The return visit, set to take place in the autumn, was established as a direct result of requests from the Italian legal and business communities, who were so impressed with what Leeds has to offer, as a key commercial centre.
The two-day visit by Leeds Legal to one of Italy’s key business destinations, was hosted by the British Consulate and the British Chamber of Commerce for Italy (BCCI) in Milan, and supported by Leeds Legal’s key sponsors, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). During the action-packed visit, the eleven-strong Leeds Legal team conducted a series of presentations to over 40 of Milan’s top lawyers and business advisors, in addition to delivering the keynote speech at the monthly BCCI lunch, attended by almost 100 business leaders.
The aim of the delegation was not only to increase the awareness of Leeds as a centre for legal excellence in the UK, but also to forge links with individual lawyers, law firms and businesses operating in Italy.
Deborah Green, chief operating officer of Marketing Leeds and a director of Leeds Legal praised the success of the mission:
“Our presentations were very well received by BCCI, the British Consulate and the Italian lawyers attending the event. We have every confidence that the meetings we had will results in cross-border collaboration, the opening of reciprocal referrals and an enthusiasm for lawyers and business leaders to attend the return visit to Leeds later this year.
“In addition, the Milan Bar was very interested to hear how Leeds Legal was formed and how the campaign is generating more business, as a whole, for the city. They are keen to emulate our initiative.”
Delegates attending the days’ events also heard from one of Milan’s top commercial law firms, Studio Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati, about the opportunities available for work between lawyers and advisors across the two cities. In addition, chairman of the International Relationship Commission of the Milan Bar, Massimo Audisio, explained some of the differences between the Italian and UK legal systems.
The Leeds Legal delegation, comprising chairman, Alan M. Baker, chief operating officer of Marketing Leeds, Deborah Green, Richard Marshall from Leeds Legal sponsor, Lupton Fawcett and a team of representatives from other leading Leeds law firms travelled courtesy of Leeds Legal sponsors Jet2.com from Leeds Bradford to Milan Bergamo.
The dates for the return mission taking place in the autumn will be announced later this month.
