#FridayFive from the Executive Director: 02 May 2025

Another slightly truncated week, but this has been one of the most impactful in the last few weeks. Here’s my #FridayFive from the 2nd May.

1. CPTPP Forum – We supported a Department for Business and Trade event on unlocking the #CPTPP opportunities for business growth. Steve Firstbrook opened the event, with a key note from HMTC Martin Kent, before we heard about the benefits of CPTPP by Okkor Habibi. We welcomed the UK Consul General and Country Director of Vietnam Alexandra Smith and Country Director for DBT in Malaysia Richard Colley gave brilliant presentations on their markets. I was delighted to host a panel, with leaders Pamela Qiu (Control Risks), Sze Xin Mok (EY), Shulin Tay (Revolut), and Alistair Scott (JLR) who shared firsthand experiences and practical insights on successful market entry strategies across CPTPP countries. Thank you to Nikesh Mehta for hosting us, and for his warm welcome to guests at a fantastic networking reception. AND, thank you to Jennifer Lopez, CEO of British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) for making the journey over to #Singapore. Lots more to come between our two chambers!

2. Promoting Trade across the region – great to meet the Citi team as we talked about opportunities for collaboration - thank you to @aldea zhang, Anna Teo and Dann Sim for my new notebook too! Also brilliant to meet with Capt Yves Vandenborn FNI and Harriet Wood from NorthStandard about opportunities in Singapore. Lastly, fab to reconnect with Marcel NA Holman and see the amazing Artyzen Singapore spaces. In addition, members had the opportunity to meet with the CPTPP team from London for a series of 1-2-1 meetings.

3. The incoming board/committee – we held an election of officers meeting who voted for the incoming board ahead of our AGM on the 29th May. Look forward to working with the 2025-26 Board which will be officially announced at/after the AGM.

4. Podcast recording on CPTPP – following on from the in-person event, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rachel S. as we further unpicked the opportunities for businesses. Definitely one to catch when it gets released!

5. Promoting sports and STEM – It was lovely to meet Anabelle Denford from STEM Racing who was in Singapore. They do a brilliant job championing STEM through schools internationally linked to F1. Thank you also to Unmish PARTHASARATHI who hosted Louise Beazor from the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham), as we continue to look at building a UK #SportsTech mission to Singapore.

So with the excitement and buzz around the opportunities for UK business in the CPTPP, I hope you had a happy weekend ahead and look forward to seeing you soon.