Sir John Parker, Vice Chairman of DP World and Chairman of National Grid in the UK, shared his wisdom about company leadership and the increasing bi-lateral business links between the UAE and the UK when he addressed members of the British business community and their guests at a BBG lunch on 2 April, 2008.
Sir John, who was knighted in 2001 for Services to the Defence and Shipbuilding Industries, discussed the longstanding relationship between Dubai and the UK, and spoke with passion about the dynamism of Dubai.
Instrumental in the P&O deal with DP World, Sir John opened the floor to questions about his role in the development of business with and from Dubai and why he believes British business can play a vital role, in partnership with the UAE, to benefit the economies of both countries and sustain strong economic growth.
Following the lunch, Sir John and members of the BBG, met His Royal Highness The Duke of York KG, UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, who was visiting ‘Britain in the Region’, a British Embassy initiative running alongside the BBG event.
“As a member of Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Business Council for Britain, a Senior Non-Executive Director of the Court of the Bank of England, and Chancellor of Southampton University in the UK, we very much appreciated Sir John taking the time to address the British business community in Dubai,” said John Martin St Valery, Deputy Chairman of the BBG. “Our members were inspired by his leadership, commitment and obvious passion for the UAE.”
Sir John is the latest in a long line of high profile speakers to share insight with the BBG. The Group recently welcomed Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and Nabil Ali Alyousuf, Executive President of Dubai School of Government.
The Group, which recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary, is one of the largest and most active business groups in the region. It has more than 1,100 members, giving business people in Dubai and the Northern Emirates the opportunity to network, share knowledge and contribute to the community.
