MEA UK Roadshow 2026 · Friday 27 November
London — Gateway to the Middle East
In partnership with International Law Summits
In partnership with
MEA UK Roadshow 2026 · Friday 27 November
In partnership with International Law Summits
The London finale of the MEA UK Roadshow joins forces with the 9th Annual Conference of International Law Summits. MEA ticket holders get the full MEA programme: a keynote, the MEA Roadshow panel, pre-bookable one-to-one meetings with our speakers, and networking throughout the day. You're also welcome to attend the wider conference sessions.
Gateway to the Middle East: Unlocking Business Opportunities across the Middle East
Moderated by Nicholas Hopton, Director General of the Middle East Association.
After the panel, you can book 15-minute one-to-one meetings with the MEA panel speakers for tailored advice on your plans for the region. These run alongside the second conference panel.
Peter Millett is a former British Ambassador to Libya and delivers the keynote address at the London finale, drawing on a distinguished diplomatic career across the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Prof. Brandon Malone opens and closes the day's proceedings on behalf of International Law Summits, whose 9th Annual Conference hosts the London finale of the MEA UK Roadshow.
Nicholas Hopton is Director General of the Middle East Association and a former British Ambassador, with a diplomatic career spanning Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. He brings deep regional expertise and decades of public service experience to the Roadshow's leadership.
Alongside his work at the MEA, Nicholas is a published author and commentator, writing on politics, culture and history for publications including the Times Literary Supplement.
Hatice Beton is Co-Founder of the Global Diplomacy Institute (GDI), a strategic advisory firm helping governments, investors, international organisations, and businesses navigate complex geopolitical environments and build high-impact public-private partnerships.
She specialises in business diplomacy, investment strategy, and cross-sector collaboration. She also serves as Co-Founder and Executive Director of the G20 & G7 Health and Development Partnership, leading strategic advocacy convening more than 30 leading global health organisations. She holds an MSc in Comparative Political Economy from the London School of Economics.
About Global Diplomacy Institute
The Global Diplomacy Institute (GDI) is a political and business-diplomacy advisory firm headquartered in Bahrain, with offices in Riyadh and London. It helps governments, multilateral organisations and C-suite leaders navigate complex geopolitical environments through public-private partnerships, geopolitical intelligence, investment facilitation, policy advisory and high-level convening. GDI works across trade, finance, health and development, turning strategic ambition into measurable outcomes for public and private sector clients.
Alan Donnelly joins the MEA Roadshow panel on behalf of the Global Diplomacy Institute (GDI), bringing extensive experience in political and business diplomacy across the Gulf and internationally.
About Global Diplomacy Institute
The Global Diplomacy Institute (GDI) is a political and business-diplomacy advisory firm headquartered in Bahrain, with offices in Riyadh and London. It helps governments, multilateral organisations and C-suite leaders navigate complex geopolitical environments through public-private partnerships, geopolitical intelligence, investment facilitation, policy advisory and high-level convening. GDI works across trade, finance, health and development, turning strategic ambition into measurable outcomes for public and private sector clients.
Adam moved to Saudi Arabia from the UK in 2008, identifying the need for an independent platform to help foreign companies navigate the Kingdom's business landscape, co-founding AEI Saudi in 2012 after a career in the IT Security industry.
With over 20 years' experience, Adam's core expertise lies in Saudi business development. He has supported over 2,500 companies, predominantly from the UK, EU, and US, on their journey to enter, succeed and thrive in the Middle East. He also advises the MEA in the UK, providing commercial guidance and regional networks.
About AEI Saudi
Founded in 2012, AEI Saudi is an independent market-entry and advisory consultancy helping international companies establish and grow their presence in Saudi Arabia. Its team guides foreign businesses through the Kingdom’s regulatory, commercial and cultural landscape as they enter one of the region’s largest markets.
Based in the United Arab Emirates, Heba Al Emara is a Managing Director for the Middle East, bringing first-hand regional insight to the Roadshow. She joins the speaker line-up at the MEA's London event.
About VG Group
Established in 1982, VG is an independent, Jersey-based provider of bespoke fiduciary and administration services to private clients, families, funds and institutions worldwide. The firm administers more than 1,100 structures representing over £15 billion in assets, with expertise spanning private wealth, trust and corporate administration, funds and capital markets. Its independence allows VG to act quickly and decisively, building long-term client partnerships that average more than a decade. VG Group is the Gold Sponsor of the MEA UK Roadshow.
Matthew is a Dubai-based business development professional with experience advising entrepreneurs, investors, internationally mobile families and business owners on international structuring, corporate services, residency solutions and private client matters. He is a Business Development Manager at The Sovereign Group, an international provider of corporate, private client and retirement planning services.
He holds the Certificate in International Trust Management from STEP and the Award in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute.
About Sovereign PPG
The leading business formation and corporate services provider across the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia, and is a registered Corporate Services Provider in the DIFC and ADGM, with specialised expertise for regulated business structures.
Peter Snaith is a Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, one of the UK's leading transatlantic law firms. He brings extensive expertise in commercial and corporate law, with a particular focus on transactions and business relationships across the MENA region.
About Womble Bond Dickinson
Womble Bond Dickinson is a leading transatlantic law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers across offices in the UK and the US. It advises businesses across a broad range of sectors, with particular strength in corporate, commercial and cross-border work supporting UK companies active in the MENA region.
A representative from the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will join the London panel, offering Government insight on trade, exports, investment and market access across the Middle East.
A representative from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK Government's export credit agency, will join the London panel to share how finance and insurance can support British exporters and overseas buyers in the region.
Supported by Smart Currency Business — foreign exchange and international payments specialists.