ICC United Kingdom

This week, we held the inaugural meeting of our newly formed Corporate Counsel Group at Anglo American, where we had the opportunity to engage directly with Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, on key issues, challenges, and opportunities in international and ICC Arbitration. Thank you to everyone who joined us for such an engaging discussion. Special appreciation to Kate Wilford, Chair of our Corporate Counsel Group, for her outstanding leadership, and to Guy Pendell, Chair of the ICC United Kingdom Arbitration & ADR Committee, for his valuable insights and overview of the committee’s work. The meeting provided a valuable forum for in-house dispute and litigation teams to exchange experiences and insights, and we’re excited to continue supporting the corporate counsel community as arbitration and ADR evolve. We welcome in-house corporate counsel to join our discussions and help shape the future of arbitration and ADR. To get involved, contact us at: arbitration@iccwbo.uk Chris Southworth Brendan Vickers Emma Bennett Arlinda Xhaferi Claudia Salomon Kate Wilford Guy Pendell Samantha Rowe Duncan Bagshaw Ulrich Kopetzki Stephanie GOUBELLE Caroline MacDonald ICC Arbitration International Chamber of Commerce #ICC #ICCArbitration #Arbitration #ADR #CorporateCounsel #ICC #InternationalArbitration #DisputeResolution #Mediation

TODAY WE UNVEILED OUR AMBITIOUS PLAN FOR GROWTH Today we have launched a bold and transformative "Plan for Growth" aimed at revolutionising the UK’s trade and trade finance system. The plan provides a roadmap to unlock billions in economic growth, ensuring the UK leads the future of global trade and supercharging national economic growth. Key Benefits: - £25 billion in trade growth - £224 billion in efficiency savings - 35% efficiency gain for SMEs - £22 billion in SME working capital unlocked - Trade transaction times cut from 2–3 months to just 1 hour - 80% reduction in trade transaction costs - Shipping costs reduced by 18%, workforce productivity increased by 60% Trade plays a vital role in the national economy but outdated paper-based trade systems are stifling economic growth and productivity and holding back the UK’s economic potential. Bold action can position the UK as a global leader in 21st century trade. The Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 (#ETDA) and the Digital Assets Bill 2025, are positioning the UK as a leader in trade legislation. Leveraging the laws will deliver a cheaper, faster, simpler, secure and sustainable trading environment. Central to the plan is the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation #iC4DTI — the UK’s flagship institution for digital trade. Co-founded by ICC United Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs iC4DTI is ensuring businesses of all sizes benefit and helping emerging markets to do the same. The Plan builds on the ‘Roadmap to Digitalise UK Trade. Strategic Recommendations: 1.     Reform trade finance regulation 2.     Mandate adoption of electronic transactions in government procurement to incentivise change 3.     Build a network of digital superhighways to set a global precedent 4.     Establish an interoperable data environment to enable information to flow across systems, platforms and jurisdictions 5.     Implement digital identities to streamline overly complex compliance bureaucracy 6.     Leverage iC4DTI and Tees Digital Trade Test Bed Centre to drive innovative solutions at pace and scale. Cabinet Office Department for Business and Trade Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office International Chamber of Commerce World Trade Organization UNCITRAL: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law UNIDROIT - International Institute for the Unification of Private Law Teesside University Tees Valley Combined Authority EBRD Asian Development Bank (ADB) Oswald Kuyler The Commonwealth Vashti Maharaj Emmanuelle Ganne Sivaram Superamanian Vincent OBRIEN Emmanuelle Butaud-Stubbs Oliver Wieck African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Joy Albright CARICOM: Caribbean Community Pacific Islands Forum Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) Yann Duval #digital #trade #finance #innovation #reform #growth #productivity #MSMEs https://lnkd.in/dNuycb6x

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our inaugural Trade Finance Half-Day Conference, "Making Trade More Accessible and Affordable." Our panels of trade finance experts kicked off the day by delving into the biggest challenges in trade finance—alongside key opportunities and priorities for 2025, from digitalisation and regulatory reform to new financing solutions and enhanced SME access. The conversation then turned to solutions, with actionable recommendations for governments and regulators to drive meaningful reform, foster innovation, and strengthen collaboration across the trade finance ecosystem. We were especially fortunate to hear from tomasch kubiak of the International Chamber of Commerce and ICC Banking Commission, who shared valuable insights into the Commission's pivotal role in shaping the future of trade finance. To continue the conversation, we invite you to register for our next trade finance event: "Optimising Supply Chain Finance: Unlocking Safe, Secure & Affordable Solutions" on 12 May 2025. This half-day conference will build on the discussions we started, offering further practical insights into supply chain finance and its transformative role in global trade. https://lnkd.in/dmASvHs8 A special thanks to our host Citi and all our speakers for contributing to such a thought-provoking and impactful event. Looking forward to continuing the conversation and driving progress together! Parvaiz Dalal Surath Sengupta Natasha Condon Nicole Sandler Geoffrey Wynne Jaya Vohra Amy Clarke Chris Southworth #TradeFinance #Innovation #RegulatoryReform #TradePolicy #DigitalTrade #TradeInnovation #SupplyChainFinance #ExportFinance #KYC #AML #FraudPrevention #DigitalIdentity #Treasury #Fintech #TradeDigitalisation #EconomicGrowth #PolicyReform #SustainableFinance #TradeRegulation #SMEFinance

