Great Britain India Business Convention a resounding success by Kalyan Bose, President of the British Business Group (BBG) in Delhi
By Kealan Finnegan
I'm delighted to say that last year's Great Britain India Business Convention (GBIBC) in Delhi was a tremendous success, and we're already looking to this year's convention.
The precise dates are yet to be set, but it will certainly be held in either September or October this year, and for the first time, the British Business Groups will be organising theGBIBC jointly with the UK India Business Council (UKIBC).
More than 400 delegates attended GBIBC CONNECT’ 14 in New Delhi last October, representing companies ranging from the smallest of SMEs to members of the FTSE 100 index, and participated in a wide array of events and networking sessions spread over two days.
The convention began in spectacular fashion with a reception and dinner hosted by the British High Commissioner, Sir James Bevan, at his residence, and I am confident that the 1,000 plus guests really enjoyed the occasion, which was supported by BP.
On the same day, delegates were able to attend an investment event organised by the Indian Angels Network, as well as a intriguing session held by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) called ‘UK and India – Natural Partners for Investment’.
Our Convention Centre, at the Taj Palace Hotel,featured six different sector summits; covering aerospace and defence, creative industries, skills and education, financial services, manufacturing and retail, which were all very well attended.
A particular highlight was a ‘Looking to New Horizons’ session, which set the scene for the UK-India business relationship from the perspective of both Government and business.
The distinguished panel featured Minister for Business,Innovation & Skills, Dr Vince Cable, UKIBC Chair Patricia Hewitt, CBI President Sir Mike Rake, CII President Ajay Shiram, FICCI Senior Vice-President Jyotsna Suri and Sir James.
Another major session looked at corporate social responsibility (CSR), debating topics around the theme of ‘Good for Society – Good for Business’, with a panel which included John Lewis Partnership chairman, Sir Charlie Mayfield, the Department for International Development’s India head, Marshall Elliott, and Apeejay Surendra Group’s chairperson, Priya Paul.
A third panel-based debate featured leading industralists and social thinkers, debating ‘A New Idea of India’ which included Manipal Global Education’s chairman,T.V. Mohandas Pai, and King’s College London professor, Sunil Khilnani.
We also arranged a series of very flexible sessions, allowing delegates to visit special ‘zones’ within the centre, to learn more about a particular topic, sector or company, which proved very popular. The Talent Zone, which was organised by the British Council, focused on UK partnerships in India, and looked at workforce development for international standards, Higher Education, entrepreneurship and industry engagement.
The UK India Business Council created a dedicated ‘Doing Business in India’ zone, with sessions on state level opportunities and a look at ‘Smart, Digital and Entrepreneurial’ areas of activity in India’s economy, plus sector clinics covering business risks, cross-border M&A into India, new company laws, and a guide to the requirements of inward investors.
BT set up a technology zone, focused on ‘The Art of Connecting’, while Marks & Spencer based a zone on the topic of ‘style’, and Vodafone’s Connecting Zone saw more than 100 pre-arranged business-to-business meetings take place between delegates.
The convention was supported by many partners and sponsors, both British and Indian. Special thanks go to our Platinum Partners, UK India Business Council, UK Trade & Investment, Vodafone and BP, whose backing played a major part in the event’s success.
The precise dates are yet to be set, but it will certainly be held in either September or October this year, and for the first time, the British Business Groups will be organising theGBIBC jointly with the UK India Business Council (UKIBC).
More than 400 delegates attended GBIBC CONNECT’ 14 in New Delhi last October, representing companies ranging from the smallest of SMEs to members of the FTSE 100 index, and participated in a wide array of events and networking sessions spread over two days.
The convention began in spectacular fashion with a reception and dinner hosted by the British High Commissioner, Sir James Bevan, at his residence, and I am confident that the 1,000 plus guests really enjoyed the occasion, which was supported by BP.
On the same day, delegates were able to attend an investment event organised by the Indian Angels Network, as well as a intriguing session held by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) called ‘UK and India – Natural Partners for Investment’.
Our Convention Centre, at the Taj Palace Hotel,featured six different sector summits; covering aerospace and defence, creative industries, skills and education, financial services, manufacturing and retail, which were all very well attended.
A particular highlight was a ‘Looking to New Horizons’ session, which set the scene for the UK-India business relationship from the perspective of both Government and business.
The distinguished panel featured Minister for Business,Innovation & Skills, Dr Vince Cable, UKIBC Chair Patricia Hewitt, CBI President Sir Mike Rake, CII President Ajay Shiram, FICCI Senior Vice-President Jyotsna Suri and Sir James.
Another major session looked at corporate social responsibility (CSR), debating topics around the theme of ‘Good for Society – Good for Business’, with a panel which included John Lewis Partnership chairman, Sir Charlie Mayfield, the Department for International Development’s India head, Marshall Elliott, and Apeejay Surendra Group’s chairperson, Priya Paul.
A third panel-based debate featured leading industralists and social thinkers, debating ‘A New Idea of India’ which included Manipal Global Education’s chairman,T.V. Mohandas Pai, and King’s College London professor, Sunil Khilnani.
We also arranged a series of very flexible sessions, allowing delegates to visit special ‘zones’ within the centre, to learn more about a particular topic, sector or company, which proved very popular. The Talent Zone, which was organised by the British Council, focused on UK partnerships in India, and looked at workforce development for international standards, Higher Education, entrepreneurship and industry engagement.
The UK India Business Council created a dedicated ‘Doing Business in India’ zone, with sessions on state level opportunities and a look at ‘Smart, Digital and Entrepreneurial’ areas of activity in India’s economy, plus sector clinics covering business risks, cross-border M&A into India, new company laws, and a guide to the requirements of inward investors.
BT set up a technology zone, focused on ‘The Art of Connecting’, while Marks & Spencer based a zone on the topic of ‘style’, and Vodafone’s Connecting Zone saw more than 100 pre-arranged business-to-business meetings take place between delegates.
The convention was supported by many partners and sponsors, both British and Indian. Special thanks go to our Platinum Partners, UK India Business Council, UK Trade & Investment, Vodafone and BP, whose backing played a major part in the event’s success.
What next?
To find out more about next year’s Great Britain India Business Convention, which for the first time is being organised jointly with the UK India Business Council, contact
EventsIndia@ukibc.com
To find out more about next year’s Great Britain India Business Convention, which for the first time is being organised jointly with the UK India Business Council, contact
EventsIndia@ukibc.com
