Anson Bailey, Head of Consumer & Retail, Asia Pacific, KPMG Hong Kong remarked on the developments of the Greater Bay Area and shared updates about the innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong which hosts over 4,500 start-ups, while providing insights into trends reshaping the Chinese consumers behaviour particularly across the luxury segment.

Plenary Session

Andrew Seaton, Chief Executive, China-Britain Business Council welcomed delegates to the plenary session and provided opening remarks setting the scene for the discussion reflecting on the recent political engagements between the UK and China including visits to China by the Foreign Secretary Rt Hon James Cleverly MP and Minister for Investment Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston CBE.

Rhys Whalley - Executive Director, Manchester China Forum outlined how the organisation was established to support the coordination of the city regions engagement with China. Rhys discussed the importance of the visitor economy and how greater connectivity between Manchester and China with direct flights to both Beijing and Hong Kong and the exploration of a direct route to Shanghai has opened increased opportunities for Manchester based businesses to cater to the demand of incoming visitors.

Simon Boyd - Managing Director, Strategy Network shared experiences of launching consumer brands into the Chinese market and how the market was transformational for several of the brands in terms of sales volumes and enabling rapid growth as well as how the learnings developed in the China market could be applied to other areas of the business.

Gillian Drakeford, MBE - Non-Executive Director focused on consumer businesses retailing franchising and international establishment shared experiences of leading IKEA in China and the importance of building long-term sustainable partnerships.

Paul Taylor, Head ESS Service Delivery Centre & Head, International Markets (China, Europe & North America), Export Support Service, Department for Business and Trade shared details of the support that the Department for Business and Trade provides to companies who are exploring export opportunities and encouraged companies to seek out support and advice from all the organisations in the room.