MARCH 7-14, 2013
V i s i t s
M i a m i
special edition of
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a
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Years after "To Sir With Love!" The Legendary Lulu is back to woo American audiences
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Celebrating innovation and business between
Bid on incredible experiences with
Lennox Lewis
Britain and Florida
and celebrity friends
Introducing an exciting new series of events in the
Sunshine State!
Can we help you transfer money to and from the USA?
45
YESWECAN!
4
3 Consular Assistance - A Helping Hand - and Interview with Louise Proudlove
Contents
UK Trade & Investment - Thank you
CALENDAR 10
8 Lulu comes back to America - 45 years after “To Sir with Love�
BritWeek Calendar - Celebrating Innovation and business between Britain and Florida
Southern comforts 21 Southern Comforts - Business opportunities abound - by UKTI 2 | Britweek visit miami
24 Doing business in Brazil?
Dear Friends, BritWeek visits Miami runs from the 7 - 14 March. The week-long celebration of British excellence includes a packed programme of signature events hosted at Miami’s most exclusive venues. Events will showcase British influence in business innovation, technology, trade, design, art, sport, architecture, music, fashion and culture; combining Great Britain’s modern excellence with Miami’s provocative and diverse environment. BritWeek visits Miami is hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), in conjunction with Adoreum Miami and BritWeek in California. The UK and Florida share a unique and special relationship. Trade and investment is what drives it: 39000 Floridians employed by over 300 companies contributing to two way trade worth $2 billion every year. UK Trade and Investment plays a key role in developing new business and growing current business. “UKTI is proud to be hosting the first ever ‘BritWeek’ outside of California.This is our opportunity to shine the spotlight on the unique commercial opportunities that exist in the state and its positioning as an unrivalled test-bed and springboard for UK companies looking to launch new products and services in the Americas. Moreover; showcase those UK firms that are having a marked impact on the Florida economy in areas ranging from space technologies, to the engineering design and envrionemntal consultancy work for major Florida infrastructure projects, through to tourist favourites such as LEGOLand Florida. The Brits are here, and there’s more coming!” - Rebecca Mowat, Head of UKTI (Southeast USA) & BritWeek visits Miami Steering Committee “I am delighted to be back in Florida for the inaugural UK / Florida business innovation awards and BritWeek visits Miami. I say back because I had the privilege of living in Florida in the 1990s when I worked for Barclays Bank” Danny Lopez, British Consul-General, New York and DirectorGeneral, UK Trade & Investment USA British Consul General Kevin McGurgan, who will host VIP events alongside city leaders, says, “I am delighted that Miami is the first East Coast city to host BritWeek. Miami’s energy, sophistication and style are a perfect fit for the best British brands, technology and design. More than 400,000 Brits visit Miami every year and this is our way of recognizing the UK contribution to Miami and profiling the UK as Miami’s go-to transatlantic partner.” “We are excited that Miami is to be our first break out from California.” said BritWeek Chairman Bob Peirce. “Miami, like LA, is fertile ground for Brits with cool new ideas, especially in design, technology and innovative businesses. It is a BritWeek kind of city, as the BritWeek Visits Miami program will show.”
consular assistance
A Helping Hand...
The service the British Consulate provides is not something I have ever really thought about and yet, as an Expat, the help they offer could, one day, prove invaluable.
T
he Consulate offers assistance to British Nationals, all over the world, who find themselves in serious distress and help them get the support they need. It may be unpleasant to think about, but when you have been 4 | Britweek visit miami
a victim of a serious crime, where there has been a death or a hospitalization, or have somehow been sent to prison, it is crucial that you get the right help. As Head of Consular Assistance, Louise Proudlove, based in London, is responsible for supporting the teams
who help British Nationals, both abroad and their families at home, as well as ensuring that they are focused on the right issues and are reaching as many people as possible. On her recent 3 day visit to the Miami Consulate, Louise hosted a reception event for British Nationals to come and learn more about the services they can provide. Dean Churm, British Consul & Regional Operations Manager, says that the Miami consuls customers generally fall into 2 main categories: ‘Those who have never heard of the consuls services before and don’t realize what we can help with and those with high expectations of what the consul can do to help them.’ For those who are unaware of the consuls services, outreach programs, volunteer networks and social media all help to promote their services.
