Announcing the candidates for the 2025-26 Executive Committee

“It’s been a privilege serving the Chamber as Vice Chairman for the last two years. In this role, I had the opportunity to help drive our advocacy work and to represent the Chamber in meetings with both Chinese and UK government agencies. These activities are crucial as we guide members through a complicated environment. I am keen to ensure the issues of UK companies (MNCs + SMEs) are fully presented to Chinese government stakeholders to help ensure their long-term success.”

Chris has lived and worked in China for more than 20 years and has been a consultant advising UK and other multinational companies in China for 35 years. He continues to do this work in his role as MD Greater China for APCO, an independent strategic advisory firm. Chris is a Mandarin speaker and committed to improving the UK-China relationship.

“As Managing Director for China at Coventry University Group and with over 18 years of experience representing British business and education in China and across NE and SE Asia, my career has centred on building lasting UK-China partnerships – across business, government and academia – and I believe the Chamber plays a critical role in convening stakeholders and supporting British organisations in China. Higher Education is a key pillar of this relationship, and I am committed to advancing collaboration in education, innovation and talent development whilst ensuring the Chamber remains a strong advocate for our sector. I believe that I will bring experience, strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and policy influence, and welcome the chance to contribute to the Chamber’s future direction. I see Board membership as a platform to champion British excellence, support our members, strengthen our collective voice and foster sustainable, long-term partnerships for all.”

Guy Dru Drury is Managing Director of Coventry University Group (CUG) in China, leading its strategic engagement, partnerships, and profile-building across the region.

A fluent Mandarin speaker with over 18 years’ experience in UK-China-Asia relations, Guy previously served as China Chief Representative for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), where he established the Beijing office and expanded operations across Asia Pacific.

At CUG, he drives transnational education, research collaboration, managing a team based in Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Hainan. Awarded an MBE for services to UK-China business in 2017 Guy is a passionate amateur age group triathlete and has twice qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona (2018) and Nice (2023) respectively.

“Serving as Vice Chair of the Chamber over the past two years has given me a unique perspective on the diverse ways British companies contribute to China’s economic growth-beyond the energy sector I know best. I’ve seen firsthand how the Chamber’s platform strengthens UK-China policy dialogue and drives meaningful advocacy. I’m especially proud of how our Position Paper and Sentiment Survey have influenced policies that support trade and investment. I look forward to continuing this work-fostering engagement with business leaders and expanding professional networks that empower British business in China.”

Hong is Vice President of Shell China, leading Strategy, M&A, and New Business Development. With over 25 years at Shell in both the UK and China, she brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, financial management, and business transformation. Her passion lies in advancing global energy security, affordability, and sustainability.

Hong is a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) and a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) in the UK. Her international experience, strategic insight, and commitment to cross-border collaboration make her a strong candidate to contribute meaningfully to the Chamber’s mission.

“I am motivated to run for the Executive Committee to champion the role of high-quality British education as a key pillar of the UK-China relationship. As head of Primary at the British School of Beijing, Shunyi and a doctoral candidate researching the impact of positive leadership within organisations, I bring insight into educational leadership and organisational development.

I believe the Chamber plays a key role in connecting educational institutions with the wider business community and I hope to support initiatives that promote educational excellence, innovation and talent development.

My goal is to strengthen partnerships that benefit students, schools and British businesses in China. I am also passionate about empowering the next generation of globally minded leaders and ensuring that British education continues to be seen as a benchmark of quality and character.”

Abigail Alexis-Olubuyide is an experienced educational leader with over a decade of international and UK-based teaching experience. She is the Head of Primary at the British School of Beijing in Shunyi, having previously led a Primary School of 1,350 students in the UAE. Raised in the UK and passionate about developing future leaders, Abigail brings a global perspective rooted in British values. She holds a BSc in Psychology, a PGCE, an MA in Educational Leadership and Management (Distinction), the National Professional Qualification in Headship, and is currently pursuing an EdD in Organisational Leadership. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Abigail guest speaks on topics related to leadership and organisational culture. Her philosophy is that everyone can be a high performer when potential is paired with hard work and support. Abigail is a proud mother of two secondary school children and deeply committed to education’s transformative power.

“As an active member of the British Chamber Community for more than 10 years, I feel that I am at a point in my career where I can contribute more than just documenting the Chamber’s events and initiatives. As a small business owner, I feel that I can contribute more to the committee regarding experiences and struggles of entrepreneurs and small businesses in an ever changing environment, and as someone who supports larger organisations with both their internal and external communications, I can also support the messaging and discussions as a member of the committee to support the bigger vision and purpose of the Chamber. As the Chamber has, and continues to be, an incredible partner for my organisation, I feel it is imperative to give back to the community and support the team, especially as the China and global environment continues to change rapidly.”

Aaron is a professional creative storyteller based in Beijing since 2011. After spending a year studying at Peking University, he has spent more than a decade trying to capture its essence through photos and film.

