Local Support, International Reach
The first event organised by the new Diplomatic Advisory Hub, saw senior FCDO officials host a webinar yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) giving updates on the unfolding situation, and its implications for costs, energy, logistics and risk. Firms were also given crucial advice on stress-testing planning for trade with the Middle East.
Further briefings like this on geopolitical challenges and opportunities will be arranged in the coming months.
The Hub was announced by the Foreign Office in March last year at the BCC’s Driving International Trade Conference. It is now fully operational, with businesses able to receive personalised geopolitical advice via the BCC website and a series of planned events across the Chamber network.
It is the first time, diplomats have been seconded into the British Chambers of Commerce. They are led by Richard Oppenheim, a former Ambassador, who brings a wealth of diplomatic experience across some of the world’s most complex and strategically important markets in the Middle East and Japan, as well as multilateral experience at the UN, on EU issues and as a Commonwealth Envoy.
Businesses in West Yorkshire will receive an outline of the hub’s work at a launch event in Leeds today (Thursday), attended by BCC and FCDO officials.
“Today’s first webinar on the situation in the Middle East was a powerful signal of how vital the Diplomatic Advisory Hub is.
“It will help more SMEs navigate the complex world of geopolitics, giving them the knowledge and certainty to expand into new markets.
“This unique partnership with the FCDO shows how government and business working together can drive forward growth.
“British firms know business and British diplomats know world politics. Bringing them closer together can only be a recipe for success.”
“We are stepping up our support to businesses through our newly launched Diplomatic Advisory Hub, which will bring together the British Chambers of Commerce’s extensive business network with expert advice from British diplomats.
“The Hub has hit the ground running, briefing more than 600 businesses this week on the evolving situation in the Middle East and what it means for them.
“In an increasingly contested world, it’s more important than ever for Government and businesses to work together to navigate the intersections between geopolitics and commerce, respond to crises effectively and seize opportunities for growth overseas.”
“I’m delighted to be leading this powerful new support network for businesses.
“As a former UK Ambassador, I know how crucial strategic advice is to British SMEs wanting to trade around the world.
“The Hub is both a front door and a feedback loop. It’s a front door for businesses to tap into geopolitical advice, and a feedback loop so that what businesses are seeing in supply chains and boardrooms flows back to our diplomats and policy makers.”
Read more latest news from the BCC here.
05.03.2026