In Florida, spreading the word about the services available for the elderly is particularly important, with many expats reaching retirement age. By partnering with Spanish Consul networks (who face a similar issue) the Consul can ensure that the people that need help the most, know that it is available to them. Not only are there an estimated 400,000 expats living in Florida, there are also the hoards of tourists, scattered throughout the state. Combine this amount of people with the risk of a natural disaster hitting and the Consul
Sarah wilkinson needs to be sure that as many people as possible know who to contact for help. Those customers that come to the Consul with high expectations of the services that can be provided often utilize the open door policy and will go in to speak with someone. However, changes planned over the next 3 years will streamline this system. A new appointment service allows the customer to select the best time for them to visit and to make sure that the person they need to see will be available, ultimately meaning that they will get the help they need much quicker. Appointments can be made online or over the phone and by ‘using resources the best way we can, we are making the service better for the customer,’ Louise commented. This appointment service is just one of the ways time is being spent more effectively. Traditionally, the Consul has been heavily involved in smaller, day to day ‘emergencies’ such as the losing of one’s passport while on holiday, whilst still a very serious issue for the person who has lost their passport, this may be something that, in today’s digital age, can be solved by the individual online. John Smith, Director Consular Services North America, comments that ‘things have changed a lot over the past few years. We ‘re not radically changing WHO we’re dealing with, only HOW we deal with them’ The average member of the travelling public under 30 will likely want the convenience of online access, but elderly customers may prefer face to face contact. Both options will be possible, but it’s about recognizing the people who need support the most and directing them to the right person, through the quickest channel. These changes in structure present a great opportunity to be at the forefront of consulate services, to ensure a more focused approach, so
that people can get the help they need. The best place to start is at http://ukinusa. fco.gov.uk. So go online and have a look around. And remember, customer feedback is always appreciated - after all, the changes are all about getting people the help they need in the best possible way.
Originally from Grimsby in Lincolnshire, England, Sarah completed a one year program with Walt Disney World in 2004, where she met her husband. They made the permanent move to the United States in 2010. Sarah graduated from The Open University, obtaining a BA (Hons) in Humanities and Business Studies as part of an Open degree. Sarah has spent the last four years in retail management and customer service and as such, is the liaison for overseas private clients prior to their account opening. Sarah is also responsible for office management and carries out a wide variety of tasks. These include, but are not limited to, accounting, audits, expenses and local administration. In addition to this, Sarah provides administrative support to the Account Management and Business Development teams in the US office.
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It’s been quite a year to be British! Much like the tapestry that was created at the Olympics to showcase the elements that comprise the essence of “British”- ness , of what makes Great Britain Great; these very same elements have made BritWeek take California by storm… and now Florida! By Justine Assal
Welcome back to
America! 8 | Britweek visit miami
interview
The legendary Lulu comes back to woo U.S. audiences 45 years after “To Sir with Love!”
