Lord Robertson addresses UBBC London reception

Lord Robertson, formerly defence secretary and head of Nato, addressed the UBBC reception at the Cavalry and Guards club, Piccadilly London. The event, hosted by Brigadier Ellery and Baroness Nicholson marked a busy year for UBBC including a business visit to Kyiv first week in November, and an opportunity to convene significant businesses operating with Ukraine in London.

Lord Robertson spoke of the ingenuity, capability, and resilience of the Ukrainians, and how is essential for the UK to support Ukraine in all ways, especially militarily, of the aggression of Russia that will reach European borders as they challenge the world order and peaceful settlement since the second world war. He discussed the strategic defence review and said that we can’t theorise about helping Ukraine as all of us need to make tangible and concrete actions to support Ukraine and defend democracy. He also said Ukraine offers Britain an enormous opportunity to trade and do business with. Lord Robertson remembered how he stood next to Putin in 2002 as Putin spoke of the sovereignty of Ukraine, only to fester during covid and emerge with a very different outlook.

Baroness Nicholson then explained why she decided to set up the UBBC, as she saw similar dynamics in Iraq where she now presides over a very successful business council, for a country with enormous potential but needing to reduce corruption- where the role of a business council can provide transparency, best international practice and business engagement  under the rule of law. She spoke of the AMAR Foundation who are supporting Ukrainian Children in Romania and importance of mitigating the impact war on children.

Christophe Michels, MD of UBBC then mentioned the visit members had undertaken the previous week, to find Kyiv and Ukraine largely peaceful, the journey straight forward and to look behind the headlines and go to experience and engage with Ukrainians.

Mark Irwin Former CEO of Serco then spoke of the endeavour, ingenuity and youthful energy of the Ukrainians as they reinvent their society, their resilience, and the opportunity to do business in the country and their world leading industries in Tech and defence.

Brian Fennesy, MD of SSB AG (a UBBC Founder member) sponsors of the evening, explained the reach and range of SSBs work internationally, in infrastructure and the technologies that support it. He mentioned the importance of the rule of law and transparency in doing business, such as being part of UBBC affording country support and access to innovative supply lines and political engagement.

Members then networked extensively. Attendees included Asters, DBT, Innovate UK, Burns and Wilcox, EAME, EBDR, IFC, MSS, Tiller, ADS, Brunel University, UCL, Hogan Lovells, Eurasia group, Slavbad group, SSB AG and many more.

For more information and to sign up to UBBC news and events please email london@ukrainebritainbusiness.org