EasyTransfer was pleased to support the Cambridge China Business Forum 2026, held on 23 May at Cambridge Judge Business School, with our Senior Advisor David Stringer‑Lamarre invited to deliver a keynote speech on UK-China education cooperation. The event brought together business and education leaders from the UK and China to exchange perspectives on collaboration, innovation, internationalisation, and global opportunities. The forum provided a platform for dialogue on the evolving landscape of UK-China relations, with discussions spanning education, business expansion, technology and artificial intelligence.
The forum opened with welcome remarks from Gishan Dissanaike, Dean of Cambridge Judge Business School, who highlighted the long-standing connections between Cambridge and China. He noted the University’s more than century-long history of Chinese studies, its extensive collection of Chinese texts, and the strong community of Chinese alumni from Cambridge Judge Business School. Reflecting on the theme of the forum, he emphasised the School’s focus on innovation, responsible business, and leading change in a rapidly evolving world. He also highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability for young people, noting that a single professional skill alone may not be sufficient to navigate the challenges of today’s changing environment.
John McLean OBE, Chair of the China UK Business Development Centre, shared perspectives on strengthening UK-China trade and bilateral relations, while Sai Gu, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Warwick, discussed opportunities to further advance UK-China education exchange and collaboration. Their contributions highlighted the importance of sustained engagement and collaboration between institutions and communities in both markets.
A key part of the forum focused on the internationalisation strategies and overseas experiences of leading Chinese companies. Penny Peng, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at BYD Europe Automotive Sales Division, stressed the need for Chinese companies to listen closely to local markets, integrate into local communities, build genuine connections with consumers, and develop a locally relevant brand presence. Ling Lei, Head of Globalisation of Chinese Brands at JD.com, noted that Chinese companies are increasingly moving from an efficiency-driven approach to a trust-driven model, from simply exporting products to developing localised organisations and capabilities. Meanwhile, Kai Zhang, Country Manager of Xiaomi UK, shared Xiaomi’s experience in building connections with global users through its smart hardware ecosystem.
During the forum’s closing session, David reflected on the significance of the Cambridge China Business Forum 2026 and the value of bringing together leaders from business and education to exchange perspectives across sectors. He highlighted the important role of international education and student mobility in strengthening connections between countries and communities, noting that cross-border collaboration can create new opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation, and long-term partnership.
The Cambridge China Business Forum is a platform that brings together business, education, and industry leaders to facilitate dialogue and strengthen connections between the UK and China. EasyTransfer was pleased to have the opportunity to support the forum and looks forward to deepening UK‑China collaboration in international education and student mobility, helping more students and families navigate their international education journeys with ease and confidence.
About EasyTransfer
Founded by international students for international students, EasyTransfer is a leading global payment platform focused on simplifying cross-border tuition payments. The company processes over US$3.5 billion in payments annually to thousands of universities and education institutions worldwide, and is trusted by more than 800,000 students and families across 170+ countries. With backing from major banks and investors, strategic partnerships with global financial leaders such as Mastercard, Tencent, and EbixCash, and a relentless focus on student experience, EasyTransfer is redefining what it means to move money for education.
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