B
ritWeek is visiting Miami and when I first heard that Lulu would be performing, I couldn’t help but think of what an amazing bird’s eye view she has had as part of British pop culture for almost 50 years. Best known in the U.S. for the timeless “To Sir with Love”, Lulu is also an accomplished singer, song writer, actress, and business woman. She has recorded with the likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Ronan Keating, Bobby Womack, Jimmy Hendrix, the list goes on to include the title song for James Bond’s “Man with a Golden Gun” to co-writing “I Don’t Wanna Fight” for Tina Turner. Her music and life is a thread of this British tapestry and a cool life it is! I had specific questions about BritWeek but when you have a pop icon whose career has spanned so much modern history, there is so much more to talk about and so many things to discuss so that in the end, it is all interesting and thus the topics meandered as a delightful conversation with a bubbly and very down to earth Pop Icon – The Lovely Lulu! You reached popularity with U.S. audiences in 1967 with “To Sir With Love” starring with Sidney Poitier and of course singing the cover song, but then interestingly did not perform much over the years in the U.S., why is that? My manager for 28 years was a well to do lady whose children were in school at the London Lycee. She would not have come to the US and in many ways,
she was responsible for keeping my life on track. I wouldn’t have gone without her. It wasn’t about the money for her, she was my manager because she loved it so we never explored doing anymore in the U.S. What was the fame like in the early years and was there any difference when you connected with American audiences? It was a whirlwind, a crazy time and very hard to take it seriously, I was so young and it didn’t feel real – like a dream -maybe there were missed opportunities in not taking advantage of the American fame but it was overwhelming. America has always felt comfortable to me though as I grew up with American music. My parents never listened to British music since most of it before the Beatles was rubbish! So it was a good job that you were so close to your manager, as you could have lost your balance along the way. It’s interesting that now you are spending more time than ever in the US and even performed for the first time in New York City the other day. That was a bit scary and I don’t know why I never did it before. I loved it though and could kiss the reporter who titled my review “Before Adele there was Lulu”. I wanted to keep it true though and that didn’t mean trying to pretend to be younger by having young singers on stage with me. I’m not that age anymore.
Adele of your time! You are a big part of British pop culture and along with your contemporaries, you created a soundtrack for our lives. It’s not an easy feat to remain relevant, how have you managed this? It’s all about the music, it always has been. Music is my first love and it’s what connects us all. It has the ability to take us make us laugh, cry, take you back in years. It has the ability to make governments communicate and it’s a great healer. Do you visit the U.S. much now? A big part of staying relevant for so long, required me to really take care of myself. I started a skin care line a few years ago “Time Bomb” with John Freida’s (Lulu’s ex husband with whom she has a son) business partner. I am travelling quite a bit to Connecticut to launch the line on QVC and so funnily enough, now I am doing more in America than ever.
I enjoyed my chat with Lulu, she is down to earth, vibrant, and easy to talk and joke with. It’s disarming and easy to forget that she has been famous for almost 50 years. Welcome back to America Lulu, please visit more often this time around!
It seems an apt title as you were the Britweek visit miami | 9
UKTI Business Innovation Recognition Awards Thursday, March 7th | 7 - 11pm | By Invitation Only Four Seasons Miami Beach | 1435 Brickell Ave | Miami, FL 33131
The inaugural BritWeek visits Miami will kick off with a black tie Innovation Awards and Gala Dinner in celebration of the UK and Florida’s influential economic and cultural relationship. Hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the evening recognizes the most innovative British companies doing business in Florida; those US companies who have succeeded in growing their business in the UK; and leading individuals and organizations that have helped further the bilateral economic partnership. The Innovation Awards will be presented before an audience of elite international commercial players, as well as the wider Florida business community. Categories include: design, technology, service provision, sustainability, marketing / communications and consumer brands. Kevin McGurgan OBE, HM Consul General, Miami, will formally announce our charity partner for BritWeek visits Miami, in addition to presenting a “Special Recognition” Award. Danny Lopez, Director-General UKTI USA will co-host the Gala with Actress Gabrielle Anwar. With keynote speaker: five-time Olympic medallist, broadcaster and author, John Naber; and entertainment provided by British artist Lulu.
