We help British and Chinese businesses explore new opportunities and grow via our extensive professional network and comprehensive range of services.
China UK Business Development Centre (CUKBDC) is an advisory and service delivery organisation focused on business opportunities and UK-China trade.
CUKBDC helps companies with market entry and to develop their business by providing a range of services including market research, managing government and stakeholder relations, event management, identifying business partners / investors and project management.
China regional offices are staffed by professionals with extensive experience of supporting UK businesses to enter the China market. Previously they were senior members of international trade promotion organizations, UK overseas market support teams or professional consultancies.
Chairman's Message
Our business model is founded on the principles of partnership where collaborative working drives both parties to achieve success and therefore our fee structure is mainly performance related. It is a win-win.
With 13 offices in China and a team of dedicated professionals who have over 100 years of experience in UK-China trade, I believe CUKBDC has all the right credentials to help companies who wish to thrive with their Sino/UK business ambitions.
If you like our approach and want to succeed in either the UK or China, please contact us.
John McLean OBE
Chair
CUKBDC was established during the ravages of Covid in 2020/21 to continue and develop the bilateral channels for trade. Now that there is a refreshed engagement with China, we are optimistic for the future.
CUKBDC has an extensive network of seasoned professionals across China whose expertise has been honed over many years and who are ready to engage with entrepreneurial companies who want to enter the markets of either the UK or China.
John has extensive public and capital market experience combined with many years of experience as Chair or CEO which includes managing operations of multi-site locations within the UK and overseas, operationally integrating new acquisitions, carrying out strategic reviews, managing corporate transactions, promoting diversity, delivering profitable growth and ensuring good corporate governance.
John has a specific knowledge of China where he has worked for over 20 years.
John was on the board of CBBC for 8 years until 2019 and in March 2021, he was appointed as the Senior Advisor to CCCUK (China Chamber of Commerce in the UK). He is Chair for the Institute of Directors for the City of London.
In 2020, John co-founded CUKBDC (China UK Business Development Centre) to form a partnership of China UK experienced professionals to develop and promote UK-China trade and investment through an extensive network of 13 offices in China.
In the 2014 New Year’s Honours list, John was honoured with an OBE for services to British business interests and the development of civil society in China.
Meet the Team
Beijing Office & Qingdao Office
Harry Jiang, Director
Tel: +86 132 8088 7977
Email: harry.jiang@cukbdc.org.cn
Harry has over 17 years’ experience having previously worked at China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) as Chief Rep. of the regional office. During his tenure, Harry worked on over 80 market research studies for UK businesses looking to enter the China market and helped them identify business opportunities. He delivered full programme services for over 30 UK business & government delegations visiting Qingdao and organised over 20 large business events with both UK/China regional government, industries, and business communities.
Before CBBC, Harry was chief Rep. of Southampton City Council and Chamber of Commerce in China. He also worked for the Chinese government department of Foreign Direct Investment to support European investment into China in the sectors of advanced engineering, professional services, Education, ICT etc.
Chongqing Office, Sichuan
Nicole Li, Director
Tel: +86 136 1829 7633
Email: nicole.li@cukbdc.org.cn
Nicole has over 6 years’ experience of providing business support to UK companies, helping them identify business opportunities and helping them with market entry. She oversees regional engagement, relations, and activities across Southwest China (Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan). Nicole specialises in connecting UK companies with potential Chinese partners including government bodies and companies. She also has more than 9 years trade and business experience (including 3 year overseas experience).
Annie has over 8 years’ consulting experience specialising in primary market research, market analysis, partner identification, company due diligence, as well as organising events. Before joining CUKBDC, she worked in the regional office and education sector in CBBC for about six years, Annie has a sound knowledge of the Chinese education market and supports UK companies to enter and grow their business within the Chinese regional market.
Shenyang Office, Liaoning
Cathy Chen, Director
Tel: +86 139 0401 4465
Email: cathy.chen@cukbdc.org.cn
Before joining CUKBDC, Cathy worked for China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) for 8 years as the assistant director of North China. Cathy works closely with partners and stakeholders of Chinese and British departments to deliver events; lead delegations; provide member services (including market research, partner search, matchmaking, and project management) and oversaw three offices. She obtained strong experience in stakeholder relationship management and international client services. Cathy also has 8 years working experience in an Irish company as DGM of supply chain and BD. This position provided her with expertise in international trade, logistic, HR, customer services and project management.
Cathy has 6 years living and studying experience in Canada and obtained a Master degree of marketing from Dalhousie University (Canada).
Nanjing Office, Jiangsu
Jenny Jiang, Director
Tel: +86 136 1151 9606
Email: jenny.jiang@cukbdc.org.cn
Jenny has more than 14 years’ consulting experience, facilitating Sino-UK business cooperation and development. She specialises in connecting British business with local companies and tackling the issues in government relations, marketing, and business development at a regional level. Her clients are of all sizes and across a full range of sectors including renowned UK big companies and dynamic SMEs. She has established and maintained a positive relationship with a wide network of local Chinese provincial and municipal gov, associations and business communities. She has proactively engaged in high-profile Chinese regional government visits to the UK.