With a focus on cross-cultural communication, Aaron has not only worked closely with international companies but also embassies, Chinese multinationals, and even the Beijing Municipal Government, to share their stories across the world.

Aaron was recognised as “Beijing-Based Photographer of the Year” in 2024 by That’s Beijing Magazine, and his portfolio covers a wide range of subjects and elements including more than 15 Presidential delegations, and clients like Xbox, Tommy Hilfiger Fashion, Audi, London Fashion Week, BMW, AIIB, Xiaomi, UFH, and more. His works have also appeared in AFP, the New York Times, Al Jazeera, Vice, Xinhua, China Daily, CNN, Forbes, Buzzfeed, The Los Angeles Times, and The Huffington Post.

“Having served on the Executive Committee for the past two years, I have seen first-hand the vital role the Chamber plays in supporting British businesses in China. I’m eager to continue championing the voices of SMEs like ours and to help broaden the Chamber’s reach and engagement especially across the travel, hospitality, and cultural sectors. With over 15 years of experience living and working throughout China, I bring a strong understanding of local market dynamics and a genuine passion for fostering meaningful connections and experiences. I remain committed to promoting responsible business practices and advocating for the SME community, while encouraging trust, opportunity, and open dialogue among members. If re-elected, it would be a pleasure to continue working closely with the Executive Committee, the dedicated Secretariat, and the wider Chamber network to ensure our community remains well-supported, connected, and empowered to thrive in a new and rapidly evolving China.”

As the General Manager at A Trails, a comprehensive travel provider for both business and leisure travellers, Justin Culkin brings a decade of diverse experience in marketing, sales, and events. His professional journey has spanned various industries, including F&B, media, and entertainment. Born, raised, and educated in the UK, he has been living in China for the past 15 years, with 12 of those in Beijing and three in Dali, Yunnan. Justin is a passionate advocate for immersive and sustainable travel. Having explored many regions of China, he believes that authentic experiences, cultural interactions, and human connections truly inspire and transform the soul. He enjoys meeting and bringing people together, thrives on building trust and relationships, and most importantly, achieves fulfilment by creating value for others.

Having relocated to Beijing during the pandemic in 2022, I have witnessed many opportunities and challenges that businesses faced during this unprecedented time. By joining the ExCo, I would like to support the member companies to further develop our understanding of post-Covid economic recovery and the ever-changing business environment, and to enhance our members’ collaborative influence on the UK-China business, policy and wider corporate environment. With my expertise and experience of UK higher education and international education, I am keen to support the Chamber’s increasing number of education members to promote deeper engagement and collaboration with the Chinese market.

In addition, working with the British Council, I have grown a keen interest in contributing to the development of a stronger member community of the Chamber and promoting a culture of inclusion and diversity of our joint British-Chinese workforce.

Sylvia joined the British Council in Beijing in 2022 and currently holds the position of interim Director of Business Development. She is leading the British Council’s China business development strategy to build strategic partnerships, expand sales channels and drive business growth for the global exam portfolio of British Council in China, including IELTS, Aptis, professional qualifications, and University and school exams. Before joining the British Council in China, for 15 years, Sylvia has been leading a few UK universities’ international student acquisition and institutional partnership development in East Asia and Oceania markets for the Higher Education sector.

I’m motivated to continue serving on the Executive Committee to support the British Chamber’s mission and its growing Secretariat team. I want to be a steady, approachable presence—someone the team can turn to for support, advice, or simply a listening ear.

As a British small business owner in Beijing, operating at the intersection of wellness, sport, creativity, and entrepreneurship, I bring a perspective that reflects the dynamic, fast-growing sectors shaping modern China. I believe the Chamber is uniquely positioned to amplify the voices of small businesses, and we’ve seen how collective advocacy can influence government-to-government dialogue.

With a background in consulting and over two decades living and working in China, I understand the challenges British individuals and companies face here. Raising a family in Beijing further deepens my connection to this community, and I’m committed to helping the Chamber remain relevant, responsive, and representative of all its members.

Ross Parsonage has lived and worked in Beijing for over 20 years, leading a uniquely blended career across legal consulting, intellectual property, wellbeing, and community development.

He has held senior roles with international law and advisory firms, working with multinationals on brand protection and regulatory strategy, before transitioning to co-found Taozi Tree Yoga, one of Beijing’s most vibrant international wellness communities.

Ross has been an active member of the British Chamber of Commerce in China for over a decade and has sat on the Executive Committee since 2019.

As a father of four navigating the Chinese education system, Ross brings deep personal and professional insight into the challenges and opportunities of expat life in China. Today, he consults on conflict and relationship management, community engagement, workplace wellbeing, and international family support—helping organisations and individuals thrive across cultures.