10 | Britweek visit miami
WINNERS ANNOUNCED! The prestigious Consul General’s Special Recognition Award will be presented to Frank DiBello, President & CEO of Space Florida. DiBello is being recognized for his role in driving prosperity, commercial and research opportunities between the UK and Florida, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UKTI and Space Florida, which has lead to subsequent bilateral trade missions and the creation of high value jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. The Distinguished Award winners are: The Consul General’s Special Recognition Award: Frank DiBello, Space Florida • Design Award: Arup • Technology Award: Cella Energy and MotionPoint • Marketing / Communications Award: Jacksonville Jaguars and Iris Worldwide • Service Provision Award: Brightstar Corporation and ABM Software • Sustainability Award: Jabil Circuit and The Everglades Foundation • Consumer Experience Award: Federici Brands and Merlin Entertainments (Legoland Florida) Winners were chosen by a Judges’ Committee, which included Her Majesty’s British Consul General in Florida and UKTI’s senior trade and investment executives. The Gala is made possible by Award sponsors including Greenberg Traurig, Edwards Financial, Nair & Co, Manchester Business School and the Miami Innovation Center, in addition to BritWeek visits Miami’s flagship sponsors CNBC and Moneycorp.
FourSeasons
Britweek visit miami | 11
UK / Miami / Brazil Business Conference Friday, March 8th | 8:30am - 2pm The Intercontinental Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131
BritWeek visits Miami, in conjunction with UK Trade and Investment and the British American Business Council Miami present a half day business conference:
Passing the Torch: How the Magic City is Lighting the Route for Business Opportunities from London 2012 to Rio 2016 The conference will focus on the strategic relation-
Alongside an expert panel of speakers from FTI Con-
ship between these economic powerhouses, and explore
sulting, Greenberg Traurig, Lloyd’s of London US, Willis
Miami’s strategic location as an international business
Re Inc and AstraZeneca PLC. Sessions will focus on key
center and gateway for UK companies looking to do busi-
themes, including:
ness in Latin and South America; and to Latin American companies eyeing UK expansion and broader European opportunities. This Conference will also shine the spotlight on Brazil, as we celebrate the London 2012 Olympics Legacy and look ahead to Rio 2016. Join guest speakers: •
Barry Johnson, President – Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
•
•
•
Miami as an International Gateway
•
Life After London 2012 Olympics: Looking Ahead to the 2014 FIFA World Cup 2016 Rio Olympics
•
How to capitalize on the vast business opportunities afforded by global sporting events
•
Doing business in Brazil: managing
opera-
tional, legal and insurance risk This conference is a ‘must-attend’ for international
Sir Alan Collins, Former Managing Director –
business professionals from SMEs through to MNEs,
London 2012 Olympics Legacy & Non-executive
across multiple sectors. The conference will conclude with
Chairman, Nair & Co. Ltd
a networking luncheon hosted by Chamber of Com-
Danny Lopez, Director-General, UKTI USA
merce partners and organized by the BABC Miami.
08.30 – 12:30 Networking Breakfast & Conference Sessions 12:30 – 14:00 Luncheon Cost (including valet parking): $150 Conference & Lunch | $50 Luncheon only Pre-registration recommended and available at www.babcmiami.com
12 | Britweek visit miami
Please join us for a high tea soiree at Coral Gables As we salute all things Brit! Enjoy a sip of tea or toast with a glass of champagne as Neiman Marcus showcases the best of this season’s British Fashion NEIMAN MARCUS Village of Merrick Park | 390 San Lorenzo Avenue | Coral Gables 8am- 2:30pm
Britweek visit miami | 13
Sundowners at the Urban Beach House Monday, March 11th | From 6 pm until... 1111 Southwest 1st Avenue | Miami FL 33130 | 305.677.8466
1111 Southwest 1st Avenue | Miami FL 33130 | 305.677.8466 Join members of the British business community for an informal evening of networking and an Join members of the British business community for an informal evening of networking and an opportunity to be "shaken and stirred" by our opportunity to be “shaken and stirred” by our special guest mixologist, Kevin McGurgan OBE, HM special guest mixologist, Kevin McGurgan OBE, Consul HMGeneral, ConsulMiami. General, Miami. INCLUDES ONE WELCOME "CONSUL GENERAL'S" COCKTAIL AND FREE APPETIZERS
14 | Britweek visit miami
Cruise Shipping Miami 2013 By invitation only, or upon request. Trade contacts and interested parties please contact danielle.castellon@fco.gov.uk CruiseBritain and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) are joining forces to host a classic British Street Party in celebration of the UK
is an opportunity to network with buyers,
delegation to the cruise industry’s premier
itinerary planners, industry suppliers and
global conference. Held in the Miami Beach
Port Directors, while enjoying street per-
Convention Center, this early evening event
fomers, musicians and British food and beers.
