The Spanish Chamber of Commerce was honoured to have Mr. John Cridland, Director-General of the Confederation of Brithish Indrustry, as the Guest of Honour for an exclusive Patrons’ Club event at the Meliá White House, member of the Chamber. Our Patrons were invited to enjoy an afternoon tea while listening to Mr. Cridland’s interesting speech about the relationship between British and Spanish markets.
There was a great expectation among the attendees on what John Cridland had to say about the current economic climate and its impact on UK-based business and European markets. The President of the Spanish Chamber, Mr. Fernando Pérez, introduced Mr. Cridland, who began his speech mentioning an Spanish figure that he claimed to admire greatly: Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known as «El Cid Campeador», a Middle Age nobleman and military leader very popular in Spain. As an anecdote, he told the attendees he has been to Spain several times with his family just to follow the steps out where «El Cid» walked by.
Apart from outlining a brief path on business relations between GB and Spain, John Cridland also went deeply into the Eurozone crisis, how it is affecting the British market and the perception within British industries of what is being done wrong but also some tips on how to move forward. In regard to this particular issue, he sounded quite optimistic but still realistic enough to show British companies concern and fears about the Eurozone, and mainly about Spain.
Likewise, John Cridland pointed out the interest of SME’s in the British market and the CBI commitment with these companies when trying to convince government to create a mid-size bond market in the UK.
Last but not least, there was time for Q&A that turned out into a very interesting discussion between our Patrons, who participated actively asking questions on many different topics, and Mr. Cridland. After this, the attendees found time to network and enjoy the delicious scones, tea and savory sandwiches courtesy of the Meliá White House Hotel, our kind sponsors for this Patrons’ Club event.