A big thank you to Bina Mehta and the KPMG team for generously hosting and to John W.H. Denton AO for joining us for an ICC United Kingdom member roundtable that came at a particularly significant moment. It was a real privilege to hear directly from John about ICC’s engagement with the WTO, G20, and global response to tariffs, as well as its efforts to drive forward reform of the multilateral trading system. With key milestones ahead—including an upcoming WTO delegation and the Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting in Namibia—this was a vital opportunity to reflect and refocus. We are grateful to all our members and stakeholders for such an open and thought-provoking discussion. If you would like to learn more about ICC United Kingdom’s Trade & Investment programme for 2025, please get in touch: advocacy@iccwbo.uk.

ICC United Kingdom Arbitration & ADR Committee Meeting Yesterday, we held our first in‑person Arbitration & ADR Committee meeting of the year at Gide, bringing together leading practitioners across private practice. Highlights included robust discussions on our 2025 programme (Masterclasses, flagship conferences, ICC Commission engagement), targeted working groups (Corporate Counsel, Practice Managers, Corruption, EPP, AI), and emerging issues and developments in dispute resolution and mediation globally. ➡️ We’re now looking to strengthen our Committee with additional members who are passionate about shaping the future of international dispute resolution. If you’re an ICC member actively involved in cross-border arbitration or ADR and eager to contribute your expertise, we invite you to nominate yourself. We also welcome new law firms and barristers' chambers interested in joining ICC United Kingdom.   🔗 To express interest, please email arbitration@iccwbo.uk by Friday 18 April. Join us in promoting best practice, influencing ICC policy, and expanding London’s role as a global dispute-resolution hub! International Chamber of Commerce ICC Arbitration Guy Pendell Samantha Rowe Duncan Bagshaw Brendan Vickers Arlinda Xhaferi #ICCUnitedKingdom #ICCarbitration #Arbitration #ADR #InternationalLaw #DisputeResolution #Mediation

ONE WEEK TO GO! Join us for the ICC United Kingdom Trade Finance Half-Day Conference: “Making Trade More Accessible and Affordable” taking place on Tuesday, 25 March 2025.   📍 Location: Citi, 33 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London ⏰ Time: 08:30 - 12:00 GMT 💼 Members: Free / Non-members: £350 + VAT ➡️Secure your seat here: https://lnkd.in/dRgKv8T3  As we move into 2025, there is a growing need to overhaul traditional trade finance systems to foster greater accessibility and efficiency. This event will focus on addressing key barriers and exploring innovative solutions to make trade finance more affordable and inclusive. Gain insights into the latest developments in trade finance; featuring expert-led sessions on financing for growth, regulatory reforms to boost industry competitiveness, and the ICC United Kingdom’s 2025 trade finance program. Speakers include:  🔹 Parvaiz Dalal, UK Trade Finance Committee, Citi  🔹 Surath Sengupta, Managing Director, Head of Trade & Working Capital, Lloyds Banking Group 🔹 Natasha Condon, Global Head of Trade & EMEA Trade Region Head, J.P. Morgan  🔹 Bhriguraj Singh, SteerCo, ICC Banking Commission, HSBC 🔹 Kaush Ruwangalla, Global Head of Compliance - Platforms, HSBC 🔹 Nicole Sandler, Head of Corporate Regulatory Affairs, Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) 🔹 Geoffrey Wynne, Head of Sullivan & Worcester LLP’s London office and its Trade and Export Finance Group 🔹 Jaya Vohra, co-Chair, Trade Digitalisation Taskforce, Managing Director, Barclays 🔹 Chris Southworth, Secretary General, ICC United Kingdom #TradeFinance #Innovation #RegulatoryReform #TradePolicy #DigitalTrade #TradeInnovation #SupplyChainFinance #ExportFinance #KYC #AML #FraudPrevention #DigitalIdentity #Treasury #Fintech #TradeDigitalisation #EconomicGrowth #PolicyReform #SustainableFinance #TradeRegulation #SMEFinance

