Our Team

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James was Group Director for China at De La Rue plc from 2010-13. From 1996-2010, he worked for Rolls-Royce plc, as Director responsible for China, and later as Director of EU Relations and, concurrently, Advisor to the CEO on China. From 1969-96 James served in HM Diplomatic Service (Hong Kong, Beijing, Geneva and Brussels). From 1977-80 he was official Chinese interpreter for HM The Queen, Margaret Thatcher and other UK leaders. He has performed Pekingese comedy on Chinese TV and stage and is a member of the Board of the LSO. James has written for the FT and lectured at the LSE. He is chairman of the China Association.

Ollie founded Asiability in 2015. Prior to that he founded Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) in Europe in 2011. CKGSB is China’s leading executive school established by Hong Kong's wealthiest man, Li ka shing. Previous roles include CEO of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Foundation and Director of Corporate Relations at Said Business School where he served on the leadership team of Oxford University's £1.25 billion campaign. Board experience includes London Symphony Orchestra, Social Bite and China-Britain Business Council. Ollie presently also serves as China Ambassador for Ditchley Foundation, on the Board of the Asia Scotland Institute and regularly teaches at the London School of Economics Confucius Institute for Business.

Andrew is Co-Founder of Asiability and has 30 years’ experience advising companies and governments on China. Previous positions include Managing Partner of Booz & Company’s Greater China operations, Partner-in-charge for Asia with Tony Blair Associates and Partner leading the Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions Practice of Boston Consulting Group. He is a Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI and a non executive director of Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Company PLC. A graduate of Harvard Business School and Cambridge University he speaks French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

Bob’s career spans more than 30 years in the luxury automotive sector, including former President of Jaguar Land Rover China where Bob led the strategy development, company inception and managed operations and sales from 2010. Under Bob’s leadership, exports to China grew to become the most profitable and biggest volume market accounting for over 50% of global profits and >£6bn of annual sales. Experienced working at Board level, Bob is skilled in business planning, operational management, sales and strategy development. Bob studied at Warwick Business School and Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in China. He is a former board member of China-Britain Business Council and has held Non-Executive Director roles in China with JV Partners.

Jim is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years’ experience working in Asia. As Founder of EASTWEST public relations (voted British Chamber of Commerce SME of the year 2011 in Singapore) he is particularly well placed to advise SMEs on launching new ventures and managing partnerships to enter new markets. Senior experience includes; Eggplant Digital; go-events.com; Morgan Cars China Ltd; import agent for WAKE Drinks UK; and Interim CEO Lotus Cars China. From 2017-2019 he served as vice chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China and was appointed Executive Committee Member of the Hainan International Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Jim founded the British Business Awards in China in 2008 and has a limited working proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

Steve is a partner in Keystone Law and works with the Asiability team to ensure that legal risks and opportunities are identified early and are dealt with in the most efficient and beneficial way for clients. Steve has experience at the highest level of international law as a senior Corporate Finance partner and global board member in the world’s largest law firm, 大成 Dentons. He gained experience in China while CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, where he worked alongside Asiability on a number of investment and partnership opportunities.  In 2016, Steve studied at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in China and this helps him ensure that his legal advice is aligned with the approach of the whole Asiability team and reflects their experience gained from working on hundreds of commercial transactions involving China.  

Patrick’s family have a 100 year history with China. His grandfather visited in the 1920s followed by his grand uncle in 1935. Patrick first visited in 1992 to learn Mandarin and develop his career in real estate, spending over 15 years as one of the first western developers in Beijing. Patrick met his wife, Anna Lin, in China and they have a daughter and son who are both bilingual. Patrick served as the Olympic Attache for the Irish Team in 2008 and he and his family continue to work on enhancing Chinese relations and understanding in the UK and Ireland.

Bob has deep commercial knowledge and a large network of specialist banks and lenders that are able to support clients Trade Finance needs. Bob previously worked Jaguar Land Rover as International Trade Finance Director where he was responsible for organising multi-billion dollar, worldwide funding lines and insurance contracts to enable the Company and its Dealer network to grow their businesses profitability. In 2011 Bob founded Advantage Global Trade Solutions Ltd, which has now International standing. A specialist Trade and Working Capital advisory firm supporting businesses in the UK and Overseas to release invested capital and improve operating performance. Current projects are in Myanmar, Texas, UAE, Zimbabwe, Singapore, China, Angola and of course the UK.  Bob is passionate, in particular, about helping UK SMEs realise new growth opportunities.  

Mark is internationally experienced businessman and latterly, Strategy Director and Senior Diplomat at the British Embassy, China. Mark was responsible for all Technology, Manufacturing and Transport sectors, advising Government, Industry and business on emerging trends and connecting with market opportunities. The Automotive sector (NEV and CAV) has  been a particular focus where Mark led global expansion for SMEs, MSB’s and FTSE 100 companies alike, covering start-ups, M&A, Greenfield expansion, operations, organisational development, IP exploitation, and financial oversight.Mark’s Board experience includes Director at Pera Technology Ltd. 

Anne has over 30 years’ experience in public relations and reputation management in professional services and financial services. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Relations at Richmond, the American University in London and has taught at Edinburgh Business School. Former roles include Global Head of PR at Clifford Chance and EMEIA Head of PR at Andersen. She previously worked with international insurers Old Mutual and Aviva, and at The Guardian newspaper. Anne has worked with top 50 UK and US law firms, is a non-executive board member of Infinite Global and an advisory board member of The Quorum Initiative. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. 

Iris has extensive experience working together with international companies and China. She previously worked in the International Department of China's largest and most prestigious entrepreneur platform, the China Entrepreneur Club (CEC). In this role Iris worked with hundreds of Chinese companies and entrepreneurs across all sectors. With a deep understanding of Chinese business culture and how to support international cooperation, Iris is fluent in English and has a Masters from Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Felicia has had an international career in branding and communications with Ogilvy and Dentsu in Austria, France, U.S.and China where she spent 13 years in strategic planning and consumer insights. Felicia excels at helping companies understand the Chinese consumer through research and cross-cultural executive education. She has worked extensively with HR teams delivering global mobility workshops. Her sector experience includes automobile, luxury, cosmetics, retail and FMCG. She is fluent in German, English, French and Mandarin Chinese.