Accessing our global network
SBM’s continued commitment to expand operations outside of the UK by visiting countries that prioritise economic growth, remains solid.
As the UK worked through another year of domestic borrowing in exchange for growth of perhaps 0.5%, the results are all too plain to see on arrival back in Heathrow’s foreign-owned Terminal 4 and T5.
CPTPP
We held our first CPTPP dinner in London to celebrate the UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership – adding Malaysia for the first time to a UK deal and creating a multiplier effect beyond the reach of bi-lateral agreements.
There are three countries in the CPTPP where we are serving clients that had much higher growth rates than the UK: Singapore +1.2%, Malaysia + 4% and Australia + 1.8%. The cumulative impact of the UK falling behind year after year is not lost on the business traveller.
Europe
Closer to home and working with clients in Italy and Germany, three projects were successfully brought to fruition: a factory disposal in Milan, an HQ office acquisition in Dusseldorf and a major land acquisition near Munich.
Within Q4 we held meetings with 24 CFOs of major organisations in Europe interested in accessing our global network and utilising our methodology.
I am always thankful that so many companies are welcoming of SBM when we travel. They can never do enough and are serious about business. European companies with global reach will continue to be a theme for SBM in the future.