HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : New Business Ambassadors to promote UK excellence abroad [December 2009]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 December 2009.
Gordon Brown has announced the appointment of six new Business Ambassadors to help promote UK industry abroad.
They will join an existing 18 Ambassadors and will be responsible for promoting key business areas such as Life Sciences, Information and Communications Technology, the Creative Industries and the Low Carbon Industries.
The Business Ambassadors Network was launched in 2008, specifically to provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises, which traditionally face greater challenges promoting themselves internationally than their larger counterparts.
The Prime Minister said of the network:
“Since the UK Business Ambassadors network was set up just over a year ago, its members have carried out over 70 international engagements in some 25 different markets, promoting British trade across the globe and playing an important role in championing UK business.
“I am delighted that a further six leaders from business and academia will be joining the team, promoting our businesses and working with them to develop opportunities worldwide and boost growth.”
The new Business Ambassadors are:
• Chris Brinsmead, Chairman, Astra Zeneca UK
• Lord Ara Darzi, Professor, Imperial College and Former Health Minister
• Larry Hirst, Chairman, IBM Europe, Middle East and Africa
• Lady Barbara Judge, Chairman, UK Atomic Energy Authority
• Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor Aston University; author, King Review of low carbon transport
• Sir John Sorrell, Chairman, London Design Festival; co-Chair, Sorrell Foundation
