News

Message from the Chairman – CWEIC Announcement
Rosie and I have been in discussion for a while about her future plans, and after over three years as CWEIC Chief Executive, she has decided to concentrate on her plural activities (in both the UK and internationally) – including joining the board of MAKE UK – and as such will be leaving us at the end of 2025.

She has made an excellent contribution to building relationships for CWEIC, and engaging with business and Government partners across the globe. I would like to congratulate her on her successes raising the profile of CWEIC, and she leaves us at a time when our organisation is in good financial health.

I am happy to say Rosie will join our Advisory Board. She will continue to enjoy the CWEIC relationships that she has developed, and will join us at our events, and lead some future delegations.

Obviously, this is disappointing news.

The Board has therefore decided to split the activities of CWEIC.

We have formed Commonwealth Business Forums Limited (CBF Ltd) as a subsidiary not-for-profit organisation which will manage Commonwealth events such as the Commonwealth Business Forum, Commonwealth Games Business Forum, Commonwealth Legal Network and potentially the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit.

I am pleased to announce Mr James Rous has been appointed Chair of CBF Ltd who will join us shortly.

CBF Ltd will have a separate board and I am grateful to Pamela O’Leary for joining that board.

CWEIC will continue to serve our Strategic Partners, and develop our Hub network, and will be the for-profit organisation that funds CBF Ltd with its start-up costs for the initial 18 months. I am pleased to announce that Ms Samantha Cohen has agreed to join us, leading this part of CWEIC from 1 July 2025.

We have also commenced the creation of an Advisory Board. The chair is to be confirmed and I am pleased to advise that the following have agreed to join: Lord (Dominic) Johnson of Lainston, Professor Asif Chaudry, Mr Anthony Cowell, Mr Tulsi Wallooppillai, Mrs Rosie Glazebrook, and others to be confirmed.

We consider the future exceptionally exciting.

We owe Rosie much gratitude for all she has done and wish her all success, but we are of course delighted she will be playing a role in our future.

Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council

4 June 2025