On Wednesday, May 20, 2015 the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia collaborated with the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia on the 2015 Embassy Series — Spotlight on the United Kingdom. It was the perfect evening on the 55th floor at Top of the Tower. The panoramic views of the City were outstanding. Approximately 35 people gathered for an informative discussion about export and investment opportunities with the UK. Danny Lopez, HM Consul General & Director General, Trade & Investment USA for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) was the featured keynote speaker.
Danny was appointed British Consul General, New York and Director General for UK Trade & Investment USA in July 2011. He is responsible for promoting the UK’s economic profile, foreign policy and national security priorities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut’s Fairfield County. The Consul General is the senior UK official in a Consulate General, which is a subordinate office to the Embassy or High Commission, usually located in another major city. The Consul General represents the UK government and is typically responsible for consular, visa and trade activities in their city or region. The Director General for UK Trade & Investment USA sits on the Board of UK Trade & Investment, the foreign commercial arm of the UK government, and leads its operations across the USA.
UKTI works with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports. They encourage and support overseas companies to look at the UK as the best place to set up or expand their business. UKTI has professional advisers around the UK and staff across more than 100 countries with headquarters in London. The team is responsible for: international trade and investment; helping UK companies achieve their potential overseas through exporting; and encouraging investment in the UK by overseas businesses. During his discussion Danny explained current UKTI priorities to be: giving more support to medium-sized businesses; giving better support to small companies wishing to export; strengthening their efforts in high growth markets; maximizing the UK’s export potential where we have a free trade agreement; securing export-oriented foreign direct investment; helping to put in place the government’s long-term strategy for economic growth; and increasing reach by working closely with more partners.
The Greater Philadelphia region collaborates with UKTI across various industry sectors to ensure they are well positioned and connected to local resources to ensure they can meet their mission. Oliver Franklin, Honorary British Consul of Greater Philadelphia provided a glowing introduction to the British Consul General.
Prior to joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Danny enjoyed a varied career in the UK’s public and private sectors. From 2009 to 2011, he worked for the London Development Agency, the Mayor of London’s economic development arm, as Group Director for Business Support and Promotion. During this time, he was responsible for creating London & Partners, the UK capital’s promotional agency for business, visitors and students and was its inaugural CEO. From 2006 to 2009, Danny was Managing Director, Marketing & Communications at UK Trade & Investment, where he was responsible for delivering a new marketing strategy to promote and showcase the UK economy internationally. Previously, Danny worked at Barclays Bank for ten years, where he held a number of senior international positions, including Director of Business Banking USA in New York, Head of Inward Investment in London and Business Development Director in India.
Danny candidly addressed the group, speaking about his role serving the UK Government in the US, the current state of UK economic and political affairs, and the effect on trade and investment. In particular, Danny focused his discussion on the strong relationship with the Greater Philadelphia region. The UK is the third largest market for exports from the Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington areas. It is the top market for Pennsylvania goods among Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) nations, responsible for nearly 30% of export sales from our region to the European Union. Danny actively engaged with attendees in a dynamic question and answer session.
Click here to view photos from the event. https://www.flickr.com/photos/wtcphila/sets/72157653229260575
