BESydney appoints new ambassador to raise networking profile

Philip Aiken has been appointed as a conference ambassador for Business Events of Sydney (BESydney). Aiken, a prominent Australian businessman, boasts an impressive CV as a CEO across the energy and infrastructure sectors. He remains the chair of Balfour Beatty and Aveva, as well as on the board of Newcrest Mining. Aiken began his new role by addressing the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) and New South Wales (NSW) trustees on behalf of Business Events Sydney (BESydney). NSW minister for trade, tourism and major events, Stuart Ayres is thrilled that Aiken has come on board as an Ambassador for BESydney, who he hopes will entice businesses to bring their conferences to the state. “Philip Aiken has an incredible range of business insights spanning professional services, infrastructure, energy and mining, so we’re delighted that he’ll be joining more than 90 luminaries who share their knowledge and network to bring global thought leaders to our shores. “International conferences are hosted at venues across our state including the brand-new International Convention Centre Sydney, which opens in just four months,” minister Ayres said. BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith confirmed the appointment follows earlier collaboration with Aiken to bring the world’s largest and most influential energy event, the 19th World Energy Congress, to Sydney in 2004. “We’re looking forward to working together to deliver future benefits to our community from events which boost trade, inward investment, and global talent migration and encourage collaboration between businesses, academia and researchers.” The announcement by BESydney comes at a time when Adelaide, South Australia, is currently completing a multi-billion dollar programme of infrastructure works, including the development of Australia’s best connected business events and entertainment precinct on the city’s riverbank. This further enhances its renowned appeal, functionality and services for the business events sector. Aiken’s current positions include chairman of Aveva, a member of the European Australian Business Council Corporate Council, and the chair of the Board of Directors Australia Day Foundation (UK). His previous positions include non-executive director of the National Grid, chairman of Robert Walters, non-executive director of Kazakhmys and Essar Energy, group president of Energy BHP Billiton, president BHP Petroleum, managing director BOC/CIG, chief executive of BTR Nylex and senior advisor at Macquarie Bank (Europe). In an earlier version of this report we mistakenly reported that Philip Aiken had been appointed CEO of BESydney. This is not the case and we apologise for the inaccuracy. Lyn Lewis-Smith remains CEO of the organisation.