More opportunities for British business highlighted as Paralympics keeps global spotlight on London | WPN World People News

As the Paralympic Games keep British achievement centre stage this week, global business summits continue to raise the international profile of UK enterprises. The summits, hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) at Lancaster House, London, will showcase British expertise in developing assistive medical technologies and delivering major global sporting events, to hundreds of UK and international delegates.

The events are part of the British Business Embassy, the centrepiece of the Government's international Olympics business legacy programme, which is expected to generate £1bn of benefit to the UK economy.

An Advances in Assistive Medical Technologies Global Business Summit on Monday 3rd September 2012 will showcase ground breaking approaches to rehabilitation and assistive technologies – from computer controlled artificial limbs to non-invasive blood pressure management techniques – for people living with injuries, disabilities or illnesses.

Speakers for the day include Professor Sir Bruce Keogh KBE FRCS, Medical Director of the NHS, Ian Stevens, Chief Executive of Touch Bionics and Geoff McGrath, Managing Director of McLaren Applied Technologies. The day includes a visit to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where international delegates will view state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment and systems in practice.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:

"The UK’s strong commitment to research and development, low taxes for business and world class higher education have nurtured one of the world's largest and most productive life science industries. British assistive medical technology firms exemplify how innovation and technology can be harnessed to boost prosperity and change lives – and today’s event is a great opportunity to promote their extraordinary potential to an international audience.”

On 5th September a Global Sports Summit will bring together leading organisations in delivering international sports events to explore how UK firms can capitalise on the successful staging of the Olympic and Paralmypic Games. Issues for discussion will include sustainable architecture and engineering, planning, security and maximising customer experience and revenue. Speakers include Jon Tibbs, JT Associates and Chair of the UKTI Global Sports Projects Sector Advisory Group, Michael Taylor, Senior Partner, Hopkins Architects and Jim Burridge, Director, ARUP

Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson said:

“It’s been estimated that US $200 billion will be spent on construction for global sports events between 2010 and 2020. And UK firms are now in prime position to secure work having helped deliver the London Olympics on time and under budget.

“More than 20 firms have already won major contracts for Rio 2016 and with many major events to be hosted on home soil over the next decade there are many more opportunities to come.”

source: UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills