The Department for Business & Trade (DBT) will be hosting a webinar to discuss the international support available to UK education companies looking to sell to China and Hong Kong.

Join us for an informative event focusing on the UK education and EdTech sector's expansion into overseas markets, with a special emphasis on China and Hong Kong. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the China Education Technology Market through an update on its landscape, including trends, opportunities, and challenges. This session will provide invaluable knowledge for anyone interested in expanding their educational offerings to China. Additionally, don't miss the chance to learn more about the Hong Kong Learning & Teaching Expo, with Stuart BAILEY / 李劍彬, Founder & CEO, Bailey Communications HK Limited / Chairman, The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association.

Agenda:

• 5 min Opening Remarks from DBT China leadership - Sohail Shaikh, Deputy HM Trade Commissioner for China
• 15 min intro on China Education Technology Market Landscape Update - Florence Huang, Head of Education Technology and Higher Education, UK Department for Business and Trade China
• 15 min Intro on HK Learning & Teaching Expo -Stuart BAILEY / 李劍彬, Founder & CEO, Bailey Communications HK Limited / Chairman, The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association
• 10 min Update on EdTech Investment to the UK - Bingbing Zhao, Chief Representative Greater China, London and Partners
• 20 min of case study & market demand sharing (10 min each)
  • Demands from School Group/Edtech Company in Mainland China, Tony Chen, Head of STEAM Centre, Guangzhou ISA Liwan School
  • Case study of UK Edtech Company operating in HK & Mainland market, Waris Candra, Head of APAC, Micro:bit Educational Foundation
• 10 min intro on HK education market landscape & 2023 STEM Mission to Mainland China & HK - Sophia Ip, Associate Director, Education and Healthcare, UK Department for Business and Trade Hong Kong & Macao
• 15 min Q&A

Speakers:

Sohail Shaikh, Deputy HM Trade Commissioner for China

Sohail joined the DBT China team as Sector Director and Minister Counsellor in September 2021 before moving into the role of Deputy HM Trade Commissioner for China in July 2023. Sector accountabilities in his role include Education, Creative Industries, the Sports economy, Consumer & Retail, Food & Drink, Agriculture and Agritech and Life Sciences & Healthcare.

Prior to joining DBT Sohail had a highly successful career in the Private Sector where he held Executive and Board roles in the Retail sector and specialised in the development and expansion of British Retail brands across a global footprint. Sohail held the role of CEO of the Global Franchise Business for Hamleys of London, the world’s oldest and most famous Toy business, between 2019 and 2021. Before Hamleys Sohail worked for Mothercare PLC, a leading global Retailer of Mother to be and Baby products, in a variety of roles including as MD of their International Business and was a Board Member of their JV in China. Sohail travelled extensively during his Private Sector career visiting over 50 countries on business trips including being a frequent visitor to China.

Florence Huang, Head of Education Technology and Higher Education, UK Department for Business and Trade China

Florence Huang is the national Head of Education Technology and Higher Education at the Department for Business and Trade, based at the British Consulate Guangzhou. Since 2016, Florence has dedicated to supporting the cooperation between the UK and China in education, both on policy and on commercial angle. With extensive sector knowledge and experience, Florence actively works with the UK education and training sector to prepare an effective, co-ordinated response to meet local market demands, through developing strategic collaboration with local government, business and educational partners.

Florence holds two Master degrees, namely Master in Integrated Marketing Communication from City University of Hong Kong and Master in Business Administration from Sun Yat-sen University. She graduated from China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing with a Bachelor degree in French Language and Studies.

Bingbing Zhao, Chief Representative Greater China London & Partners
Bingbing Zhao was appointed as London & Partners’ Chief Representative for Greater China in July 2011. London & Partners (londonandpartners.com) is London's business growth and destination agency. Bingbing leads the business activities for London & Partners in Greater China promoting London as a hub of diversity and a great place to innovate, invest and scale a business.  Since 2011, Bingbing and her team have successfully helped about 400 Chinese companies set up in London.
Previously a representative of the Mayor of London’s office in Shanghai, Bingbing has engaged with various exchange programmes between China and London, including London’s promotional campaign in 2008 Beijing Olympic and 2010 Shanghai EXPO. She has also previously worked for the British Council in Shanghai, managing more than 40 projects in arts, cultural and creative industry.

Jiehui(Tony) Chen, PhD, Graduate School of Global Information and Telecommunication Studies, Waseda University, Japan, Head of STEAM Centre, Guangzhou ISA Liwan School

Majored in Computer Math and Telecommunication, obtained Bachelor degree, Master degree,PhD degree and postdoctoral fellowship from China, South Korea, Japan and USA respectively.

Speak three foreign languages(English, Japanese and Korean),has more than 10 years working experiences of STEAM education in various curricula like CNC,IB and IG/A-level etc., been invited as many well-known SCI-indexed English journal editorial board members or professional reviewers.

Currently, focus on the theoretical and practical research of STEAM-related subject clusters in CNC (2022 edition), and has unique insights into the application of high technologies such as the Internet, Internet of Things(IoT), and Artificial Intelligence(AI) in the evolution of future learning spaces and the development of science core competencies model.

Waris Candra, Head of APAC, Micro:bit Educational Foundation

Mr Waris Candra is an edtech leader in STEAM education, championing the use of BBC micro:bit and pioneering of numerous coding and STEAM education initiatives in APAC region. He has contributed to the many training and education for teachers with partners in the micro:bit ecosystem.

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to inspire every child to create their best digital future. The micro:bit was originally created as part of the BBC’s Make It Digital initiative, launched in 2014. 29 expert partners came on board, each contributing resources and expertise.

From early 2016, up to 1 million micro:bits were distributed to Year 7 students (or equivalent, aged 11-12), non-formal education settings and libraries across the UK in a project led by BBC Education. The Micro:bit Educational Foundation was founded in October 2016 with the aim of bringing digital inspiration to students worldwide.

Sophia Ip, Associate Director, Education and Healthcare, UK Department for Business and Trade Hong Kong & Macao
Sophia has worked in the UK trade and investment team at the British Consulate General in Hong Kong, for over six years leading on the education, healthcare & life sciences sectors. She plays a key role in supporting UK businesses looking to expand to Hong Kong, Macau and the Greater Bay Area. She helps develop strategies to manage relationships with clients and other stakeholders, being responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating implementation, which can include the delivery of trade missions, events and programmes.

Prior to this Sophia has a wealth of experience working in different education organisations including the British Council, the International Affairs Office of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and education consultant, with the majority of time focused on education marketing and student recruitment.

Mr Stuart BAILEY / 李劍彬, Founder & CEO, Bailey Communications HK Limited / Chairman, The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association

Mr Bailey is the Founder and CEO of Bailey Communications which are the organiser of Asia’s largest education exhibition. Working closely with the Hong Kong Education Bureau the Learning & Teaching Expo provides over fifteen thousand of Hong Kong’s schools and teachers with over 270 hours of free certified professional development every year in an event which also provides subsidised booths to NGO’s and Charities.

With over 26 years of experience in exhibition creation and event organising, Stuart and his team have been working together in Hong Kong since 2002. Stuart is the Chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) and has strong links with government and industry stakeholders alike. Stuart is a member Hong Kong SAR Government’s Tourism Recovery Task Force, The Vocational Training Council Training Board and the Hong Kong Association of Cricket Officials.

To register your interest, or to ask any questions, please email eventsteam@besa.org.uk. 

We look forward to having you join us for an enlightening and enriching experience!

About BESA.