No, I do not mean the US President. The Government liked the idea of promoting what a Dealmaker does on a day by day basis. So I thought I would pick a day where all I was doing was not the day job of running a fund, but my Government role full on!
Here it is (from before the Department of International Trade absorbed UKTI).
0300: Plane lands from Moscow. Am flying Aeroflot – I have put a self-imposed cost control to half travel trip costs in the spirit of austerity.
0400: Arrive hotel in Delhi. As I am technically diplomatic staff of the High Commission under the Vienna Convention we get reduced hotel rates which is good for all concerned!
0430: checkin, unpacked papers for the morning conference session.
0500: Early breakfast arrive. Clear any emails since was on flight – especially relating to any meetings or any important business or Government or press interview ones ie those that can’t wait.
0545: bed
0800: get up for conference
0900: Conference starts. Meet Lord Bilimoria and the British High Commissioner to India. Karan’s an old friend and is keynote for this TiE conference and the UK is the country sponsor. Full house so am pleased with my Government and TiE hat on. Discuss with our Head of Inward Investment the media coverage of UK and India economic environment
1000: Shekhar Kapoor comes and sits next to me. I’ve known Shekhar for about 10 years now and love his perspective given the great things his done – not least Elizabeth. Being around someone so creative is fascinating to learn from. We chat about what he’s up to, and one or two UK government things and TiE Conference in UK in Delhi. I wanted him last December, but sadly his uncle, Dev Anand, passed away – the day before I was meant to meet the great actor at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates.
1230: Continue meetings with more of the attendees. My role is as Dealmaker – so we are co-ordinating meetings with target companies, and press interviews through the High Commission. UK isn’t really awake but the calls keep coming in and get forwarded to an assistant – if they don’t leave a message, they don’t get called back is my rule. I also tweet the event which is part and parcel of the campaign to leverage our UK government sponsorship of the event. All the major Indian VCs are sponsors too so it’s great having us here.
1330: Ready for the presentation I am chairing on setting up in the UK. Meet more companies, offer advice, meet my colleagues from the High Commission who are all out in force. Co-ordinate meeting calendars and press.
1500: Chair my session on investing in the UK, and operational issues. Full room – so delighted. Lots of great questions and also new companies to work on for UKTI and High Commission and me. So our investment in TiE should pay off handsomely. It’s also great having in the same room people who are in UK with those who want to be. The energy and knowledge in the room is great. The ‘Great’ branding is fab.
1630: My session over. Meet some of the spillover companies and discuss with them issues.
1700: Visit our UKTI stand and then head to my room
1730: I have one hour before needing to head back down for the 1900 evening session. Sleep. Yes, sleep. I’m not macho man.
1845: Get ready and head down for evening networking session. Head to our stand and meet a couple more of our High Commission staff including our Head of Economic Policy and the very personable Deputy Head of Trade and Investment – hilarious interaction. When you instantly get on with people it’s lovely as makes the time fly.
2000: Everything delayed so speaking to our UKTI staff, companies, and fielding UK emails and planning attack for tomorrow.
2030: We all have dinner, continue meeting interesting companies over dinner. Share economic insights with our High Commission persons.
2300: Head to room. Plan to gym then do some emails. Put head on pillow for just 10 minutes to motivate self…never wake up again this day!
