History of Asia House
Asia House was formally launched in 1996 by former UK diplomat Sir Peter Wakefield with a mission to increase understanding of Asia in the UK and build political and business connections to foster long-term relationships. In the ensuing three decades, Asia House has developed into the UK’s leading think tank on Asia and, in recent years, the Middle East, with a focus on commercial and economic links.
Asia House is independent and impartial and prides itself as a platform for objective dialogue and original, insightful research. Asia House remains committed to building greater understanding between Asia, the Middle East and Europe, and, through its fellowship programme, developing the leaders of tomorrow.
Alongside the Founding Stakeholders of Asia House – HSBC, Prudential and Standard Chartered – Asia House has established a community of Asia-focused international businesses from a wide range of sectors to share knowledge on issues related global trade and investment.
Notable speakers in the early days of Asia House included then-leaders from Asia nations including Fidel Ramos, President of the Philippines, Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of Vietnam, among many other senior political leaders from the region.
Asia House moved into its current premises at 63 New Cavendish Street in 2005. The building was inaugurated by Lee Kwan Yew, Singapore’s first Prime Minister and then Minister Mentor of Singapore. The Asia House headquarters – a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse in London - provides a fitting location for dialogue between senior business and policy decision-makers while enabling the institution to maintain its independent role.
In the years following the move to New Cavendish Street, Asia House has hosted a range of senior leaders from Asia, including former President Jokowi of Indonesia; Lee Hsien Loong, then Prime Minister of Singapore; Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; and Shri P. Chidambaram, Minister of Finance of India, among many others.
Beyond its trademark closed-door dialogue sessions, Asia House has developed a programme of international conferences, engaging policymakers and businesses in key Asian centres on the major issues driving international trade and investment. From 2017 Asia House expanded its coverage to include the Middle East, as it identified increasing links between the Gulf and Asia and predicted this trend would continue to reshape trade and investment. The Asia House “Middle East Pivot to Asia” report has since become a flagship publication, tracking this growing trend and providing unique insights for businesses.
As Asia House approaches its 30th anniversary, it remains committed to its mission of driving engagement between the UK, Asia and the Middle East. It stands as an independent platform for dialogue on key business and policy issues and a unique institution providing insights and understanding in an increasingly complex world.
