The British Business Group is an active, intuitive and content rich voice of the British business community in the region. We work closely with our strategic industry partners, sponsors and members to remain relevant and agile in a fast changing market. We welcome Dubai-based British businesses, UK PLCs, financial institutions, other professional standards groups and British expats working in international companies. We support our members and their guests with a busy business focused and social events calendar, an extensive social media reach and we seek to understand our members' priorities so that we can identify business opportunities and collaborations on their behalf, creating a true ecosystem for new and established businesses in the region.

As the new Chair of the British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates, I wanted to pledge to you - the members, our sponsors and stakeholders - my commitment to build on the current  success made possible under the great leadership of John Martin St. Valery OBE, the Board and Business Team. I would also encourage you to reach out and congratulate the newly appointed Board Directors: Helen Barrett – Deputy Chair; John Martin St. Valery OBE – Director of Government Relations; Paul Gyles – Director of Finance; David Singleton – Director of Brand; Jonathon Davidson – Director of Legal and Compliance; and Robert Kew – Director of Technology.

I presented the following intentions for the next two years at the end of the AGM and here they are again for those that weren't in the room:

• Digitalisation of the BBG proposition
• Member to member introductions
• Continuation of thought leadership
• Benchmarking best in class in international trade
• GCC collaboration and knowledge share
• Invest to strengthen and increase the Business Team
• Full alignment with UAE Government’s strategic vision
• Support COP 28 and fringe initiatives
• Continue to attract diversity
• Promote UK expertise in research and development
• Maintain the status of a key stakeholder for the UK-UAE Trade Corridor

This is my commitment to you but it will only be possible with your continued support, harnessing the expertise in the membership and wider stakeholder network and embracing a pace of growth that's aligned to the region's own aspirations and strategy with great consideration of policy, law and global market changes. 

We will continue to be the voice of the British business community and work closely with our partners to ensure our members feel informed, included and appreciated.

I look forward to meeting and exceeding your business development and local market needs as Chair of the BBG!


Andrew Mortimer
Chair & CEO
British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates