Key Qatar connections join Chamber conference line-up
Two high-profile figures with connections to Qatar have joined the line-up for the Chamber 's forthcoming Global Trade Conference.
The British Ambassador to Qatar, Jon Wilks, is taking part in a Q&A on innovation during the virtual conference on 23 June.
And he will be joined by Gary Kershaw (pictured), Qatar Airways ' Country Manager for UK and Ireland, who is participating on a session about international travel and its recovery from the pandemic.
Mr Wilks took up his posting to Doha in March 2020.
He was previously Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq (2017-2019), Oman (2014-2017) and Yemen (2010-2011).
Mr Wilks was also the UK Syria Envoy (2012-2014) and Regional Arabic Spokesman (2007-2009), when he was a regular guest in Doha of Al Jazeera.
He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1989 as an Assistant Desk Officer Iran in the Middle East Department.
Mr Wilks has extensive experience working in the Middle East with previous postings in Yemen (2010 to 2011), Saudi Arabia, (1996 to 1999), Sudan (1993 to 1996), and more.
He had also served as the Deputy Head of Mission, Baghdad from 2009 to 2010.
Mr Kershaw took up his position with Qatar Airways at the start of 2019.
He joined from South African Airways where he served as the general manager for UK and Ireland prior to which he was head of sales at Air New Zealand for UK and Ireland.
Having spent more than 30 years in the airline industry, he is well known in the UK and globally.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named 'World 's Best Airline ' by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
It was also named 'Best Airline in the Middle East ', 'World 's Best Business Class ' and 'Best Business Class Seat ', in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite.
Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted 'Skytrax Airline of the Year ' title - recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry - five times.
This year 's conference is sponsored by Birmingham City University, Dyke Yaxley and LemonZest.
The focus of this year 's event will be an analysis of the global economy following the events of the last year, with discussions around international connections, valuable trade insights, success stories from companies who have benefitted from an international footprint and how to grow sales and client bases.
Among the speakers attending the conference are high-profile duo and leading economists, Simon Hart and Joe Brusuelas from RSM, a global leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services to middle market leaders.
Last year 's digital event gave the Chamber the opportunity to involve a global audience, attracting almost 600 delegates who were spread across 24 countries.
The conference also managed to reach 2.8 million people via Twitter.
For more information and to book a place click here.