This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

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Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Part of UK in Turkey

29th November 2013

Winter Wonderland in Istanbul: Brilliant British Stuff

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What is the best possible use of one of Istanbul’s most iconic buildings?

How about this?  We’re bringing together brilliant British brands and buyers on 5-7 December in the most beautiful rooms in Pera House, the historic British Consulate-General Building in the heart of Istanbul, for a “Winter Wonderland“.

The aim of the Winter Wonderland is to showcase British excellence in lifestyle, jewellery and cosmetics by bringing together twenty five companies with buyers and business people from Turkey and the region.  The event is being sponsored by Laura Ashley, Diageo and Funkin Cocktails and supported by the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey.

Companies exhibiting Christmas and New Year collections at the Winter Wonderland will include Laura Ashley, Mothercare, Marks and Spencer and Accessorize. Items on display will include fashion, cosmetics, giftware, home interiors, houseware, creative design, tableware, toys, and gadgets. If you are a British firm wanting to exhibit,  all the stands are now taken but we are considering whether to hold a similar event next year so let us know if you’re interested! Buyers, distributors, business people and UK Trade and Investment experts will attend from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and other countries in the region.

This trade show is open only to invited business contacts.  If you are a British or Turkish business keen to attend please contact Guliz Kiymaz (Guliz.kiymaz@fco.gov.uk )   Should be an excellent event..

About Leigh Turner

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of…

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of the UN and other organisations; stories here will reflect that.

About me: I arrived in Vienna in August 2016 for my second posting in this wonderful city, having first served here in the mid-1980s. My previous job was as HM Consul-General and Director-General for Trade and Investment for Turkey, Central Asia and South Caucasus based in Istanbul.

Further back: I grew up in Nigeria, Exeter, Lesotho, Swaziland and Manchester before attending Cambridge University 1976-79. I worked in several government departments before joining the Foreign Office in 1983.

Keen to go to Africa and South America, I’ve had postings in Vienna (twice), Moscow, Bonn, Berlin, Kyiv and Istanbul, plus jobs in London ranging from the EU Budget to the British Overseas Territories.

2002-6 I was lucky enough to spend four years in Berlin running the house, looking after the children (born 1992 and 1994) and doing some writing and journalism.

To return to Vienna as ambassador is a privilege and a pleasure. I hope this blog reflects that.

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