Celebrating UK-Poland partnership
A reception held in the British Embassy to celebrate the UK’s growing trade, investment, innovation and education partnership with Poland.
Ambassador Robin Barnett stressed the UK’s long-term, strong bilateral relationship in Poland. He hoped that UK’s innovation and expertise could help and further support the next stages of Poland’s development, as the country strives to meet the challenges and opportunities of globalisation.
The guest of honour for the evening was Sir Marin Sorrell, CEO of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group. In his keynote speech, Sir Martin underscored the high development potential of Central and Eastern Europe, including digital and the broader services sector, and stated clearly that the region is a splendid export destination for British companies. A destination as yet unexploited by many.
The speeches of the Ambassador and Sir Martin were preceded by a minute’s silence to commemorate Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the UK’s longest peacetime Prime Minister who passed away earlier that day.
The event also promoted the GREAT campaign. Originally launched in 2012 to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented by the Olympics, Paralympics and Diamond Jubilee to promote the UK abroad, the campaign brings together all overseas activity under a common banner, so that Britain speaks with one voice.
In 2013 the GREAT campaign has evolved into a wider brand and five countries in the “Emerging Europe” region will be joining the campaign – Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic – with the aim of driving jobs and prosperity in the UK through increased business with, and exports to, the region.