Orient Magazine Issue 72 - June 2019 | Page 36

Orient - The Official Magazine of the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore - Issue 72 June 2019

I’ve been pleased to see that the trade services work the Chamber does on behalf of DIT is generating valuable income for BritCham. Our partnership on event management at Eden Hall has worked really well. I very much hope this will continue when the Residence re-opens after extensive refurbishment. It’s an extraordinary asset for the UK and a great platform for Chamber members.

Reflection

It has been a great honour for Anne and me to welcome TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, The Princess Royal, Prince Harry and The Duke of York to Singapore. Despite the domestic political challenges, our ministers have continued to visit regularly: Foreign Secretaries twice, the Home Secretary, Defence Secretaries three times, the International Trade Secretary twice, the Scotland Secretary, countless junior ministers, as well as the Prime Minister with four ministers and a 90+ strong business delegation. Although none of them beat hosting Ann Budge, Chair of Heart of Midlothian FC.

They keep coming here because of our deep ties with Singapore, because it is the best place to engage with the most dynamic part of the global economy, because it offers a compelling vision of 21st century urban life and because there is so much for us to learn from and share with Singapore’s impressive political, business and academic leaders and its people.

There’s always more to be done. Kara Owen will be a great new champion for UK interests. I know she will want to have the closest possible relationship with BritCham.

For myself, I look forward to keeping in touch from my new position as Director of External Affairs for the Scottish Government. I’ll be delighted to explore how Scotland can expand links with Singapore. So if you find yourself in Edinburgh, contact me at [email protected].

Good luck to all BritCham members and thank you.

About the Author
Scott arrived at the British High Commission, Singapore in May 2015 as British High Commissioner. The High Commissioner is the UK government’s representative in a Commonwealth nation. They are responsible for the direction and work of the High Commission and its Deputy High Commissions and/or Consulates, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services. He began his career in the Diplomatic Service in 1983 and has worked in the British Embassies in Beijing, Paris, Rome and, most recently, in the Republic of Korea, where he was the UK ambassador. Scott’s ties with Asia continued during his tenure as Director for the Asia Pacific region in the FCO from 2008 to 2010.Scott is from Edinburgh in Scotland and has a degree in French from the University of Edinburgh.