Call for Papers - ICC United Kingdom Arbitration & ADR Events 2025 We’re thrilled to announce that the Call for Papers is still open for ICC United Kingdom’s Arbitration & ADR events scheduled for 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with the international arbitration community, share your thought leadership, and network with key stakeholders. 2025 Event Overview: 📌 Arbitration & ADR Masterclass Date: 16th July 📌 Annual Arbitration and ADR Conference (Flagship Conference) Date: 11-12th November 📌 Arbitration & ADR Masterclass Date: TBC Masterclasses: Interactive, in-person sessions focused on specific topics. These events are complimentary for members and fee-based for non-members. Flagship Conference: This two-day event, featuring both virtual and in-person sessions, draws over 400 delegates from around the world. 📜 We invite you to submit topics and speakers by Friday, 2 May 2024. Please email your submission to arbitration@iccwbo.uk, including: Title of Topic/Theme Brief Synopsis (approx. 300 words) Suggestions for Potential Speakers Speaking & Sponsorship Opportunities Speaking slots are exclusive to ICC United Kingdom members. We also offer sponsorship packages with various benefits, including guaranteed speaking slots and enhanced brand visibility. For more details, contact Emma Bennett at ebennett@iccwbo.uk. Not a member yet? Membership offers discounted rates and more! For membership inquiries, reach out to membership@iccwbo.uk. ICC Arbitration International Chamber of Commerce #ICCarbitration #Arbitration #ADR #ICC #LegalEvents #CallForPapers #InternationalArbitration #Disputeresolution #Mediation

Join us for our panel discussion Regulating for Growth at the ICC United Kingdom Trade Finance Half-Day Conference: “Making Trade More Accessible and Affordable” taking place on Tuesday, 25 March 2025. 📍 Location: Citi, 33 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London ⏰ Time: 08:30 - 12:00 GMT 💼 Members: Free / Non-members: £350 + VAT ➡️ Secure your seat here: https://lnkd.in/dRgKv8T3 As we move into 2025, there is a growing need to overhaul traditional trade finance systems to foster greater accessibility and efficiency. This event will focus on addressing key barriers and exploring innovative solutions to make trade finance more affordable and inclusive. Gain insights into the latest developments in trade finance, featuring expert-led sessions on financing for growth, regulatory reforms to boost industry competitiveness, and ICC United Kingdom’s 2025 trade finance program. Moderator: 🔹 Chris Southworth, Secretary General, ICC United Kingdom Panellists: 🔹 Kaush Ruwangalla, Global Head of Compliance - Platforms, HSBC 🔹 Nicole Sandler, Head of Corporate Regulatory Affairs, Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) 🔹 Geoffrey Wynne, Head of Sullivan & Worcester LLP’s London office and its Trade and Export Finance Group 🔹 Jaya Vohra, co-Chair, Trade Digitalisation Taskforce, Managing Director, Barclays #TradeFinance #Innovation #RegulatoryReform #TradePolicy #DigitalTrade #TradeInnovation #SupplyChainFinance #ExportFinance #KYC #AML #FraudPrevention #DigitalIdentity #Treasury #Fintech #TradeDigitalisation #EconomicGrowth #PolicyReform #SustainableFinance #TradeRegulation #SMEFinance

This morning, ICC United Kingdom Secretary General Chris Southworth spoke to BBC News World Service about the need for open trade policies in an increasingly volatile global economy. He highlighted the growing momentum within the global business community for open markets, particularly in regions like Africa, where tariffs from the Global North do little to address economic inequalities. With rising unpredictability in major economies, businesses are adapting by diversifying investments and supply chains. Once investment moves elsewhere, it does not easily return. The priority must be fostering trade policies that generate shared prosperity and are backed by strong economic strategies to ensure wealth is distributed fairly. #Tariffs #GlobalTrade #GlobalEconomy #TradePolicy #EconomicGrowth #ProsperityThroughTrade

Tariffs won’t solve the issues! It was great to be invited back onto BBC News Breakfast Show with Charlie Stayt and Sally Nugent. US #tariffs are a tax on US consumers – they will drive up costs, make US companies less competitive and hit the poorest the hardest. Ordinary people wanting to buy cars or a home will likely now be faced with higher prices. This could be much more a 25% tariff on items like cars where components are crossing borders multiple times during the manufacturing process – the 25% tariff is applied each time so by the end of production, costs may have risen 2-300%. This isn’t just about tariffs – the chaotic environment and constant chopping and changing of policy decisions is the worst possible environment in which to plan ahead and do business. Business thrives on certainty – the current situation is the complete opposite. The US now looks like an unstable and unreliable place to do business so companies will inevitably be looking elsewhere in which to invest. Crucially, tariffs will not solve the challenges facing the US which are exactly the same as in the UK – stagnating living standards, high cost of living, growing inequality. Trade cannot solve these issues and tariffs will just make them worse by driving up costs and penalising ordinary people. The solution is to increase trade which will generate jobs, investment and growth and then underpin this with better quality national economic policy that properly and fairly distributes the wealth across the population. The reason both the UK and US face the challenges they do has nothing to do with trade – it is the result of decades of bad economic policy that has concentrated wealth and left our regional towns and cities behind. ICC United Kingdom International Chamber of Commerce