The Mayor of London, , has today announced that
prominent Indian businessman, Deepak Parekh, is to be the first
of a network of international ambassadors who will be tasked with
championing London across the globe.
Sadiq’s International Ambassadors Network will include high-level
business and cultural figures based in London or overseas. Their
role will be to bang the drum for London, promote investment
opportunities into London and amplify key Mayoral messages to
international audiences.
Working closely with the GLA and London and Partners, ambassadors
will share information and provide advice and market
intelligence, and may undertake speaking or media engagements to
promote London overseas, and will receive regular briefing and
information to support this work.
The ambassadors will form a network rather than a working
group, without formal meetings, however all members will be
invited to attend an annual gathering in London to catch up with
the Mayor.
Deepak Parekh is the Chairman of India’s premier housing
finance company HDFC Ltd, a financial conglomerate. He also sits
on the boards of a number of companies across diverse
sectors.
Mr Parekh is also a member of the City of London’s Advisory
Council for India which guides the City's engagement with India.
In 2010, he became the first international recipient of the
Outstanding Achievement Award by the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales.
The Mayor announced Deepak Parekh as his first International
Ambassador at a breakfast in Mumbai with senior business leaders.
Sadiq is visiting India to promote London as a business and
tourism destination and to strengthen the bonds between India and
the capital.
said: “I am delighted that
Deepak Parekh has agreed to become the first member of my
International Ambassadors Network. As a highly respected Indian
business figure, his experience and profile will be invaluable as
we build on the excellent relations that we already have with
India.
“Now, more than ever, I am working to ensure the world knows that
London is an outward-looking city that embraces talent and
entrepreneurship and welcomes people from all corners of the
world. I know that Deepak shares that view of London and will do
all he can to promote London as a truly global city.”
Deepak Parekh said: "India and the UK have intertwined histories
and London has been at the pivot of the social, demographic and
economic upsurge between the two democracies. I am indeed
honoured to be the first International Ambassador with an aim to
promote fair and progressive relations between India and London
as the city navigates the next many decades".
It is expected that further members of the Mayor’s International
Ambassadors Network will be announced in the coming
months.
