From B20 South Africa to Global Growth: How South African Companies Can Scale Through the UK.

Join us for an exclusive roundtable discussion with the British High Commissioner who will explore how South African companies can build on the momentum of South Africa’s B20 presidency and leverage the UK as a platform for global growth.

The discussion will focus on practical opportunities for South African firms to access international markets, capital, skills and innovation through the UK, while strengthening long-term UK-South Africa economic partnerships. Designed for a diverse business audience, including large corporates, SMEs and investors. The session will balance strategic insight, policy context and real-world business considerations, positioning the UK as an enabler of South African companies’ global ambitions.

The High Commissioner will also speak about the investment into SA that Sir Keir Starmer announced when he was in SA relating to the UK South Africa Growth Partnership. The size of this is about ZAR500 billion.

This roundtable offers a valuable opportunity to engage directly on growth, expansion and partnership opportunities at a pivotal moment for UK-South Africa relations.

Places are limited and booking is essential

Antony Phillipson,  High Commissioner to South Africa

Antony joined the Civil Service in 1993 and began his career in the Department of Trade and Industry where his posts included Private Secretary and then Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State (1996-2000).

After four years in the Embassy in Washington as First Secretary Trade Policy and then Counsellor, Global Issues (2000-2004), he returned to London as the Prime Minister’s Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs (2004-2007).

He then moved to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as Head of the Iran Co-ordination Group (2007-2010).

In April 2011 he was appointed High Commissioner to Singapore, a post he held until April 2015 when he returned to London as Director (EU External) in the European and Global Issues Secretariat (EGIS) in the Cabinet Office.

After the EU referendum in June 2016 EGIS became the Department for Exiting the European Union. Antony served as Director, Trade and Partnerships in DExEU until November 2017 when he was appointed Consul General in New York and Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America.

In June 2021 Antony was appointed High Commissioner-designate to South Africa. He took up his post in July 2021.