Andy Barr is Director for Business & Trade at the British Embassy in the UAE, leading efforts to strengthen UK–UAE economic ties and expand commercial opportunities for businesses in both countries. He is an international business and economic diplomacy professional with experience in economic security and senior trade roles in Canada and India. He holds master’s degrees from SOAS and the University of Manchester and is passionate about social mobility and lifelong learning.
Bradley Jones is CEO of the UAE–UK Business Council, where he leads initiatives to connect business leaders, academics, and entrepreneurs from both countries and promote collaboration through events, campaigns, and research. He previously held senior roles in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, including trade and investment leadership posts in Asia and private secretary roles in government. Earlier in his career, he worked in education and senior corporate roles in Dubai.
Katy Keenan is CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai (BCCD), where she leads support for UK businesses expanding in the UAE and strengthens UK–UAE trade links. She has extensive experience in international trade, connecting stakeholders across government, finance, and industry. She plays a key role in the bilateral trade corridor and holds advisory roles with the University of Birmingham Business School and the British Embassy UAE Growth Partnership Board.
Shaikha Almarri is Managing Director and Head of Banking UAE, Corporate and Institutional Banking at HSBC, where she leads client coverage across government, government-related entities, and corporates. She joined HSBC in 2014 and has held senior roles in global banking coverage. Previously, she worked at Nasdaq Dubai and the Financial Audit Authority of the Government of Dubai. She holds a bachelor’s from Zayed University and a master’s in finance from Cambridge Judge Business School.