Member Article

Paul Willan appointed to Italian Chamber of Commerce

Paul Nazzari di Calabiana Willan, the founding partner of Athena Law, has been appointed as head of the advisory board of the Manchester Italian Chamber of Commerce.

The recently opened Manchester office is the fourth branch of the Chamber – alongside London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Created to strengthen bilateral relationships between Italy and Britain, Mr Willan will lead the Manchester advisory board as it helps to facilitate business opportunities across the North of England.

The Manchester Italian Chamber of Commerce will operate from the Athena Law offices.

In addition to his appointment as head of the advisory board, Mr Willan will also be invited to represent the North of England on the Chamber’s Honorary Council.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Willan said: “Manchester has established itself as an increasingly popular destination for internationally-minded students and professionals, with Italians representing the fastest-growing community of EU nationals in the UK. With more than 50,000 Italians living and working in the Greater Manchester area, the branch will provide a bricks and mortar presence to support members and facilitate the wider aims of the Chamber.”

He continued: “Helping to grow and protect businesses across the North West at Athena Law we strive to provide high-quality, client-focused legal advice and support to business clients across Manchester and beyond. This commitment to the local business community is in accord with the aims of the Chamber and I’m delighted and proud to accept the role of head of the advisory board.”

The launch of the new administrative centre took place at the Athena Law offices in the heart of Manchester city centre on 11 May 2015. In attendance were a number of key representatives from the UK’s Italian community, including Pasquale Terracciano, Italian Ambassador to the UK, Massimiliano Mazzanti, Consul General in London, and Leonardo Simonelli Santi, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce for the UK.

Commenting on the launch of the Manchester branch, a spokesperson for the Chamber said: “With 350,000 firms, the North West accounts for more than 25% of British GDP and is an internationally competitive powerhouse in many sectors: biomedical technologies, IT, trade and education. The University of Manchester, the largest single-site university in the UK, is at the heart of this vibrant business environment, thanks to its world-class reputation for science and technology.”

Applications to the Manchester branch of the Italian Chamber of Commerce can be made via the Athena Law offices.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Athena Law .