Speakers confirmed for UK-India business conference

The chief executive of Standard Chartered bank, the CEO of media giant StarTV and Cobra beer founder Lord Bilimoria are among the speakers confirmed for Thursday’s UK-India Business Conference in Manchester.

The day-long event, which takes place at the Bridgewater Hall, is the first major conference held by the UK-India Business Council outside of London. The council has said that it chose the city to encourage more businesses – particularly SMEs – to develop trade lings with India.

The conference will focus on opportunities in six sectors:- infrastructure, skills & education, advanced engineering & manufacturing, retail, logistics, innovation and life sciences & healthcare.

Star TV CEO Uday Shankar is also visiting specifically to talk to North West media firms and UKIBC chief executive Richard Heald has argued that there are huge opportunities for the city’s digital and creative businesses in India.

“The UKIBC is here to show North West businesses the practical steps they need to take in order to start forming partnerships with Indian business and government,” he said.

“It can seem like a huge leap but small businesses around the world are finding fantastic opportunities in India every single day.”