High ranking Chinese officials visiting Britain to learn about heritage conservation were the guests of the UK China Business Consortium at a lunch in one of Swindon’s most iconic industrial buildings.
Consortium chairman Jeremy Holt welcomed members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's equivalent of the Senate, to Swindon with a meal at the newly converted Weighbridge Brewhouse.
The Chinese delegation, led by the former Governor of Henan Province, visited Heelis, the National Trust headquarters at Churchward, before moving on to the restaurant in the former GWR works weighhouse, which later became Archers brewery.
The lunch was the second major event arranged by the UK China Business Consortium since it was founded earlier this summer.
In June, the cultural attaché to the Chinese Embassy in London, Mr Li Zhang, opened an exhibition of privately-owned Chinese art not previously seen by the public at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, which was sponsored by the consortium.
Mr Zhang returned to Swindon with the Consultative Conference delegation and said he was delighted to be back in the town so soon, and once again meet members of the business community, Swindon’s Mayor Councillor Ray Ballman, her consort and senior representatives of Swindon Borough Council.
Jeremy Holt said: "What links China and Swindon is that they both have dynamic fast-growing economies. Despite the differences in language and culture I see no reason why Swindon should not lead the way in the UK in building strong commercial ties with China.”
The UK China Business Consortium supports Chinese companies considering investing in the UK, and UK companies looking to trade with or expand into Hong Kong and China. It comprises commercial law firm Clark Holt, trademark and IP specialists Haseltine Lake, commercial property experts Whitmarsh Lockhart, PR and marketing consultancy Vox and Reuben Internet.
It will provide potential investors with professional advice on corporate and commercial law and intellectual property protection in China and in Europe, expertise in commercial land and property, and support on PR, strategic relationships, corporate social responsibility and digital communications.
For more information contact Jeremy Holt on 01793 492 256.
Pictured above: The Chinese delegation with Mayor of Swindon Cllr Ray Balman, Gavin Jones Chief Exec of Swindon Borough Council and Jeremy Holt
