A New Chapter for the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong

I am deeply honoured to have been elected as Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong. This role is both a privilege and a responsibility that I approach with humility and excitement for the opportunities ahead.

First, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my predecessor, Jeremy Sargeant OBE, for his extraordinary leadership over the past decade and a half. Jeremy’s vision and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in shaping the Chamber into the influential and supportive body it is today. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Ricky Wong, our outgoing Treasurer, for his 10 years of steadfast service and contributions to the Chamber’s financial stewardship.

I am happy to announce that Jeremy has accepted my invitation to join the new Executive Committee as a Co-Opted Member and my offer of the title Chairman Emeritus. More than simply an honorary title, this acknowledges the dedication Jeremy has given to the Chamber over the years and allows him to maintain an advisory non-executive role, which will be beneficial to me as I enter this new role and will give our members continuity going forward. As a member company myself, I look forward to Jeremy’s passion for the Chamber adding value long into the future.

As we move forward, my vision for the Chamber is one where excellence is at the forefront of everything we do. We are here to help British businesses succeed not only strategically but also sustainably. Our goal is to empower every member to navigate today’s dynamic environment, fostering long-term growth and resilience in line with evolving global uncertainty.

I see a Chamber that expands beyond the border of Guangdong, making cross-regional connections with friends and colleagues further afield, and a Chamber that celebrates diversity, I am especially looking forward to seeing the Women in Business initiative increase in scope.

Advocacy is a passion of mine, and I am committed to being a strong voice for British businesses, advocating to key stakeholders in both the UK and China. As a Chamber, we must champion the interests of our members, ensuring their needs are heard and addressed.

I look forward to working closely with the new Executive Committee (ExCo), where we will embrace diversity of thought in every aspect of our work. Diversity is not just a value—it is essential to our success and to fostering innovation.

I also look forward to meeting all our members, partners, and friends in the coming months, and to deepening our collaboration. Together, we will continue to drive the Chamber forward, building on the solid foundation laid by those before us, and creating higher levels of value.

Finally, I encourage anyone with suggestions or comments to reach out to me directly. My door is always open, and I am here to listen to all voices as we strive for continuous improvement on the never-ending journey of excellence.

I am humbled to have been elected to this position and can’t wait to get stuck into the work, and to learning from my colleagues on the ExCo and in the Chamber team.

Thank you once again for your trust and support. I am excited about the journey ahead and confident that, together, we will achieve great things.

Warm regards,
Mark Clayton FCMA CGMA
Chairman, British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong