Kelly Hoppen and Jo Malone to lead the UK鈥檚 biggest creative festival in China
Leading British entrepreneurs Kelly Hoppen MBE, Jo Malone MBE and Sir John Sorrell to attend The GREAT Festival of Creativity in Shanghai.
Leading British entrepreneurs have been announced as speakers at one of the largest creative gatherings ever held in China.
Kelly Hoppen MBE, Jo Malone MBE and Sir John Sorrell will all attend next year (2015).
The festival will take place from 2 to 4 March 2015 and will give Britain鈥檚 world leading companies in innovation, technology, design, entertainment, education, healthcare, and luxury the chance to show what they can offer to the lucrative Chinese market.
Kelly Hoppen MBE said:
Encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship is key to business success, and the GREAT Festival in Shanghai is an excellent platform in which to do this. I am very excited about the opportunities this event will offer UK and Chinese businesses large and small and I am very proud to support it.
Jo Malone MBE said:
It鈥檚 an exciting time for the creative industries in the UK and the festival provides a unique and inspiring environment in which to showcase a wealth of home grown talent. I am thrilled to be flying the flag for a second time and look forward to sharing my passion for creativity, business and entrepreneurship in Shanghai.
Companies in the UK can now register to take part in the festival, which will be an opportunity to meet potential trading partners in China and show them how British creativity can help their businesses innovate and grow.
As well as building business leads, delegates will have the chance to attend talks and seminars throughout the 3 days, uncovering insights about the future and how global businesses can use creativity to address the challenges together.
The GREAT Festival of Creativity is part of the UK government鈥檚 GREAT Britain Campaign, which aims to generate jobs and growth by promoting Britain as a world-class destination for trade, tourism, investment and education.
It is being delivered in partnership with private sector organisations including HSBC, BBC Worldwide, Jaguar Land Rover, PWC, British Airways and De Montfort University.
Tim Davie, CEO BBC Worldwide and Director, Global is also speaking at the event. He said:
BBC Worldwide plays a key role in showcasing the UK鈥檚 creative industries overseas so I鈥檓 delighted to be supporting the GREAT Festival of Creativity in Shanghai, which will provide a high profile platform for UK creativity and build business growth between the UK and China.
Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University Leicester, will speak on preparing graduates for work in a global environment. He said:
The challenge for those in higher education is to equip students with skills that meet the needs of global employers in a demanding and rapidly-evolving market. De Montfort University is responding to this with one of the UK鈥檚 most ambitious programmes to ensure graduates get the international experience they need - #DMUglobal.
Keith Williams, British Airways鈥� Executive Chairman, is also speaking at the event. He said:
British Airways is proud to be part of this exciting initiative and share its passion for innovation and world class service.
China continues to be an important business hub for British Airways and we hope that this unique festival will encourage more British and Chinese companies to flourish and lead in creative industries.
Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Livingston said:
The Great Festival of Creativity in Shanghai promises to be a spectacular example of the UK鈥檚 capability in creativity. It is fantastic to see so many UK business leaders already confirmed to support the event. It demonstrates clearly that government and industry are working together to create GREAT opportunities for British business.
Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said:
British companies should seize the chance to show off in Shanghai. Chinese consumers love our creativity and innovation, from Truro-grown tea to Sherlock鈥檚 storylines. This festival is our chance to give them more of what they love and boost exports, a key part of the government鈥檚 long-term economic plan.
Notes to editors:
- UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. It also helps overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK鈥檚 economy 鈥� acknowledged as Europe鈥檚 best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. It provides companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
- Companies can register for the festival at .
- More information on the festival and the programme will continue to be added to the website over the coming months so delegates should check back regularly.
- The GREAT Festival is delivered by UKTI, in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills; the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; the British Council and Visit Britain. To find out more about the GREAT Britain campaign visit Britain is GREAT
- For the latest updates, follow GREAT Festivals on Twitter: .
- This news comes during , where over 80 events are taking place across the country, designed to encourage more small and medium-sized businesses to sell overseas.150 UKTI trade advisors from embassies around the world are in the UK to provide expert advice to both small and medium companies.