In June 2015, a team of dignitaries from Manila came to London as part of a roadshow held at Asia House in Westminster London. The event was called The Philippines: Asia’s Bright Spot and was organized in partnership with the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Embassy in London and sponsored by HSBC. Speakers included Philippine Ambassador to the UK Enrique A. Manalo and Philippine Secretary for Trade and Industry Gregory L. Domingo. The event was attended by over 100 delegates from a range of verticals including banking and IT. The idea behind the event was to increase bilateral trade and investments between both countries.
As chair and host of the 21 member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum this year and a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines is strongly positioned to reap the benefits of a regional economic integration. In addition, the government has introduced reforms to create a favourable business environment.
Transcom’s Adrian Millington, Business Development Manager and Client Services Manager for the UK was invited to speak at the event by Philippine Commercial Attaché and Director for the DTI in the UK Anne Marie Kristine C. Umali. Adrian and Kristine had been working together on raising the profile of Transcom in the UK and collaborating on potential new business opportunities. The strong relationship enjoyed by Transcom and the DTI in London and Manila was reinforced on the day with Adrian speaking specifically on Business Process Management and shared service opportunities in the Philippines.
Speakers and panellists during the workshop on IT-Business Process Management & Shared Services Opportunities. From left to right: Mark Frost, PreScribe Invent Asia; Kristine Umali, PTIC-London; David Durling, Shell; Adrian Millington, Transcom; DTI Secretary Greg Domingo; Kerry Hallard, the National Outsourcing Association; and, DTI Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo.
The IT-Business Process Management Seminar held at Asia House in London during the summer of 2015 emphasised the strength of the Philippines as the premiere destination for the shared services and outsourcing industry. The entire panel including Adrian shared to potential investors the distinct advantages of the Philippines such as a young demographic and an English-speaking educated workforce. Other speakers shared their own testimonies about the professionalism and successes evidenced across the BPO sector in the Philippines.
For his efforts, Adrian received a formal letter of appreciation from the Philippine Government. He continues to support the government body in the UK for mutually beneficial opportunities.