HONG KONG, 28–30 April 2026 — Mark Clayton, Chair of The British Chamber of Commerce South China (BritCham South China), joined senior UK government leaders, fellow BritCham Chairs from across Greater China, and the wider British business community in Hong Kong last week for a packed programme of engagement, including a historic All-Chairs dinner hosted by HM Ambassador to China and the biennial Department for Business and Trade (DBT) China and Hong Kong Conference 2026.
A Historic Gathering
The week’s standout moment came on the evening of Monday 28 April, when HM Ambassador to China, Peter Wilson CMG, brought together the Chairs of every BritCham Chapter across Greater China at the British Consulate-General Hong Kong — the first such gathering in nearly two decades.
Hosted by Akoto Agyeman, Director of Trade & Investment at the British Consulate-General Hong Kong, the dinner was attended by HM Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong Lewis Neal; Kate Harrisson, Director for Asia Pacific at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; and the Chairs and Executive Director representing BritCham China, BritCham Shanghai, BritCham South-West China, BritCham Hong Kong, BritCham Macau, and BritCham South China.
The conversation focused on regional priorities, member needs, and how the British business community across Greater China can work together more closely in support of UK plc and our members.
DBT China and Hong Kong Conference 2026
The following day saw the biennial DBT China and Hong Kong Conference, hosted by Lewis Neal under the theme “Looking Forward as One.” Sessions covered scaling UK exports across China and Hong Kong, the case for Hong Kong as a regional hub, the Go Global programme led by HM Deputy Trade Commissioner Matt Crossman, and securing inward investment from China and Hong Kong to the UK.
BritCham South China’s leadership of the Go Global programme in Guangzhou and Shenzhen featured prominently in the week’s discussions — with the Chamber’s upcoming Go Global Zhuhai event taking place on Friday 15 May 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Zhuhai, the third in the regional series.
Breakfast with the DBT Director General
Mark also joined a working breakfast with Isobel Stephen, Director General at the Department for Business and Trade, providing an opportunity for direct dialogue on the priorities of British businesses operating in South China.
A Working Dinner in Zhuhai
The week concluded with a working dinner in Zhuhai, where Mark joined Kate Harrisson, Director for Asia Pacific at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Trevor Lewis, Head of Trade and Investment, South China and Deputy Director for Innovation and Industry; Joshua Howey, Deputy Head of Trade and Investment, South China; and Amber Howey, Trade and Investment Consul, Central China.
The smaller, more intimate setting allowed for a candid and detailed conversation about the South China region, the dynamics on the ground, the opportunities and challenges facing the Chamber’s members, and the strategic importance of the Pearl River Delta to UK–China trade.
A Word from the Chair
“This was an exceptional week for British business in China,” said Mark Clayton, Chair of BritCham South China. “Bringing every BritCham Chair across Greater China together at the same table for the first time in nearly twenty years says something meaningful about how UK government and the British business community intend to work together going forward. Cooperation rather than competition. Shared advocacy where it matters. A more coordinated voice for British business across the region. Our members in South China should know their Chamber is fully engaged in that conversation, at the most senior levels.”
What’s Next
BritCham South China has committed to sharing its forthcoming Supply Chain Resilience Week report with fellow Chairs and HMG counterparts, and looks forward to the publication of the Go Global report in due course.
The Chamber’s next major event, Go Global Zhuhai, takes place on Friday 15 May 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Zhuhai. Registration and further information are available via the Chamber team and on our official account.
About BritCham South China
The British Chamber of Commerce South China is the leading business organisation representing British and British-affiliated companies across the South China region. The Chamber celebrates its 30th Anniversary in 2026.
For media enquiries, please contact the communications@britchamsouthchina.org.