WYG Chief Operating Officer, Graham Olver, appointed as Chair of British Expertise
PRESS RELEASE
7 JUNE 2013
Graham Olver, Chief Operating Officer for international multi-disciplinary consultancy, WYG, has recently been appointed as Chair of British Expertise (BE).
BE is the most prominent private sector association of British professional services companies whose common aim is to develop international opportunities for UK business.
On his appointment, Graham said: “It is a privilege to have been elected as Chairman of British Expertise. I am looking forward to working with the Board, the staff and our member companies who are among the most professional, best networked and collaborative organisations in the professional services sector. By sharing best practice and expertise we will work together to support our common goal - to maximise opportunities for growth in overseas markets.”
WYG, like many of its peers in BE, is already collaborating in this way through its involvement in a number of landmark projects across the globe including the Western Balkans Investment Framework Infrastructure Projects Facility and Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development Facility in Southern Africa (CRIDF), and is one of the first international businesses to re-establish a permanent presence in Libya.
Tracey Smith, Chief Executive of BE said: “We are delighted to have Graham on board. He brings with him substantial experience which I am sure will be of enormous benefit to British Expertise. We are looking forward to working with him and driving forward a number of new initiatives.”
Among the items on BE’s agenda for the year will be strengthening relationships with UK and overseas ministerial influencers and decision-makers to support members’ growth aspirations, and widening capability within the membership base by attracting new members.
In practical terms, an extensive calendar of activities is already in place for the year ahead, including networking, training and partnering events, special interest groups, and targeted trade missions. One of the early highlights on the calendar is BE’s annual event at the House of Lords on 13 June which, despite being larger than ever, is already fully subscribed. This year’s reception brings together over 200 businesses and will be hosted by the Rt Hon The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean. The Rt Hon Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for International Development since 2010 will be speaking.
ENDS
Louise Gardner, PR and Communications Executive
WYG GROUP LTD
Arndale Court, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2UJ
Tel: : 44 (0)113 278 7111
Email: groupcommuncations@wyg.com
Twitter: @wyggroup
Notes to Editors
One of the top-ranking global consultancies employing around 1,300 people, WYG is behind some of the world’s most challenging projects. Our specialists provide expert advice and project management support that is helping shape landscapes, infrastructure, society and culture in the developed and developing world.
We advise on planning and transport, provide engineering and environmental services, consult on waste and resource management, and deliver support to enable economic and social reform.
By engaging with clients at an early stage we ensure that decisions are made which will maximise a project’s potential and deliver our client’s strategic objectives. In turn, this builds strong and lasting relationships with clients in each of our seven core sectors:
• Defence & Justice
• Energy & Waste
• Environment (including Waste & Waste Water)
• Transport
• Commercial Development & Urban Regeneration
• Mining & Metals
• Social Development & Infrastructure
WYG has an international presence with offices throughout the UK, and in Eastern Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, and South Africa.