About CruiseBritain
combine to provide a seamless visitor experience.
CruiseBritain is a joint initiative between
CruiseBritain works to create an effec-
industry, the Passenger Shipping Association
tive, consistent and visible cruise destination
and VisitBritain. It is focused on promoting
brand for Britain whilst respecting regional
cruise holidays as an integral part of the Brit-
identities. It’s these regional identities that
ish leisure travel market. Its membership-
help make Britain the world class cruise
based organisation includes the network of
destination that it is. Through its members,
British ports plus the service providers that
CruiseBritain brings together the cities and countryside, culture and heritage, scenery and activities that make a truly memorable cruise itinerary.
Britweek visit miami | 15
The Entrepreneur Organisation’s Miami University WD555 | 555 Jefferson Avenue | Miami Beach, FL 33139 Wednesday, March 13th | Noon - 2 pm Note: Double Decker Bus Tour included to the venue for EO delegates staying at the Fontainebleau Hotel. Double Decker Bus Tour leaves at 11 am, and the luncheon starts at noon.
Join UK and Florida technology executives for this networking luncheon and informative panel discussion:
The Changing Face of Global Entrepreneurship: Lessons learned from Tech City, London & Global Entrepreneurs Hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), this event will take place prior to the official launch of the 2013 Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Miami University, 13 – 17 March.
Hear from tech industry leaders as they discuss the
era of global entrepreneurship with those that are
success-factors behind Europe’s fastest growing
erasing physical borders and taking new projects
digital and creative cluster. Learn why venture-
worldwide from the start. The session will also
backed, high-potential companies like Airbnb,
address the measures UK Government has taken
Yammer and Songkick, through to leading inter-
to drive its innovation ecosystem and explore
national technology firms including Cisco, Google
what more can be done to foster relationships and
and Intel, have chosen to set up operations in Lon-
collaborations between the UK and South Florida’s
don’s Tech City, and the opportunities that exist for
technology communities. Finally, discussions sur-
Florida’s entrepreneurs, companies and investors.
rounding lessons learned from participants in all
Discuss the challenges and rewards of the new
forms of the above activities.
Who should attend? Tech & digital companies: start-ups to MNEs
University Tech Transfer Representatives
Entrepreneurs
Professional services firms
Investors
For more details please contact:
Economic Development Professionals
christian.seme@fco.gov.uk
Tech Associations and Accelerators
16 | Britweek visit miami
BritWeek Visits Miami Red Carpet Closing Party
A Celebration of the UK Creative Industries Soho Beach House: 4385 Collins Avenue | Miami Beach, FL 33140 Thursday, March 14th | 8pm - Midnight | By Invitation Only
BritWeek visits Miami’s finale event will take
Attendees will include up to 400 VIP taste-
place poolside at Soho Beach House on South
makers including film and television personali-
Beach. This invitation-only, British themed party
ties, political and diplomatic leaders, media,
is a celebration of the UK Creative Industries –
buyers, CEOs of some of the top British busi-
leading brands and companies representing
nesses and brands in Florida, and those Floridian
the worlds of music, fashion, design, new and
companies helping shape the creative industries
digital media, gaming, film / TV production, art
landscape in the UK.
and more. BritWeek visits Miami will transform Soho Beach House’s palm covered Tiki Bar into a traditional British pub, welcome a Beatles tribute band and offer British-themed food & cocktails.
