PwC has held a Festival of International Markets, designed to help companies survive and thrive as international businesses against a backdrop of global change.

The event saw colleagues from across the world join some of our biggest clients to consider how current and future trade challenges can be addressed.

Headline speakers included Graham Stuart MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Ian Bowen-Morris from the DIT’s GREAT worldwide campaign.

During the festival, PwC welcomed the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford for a roundtable discussion on the Welsh business landscape.

Organised by industry body The CityUK, PwC partner Katharine Finn chaired the discussion, and she was joined by West and Wales regional leader John-Paul Barker. Also in the room were law and professional services representatives and financial institutions.

John-Paul Barker, West and Wales regional leader, commented:

“Against the backdrop of the Festival of International Markets, it was great to be able to hear from the First Minister as well as other businesses in Wales. We were able to discuss his priorities, the challenges for financial and professional services, and the prospects for the country’s industry after Brexit.

“There are plenty of opportunities in Wales – fintech and cyber security being two of the fastest-growing ones. Now, it’s the responsibility of government and business to make the most of these opportunities, whatever happens with Brexit.”