David Cameron uses London Olympics to Promote Britain

22 September 2011

British Prime Minister David Cameron uses London Olympics to extend an invitation to businesses and visitors around the world.

A new drive to promote Britain as a place to visit and do business was launched by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron in New York today.

With the Royal Wedding this year and the London Olympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year, the eyes of the world are on the UK. The British Government is determined to seize this unprecedented opportunity to ensure that 2012 is not only a spectacular celebration of sport, but also a chance to show everything Britain has to offer.

Britain’s new GREAT campaign will focus on 10 areas of British excellence, all underlining how the UK is one of the very best places to visit, study, work, invest and do business.

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron said:

“In 2012, there is only one place to be. With the Olympic and Paralympic games coming to London next summer, the greatest show on earth is about to arrive in one of the world’s greatest cities.

“But Britain in 2012 will offer more than just sport. It will offer a fantastic opportunity. It is a chance for the world to re-discover the unique qualities that make Britain such a compelling destination – for business and tourism, for innovation and entrepreneurship, for world-class creativity and culture.

“Britain today is simply a great place to visit, study and work. A great place to invest and do business.

“We want to extend an invitation to the world to take a fresh look at everything we have to offer.”

Invitation to international business

As part of the invitation to international business, the Prime Minister David Cameron also announced plans for a ‘Global Investment Conference ’ for investors and business leaders to be held in London on the eve of the Games and an innovative programme of business summits including the ‘British Business Embassy’ highlighting a range of sectors for global growth and an on-line ‘British Business Club’. The programme of business events will be delivered by UK Trade & Investment and is expected to generate, over time, at least a £1 billion boost for British business.

Invitation to visitors

Promoting the UK as a tourist destination is a key part of the GREAT campaign, with Britain aiming to attract an extra 4 million visitors to the country over the next 4 years. The campaign will invite visitors from across the globe to take a fresh look at Britain, from its national parks, to its music festivals, its castles, to its museums and galleries.

The British Government believes that in 2012 Britain has plenty to celebrate and is determined to ensure that the whole world can be part of it.

Some of GREAT’s supporters so far:

Marc Bolland; Chief Executive, Marks & Spencer: “As a true British brand, Marks & Spencer is proud to represent all that is great about Britain to our customers internationally.”

Colin Grassie; Chief Executive Officer UK, Deutsche Bank: “We are delighted to be associated with this exciting campaign and look forward to engaging with the Government on it”

Jonathan Goodwin; Co-founder of the Founders Forum & PROfounders: “We are proud to be linked with this exciting campaign and will work with the Government to drive it forward.”

Steve Holliday; Chief Executive, National Grid: “We strongly support the aims of this campaign and will assist the Government where we can.”

Justin King; Chief Executive Officer, Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd: “We are delighted to support this exciting campaign. We want to play our part in putting the Great back into Britain.”

Julian Roberts; Chief Executive, Old Mutual plc “This is an exciting campaign which we are delighted to be involved with; we will work closely with the Government to help achieve its aim.”

Angela Ahrendts at Burberry: “We applaud the vision of the new GREAT campaign. As a global brand with a proud British heritage, we fully support its aim of raising international awareness of the country’s unique assets and tremendous opportunities for inward investment.”

Tom Albanese at Rio Tinto: “We are delighted to be associated with this exciting campaign and look forward to engaging with the Government on it going forward.”

Dominic Murphy at KKR: "We think Great Britain is a GREAT place to invest"
Bob Diamond, Chief Executive Barclays: "The single most important priority that we all share right now is to do everything possible to restore UK economic growth and job creation. Fundamental to that is rebuilding the confidence of those inside and outside the UK to invest; to visit; and to buy British goods. The GREAT Britain campaign will provide an important fillip to confidence at a critical time. Barclays has made Britain its home for over 300 years. We certainly think Britain is GREAT and look forward to working with Her Majesty's Government and the other campaign partners to remind the world why."

Wayne Edmunds, Chief Executive of Invensys plc: “As a British technology company helping industrial customers and rail operators in over 180 countries, we are pleased to support the Great campaign and in particular its aim of attracting further investment in technology and innovation into the UK.”

ENDS

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