Beyond Accession: The UK’s Role in Shaping the Future of CPTPP
Contact for attendance: lin.cong@asiahouse.co.uk
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is evolving. With a combined GDP of £12 trillion, the trade pact is shaping global standards in services, digital trade, and market liberalisation. The UK’s accession in July 2023 was a landmark moment—the first time a non-Pacific nation joined the bloc. As the UK prepares for full implementation, the CPTPP is undergoing its first internal review, a critical moment that will determine the next phase of global trade cooperation.
This event will offer the following insights:
- The role of the CPTPP in an era of proliferating tariffs and increasing protectionism
- How the upcoming review will shape the agreement’s evolution
- What the UK’s membership means for businesses and investors
- Options for the UK to take a leadership role in advancing free trade within the bloc
We are inviting expressions of interest to join Asia House for a high-level discussion on the future of CPTPP and the UK’s position within it. This exclusive gathering will bring together key policymakers, trade experts, and business leaders to explore the opportunities and challenges ahead.
- Keynote Speech: Sharon Hodgson MP, UK Trade Envoy to Japan
In one of her first engagements since being appointed as the UK Government’s Trade Envoy to Japan, Sharon Hodgson will outline the government’s vision for the UK’s role in CPTPP and the opportunities it presents for British businesses.
Asia House Perspective: Charlie Humphreys, Director of Corporate Affairs, Asia House
Asia House’s view on the future of CPTPP and what it means for UK businesses.
Discussion & Audience Q&A: Moderated by Michael Lawrence OBE, Chief Executive, Asia House
A high-level conversation with industry and policy experts, offering insights on CPTPP’s evolution and its implications for UK trade with Sibel Sirmagul, UK Head of Sales for HSBC’s Global Trade Solutions, Jonathan Brenton, Director of Public Affairs for Pernod Ricard's three UK businesses and Alex Gover, EVP, Head of Business Development, EMEA for Intralink.
- Closing Address: Rob Cook, Deputy Director, CPTPP at the Department for Business and Trade
This event will be invaluable for anyone seeking insights into the UK’s trade strategy in the Asia-Pacific and the evolving role of CPTPP.
Places are limited, register your interest by contacting Lin Cong, Programme Producer at Asia House at lin.cong@asiahouse.co.uk.
Keynote Speaker
Sharon Hodgson MP, UK Trade Envoy to Japan
Sharon was first elected as an MP in 2005. She has taken on many roles in Parliament including on key parliamentary committees, Parliamentary Private Secretary to three different government Ministers, Government Whip, Opposition Whip, and Shadow Ministerial roles (Children and Families 2010-2013; Women and Equalities 2013-2015; Children 2015-2016; Public Health 2016-2020; Veterans 2020-2021).
In May 2021, Sharon was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Leader of the Labour Party, then Leader of HM Opposition and now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP. Sharon was nominated in March 2023 by Sir Keir Starmer to the influential position of Chairman of the House of Commons Finance Committee. In this role Sharon oversaw the expenditure on services for the House of Commons and had responsibility for the preparation and scrutiny of the House of Commons budgets. Sharon was previously a member of the House of Commons Commission which is responsible for the administration and services of the House of Commons.
Currently, Sharon is UK Trade Envoy to Japan, the leader of the OSCE UK delegation, Vice-Chair of CPA UK Executive Committee, and a member of the BGIPU Executive Committee. Sharon is also the founder and current Chair of the School Food All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and the Ticket Abuse APPG.
Speakers include
Sibel Sirmagul, UK Head of Sales for HSBC’s Global Trade Solutions
Sibel Sirmagul is the UK Head of Sales for HSBC’s Global Trade Solutions, supporting clients with working capital and structured trade solutions, and helping to transition their supply chains.
Sibel works closely with businesses as strategic partner to help them grow globally and navigate an ever-changing landscape through innovative solutions. She started her career with ABN AMRO Bank in 2000, holding senior structured lending positions across various regions; Europe, Middle East and North America. In 2010, following the acquisition by RBS, she joined the Trade Advisory team where she successfully led the structured trade solutions including supply chain, receivables finance throughout Europe and the Middle East. Sibel holds an MBA from London Business School and is a CFA® charterholder.
Jonathan Brenton, Director of Public Affairs for Pernod Ricard's three UK businesses
Jonathan Brenton is Director of Public Affairs for Pernod Ricard’s three UK businesses. Pernod Ricard is the world’s second largest maker of fine wines and spirits and a leading French investor in the UK, employing 2500 people and exporting over £2BN of Scotch whisky and English gin each year. Before joining Pernod Ricard in 2021, Jonathan was Head of International Trade at the CBI and previously worked for the UK Foreign Office, with postings in Moscow, Berlin, and Brussels. He was UK Ambassador to Belgium between 2010 and 2014.
Alex Gover, EVP, Head of Business Development, EMEA for Intralink
Alex leads our EMEA Business Development team, and has commercial oversight of our all our Europe and Middle East client engagements. As a Japanese speaker, he was formerly based in our Tokyo office where he developed and implemented market expansion strategies across a range of sectors, including semiconductors, telecommunications, and enterprise software.
Alex read Japanese, Chinese and Economics at Oxford and also Advanced Japanese at Sophia University in Japan. He has worked in and with Asia for the past 30 years, including for Sony's International Marketing Division in Tokyo.