Winning friends abroad: can Britains cultural power maintain its influence in the modern world?

SERIES TITLE
Winning friends abroad: can Britains cultural power maintain its influence in the modern world?
SPEAKER
Martin Davidson

Sir Martin Davidson KCMG, CEO of the British Council, examines the UKs soft power capacity: its ability to make its national presence felt throughits powers of cultural attraction rather than its economic muscle and military might. In a rapidly changing international environment, achieving its foreign policy goals will require all of the UK's creativity, wit and innovation. Does the UK have what it takes?


Martin Davidson took up the role as Chief Executive at the British Council in April 2007. Prior to the British Council he worked for the Hong Kong Government as an Administrative Officer. He joined the British Council as Assistant Representative in Beijing in 1984. Martin was responsible for opening the South China office in Guangzhou in 1989 and returned to Beijing in 1995 as Director China. He speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin. He has also held various posts in the British Councils London HQ with responsibilities covering South East Europe, the Middle East, East Asia and the Americas.

He is International Trustee for Leonard Cheshire Disability, a Governor of Goodenough College and Board Member of the Great Britain China Council. Martin was awarded a KCMG in 2014 for his services to British cultural, scientific and educational interests worldwide.

The event was chaired by Kalypso Nicoladis, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for International Studies.