Clipper Race CEO recognised as GREAT Britain 'Ambassador'
by Amy Martindale 11 Dec 2014 08:03 GMT
10 December 2014
Clipper Race CEO William Ward at Number 10 Downing Street © Clipper Ventures
William Ward, Chief Executive of Clipper Race organiser Clipper Ventures plc, has been invited to become a GREAT Britain 'Ambassador' by Prime Minister David Cameron in recognition of his personal support and contribution to the UK's most ambitious international promotional campaign ever.
The Prime Minister hosted a dinner at Downing Street for the first GREAT ambassadors from sport, business, fashion and the arts at which he recognised the importance of their contribution to the GREAT Britain campaign and encouraged them to continue their involvement.
"We have been very pleased as a company to both feature in and support the GREAT Britain campaign since its launch in 2012," said Mr Ward. "We had a very successful engagement in our 2013-14 event, hosting international promotions alongside the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in major ports of call on six continents."
The GREAT Britain campaign showcases the very best of what Britain has to offer to encourage the world to visit, study and do business with the UK, to deliver jobs and growth at home. A GREAT Britain branded yacht together with British brand partners participated in the last Clipper Race series and will take to the water again in the 2015-16 edition.
Fellow ambassadors at the Downing Street dinner included Olympic medallist and diver Tom Daley, singer Katherine Jenkins, fashion designers Stella McCartney and Paul Smith, plus celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Ken Hom.
"It was a real honour to be invited to be a GREAT Britain ambassador by the Prime Minister alongside such high profile guests. It's an evening I will remember for a long time. I am proud of what we have achieved with the Clipper Race and this reflects on everyone involved and not least our founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who also featured in the GREAT Britain campaign. We look forward to continuing to provide an effective promotional global platform to help boost British business, trade and tourism," added Mr Ward.
The GREAT Britain campaign has delivered a direct return to the economy of over £1bn and is now active in 144 countries. Unifying the international growth promotion efforts of UK Trade & Investment, VisitBritain, British Council, FCO and a number of other departments, GREAT aims to deliver significant and long term increases in trade, tourism, education and inward investment in support of the Government's prosperity and growth agenda.