OKEClub Spring Networking Dinner at the City of London

Welcome to the OKEClub Spring Networking Dinner at the City of London

Keynote speaker: Sheriff of the City of London - Professor Michael Mainelli

We welcome you to our first event of 2022 in the old City of London for our China-UK focused entrepreneurs and professionals. We are delighted to invite you to a glamorous evening at an elegant and historic venue with original members including the Rothschild family. You enjoy a three-course fine dining meal with French wine, classical music and a fascinating keynote speech from the honourable Michael Mainelli. 

You will have the chance to meet inspiring entrepreneurs, professionals, investors, government officials, academics, and industry leaders. The range of industries of our guests includes technology, finance and banking, film and arts, education, legal, manufacturing, hospitality, government and others. 

Previous event with Sir Vince Cable hosting at the National Liberal Club

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The dress code is business formal and we will have a professional photographer capturing all the exciting moments of the evening so do dress your best. 

Prestigious Venue: City of London Club

In its home at the City London, found in 1832 by a group of prominent bankers, merchants and ship owners, the City of London Club is the oldest of the gentlemen’s club in the City of London that remains a private place to entertain and be entertained. Famous visitors include Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who is also the royal patron of the Club. 

The original members of the Club in 1832 include the Duke of Wellington, Sir Robert Peel, Lord Overstone, and three of the Rothschild family. The club is proud of its traditions and associations and has had a recognised status of character and dignity. But at its core, the Club strives to create an unforgettable atmosphere to entertain and connect its members.

Keynote Speaker: Professor Michael Mainelli 

The OKEClub is delighted to have our Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker Professor Michael Mainelli joining us for our February City of London networking dinner. Professor Michael Mainelli is the co-founder Z/Yen, the City of London’s leading commercial think-tank and venture firm. After completing his education at Harvard College and Trinity College Dublin, Professor Mainelli gained his PhD at London School of Economics and Political Science where he was also a visiting Professor. 

He also later became a senior partner for Europe’s largest R&D firm. Michael is Executive Chairman of Z/Yen. Professor Mainelli was developing a £100 million business within the UK Ministry of Defence operating as a senior civil servant(military 2star equivalent) commercialising defence technology. 

He is also an Emeritus Professor and Honorary Life Fellow of Gresham College; non-executive Director of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (national standards body); Alderman for Broad Street Ward of the City of London Corporation; City & Guilds Council; Honorary Fellow of King's College London, and Visiting Professor at the UCL Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management. 

Professor Mainelli was elected as Sheriff of the City of London from 2019-2021. Michael has published over 50 journal papers, 200 professional articles, and four books. He speaks English, German, Italian and French fluently, Dutch poorly, and even worse Spanish and Mandarin.

Honourable Guest: Miss Mei Sim Lai

Miss Mei Sim Lai is the President of the British Malaysian Society a partner at the leading firm of City Chartered Accountants, Pridie Brewster. In 2006 Mei Sim set up her own chartered accountancy firm LaiPeters&Co based in the City of London.

Mei Sim co-chairs the Chinese Welfare Trust which helps the Chinese elderly and is involved in stopping hate crimes against Asians. In the Spring of 2022, the trust is embarking on a joint project with Dementia U.K. to train the first-ever Chinese speaking Admiral Nurse for Chinese Dementia sufferers. Mei Sim also chairs the Mulan Foundation Network that recognises the achievements of top Chinese women globally, connect them to younger women so that they can help each other and give back to the wider community. 

OKEClub event at the Naval and Military Club with Keynote by China Expert Professor Hugo De Burgh

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She has been a board member of the long-established 48 Group Club which was founded almost 70 years ago. Since 2006, Mei Sim has been one of the Queen‘s representatives in London for the borough of Brent. She ran the City of London Institute of Director's (IoD) branch for 29 years until 2020 whilst also helping to set up the IoD China Group in 2006 which Mei Sim has chaired since 2013.

The schedule of the evening: 

18:00 - Guests arrive and enjoy reception drinks in the drawing room 

18:45 - All guests move to the dining room and sit down for dinner  

18:50 - Guests of honour and VIP guests arrive 

18:55 - Evening introductions of the Guest of honour and VIPs by Victor Kovalets

19:10 - Dinner is served

20:15 - Keynote Speech by Professor Michael Mainelli followed by questions

20:45 - Dessert served followed by classical music performance 

21:10 - Official Group Picture of Event

21:15 - 23:00 - Networking and Drinks