I have been serving on the Board of British Chamber for 8 years, witnessing the growth of the Chamber to be the independent voice of the British Business in China. I would like to make continued contribution to the Chamber’s development with (1) my over 25 years professional experience, expertise in energy, investment and sustainability (2) my passion and vision to enhance the bilaterial business, investment and policy advocacy and for the benefit for the members, and (3) my commitment to support the development of the team, to provide my guidance, mentorship and technical expertise.  China and the UK agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as energy, technology, artificial intelligence and climate change during the 10th China-UK Strategic Dialogue held in London in Feb 2025. I can contribute many areas to support the Chamber and its members to capture great opportunities and advance in collaboration and bilateral dialogues.

Daisy Shen has 25 years’ experience with KPMG, including a long-term secondment to KPMG’s Global Chairman’s Office and the KPMG Energy Centre of Excellence based in London, where she gained invaluable international experience in executive management and cross-border M&A transactions. Daisy specialises in Strategy, M&A, Energy Transition, ESG and decarbonisation, Sustainable Supply Chain Advisory, providing advice to corporates, financial institutions (including multilateral banks) and governments in climate change, energy transition, low carbon investment, ESG and decarbonisation (including Corporate PPA, energy efficiency) strategy.

The pharmaceutical industry is of strategic importance to both China and the UK. As the Director for Central Govt Affairs of AstraZeneca in China, one of the biggest MNC pharmaceutical companies in China, I hope I can contribute to pharmaceutical members in the British community by creating a better business environment in China. Also, in terms of GA affairs, I have been and I’ll continue to work with BritCham, especially the position paper to push for policy advocacies that are helpful to encourage more innovation, cooperation and sustainable development.

Amy has served as the Director of Central Government Affairs of AstraZeneca China since January 2021, responsible for state leaders’ engagement through high-level platforms such as the Boao Forum and the China Development Forum, where the Chairman, CEO will participate. She’s also responsible for liaising with ministries, embassies, chambers of commerce, and the establishment of cooperation platforms with state media in China. She previously was the Deputy Director of Central Government Affairs and Deputy Director of Public Relations and Communications of AstraZeneca China when she launched the first CSR report of AstraZeneca in China. She had worked in People’s Daily from 2002 to 2017, as the Director of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs and Chief of the European and American affairs in the External Affairs Department of People’s Daily.

“The reason I have decided to participate in this election is not only because of my deep affection for the Chamber but also because I have a strong desire and motivation to contribute my own strength to our Chamber.  I firmly believe that a dynamic and closely-knit chamber of commerce can offer its members a broader space for development.  I will leverage my experience in government affairs and Communications in multiple industries, combined with my tenure as Vice-Chair of the Pharmaceutical Committee at the European Union Chamber of Commerce, to provide the support to members in Policy Insights and government partnership, helping members adjust their strategies in a timely manner and seize market opportunities. Through building a communications platform for members, providing policy support, and promoting international exchanges, I will actively listen to the voices of members, understand their needs, and provide targeted services and support.”

Michelle Zhao is a seasoned MNC leader. As the VP of GSK, she heads the Government Affairs, Policy and Communications teams in China.  She has nearly 20 years of dedication in government affairs and public affairs across several industries, including FMCG, IT, Pharma, etc., and over a decade years focus on the Pharma industry, with an in-depth understanding of the Chinese government institutions and policy. She brings to the companies she serve an in-depth knowledge of the Chinese political and regulatory environments and policy-making process.

Additionally, she also actively commits to driving the industry development, with extensive working experience and demonstrated achievements in working with NGOs, Chambers, and above country’s organisations in shaping the innovation system for industry’s development in China. She has chaired the *Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Committee at EUCCC* for 3 years,  and sit on * SH Foreign Investment Association*.  She  was awarded the 2022 China Outstanding Women in IP Protection.

As a senior manager of a small and medium-sized enterprise, I have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities SMEs in China face — including, but not limited to, regulatory complexity, talent acquisition and retention, market access, and financial pressures. With hands-on experience in navigating these dynamics, I am well-positioned to support BritCham in driving more practical, inclusive collaboration for SMEs and in further strengthening the Chamber’s role as a vital bridge between business communities. In addition, I bring a strategic mindset, operational experience, and strong cross-cultural communication skills that I believe will add value to the Executive Committee. I am eager to contribute my knowledge in business development, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy to help shape initiatives that benefit member companies, particularly those in the SME sector. My goal is to work collaboratively with fellow committee members to ensure BritCham continues to be a responsive, forward-looking platform for British business in China.

Daisy Zhan has over 12 years of experience with The Hutong, an education company specializing in exceptional cultural experiences. She has played a key role in the company’s growth, progressing from Finance Manager to General Manager, and supporting its expansion from a 10-person team to an organization of over 50 staff. Prior to joining The Hutong, Daisy spent three years as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Finance from the University of Sydney.

Daisy brings extensive expertise in finance, compliance, and organizational management. Outside of work, she is passionate about outdoor activities and has served as a committee member for the MBA Desert Challenge — a desert race event for MBA students — since 2013