Britweek visit miami | 17
Miami MARCH 7 - 14, 2013
www.BRITWEEK.org
Bid on incredible experiences with Lennox Lewis and celebrity friends online at www.HauteLiving.com Proceeds support the Lennox Lewis Family Foundation.
CELEBRATING INNOVATION AND BUSINESS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND FLORIDA
ABOUT
LOS ANGELES BritWeek is a non-profit organization, started in Los Angeles in 2007 by Nigel Lythgoe and the then Consul General Bob Peirce, to highlight the creative fusion between the United Kingdom and California. BritWeek’s mission is to create greater awareness of the many ways in which Britain and California work closely together, and further build this relationship to advance business, the arts, and philanthropy in both of these thriving regions of the world. Every spring BritWeek hosts a program of events that promotes British creativity, innovation and excellence across multiple categories including, film & television, music, art, fashion, design, retail, sport, philanthropy, business, and more. The events now take place throughout Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, and now Miami. They attract support from thousands of people, including international celebrities as well as business and political leaders. BritWeek’s philanthropic contributions have included fundraising for numerous charities, including Malaria No More, Save the Children, LA’s BEST and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and programs promoting children’s sports, children’s literacy and international professional internships.
Britweek visit miami | 19
of
Business opportunities abound in the USA’s southern states, as Lorraine Shah reports
Southern comforts
Business opportunities abound in the USA’s southern states, as Lorraine Shah reports
I
n terms of trade and investment, no other country is as valuable to the UK as the US. The largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, the US is the UK’s largest single export market, as well as its leading source of foreign direct investment. It is a pivotal bilateral relationship and one that will continue to be key to the UK’s economic fortunes. The world’s third-biggest country both in terms of population and size, and with vast cultural differences across its 50 states, the US should ideally be treated as a series of regional markets with varying characteristics. Increasingly, UK companies are being drawn to the southern part of the country, where there are lucrative opportunities in a wide range of sectors and where there is high demand for British goods and services.
Texan trade Texas is a particularly attractive option for UK exporters. Home to three of America’s 10 most populous cities (Houston, Dallas and San Antonio), one of the country’s fastest-growing populations and two of its 10 busiest airports, the Lone Star State is the second-largest economy in the US and the 15th largest in the world by GDP at £706.8bn (equivalent to Russia). The UK has long enjoyed a very special relationship with Texas, with well-established business ties. Today, Britain is the largest foreign investor and employer in the state, with more than $20bn of investment supporting more than 68,000 jobs. In turn, Texan companies, including Apache, Conoco, Chevron and Marathon, have looked to the UK to expand their operations. Britweek visit miami | 21
Gray Hancock, head of trade and investment at UKTI Houston, says: “Texas dwarfs the other states in our region when it comes to trade with the UK. It is the numberone purchaser of UK products in the US, with total trade between Texas and the UK greater than between the UK and Russia. “One of the top prospects is the energy sector. Houston is known as the energy capital of the world, and there is no shortage of potential customers for innovative UK firms operating in this market space. Other major sectors of opportunity include life sciences and healthcare, with Houston home to the world’s largest medical centre.” UK Trade & Investment is very active in Texas, having primary responsibility for delivering two major annual trade events, South by Southwest (SXSW), a series of film, interactive and music festivals and conferences in Austin, and the Offshore Technology Conference, the world’s largest annual global oil and gas event, held in Houston each May. In 2011/2012, UK Trade & Investment Houston provided services to more than 600 UK companies – more than any other post in the US. Regional gateway Another southern US state with which the UK enjoys a dynamic commercial relationship is Florida, with bilateral trade worth £2.6bn per annum. Boasting the 20th-largest economy in the world, Florida is currently home to 340 British-affiliated companies, helping to make the UK the largest foreign employer of Floridians. Thanks to its strategic geographic location, Florida offers UK companies an ideal gateway to Latin America. This is particularly true of Miami, which is second only to New York as a US centre for international banking and is therefore home to the regional banking operations of such British companies as HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Standard Chartered and Barclays. Widely regarded as the ‘innovation hub of the Americas’, high tech-focused Florida offers excellent business opportunities across a wide range of sectors. Key among these is aerospace, one of the leading sources of bilateral trade and investment between Florida and the UK and an area that remains a priority for the 22 | Britweek visit miami
