I’m flying off to Austin, Texas in a couple of days to be with a group of 32 music industry professionals at what is the world’s biggest coming together of creative talent in independent film, original music and emerging technologies. …
Two important visitors to Indonesia in March. The other one? Oh, that's Barack Obama who is coming to see his childhood home in Jakarta and touch base with this most populous muslim country. Did you know it has the fourth …
I was speaking to somebody this morning who was asking what sort of guidance is available for people wanting to embark upon an international business career. Of course, the first thing is that one person’s perception of an international business …
I was looking at my diary for the coming weeks and, apart from being horrendously busy as usual, I checked out an event that is coming up on 24 March that I’d like to chat about. We have an event …
The first time I stayed in the Residence in Tokyo, the Ambassador had a rather rickety Rolls Royce, the art collection was fusty and old-fashioned and the ikebana (flower arrangements) was wondrous. Well now his wheels is a Jaguar (Indian-owned, …
The Map Room in the Foreign Office tells you a lot about the 1920’s British view of the world. Lots of empire, some Europe, Asia pretty sparse. Well, in the offices of the Korean equivalent of UKTI, Kotra, there is …
I’m currently doing last minute planning for my visit to Malaysia and Singapore next week. I’m delighted to be leading a trade delegation of 15 North West companies to take advantage of the opportunities that exist there for exporters. It’s …
I’ve been sifting the applicants for the international trade category of the Be Inspired Business Awards in Lancashire. What a fantastic testament to the future prospects for Britain’s manufacturing sector. I had 10 superb entries and had the unenviable task …
Well, it’s already a few days into the New Year and yet it still looks like a Christmas scene here in the North West. In fact the last two days have been very difficult and it took me over two …
Sometimes culture change is startling. 24 hours ago I was in deep snow in the upper Connecticut valley in New Hampshire, -18c and the car stuck in a snow drift. Now I am in Mumbai and it's 28c, the sun …
