Annual Review of the Financial Year ending 31st March 2010
Introduction by HRH The Duke of York
This Annual Review covers my activities as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in the financial year ending on 31st March 2010. I hope that it will offer insight into the work I undertake on behalf of British businesses and the UK Government at a time when the world economy continues in a state of turmoil.
This financial year was a difficult one both for the British economy and for UK industry. I was more than happy to step up my work load to secure the benefits that are to be won, worldwide, for UK plc. So, in this year I carried out 757 official engagements, as opposed to the 620 in 2008/09 and 598 in 2007/08. Of these, 337 were overseas trade engagements.
I have continued in my personal efforts to offer support to UK business by extolling and supporting UK plc whenever I am overseas. While there remain significant challenges now, and in the next few years, I have been heartened by meeting so many British companies which are leaders in their sectors, often the best in the world.
I wish to pay tribute to the numerous companies,small as well as large, which are often little recognised but are always working highly effectively to export UK products, know-how and technology to all parts of the world in the very difficult market place in which we find ourselves.
Now that I have been Special Representative for more than nine years, I have built a substantial network of contacts at high level in both governments and business overseas. These linkages assist both in putting across the UK case and in encouraging inward investment from abroad. In addition, my presence in a country on an official visit will provide our embassy and businesses on the ground exposure and high level contacts which will be of use, well after I have headed home.
We have now implemented the recommendations in the independent review of my role conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). My effectiveness has been much enhanced by professional advice from business leaders and a high degree of cross-departmental co-ordination.
Looking ahead, as a nation we face undoubted business challenges in this uncertain world. But I am confident that many great opportunities for the UK will arise in the coming years in key business sectors such as civil nuclear, education and training, healthcare, IT, pharmaceutical, communications, infrastructure, financial services, high-end manufacture and consultancy, as well as in the whole creative spectrum in which the UK excels.
We need to make strenuous efforts to capitalise on these opportunities, in a world in which our sales overseas will be based increasingly on value-added and intellectual input, rather than on manufacturing and raw materials, and in which the centre of gravity of the world economy is shifting from the West to the East. My efforts will be directed to help capitalise on these opportunities.
I am fortunate to have the support and commitment of a highly dedicated team, led by Alastair Watson and Amanda Thirsk, with Philip Yea as Business Advisor. I would like to thank all my team for their contribution in making the role of the Special Representative a positive source of support for the UK's international trade and investment.
I am honoured to carry out this important duty in support of The Queen, Government and business as a whole, and look forward to the challenges of 2010 and beyond.
Annual Review for the Financial Year Ending 31 March 2010
(PDF document 4.5MB)
DOY REVIEW 2009 - Version 1510091.pdf
(PDF document, 98 KB)
Overseas Trade Programme during the Financial Year, 2008-09
(PDF document, 112 KB)
UK Away Day Programme during the Financial Year, 2008-09
(PDF document, 89KB)