Fast factS: Texas is home to the third-highest number of Fortune 500 company HQs in the US In 2011, total trade between the UK and Texas was £5.53bn More than 975 Houston companies report business or trade ties to the UK There are more direct flights from Florida airports toLatin American and Caribbean destinations than fromall other US cities combined More than 300 financial institutions, including over 70 international banks, operate in Florida Florida has the fourth-highest number of high-tech jobs among US states Every business in Florida is within 90 miles of one of 14 deepwater ports Georgia ranks as the USA’s number-one healthcare IT state by revenues, with more than $4bn generated byGeorgian companies in 2011
engineering firm PBS&J; and Manchester University Business School, which has a campus in Miami.
state despite the end of NASA’s shuttle programme. In 2010, UK Trade & Investment signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Space Florida to promote commercial space opportunities between Florida and the UK. Other important sectors include clean technology, life sciences, IT, defence and security, and financial/professional services. Rebecca Mowat, consul and head trade and investment at UKTI Miami & Atlanta, says: “Convincing UK companies there’s more to Florida than sunshine and mouse ears can be challenging, but when they realise it’s an economic powerhouse equivalent to the Netherlands it certainly piques their interest. Miami is unrivalled in offering UK companies a marketing test bed for products and services targeting the highly influential and growing Hispanic consumer market, and a safe and familiar launchpad from which to enter the Latin and South American markets.” Recent activity by UK firms in Florida includes Merlin Entertainment Group, which made a multi-million dollar investment in LEGOLAND Florida, which opened last October; W S Atkins, which completed its acquisition of Tampa-based
Free trade There has also been significant activity in neighbouring Georgia, a state where UK Trade & Investment recently reestablished a presence and where some 565 British facilities currently operate. Leading UK companies based in Georgia include Intercontinental Hotels Group, Sage, AMEC, RBS, Reed Elsevier, Balfour Beatty, Grant Thornton, MEGGITT and JCB. “Georgia and the wider Southeast region is considered the ‘emerging economy’ within the US, but is often overlooked by UK firms,” states Mowat. “Metropolitan Atlanta is not only the number one in the US for healthcare IT, but is also considered a leading centre for financial services, security, mobile and digital technologies, bioscience, and supply chain and advanced manufacturing. “UK firms that come to Georgia do well. Such businesses have included infrared thermal imaging solutions provider Irisys, which has expanded its North American headquarters in Atlanta; financial systems specialist Sword Apak, which has opened a new office in Alpharetta; and engineering company Firth Rixson, which has built a new manufacturing plant in Liberty County.” GREAT events A raft of major initiatives are helping
to establish the UK as the international partner of choice in Texas and Florida. In November 2012, UK Trade & Investment Houston delivered a series of events around the inaugural US Formula One Grand Prix in Austin, aiming to showcase the wide-ranging technological and creative expertise of the UK in motorsport and beyond. They included an F1 Tech Rally and a Best of British reception, hosted by the British Ambassador and attended by some 300 local luminaries. “This was a great weekend for Britain in Texas,” says Hancock, “with the British brand promoted heavily through an excellent combination of business and political events. Formula One proved to be an ideal stage to position the UK’s prosperity message and deliver access at the highest levels in Texas. Feedback from participants was excellent and strong outcomes were achieved, with several exciting leads established.” This month will see ‘BritWeek visits Miami’ in Florida – a series of high-profile events celebrating the UK/Florida trading relationship and British innovation in areas from technology through to the creative arts. “ ‘BritWeek visits Miami’s’ mission is to create greater awareness of the many ways in which the UK and Florida work closely together,” says Mowat. “It aims to further build this relationship to advance business and cultural links between these two gateway economies that play such a pivotal role in furthering international trade.” n Britweek visit miami | 23
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Doing business in
Brazil?
