India is a key partner for the Northern Powerhouse
Taking place 1-5 March, the Northern Asian Power Mission: India, will bring together the UK and Indian business communities, alongside industry experts and trade partners, to explore opportunities for bilateral trade and collaboration.
With the Government remaining committed to the levelling up agenda, and international collaboration expected to play a crucial role in the success of this initiative, the organisers of the Asian Power Mission India are keen to highlight both the important partnership between India and the Northern Powerhouse but also the opportunities it provides for wider economic growth.
Over the course of the five-day mission it is hoped that trade relationships between the North and India can be both expanded and deepened. With the events project director, Sharon Jandu stating: “The event is truly bilateral in nature.
She added: “Promotion has been across the North of England and through a network of business organisations in India. Our aim is to ensure the sector masterclasses have both thought leadership and networking opportunities, so that northern businesses can have conversations with Indian businesses in the breakout rooms, and we can encourage business relationships [to form and prosper].”
Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India
Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India said: “The Northern Powerhouse is already a significant pillar of the living bridge connecting our nations – from India’s best and brightest studying in the Northern universities to the droves of Indian football fans who support the teams from the region. And this is in addition to the over 100 Indian businesses in the north who contribute enormously to our shared economic interests. I’m delighted to be participating in this event; 2021 is going to be an important year for the UK-India partnership, both bilaterally and on the world stage.”
Rakesh Sinha MP, Member of Rajya Sabha, Upper House of Parliament of India
Rakesh Sinha MP, Member of Rajya Sabha, Upper House of Parliament of India said: “There is a huge potential of intellectual collaboration between India and Britain. People of both nations developed understanding with each other in historical process of togetherness. Both nations can together give joint leadership, not only to Commonwealth but also world by common efforts using human and natural resources.”
Lakshmi Kaul, head and representative, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) UK
Lakshmi Kaul, head and representative, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) UK added: “As per the recently launched, CII Britain Meets India Tracker report 2021 developed in partnership with Grant Thornton, we have identified 572 British companies in India. With UK being 6th largest investor in India.
“CII has been championing regional India partnerships for a number of years and it is therefore exciting to be able to introduce UK SMEs to Indian markets via the Northern Asian Power Mission and we hope it will encourage UK businesses to consider the many opportunities for investment in India. CII with its wide presence across India would be keen to offer ongoing support to these companies and encourage them to consider partnerships and investment opportunities in India.”
Dr Jatinder Singh director, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Dr. Jatinder Singh, director, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry commented: “The Northern Asian Power Mission 2021: India, is aptly timed. This can prove to be the fountainhead for unleashing business and trade potential between India and UK post Covid with a multiplier effect for economic growth, creating new job opportunities and investments in multiple sectors.”
Viraj Kalra, co-Founder, Open Brackets Learning
Viraj Kalra, co-Founder, Open Brackets Learning which is based in New Delhi added: “[The] post-Covid 2020s will globally require special initiatives and vehicles to catapult us back to an upward growth trajectory. Open innovation and hyper-collaboration will prominently emerge as two tools to enable this revival objective. And the Northern Asian Power Mission is once such initiative that shows promise [and could fuel] much needed innovation, collaboration, and communication by simultaneously stimulating influencers across trade, commerce, academia and institutions.”
The week long event features six industry targeted trade masterclasses with representatives from the UK and India business community, trade bodies and professional services. The event will start Monday 1 March and run until Friday 5 March. To find out more information click here
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Northern Asian Power Mission: India – Programme of Events
Monday 1 March
Northern Asian Power Mission Launch – A Focus on India
Speakers at this event include:
- Graham Stuart MP, Parliamentary Under-Seretary of State for Exports, Department for International Trade
- Lord Bilimoria, CBE DL, founder of Cobra Beer and president of the CBI
- Lord Waverly, founder of Supplyifinder.com
- Roger Marsh OBE DL, chair NP11 and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership
- Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India
- Rakesh Sinha MP, Rajya Sabha Member Of Parliament
- Dr. Jatinder Singh director, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Tuesday 2 March
Creative Industries and Culture Masterclass
This masterclass will be chaired by Kully Thiarai, creative director and CEO, Leeds2023 and Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO, Piece Hall
Speakers will include:
- Dr Param Shah, director, FICCI
- Raman Kalra, partner, PwC India – TMT: Entertainment, Media and Sports
- Sally Joynson, chief executive, Screen Yorkshire
- James Mason , chief executive Welcome to Yorkshire
- Anand Bhatt chief executive and artistic director Dance City
- Vikas Kumar MBE director GemArts
Healthcare and Life Sciences Masterclass
This masterclass will be chaired by Professor the Lord Patel of Bradford OBE
Speakers will include:
- Dean Fathers, member of the Academy of Healthcare Science Regulatory Board, and NED of NeedleSmart
- Tim Newns, chief executive, MIDAS,
- Dr Param Shah, director, FICCI
Wednesday 3 March
Food and Drink Masterclass
This masterclass will be chaired by Lord Bilimoria CBE DL, founder of Cobra Beer and president of the CBI
Speakers will include:
- Hannah Kendrick, partner, Squire Patton Boggs
- Ian Wright, chief executive, Food and Drink Federation
- Lakshmi Kaul, head and representative, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) UK
- Nagma Ebanks-Beni MBE, commercial director, Prima Cheese
Industrial and Advanced Manufacturing
This masterclass will be chaired by Deepak Pahwa, chairman, Innovation Committee, PHDCCI; chairman, Pahwa Group and managing director of Bry-Air (Asia)
Speakers will include:
- June Smith, regional director – North, Make UK
- Karen French, partner, Squire Patton Boggs
- Dr Jatinder Singh, Director, PHD Chamber
- Lakshmi Kaul, head and representative, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) UK
- Professor Mike Maddock, managing director, Performance Engineered Solutions
- Arun Kumar Jha, director general, National Productivity Council, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GOI
Thursday 4 March
Technology and Digital Markets
This masterclass will be chaired by Brian Archer, director of economic services, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership
Speakers include:
- Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford, Deputy High Commissioner – Bangalore
- Sherin Mathew, CEO and founder, AI Tech North
- Julian Wells, director, FinTech North
- Dr Jatinder Singh, director, PHD Chamber
- Nick Kaimakami, executive vice president and head EMEA and USA, Prime Focus Technologies
- Zandra Moore, CEO and founder, PanIntelligence
- Viraj Kalra CEO Whiteladder Consultancy
- Stuart Clarke, director, Leeds Digital Festival
- Nigel Jones, sector specialist – Tech, Digital and Creative, Department for International Trade
Energy
This masterclass will be chaired by Henri Murrison, director, Northern Powerhouse Partnership
Speakers include:
- Stephen Young, executive director for economic growth, Lancashire County Council
- Miranda Barker, chair, RedCAT (Lancashire Centre for Alternative Technologies)
- Ged Heffernan, director, River Power Pod
- Melissa Conlon, commercial director, AMRC North West
- Ian Wood, partner, Squire Patton Boggs
- Nick Helm, partner, Squire Patton Boggs
Friday 5 March
A Celebration of Diversity and Women in Business
This event will be chaired by Paula Grizzard, founder, She Business and Heather Waters, national enterprise manager for Women In Business, NatWest
Speakers include:
- Louise Knutsson, managing partner and founder, MatchesTalent
- Jordan Dargue, investment director, North Invest
- Karina Jadhav, founder and owner, Menagerie Restaurant and Bar
- Bhairavi Sonowal, director, HED Healthcare
To find out more information about Northern Asian Power Mission: India or to register click here