Jenny is a nominated ambassador by Nanjing Municipal gov to promote city culture. She also has three years of working experience in media and obtained her Master degree from the University of Cardiff (UK) in 2005.
Lynn has built a professional team in Guangzhou that provides tailored made consultancy services to British companies to support their business success in China. She has extensive experience in international trade and business, policy mapping, lobbying, new media marketing and business development.
Previously Lynn worked for the China Britain Business Council for 5 years as the chief representative of Guangzhou office and built up an intensive cooperation network and relationship with local governments, industry associations and Chinese companies. She provided a variety of services including consultancy reports, hosting business events and trade delegations, and working on government visits to develop the Sino-UK relationship.
Before joining CUKBDC, Lynn worked for Bytedance and Airbnb respectively as director for government relationship and business development. She also has 4 years' business management experience in TUV Rhiendland for renewable energy.
Hangzhou Office, Zhejiang
Michelle Pan, Director
Tel: +86 138 0572 6947
Email: michelle.pan@cukbdc.org.cn
Before joining CUKBDC, Michelle worked at the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) as the assistant director of East China supervising three offices for nearly 10 years. She provides business support to UK companies of all sizes to identify business opportunities, enter the market and business development. She specialised in bridging UK and Zhejiang in a wide range of sectors which mainly includes consumer goods and e-commerce, healthcare and life science, technology and innovation, creative and sports, education and training. Michelle leads and supports the delivery of sector-focused market research, trade missions, business events, inward/outward business and government delegations. She has strong stakeholder relationships both in the UK and China, and maintains and develops a wide range of regional connections.
Apart from CBBC, Michelle has over 14 years’ experience with multinational companies in her business career, including working at a global logistics & supply chain management position in retailing industry, together with sales & marketing experience with a world leading shipping carrier.
Changsha Office, Hunan
Miranda Hou, Director
Tel: +86 189 3247 6677
Email: miranda.hou@cukbdc.org.cn
Miranda leads CUKBDC’s central China team to provide business support services to UK companies, helping them identify business opportunities and with market entry. She oversees regional engagement and helps with team member development in Hunan. She has a wealth of experience in business, trade and policy. Her 14 year career includes working for a multinational company, Chinese Gov. and a British organization on R&D management, investment consultancy, event management, and market entry strategies covering the sectors of advanced manufacturing, E-commerce, life science, education, and environment protection, etc.
Miranda is a founder and GM of Hunan MiSo Biosciences Co., Ltd and shareholder of Shenzhen Qianhai Shangshan Golden Stone investment management Co., Ltd.
Miranda has 5 years’ studying and living experience in the UK, awarded with a Bachelor and Master degree from University of East Anglia (UK).
Shu has over 10 years’ international cooperation experience in the Creative, Consumer, Technology & Education sectors.
She has worked closely with European companies’ on their China strategy as well as helping Chinese firms with their overseas development. Clients range from Fortune 500, government agents, and independent growth consulting firms. Shu has been involved in key events like the Former British Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to China; The Great Festival of Creativity; Prince William's China visit; London Fashion Week Visiting Programme etc.
Shu has a deep knowledge of the Europe/China business relationship. She uses her experience, insights, network and flexible structure to provide bespoke services for clients that drive success.
Shu received MA in fashion business management from the University of Westminster (UK).
Before joining CUKBDC, Wendy Wei was Chief Representative of China-Britain Business Council Chengdu office, managing Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou Province. Wendy has over 15 years' experience in promoting business development between the UK and China. She has vast experience in market research and has completed more than 100 in-depth market research projects in various sectors, as well as providing professional business consultancy to UK clients.
She has organized and been involved in many major activities/events in the west China region: specifically Chengdu, Guiyang, Kunming, Xi’an, Urumqi. Major events Including Ex UK Chancellor, George Osborne’s visit to Chengdu in 2015,Guiyang Big Data Expo, CBBC Board Meeting in Xi’an, CBBC Chairman and Board Member visit to China in Chengdu and CBBC Chengdu Office 20 Anniversary Reception in 2016.
She has a strong relationship with regional stakeholders both in the UK and China, working closely with them to promote business, cultural and technological exchanges and interactions.
Prior to working for CBBC, Wendy Wei worked in a leading international logistics company for 10 years, serving some well-known enterprises such as GE Aviation.
Yan has over 15 years’ experience in business consultancy, market research, government and stakeholder relationship, business development, project management, visits, and event management. She specialises in the areas of infrastructure, education and training, food and drink, retail, media, creative and sports. Yan has contributed to bi-lateral government and business visits in the region, including Theresa May’s delegation in 2018, and a large number of Provincial- and Municipal-level delegations to the UK.
Yan is an active player in the international business community in Hubei Province. She established the British business community and has been continuously providing support for new and existing companies to set up and further develop their business in central China.
Yan was the Chief Representative of China-Britain Business Council Wuhan for six years, and received an MA in Management from Durham University (UK).