Member Article

Siemens head lends support to IFB 2014

The industry head of leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens, Juergen Maier has given his support to the International Festival for Business (IFB) – Britain’s biggest business event to take place next year.

Running from June - July 2014 and comprising of more than 100 world-class events, the Festival is expected to bring more than £100m of new foreign direct investment to Britain.

Juergen Maier is Managing Director of Siemens UK and Ireland Industry Sector. Siemens UK is a leading global supplier of industrial plant and software, manufacturing automation and drive technologies to industrial customers across the UK. Siemens employs around 13500 people in the UK, 5000 of which work in manufacturing. A leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry, infrastructure & cities and healthcare

Siemens in Manchester employs over 600 people, with a focus on UK industry, engineering and renewable energy technologies.

As one of Britain’s most prominent industrialists Maier’s presence as an IFB Ambassador will be significant in raising the profile ofBritish industry at home and abroad, with the Festival forming a key part of the UK government’s ambition to rebalance the economy and double British exports by 2020.

Mr Maier also chairs the North West Business Leadership Team, alongside taking a leading role on Manchester’s Local Economic Partnership promoting manufacturing and industry across the region.

Juergen Maier said: “It’s a pleasure to be an ambassador for the International Festival for Business. For Siemens this festival represents an opportunity to promote manufacturing, engineering and our exporting potential. This is critical if the UK is to be at the forefront of the innovation and technology race as the recovery gathers momentum throughout 2014.”

Maier joins a host of business champions and renowned entrepreneurs who have pledged their support for the Festival and backed Britain’s ambitions for growth, including Sir Terry Leahy, Former CEO, Tesco; Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive, EEF; John Cridland CBEDirector General, Confederation of British Industry; Sara Murray OBE, Serial entrepreneur and Founder of Confused.com and Buddi; Ed Wray, Co-founder of Betfair, the world’s largest internet betting exchange; and John Allan, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Max Steinberg CBE, Chair of IFB, said: “Juergen Maier strengthens what is already a very high profile list of IFB ambassadors and his willingness to help promote the Festival is extremely welcome.

“He is a prominent business figure both nationally and in the North West region and his participation will help encourage and inspire businesses from all industries in pursuing their international trade ambitions.”

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.

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