Member Article

Telecoms giant first official partner for IFB 2014

The International Festival for Business (IFB), a global showcase for great British industry, has confirmed BT, one of the world’s leading providers of communications services, as its first official partner.

Taking place next June and July, IFB will be the biggest business event of 2014 and comprise over 100 world-class events in Liverpool. It will form a central part of UK government’s goal of rebalancing the economy and doubling British exports by 2020.

Set to attract more than 250,000 visitors from across the world, the festival will run for 50 days of events and exhibitions, to realise the potential of global economic growth.

The BT Global City Leaders’ Summit will be one of the highlights of next year’s festival, attracting around 150 mayors and city leaders from around the world. Over two days, they will discuss how sustainable economic growth can be generated by effective relationships between the public and private sectors and the role of communications technology as a catalyst for success.

BT’s technology helps businesses around the world every day. It provides communications services to around one million small- and medium-sized enterprises in the UK and to over 7,000 corporate and public sector organisations in over 170 countries across the world. BT is investing in the UK’s future through its £2.5 billion+ fibre broadband roll-out; its significant investment in research and development (£544 million in 2012/13) and its hiring of around 600 apprentices in the current financial year.

BT will provide valuable support and investment to the International Festival for Business, as well as industry experts and technology. BT will also create the opportunity for a number of its small business customers to attend the festival.

The IFB will focus on key areas of commerce that are transforming the business landscape of Britain and beyond, including manufacturing, science & technology; maritime, logistics & energy; knowledge, professional & financial services; higher & further education & research; low carbon & renewables; cities, enterprise & urban business; knowledge, creative & digital and, of course, the multi-million pound business of sport.

Sir Michael Rake, Chairman, BT Group plc, said: “BT is part of the fabric of the nation. We want to celebrate the positive impact of business in society. Business creates growth, provides jobs, drives innovation and stimulates investment. We are proud to be supporting the International Festival for Business, which is a great platform to showcase the best of British to the world.”

Minister for Cities Greg Clark MP said: “Next year’s International Festival for Business is a fantastic opportunity for companies to make new global connections and to meet new partners. The BT Global Leaders’ Summit will be a highlight of the festival, providing a unique platform for global debate around key business and economic issues.”

Max Steinberg CBE, Chairman of IFB2014, said: “BT is one of Britain’s best-known businesses and is an ideal partner for IFB. As a supporter of Great British events, including the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and next year’s International Festival for Business, BT has helped consolidate Britain’s position on the global stage and is playing an important role in driving the economic growth of our country.”

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “Liverpool looks forward to next year’s International Festival for Business and to welcoming the world’s business community to the city region. We are delighted that such an iconic British brand as BT has come on board as official partner of the festival, which is set to be Britain’s greatest showcase in a generation.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .