Eight British business leaders will head to New York for the government's first ever LGBTQ+ trade mission.
Organised by the Department for International Trade and the British Consulate in New York, the event will celebrate diversity in business and encourage international opportunities for LGBTQ-led 海角视频 businesses.
Paul Corcoran, CEO of Liverpool marketing and brand agency, Agent, is the only representative from the north of England selected to take part.
Mr Corcoran said: “I am exceptionally proud to represent the very best of 海角视频 business on this world stage. It is important that as a country we are representing ourselves as leaders on the cutting edge of technology and the creative industries, and to be selected to join a delegation of mostly London-based businesses demonstrates the growth and opportunities that Liverpool and the wider city region has to offer.
“Above and beyond CEO, I also hold a number of positions, including deputy-chair for Liverpool City Region’s Local Enterprise Partnership, co-chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership’s creative and digital board, vice chair of Liverpool’s Everyman and Playhouse theatres, and Policy and Evidence Centre industry champion for the creative industries.
"This has allowed me to champion the vast array of developments happening across these sectors and I’m looking forward to sharing this news during my time in New York."
Starting on June 26, the LGTBQ+ Founders' Trade Mission will consist of five days of events. The mission is the first of many LGBTQ+ events taking place in America as part of VisitBritain's 'Love is GREAT Britain' campaign.
With the goal of celebrating diversity in business, as well as encouraging the acceleration of international opportunities for LGBTQ+ led businesses in the 海角视频, Paul will be involved in a number of networking events, roundtable discussions and knowledge seminars.
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He will also have the opportunity to meet prominent US-based LGBTQ+ business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs.
As part of the mission, Mr Corcoran will "fly the rainbow flag for equality" as he joins other 海角视频 government officials in the world’s largest Pride march, which will be taking place in New York for the first time.
The WorldPride parade on June 30 will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, the protests that kick-started the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Other delegates selected in take part in the trade mission include Tag Warner, CEO of Gay Times, Benjamin Cohen, CEO of PinkNews and Hayley Sudbury, CEO of tech firm, WERKIN.
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Richard Turner, regional director at DIT and chair of the US Network Diversity and Inclusion Group, said: "This will be an invaluable experience for our delegation of LGBTQ+ leaders, as previous trade missions have seen companies successfully open New York offices, secure venture capital funding, develop new networks, and generate new US business and investment leads."
Mr Corcoran added: “Being a part of this trade mission will act as an excellent showcase of the work we produce at Agent for our variety of clients, including the National Cyber Security Centre, the Cabinet Office and the Environment Agency, to name a few.”