Mayor to set up Ambassadors Network to champion London across the globe
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, 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.
Sadiq Khan 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.