of UK business talent heads to Asia to boost trade

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Some of the world’s most inspirational business figures are supporting the GREAT Festival of Innovation, taking place at the end of March in Hong Kong. They include Ian Stuart, CEO, HSBC, Paul Thompson, vice-chancellor of the Royal College of Art, and Paul Priestman, director, PriestmanGoode, as well as further keynote speakers and panellists in 60 events across four days.

Entrepreneur Brent Hoberman, former GCHQ director Robert Hannigan and Tea Uglow from Google’s Creative Labs will also feature on the line up. A supporting cultural programme will include top chefs such as Tom Aikens and Andrew Wong.

Several hundred of the UK’s most creative businesses and institutions will join them from March 21-24 led by the Department for International Trade to promote UK excellence overseas.

The festival will see firms at the cutting edge showcasing their expertise, raising their profile among global investors and in Asian markets. Speakers, panellists and masterclass participants include leaders of globally recognised businesses, cultural institutions, sports events and media commentators.

As part of the UK Government’s successful GREAT Britain campaign, the Festival will be split over four days to examine how innovation and technology can change the way we work, live, play and learn in the future.

Marking the countdown, International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, pictured above, highlighted that the Festival would give new and existing exporters the opportunity to further strengthen the UK’s reputation as a trading nation that is one of the best places to do business. He said: “The Great Festival of Innovation will bring together the best entrepreneurs and the most advanced technology from across the UK and Asia to explore how we will work, live, play and learn in the future.

“Led by my international economic department, this festival will be a major showcase for our talent, creativity and design on the world stage. From smart robots and cities to autonomous vehicles, the UK is already a global technology hub and the festival will help secure that position for generations to come.”

Some of the world’s top entrepreneurs, industrialists and leaders in the arts and sport have already been confirmed as speakers, with more yet to be announced. Each day will feature lively panel debates, keynote speaker sessions and business demonstrations. Events are supported by a comprehensive cultural programme bringing to life the best of the UK’s creative scene, from food to fashion shows.

For more information please visit http://great.gov.uk/innovation or follow the hashtag #GREATinnovation.