JOIN THE WRF FOR OUR SECOND ANNUAL BILATERAL RELATIONS CONFERENCE! 

Assessing the contemporary state of UK-Russian commercial, legal, cultural and geo-political relations

12th September 2018 – Offices of Pinsent Masons, London –  10.00 -19.00 / Free to attend for WRF Supporters but RSVP ESSENTIAL

Organiser & Host:

Our UK Supporters:

Our Russian Partners:

Political Partner        Charity Partner       Official Partner       Business Partner

Official Media Video Partner:

Now more important than ever please join the WRF to explore every facet of our bilateral ties – this event is a must attend!

The conference will be held at the offices of Pinsent Masons in London and will assess every facet of our bilateral ties – from political relations and trade ties to cultural exchange, legal, sanctions, and tourism we share many areas of national interest.

Call for Partners & Speakers! If interested to cooperate with the WRF on this important project please do get in touch – we want to hear from you.

Highlights include:

• UK – Russia Property Networking Forum
• Launch of the WRF ‘Russophobia’ Awareness Campaign- Promoting the Positive Contributions of the Russian Community to the UK’s Social Fabric
• Trading with Belarus – Gateway to Russia and the CIS
• WRF Awards for Contribution to UK Russia Relations
• Russian Presidential Election 2018 – Key Takeaways

The working agenda is outlined below – timings liable to change and more speakers are confirming but we attracted over 120 delegates last year! This year we have ambitious plans to grow the event.

If you are interested to partner with us please get in touch! MORE SPEAKERS CONFIRMING.

Westminster Russia Forum 2018 Agenda 

10.00 – 10.30  Registration & Networking Coffee

10.30 – 10.40 Welcome Address by Host & Russian Speaking Legal Forum

10.40 – 10.50 Welcome Address by Chair of the Westminster Russia Forum & Russian National Civic Council Address

10.50 – 11.00 Official Launch of Russophobia Awareness Campaign – Promoting a Positive Narrative of the UK’s Russian Population

Whilst the Government has been keen to stress that geo-politics has little to do with the UK’s Russian community, the actions and words of our press, politicians and others has done little to represent the community in a positive light – many in the Russian community in the UK feel under pressure from negative stereotyping – with hundreds of thousands of hard working tax payers, business people, cultural leaders, public sector workers, students and others this stereotyping is unfair.

The Russian community offers so much to the UK’s social fabric – we will be aiming to act as an umbrella organisation to the community to make their voices heard.

Press briefing to be given

11.00 – 12.00 Socio – Political Panel – Assessing Medium to Long Term UK-Russia Relations Panel in Light of the ‘Annus Horribilis’ of UK – Russia Ties

• Alexander Nekrassov, Former Adviser to the Kremlin
• Tristan Jervis, Communications Director, Westminster Russia Forum / Chairman of the Selsdon Group, President of the Britain Club
• Nicholas Cobb – UK Representative for NGO ‘Civil Society’ & WRF Chair

12.00 – 12.15 A Glance at Belarus as a Gateway to the CIS and New Markets

Sergei Artimenia, Representative of WRF Belarus / CEO at Gersis software

12.15 – 12.30  The View from Westminster 

• Trade to Russia and CIS from the UK
• Contemporary UK Russia relations
• Russian Presidential Election 2018 – Key Takeaways 

The Viscount Waverley, Vice Chair – APPG Russia

12.30 – 13.30 Networking Lunch Break (breakout area) and for those interested;

Optional Lunch Workshop – UK Russia Property Networking Lunch (12.40 – 13.20): A networking lunch and discussion assessing the areas for UK and Russian investors in both the UK sector with Inspired Homes as a case study for investment. We will also present key take-away opportunities in the Russian property market.

David Jennings, Lets Build / Inspired

13.30 – 14.30  Economic Panel – What are the Trade and Investment Opportunities for UK & Russian Businesses?

• Senior Representative, Russian Trade Delegation
• Phil Owen, Volga Trader
• Oxana Romanchuk, OPORA RUSSIA

14.30 – 15.30 Cultural Relations Panel – How and Where Can The UK & Russia Culture Promote Ties 

• Charles Stewart, Vice President & Luba Blagova, Sochi International Film Festival
• Anton Chesnokov, Rossotrudnichestvo
• Anna Jenner, Russia National Tourist Office
• David Urban, Beyond Your World

15:30 – 16:00 Coffee/Tea Break

Optional Workshop – Emerging markets with Belarus: Introduction to Belarus / The Belarus IT Sector / Q&A

Sergei Artimenia, Representative of WRF Belarus / CEO at Gersis software

16:00 – 17:00 Legal Panel – Russian Legal Matters, UWO’s & Sanctions Update

• Michael Fenn – Head of Litigation and Regulation, London – Moderator
• Tom Stocker – Partner & Head of White Collar Crime – Sanctions
• Anne Healy-McAdam – Tax Director – Non-Domiciled Individuals & Privacy Issues
• Olga Tocewicz – Senior Associate – Unexplained Wealth Orders

17.00 – 17.30 Award Ceremony – Recognition of Services to UK Russia Relations

17.30 – 19.00  Networking Reception and Book Launch with Anna Bailey – ‘Politics Under the Influence – Vodka & Public Policy in Putin’s Russia’

If you are interested to present a paper, attend, partner or sponsor please get in touch!

For all PR queries or to make direct contact please call Nic Cobb on +44(0)7541 350439.

Please note – an RSVP is essential and if needed we will be running a reserve list – please only RSVP if you are sure you can attend. We reserve right to refuse admission.