Charles Powell Keynote Speaker

Lord Charles Powell was one of the most influential foreign policy advisors of the Thatcher era, and served as the Prime Minister’s Private Secretary from 1981 to 1990. After leaving politics, he moved into international business.

Charles serves on the boards and advisory boards of a number of British and international companies and is chairman of the International Advisory Board of Rolls Royce plc. He co-chairs the Government’s Asia Task Force with the Business Secretary Vince Cable and was President of the China-Britain Business Council (1997-2007) and Chairman of the Singapore – British Council (1997- 2001).

Charles started his career in the diplomatic service before moving into politics as Private Secretary and advisor on foreign affairs and defence to Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He has been a cross-bench member of the House of Lords since 1999.