The last few weeks have been eventful for us, and we are writing to share with you the following updates from the Global Partnerships and Development (GPD) Department, as we continue to develop our activities and implement the ICC strategy. 

Digital Learning

Peter Friedman, based in London, has been appointed Head of Global Learning, Strategy and Operations, while Jennie Irving, based in Paris, is taking on a new role as Global Learning Manager.

Peter and Jennie work hand-in-hand with the ICC Academy team in Singapore to introduce a range of new activities aimed at increasing ICC's footprint in digital learning. Their goal is to boost sales and distribution of existing ICC learning products, as well as create more paid-for learning content. In doing so, they will increase our customer base and generate new revenues in partnership with ICC national committees and chambers of commerce from the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) network. 

Entrepreneurship & MSMEs

Ullas Marar, based in New Delhi, has been appointed Head, ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) taking over from Gabriel Petrus.

In his new role, Ullas will lead a re-design of the CoE operating model to deliver more value to our partners and the ecosystems we work in. The objective is to position ICC has a global provider of skills and knowledge for entrepreneurs and MSMEs, with a distinct focus on cross-border trade, intellectual property and open innovation. 

For those who not yet met Ullas, he is a firm believer in the power of entrepreneurship to alleviate poverty and uplift societies. He previously held the position of Global Programme Manager for the CoE. Before joining the CoE team,  he designed a support programme for women entrepreneurs in small town India with more than 900 participants. In his prior assignments, Ullas also headed up scouting at a globally renowned social enterprise incubator, traveling across India to support social enterprises. 

Revenue diversification

Gabriel Petrus, based in Paris, has been appointed Head of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, a new role within the GPD department focused on growing the customer base for ICC products and services. 

Gabriel will build and grow a pipeline of new customers/partners for an initial set of four initiatives: the ICC Academy, SME360x, the TradeFlow SME Fund and the Centres of Entrepreneurship. He will do so by nurturing relationships and securing commercial opportunities at a senior level with a wide range of corporates, trade associations, chambers of commerce, multilateral development banks and government agencies. 

Network and membership development

Sebastian Ferrari, based in Buenos Aires, has been appointed to co-lead the ICC Agri-Food Hub project, which aims to create a new set of opportunities for ICC national committees to engage with companies and business associations working in or with the agri-food sector.  

Sebastian will be working in close collaboration with Ercole de Vito, who is already in touch with many of you. His focus will be on the delivery of initiatives and events that create value for our global network. Sebastian also serves as General Coordinator of ICC Argentina and Head of the International Relations Department of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services. 

Global Events

Julie Griffin-Carty, based in Paris, has joined our team as Project Manager for the ICC Mediation Competition. She is succeeding Elisabetta Pilati who has joined the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) team last May. Julie has started the preparations for the next edition of the Mediation Competition in February, and we wish her much success.