Serica’s CEO named first Northern Powerhouse International Champion in China

Shanghai, 24th January 2022 – Serica, a leading technology and financial advisory firm specializing in China, proudly announces the appointment of its CEO, Benjamin Speyer, as the UK Department for International Trade’s first Northern Powerhouse International Champion in China.

The Northern Powerhouse (NPH) is an economic cluster and government initiative to drive the development and global competitiveness of the North of England; including cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, and Newcastle. The NPH International Champions program seeks to establish a global network of passionate individuals from the North, advocating for the region as an investment destination for foreign companies and offering guidance to local innovators expanding abroad.

China emerged as the UK’s third-largest trading partner in 2021, with trade surpassing £150 billion, marking a 33% year-on-year growth. However, China remains a deeply confusing and challenging market to innovators who often struggle to determine the market demand, their ability to compete, engagement strategies and how they can effectively mitigate risks such as IP protection. Serica’s recent expansion into the UK market aims to address these challenges and Benjamin Speyer’s appointment underscores the company’s commitment to fostering stronger ties between the North of England and China.

Expressing his gratitude for the appointment, Benjamin stated, “As a proud Yorkshireman and Northerner, I’m thrilled to help showcase all the unique strengths of my region (especially life sciences, clean energy, and fintech) in China and provide guidance to various Northern innovators seeking to expand there. I hope this advocacy and mentorship work will enable me to make a humble but tangible contribution to the economic prosperity and global competitiveness of the North.”

This appointment marks a meaningful milestone for Serica’s expansion into the UK, fostering cross-border collaboration and trade between world-class innovators addressing major global challenges.