The guest of honour at the Japan Society and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK’s first joint lunch of 2020 will be Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Dame Carolyn. We are delighted to welcome Carolyn Fairbairn to share her views on the challenges facing companies in the UK and the implications for UK-Japan business links. This will be a particularly timely briefing, coming in the wake of the General Election on 12 December, and offer us a chance to assess the impact on business and Brexit of a new Government. Carolyn’s extensive career in leadership roles in business, media and government, with particular experience in the finance and broadcasting sectors, makes her uniquely placed to provide an insight into the implications for the private sector.

Carolyn joined the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) as Director-General in November 2015. She spent her early career with the World Bank and as a journalist with The Economist magazine. In 1995 she joined McKinsey and became a partner in its media practice. As BBC Director of Strategy, she led the BBC’s digital strategy, in which capacity she designed and launched Freeview. From 2007-2010, Carolyn was a member of the Executive Board at ITV. She has extensive FTSE board experience, including as non-executive director of Lloyds Banking Group, the Vitec Group, and Capita plc. She has also worked in government as a member of John Major’s Number 10 Policy unit from 1995-97, specialising in health policy.

Carolyn holds a BA in Economics from Cambridge University, an MA in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA with distinction from INSEAD.

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn will speak following a two-course lunch, after which there will be time for questions until 2.30pm.

To reserve your place, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996, email events@japansociety.org.uk or submit the online booking form.

£60 per head
Members of the Japan Society, the JCCI and their guests

Booking essential
Book online here

Booking deadline: Friday 10 January

However, please note that spaces are limited and this is likely to be a very popular event.