The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has named a new group chief executive officer (CEO). According to the latest update Richard McCallum has been elevated as the CEO of UKIBC, effective October 1, 2022. 

McCallum, known as Dickie, has been part of UKIBC since 2013. First, he served the council as managing director and latterly as vice chair of UKIBC India Pvt Ltd, UKIBC’s Indian subsidiary. 

He brings to the role a clear understanding of the UK-India economic corridor, and bilateral corporate agendas within it. At UKIBC, McCallum was responsible for the development of UKIBC India Pvt Ltd’s India services, key business relationships, and sector-focused advocacy groups. Dickie is based out of the UKIBC’s Gurgaon office.

McCallum started his career with John Swire & Sons, seconded to roles with Cathay Pacific Airways Limited in Hong Kong, Karachi, and New Delhi. Before joining UKIBC, Dickie founded an adventure tourism start-up in India. Over the past decade, the UKIBC has grown in size and scope, expanding its presence and impact in both the UK and India and driving bilateral trade and investment flows.

“The combination of his insights of India, his extensive networks within India, and his knowledge of UK and Indian corporates is unique,” said Richard Heald OBE, chair, UKIBC.

“I believe passionately in the importance and potential of the India-UK economic relationship, a partnership which creates prosperity, catalyses innovation, fosters joint security, and is an essential component in the global response to challenges such as climate change. We have so much to learn from each other and to co-create and develop together; technological cooperation, especially, will be the defining feature of the future bilateral relationship,” said McCallum.

Image credit: Uk India Business Council