UK-GCC Strategic Dialogue 2026 Gains Momentum Under GCC Secretariat Patronage
London, February 2026—The Business Year has announced significant developments for its UK–GCC Strategic Dialogue, with formal patronage from the GCC Secretariat and an expanded coalition of sponsors and institutional partners. This momentum builds as preparations advance for the flagship forum scheduled at Guildhall, London, on April 14, 2026.
Enhanced Partnerships and Institutional Support
The Dialogue is now formally under the patronage of the GCC Secretariat, highlighting its role as a key platform for structured engagement between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The program is developed in close collaboration with leading institutions, including UK Export Finance, the City of London Corporation, Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, TheCityUK, and techUK.
These partners will play a central role in shaping the agenda, ensuring alignment with ongoing UK–GCC trade negotiations and long-term investment priorities. The initiative aims to deepen economic cooperation by bringing together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, and policymakers to advance practical collaboration across trade, investment, innovation, infrastructure, and the energy transition.
Growing Roster of Senior Participants
Confirmed speakers and contributors include prominent figures such as HE Jasem AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC Secretariat; Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance; Dame Sue Langley, Lady Mayor of the City of London; HE Ibtisam bint Ahmed Al-Farouji, Undersecretary of Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion; Ali Khalil, CEO of Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz); Esam AlKheshnam, CEO of KNET; and Nicola Watkinson, Managing Director, International, at TheCityUK.
These leaders will be joined by additional CEOs, ministers, and senior executives from across the UK and GCC as the program continues to develop in the coming weeks, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering bilateral ties.
Robust Private-Sector Backing
The Dialogue has secured substantial support from regional and international partners, demonstrating strong private-sector commitment to strengthening UK–GCC economic relations. Confirmed sponsors and partners include:
- Kuwait Banking Association as Platinum Sponsor
- Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz), Zain Group, and Qatar Insurance Company as Gold Sponsors
- Invest Oman as Silver Sponsor
- KNET as Bronze Sponsor
Additional partners include ITL World as Travel Partner, and City AM, Sabco Media, and Northbourne Advisory as media partners. This growing ecosystem of supporters underscores the initiative’s importance in facilitating cross-border collaboration.
A Flagship Platform for Practical Cooperation
Combining a flagship report with a senior leadership forum at Guildhall, the Dialogue will explore practical avenues for collaboration in key areas such as capital markets, digital transformation, infrastructure development, energy transition, and innovation policy. The accompanying report will feature over 100 executive interviews and will be launched at the Guildhall forum before being distributed through TBY’s global channels and partner networks.
Digital distribution will include platforms like Bloomberg Terminal, Dow Jones Factiva, FactSet, and LSEG Workspace, ensuring broad visibility among international decision-makers and enhancing the Dialogue’s impact.
“The UK–GCC Strategic Dialogue has been conceived as a practical bridge between two of the world’s most dynamic economic regions,” said Carlos Martínez, CEO of The Business Year. “The growing level of institutional and corporate engagement confirms the appetite for deeper, more structured cooperation, and we look forward to welcoming leaders from both sides to London in April.”
Further speaker confirmations and program updates will be announced in the coming weeks, as the event continues to gain traction and support from across the UK and GCC.
