Mr Matthew Hornshaw (Managing Director, MGH Educonsult) and Mr Emmanuel Nweke (Nigeria High Commission).

An enjoyable afternoon and evening were spent participating in the Doing Business in West Africa event held at the Mercure Royal Station Hotel in Hull. A vast range of delegates were treated to sessions presented by senior officials from the High Commissions of Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea. Put together by Hallmark Solicitors, and led by their Managing Director, Mrs Uche Akali, the event highlighted the opportunities and challenges presented by working with West African countries.

An official welcome was provided by the Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull, Ms Nadine Fudge, who outlined the reasons that Hull had been chosen to hold this prestigeous event and how much the city, and region, were open to partnering with West Africa.

Mrs Akali presented on the cultural and legal dynamics of business relationships with West Africa and dialogue took place as to the benefits and long term opportunities associated with partnering with sub-Saharan African markets.

The event flowed through to the evening when delegates were treated to some African music and dance provided by the Oduduwa Talking-Drummers, fresh from their drumming lessons given to HRH the Prince of Wales!

Matt Hornshaw, of MGH, met with officials from the Nigerian and Ivory Coast High Commissions and also discussed potential staff training projects with officials from a number of West African banks. MGH are also in discussions regarding partnerships with training organisations in the areas of oil and gas technical programmes and the more soft skills such as personal and human resource development. Opportunities to work alongside Hallmark Solicitors in the area of student visas and immigration matters could also be on the horizon; a welcome addition to services on offer for those students looking at studying in the UK and for those sourcing work following on from their study options.