14 April 2026 – In her address to the membership of the Makati Business Club, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Philippines and Palau, Her Excellency Sarah Hulton OBE, highlighted several ongoing initiatives that are driving UK-PH economic relations; among them, the newly launched UK-Philippines Growth and Investment Partnership, UK-Philippines Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), Philippines’ application to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the U.K.’s interest in the Luzon Economic Corridor.

Other areas where PH-UK collaboration is being deepened include climate action, technology and innovation, education, people-to-people ties, maritime security, peace and governance, and disaster response.

“The UK-Philippines partnership is growing broader, deeper, and stronger than ever. And with organisations like the Makati Business Club helping to drive that momentum and shape what comes next, our shared future is not only promising – it is a future defined by innovation, opportunity and shared success,” said Ambassador Hulton OBE.

Ambassador Hulton OBE served as the inaugural speaker for MBC’s Foreign Leader Series this year, where she addressed over 70 representatives from business, government, diplomatic corps, and media. Notable attendees include MBC Trustees, Lito Tayag, Cosette Canilao, Riza Mantaring, and Peter Maquera.

MBC Chairman Ed Chua thanked the Ambassador for her attendance and called on the membership to engage with the U.K.” With both nations marking eighty years of diplomatic ties—alongside the U.K.’s fifth anniversary as an ASEAN dialogue partner and the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship—it’s the perfect time for Philippine businesses present today to engage the British Embassy and back its initiatives.”

The event also featured remarks from Philippine-British Business Council Co-Vice Chairman Ambassador Jesus Tambunting OBE, and a fireside chat with the Ambassador, which was moderated by MBC Member CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Mike Samson. Key topics discussed were climate initiatives, geopolitics, freedom of navigation, and strengthened UK-PH bilateral relations.

MBC’s Foreign Leaders Series aims to provide a platform for collaboration through high-level dialogue between the business sectors and their key diplomatic partners, promoting trade, investment opportunities, and other areas of mutual interest.

This event is sponsored by SGV & Co. (Platinum Sponsor) and Standard Chartered Bank (Event Supporter).