The historic Lancaster House next to St James' Palace and Green Park in
London is “being transformed into a showcase for British businesses and
host some of the most powerful figures in finance during the Olympics,”
according to Graham Ruddick of the London TELEGRAPH. The business
embassy is “arguably the biggest promotion of British business since the
Great Exhibition of 1851 in Crystal Palace.” It will host 17 summits
during the Olympics and Paralympics with speakers including IMF Managing Dir Christine
Lagarde, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, Google Exec Chair Eric Schmidt, WPP CEO Martin Sorrell and Apple designer Jonathan Ive. U.K. Trade & Investment
Embassy Managing Dir Martin Uden said, "We have the attention of the
world fixed upon us. We want to show that the U.K. is an important and
global trading partner." Lancaster House is the “core of the
Government's plan to try to ensure the Olympics is an economic success
and brings long-term benefits.” More than “a dozen Cabinet ministers are
expected to visit the embassy," including Prime Minister David Cameron
and Chancellor George Osborne. In addition, more than “2,000 U.K.
businesses and 1,000 international groups have registered to attend.”
Lancaster House is “being designed as a location where business leaders
can negotiate deals, strike new partnerships, and promote their
products.” Other countries also have “booked landmark locations to
promote themselves as destinations for investment.” Somerset House will
become “Casa Brazil, Russia will take over parts of Kensington Gardens,
and Alexandra Palace will become Holland Heinejen House” (London TELEGRAPH, 7/16).
