On Wednesday, May 17, British Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch hosted a special reception for The Executive Leadership Council at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. Over 100 ELC members and guests attended the exclusive event to celebrate The ELC’s upcoming Summer General Membership Meeting, also known as the “The London Convening,” which will take place from June 14-16, 2017. The ELC has long recognized the significance of London as a gateway to global business, and has strategically planned for the upcoming membership meeting to be the first step towards expansion beyond the United States.

Ambassador Darroch congratulated The ELC for its global expansion efforts and stressed the need for more diversity within UK’s business arena at the executive level. “London is one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the world and we need to be an organization as diverse and inclusive as the country we represent.”

ELC Board Chair Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line, closed out the reception with remarks on The ELC’s mission in London and the importance of global expansion into the world’s most influential city for international business and commerce. “This is an important time to be in London,” said Ashford. “Rather than witnessing history…we want to be the ones that shape history.” Also in attendance were American politician and MSNBC political analyst Michael Steele, Honorary British Consulate Oliver St. Clair Franklin, O.B.E., Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and Congressman Bobby Scott.