FICCI UK Council has appointed Baroness Usha Prashar of Runnymede as its inaugural chairperson for a period of two years.
Baroness Prashar is a crossbench member of the House of Lords and served on the European Union Select Committee and chaired its Sub-Committee on Home Affairs. She was also a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights and Select Committee on Economic Regulation.
Sandip Somany, president, The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said: "We are honoured and privileged that Baroness Prashar has accepted our invitation to become its inaugural Chairperson. I am sure under her leadership FICCI UK will play a vital role in the India-UK trade and investment initiatives."
FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India. A non-government, not-for-profit organisation, FICCI is the voice of India's business and industry.
Baroness Prashar said: "I am honoured to be the inaugural Chairperson of FICCI’s UK Council. I look forward to helping to increase FICCI’s influence and impact throughout the UK.
“As a strong membership organisation with regional presence and prominent visibility, FICCI is in a very strong position to support businesses, represent their interests and make a real contribution to India-UK trade and commerce relations."
Baroness Prashar made the announcement for forming sectoral committees for sectors like financial services, startups and innovation, education, healthcare amongst others.
Lok Nath Mishra, managing director and chief executive officer, ICICI Bank UK Plc has consented to be the chair for the sectoral committee on financial services and Alpesh Patel, managing director, Praefinium Group has agreed to chair the startup and innovation sector committee.
Established in 2005, FICCI's UK office is working towards optimally utilizing the emerging economic paradigms in UK to enhance the chamber's reach and depth and to seek opportunities for the Indian industry.
Bobby Bawa