Laura Citron emphasizes, "Culture is key to international expansion"
The third installment of the Leaders Lounge series.
TroibNews 
According to Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, adapting to different cultures is essential for businesses aiming to thrive outside their home markets. Citron shared her insights during Leaders Lounge, a collaborative initiative by CN Europe and CCCUK that focuses on London's role as a global business hub and its attractiveness to Chinese enterprises.
"Company culture is a significant challenge," she explained. "Translating a culture internationally is essential for growth, particularly for innovative businesses." London & Partners, which receives support from the Mayor of London to foster growth in the city, is dedicated to helping Chinese investors connect with key market players to ease their entry.
With her extensive international experience, Citron emphasized the necessity of grasping the needs of global investors. "I've been really lucky that in my career I've lived in lots of different countries," she said. "That has helped me empathize better with our international investors and think about how we support them in navigating a system that might be unfamiliar."
China continues to be a crucial market for the organization, which advocates for London as an ideal location for global investment. Citron observed that while conventional sectors like real estate and financial services still draw investors, there is a notable shift towards innovation and technology. "We are much more focused on finding that new innovation and encouraging innovative new companies to expand into London," she stated.
On the evolving investment landscape, Citron highlighted the growing success of Chinese businesses in areas such as fintech, smart cities, electric vehicles, gaming technologies, and life sciences. "London is a great place to scale a business," she asserted, underscoring the city's role as an entry point for Chinese firms seeking to establish a presence in Europe.
Despite the uncertainties that have followed Brexit, Citron remains optimistic about London's future. "London has one of the most diverse and skilled workforces in the world," she said. "Talent is still the number one reason investors choose London." Prominent Chinese companies like Baidu, Tencent, and Alibaba have successfully set up operations in the city, leveraging its rich talent pool and international business atmosphere.
The discussion also addressed the unique traits of Chinese investors compared to their counterparts from other nations. Citron noted that Chinese firms often enter the international market later in their development, typically being well-established and frequently publicly listed in China. Conversely, investors from European cities such as Paris or Berlin might pursue opportunities in London at an earlier stage.
Looking ahead, Citron is optimistic about UK-China relations. "I believe that China will remain a vital market for London," she remarked. "While geopolitics may shift, the fundamental trading relationship will likely endure, and we look forward to continuing our partnerships with Chinese companies."
As London & Partners gears up for the next decade, Citron expressed enthusiasm about the potential for collaboration with both established entities and emerging Chinese startups, positioning London as a key player in the global investment landscape.
This interview is part of the Leaders Lounge series by CN Europe and CCCUK, which has featured other guests such as Sherard Cowper-Coles and Stephen Perry.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
"Company culture is a significant challenge," she explained. "Translating a culture internationally is essential for growth, particularly for innovative businesses." London & Partners, which receives support from the Mayor of London to foster growth in the city, is dedicated to helping Chinese investors connect with key market players to ease their entry.
With her extensive international experience, Citron emphasized the necessity of grasping the needs of global investors. "I've been really lucky that in my career I've lived in lots of different countries," she said. "That has helped me empathize better with our international investors and think about how we support them in navigating a system that might be unfamiliar."
China continues to be a crucial market for the organization, which advocates for London as an ideal location for global investment. Citron observed that while conventional sectors like real estate and financial services still draw investors, there is a notable shift towards innovation and technology. "We are much more focused on finding that new innovation and encouraging innovative new companies to expand into London," she stated.
On the evolving investment landscape, Citron highlighted the growing success of Chinese businesses in areas such as fintech, smart cities, electric vehicles, gaming technologies, and life sciences. "London is a great place to scale a business," she asserted, underscoring the city's role as an entry point for Chinese firms seeking to establish a presence in Europe.
Despite the uncertainties that have followed Brexit, Citron remains optimistic about London's future. "London has one of the most diverse and skilled workforces in the world," she said. "Talent is still the number one reason investors choose London." Prominent Chinese companies like Baidu, Tencent, and Alibaba have successfully set up operations in the city, leveraging its rich talent pool and international business atmosphere.
The discussion also addressed the unique traits of Chinese investors compared to their counterparts from other nations. Citron noted that Chinese firms often enter the international market later in their development, typically being well-established and frequently publicly listed in China. Conversely, investors from European cities such as Paris or Berlin might pursue opportunities in London at an earlier stage.
Looking ahead, Citron is optimistic about UK-China relations. "I believe that China will remain a vital market for London," she remarked. "While geopolitics may shift, the fundamental trading relationship will likely endure, and we look forward to continuing our partnerships with Chinese companies."
As London & Partners gears up for the next decade, Citron expressed enthusiasm about the potential for collaboration with both established entities and emerging Chinese startups, positioning London as a key player in the global investment landscape.
This interview is part of the Leaders Lounge series by CN Europe and CCCUK, which has featured other guests such as Sherard Cowper-Coles and Stephen Perry.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