Brazil is the world’s seventh largest economy and by far the largest in South America. Brazil is one of the four countries which, together with Russia, India and China, make up the so-called BRIC economies. The term was first used in 2001 by the investment bank Goldman Sachs which highlighted the huge potential of Brazil and recognised that, together with the other BRIC countries, it has the potential to be one of the most dominant economies in the world by 2050. Researching the market The UK enjoys a strong and historic trading relationship with Brazil, stretching back over 200 years. Today, Brazil remains the UK’s most important trading partner in Latin America,with bilateral trade almost reaching£5 billion in 2010. The UK is also one of the largest investors in Brazil. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that many UK 24 | Britweek visit miami
companies are not aware of the size and level of opportunity that exists in Brazil. Until comparatively recently, Brazil’s broad industrial base supplied the domestic market. Although some of the larger multinationals such as GM, VW, Ericsson, Siemens and Fiat have been there for much longer, it was only at the beginning of the 1990s that Brazil’s economy began to liberalise and open up to significant foreign industrial trade and investment. Brazil has been an agricultural exporter for much longer, but it is only recently that it has begun exporting large amounts of industrial and manufactured goods. Today, Brazil is asserting its presence on the world stage as an emerging power and is enjoying its first sustained period of export-led growth in 20 years. Consumers
and businesses have developed higher standards, both for quality and value for money and Brazil has a large, and prosperous middle class with an appetite for quality goods and services every bit as demanding as the consumer in London, Paris or New York. Against this background, Brazil has immense potential as a trade and investment partner, with huge opportunities for UK companies across a range of sectors.
What is the right approach to Brazil? •
Leave your preconceptions at home.
•
It is all too easy to be dazzled or overawed by Brazil, but keep hold of your business sense as tightly as you would anywhere.
•
Do your homework on the market and on potential partners.
•
Patience is a virtue. Some things may take longer to set up than you expect (especially if they involve bureaucracy), so allow for this in your preparations.
•
Take a long-term approach, but do not always stick too rigidly to your plans. Things often change rapidly and unexpectedly in Brazil. Brazilians are flexible, and famous for finding a way around problems.
•
Obtaining good-quality independent legal and professional advice is essential.
•
If your product is in danger of being copied or counterfeited, seek specialist legal advice on how best to protect your intellectual property rights.
•
Do not forget to carry out due diligence.
•
Consult UK Trade & Investment teams in Brazil and the UK whocan provide help in researching the Brazilian market
How UK Trade & Investment can help Assistance with marketing and public relations: Preparation of a previsit press release and distribution to the general and specialist press, local websites and local contacts. Assistance in arranging interviews and press conferences. Suggestion of appropriate marketing outlets. Assistance with preparation of promotional leaflets, where appropriate. Follow-up monitoring of opportunities/leads: Alerting clients to relevant local opportunities, projects or tenders of which
staff become aware, for a period following a visit. The cost of UK Trade & Investment services depends on the time invested in research or spent undertaking these activities. Details of the rates are available from www.ukti.gov.uk. In addition to this support, which is offered as our Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS). Excerpts from UKTI’s Brazil Business Guide – Credit - Paul Lutchmanen, paul.lutchmanen@ukti.gsi.gov.uk
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BUSINESS IS
With low tax, less regulation and a talented workforce, the UK is one of the easiest places to start a business and access the European Union’s 500 million customers. No wonder more companies set up European Headquarters here than anywhere else. Find out more with UK Trade & Investment.
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ukti.gov.uk/greatbritain