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Business chiefs join David Cameron in China to drum up trade Business chiefs join David Cameron in China to drum up trade
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has taken 131 business leaders to China to drum up trade and investment in the world's second-biggest economy.David Cameron has taken 131 business leaders to China to drum up trade and investment in the world's second-biggest economy.
The prime minister's trip follows hot on the heels of chancellor George Osborne's visit last month, demonstrating how much the government wants to be seen attracting business from China. The prime minister's trip follows hot on the heels of a visit by the chancellor, George Osborne, last month, demonstrating how much the government wants to be seen attracting business from China.
The list of delegates appears carefully chosen to show off the full range of UK businesses, from manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover to creative industries and financial services, although there is not much room for the arms industry. The delegation also features a number of green businesses.The list of delegates appears carefully chosen to show off the full range of UK businesses, from manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover to creative industries and financial services, although there is not much room for the arms industry. The delegation also features a number of green businesses.
The inclusion of some delegation members make obvious sense. They include Peter Sands, chief executive of Standard Chartered, which has operated in China since the 19th century, and Tom Williams, who oversees products for Airbus, the aeroplane manufacturer. The inclusion of some delegation members makes obvious sense. They include Peter Sands, chief executive of Standard Chartered, which has operated in China since the 19th century, and Tom Williams, who oversees products for Airbus, the aeroplane manufacturer.
But others stand out because of their links to Cameron and the Conservative party.But others stand out because of their links to Cameron and the Conservative party.
Chief among these is Viscount Astor, who is the stepfather of David Cameron's wife Samantha. Astor is in Beijing in his capacity as deputy chairman of Silvergate Media, a TV production company that makes Beatrix Potter cartoons. Chief among these is Viscount Astor, who is the stepfather of David Cameron's wife, Samantha. Astor is in Beijing in his capacity as deputy chairman of Silvergate Media, a TV production company that makes Beatrix Potter cartoons.
The former England left-back Graeme Le Saux was on the plane as an ambassador for the English Premier League. A spokeswoman for the Premier League said Le Saux was there to spread the word about its community programme, Premier Skills, which helps with coaching and setting up a football league.The former England left-back Graeme Le Saux was on the plane as an ambassador for the English Premier League. A spokeswoman for the Premier League said Le Saux was there to spread the word about its community programme, Premier Skills, which helps with coaching and setting up a football league.
Of all the football clubs that would like to build themselves up in China, only one is represented. West Ham United's deputy chairman Karren Brady is on the trip and since September has been the Conservatives' small business ambassador – a party post announced by Cameron at the Tory conference.Of all the football clubs that would like to build themselves up in China, only one is represented. West Ham United's deputy chairman Karren Brady is on the trip and since September has been the Conservatives' small business ambassador – a party post announced by Cameron at the Tory conference.
There is room for former Tory treasurer and party donor Lord Leigh, representing Cavendish Corporate Finance, and for Lord Adlington, Cameron's neighbour and chairman of his Witney constituency association. Adlington is chief executive of Huntsworth, a PR firm. There is room for the former Tory treasurer and party donor Lord Leigh, representing Cavendish Corporate Finance, and for Lord Adlington, Cameron's neighbour and chairman of his Witney constituency association. Adlington is chief executive of Huntsworth, a PR firm.
In among financial heavyweights such as HSBC and Barclays is Rohan Silva, "entrepreneur in residence" at Index Ventures, which invests in new businesses. Silva was until April a senior policy adviser to Cameron.In among financial heavyweights such as HSBC and Barclays is Rohan Silva, "entrepreneur in residence" at Index Ventures, which invests in new businesses. Silva was until April a senior policy adviser to Cameron.
There is also a place for Kim Rosenkilde of ICAP, the City broker whose chief executive Michael Spencer is a former Conservative treasurer and has donated almost £5m to the party. There is also a place for Kim Rosenkilde of ICAP, the City broker whose chief executive, Michael Spencer, is a former Conservative treasurer and has donated almost £5m to the party.
A spokesperson for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) said: "In choosing the delegation, UKTI consulted with a wide range of organisations including the China-Britain Business Council and the Confederation of British industry. We have chosen a varied and balanced selection of companies based on their interests in China, their sectoral focus and their potential to showcase the best of British expertise." A spokesperson for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) said: "In choosing the delegation, UKTI consulted with a wide range of organisations including the China-Britain Business Council and the Confederation of British Industry. We have chosen a varied and balanced selection of companies based on their interests in China, their sectoral focus and their potential to showcase the best of British expertise."
But a separate government source said Cameron's team also got involved: "Special advisers at No 10 have been involved in picking people to go on this trip. No 10 is more political than other departments when it comes to foreign trips."But a separate government source said Cameron's team also got involved: "Special advisers at No 10 have been involved in picking people to go on this trip. No 10 is more political than other departments when it comes to foreign trips."
A former UKTI civil servant said before any big trade trip the department draws up a list of suitable businesses and organisations with a mix of industries and companies of different sizes from around the country. A former UKTI civil servant said before any big trade trip the department drew up a list of suitable businesses and organisations with a mix of industries and companies of different sizes from around the country.
Under Labour, the process went by the book but selection has become more political since 2010, the ex-official said.Under Labour, the process went by the book but selection has become more political since 2010, the ex-official said.
"If you leave it to UKTI, they have a very civil service approach, with an element of finding good news stories. They will look for stories that are visual and that encourage other exporters to take the opportunity."If you leave it to UKTI, they have a very civil service approach, with an element of finding good news stories. They will look for stories that are visual and that encourage other exporters to take the opportunity.
"But Downing Street has its own say and that's where the PR crops up. It's usually well-known names but on further inspection there are political links. Of course, it's possible UKTI might suggest names they think No 10 will like.""But Downing Street has its own say and that's where the PR crops up. It's usually well-known names but on further inspection there are political links. Of course, it's possible UKTI might suggest names they think No 10 will like."
UKTI said that for this trip the business chiefs paid for themselves, but in the past the government has provided help with costs for some delegates. UKTI said that for this trip the business chiefs had paid for themselves, but in the past the government has provided help with costs for some delegates.
Perhaps surprisingly, Sir Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, is on the trip even though the pharmaceuticals giant is embroiled in allegations of corruption and bribery in China. Engine maker Rolls-Royce, which also faces allegations of fraud in China, is represented by its north-east Asia chief Patrick Horgan. Perhaps surprisingly, Sir Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, is on the trip even though the pharmaceuticals giant is embroiled in allegations of corruption and bribery in China. The engine maker Rolls-Royce, which also faces allegations of fraud in China, is represented by its north-east Asia chief Patrick Horgan.
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