Greater Together LA: Insights from Sir Christian Turner

Greater Together LA marks an inspiring gathering in the storytelling heart of the world. Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary British suspense filmmaker, created numerous classics in this vibrant city. He once noted that every great film starts with a story—one that's unlikely yet profound and intensely human. This beautifully characterizes the remarkable narrative of redemption between the UK and the US, one built on deep, historical ties. What began in conflict 250 years ago has evolved into one of the closest alliances in history—a stellar sequel indeed. As a British ambassador, I’m obliged to humorously critique our friends across the Channel. After all, it is us Brits who took pride in our 1776 triumph. Hitchcock also advised to always make your audience suffer, and I must confess, should I not be a diplomat, I’d love to be a professional singer. Although my last performance was at the Albert Hall, I’m not quite the talent displayed here today, so fear not; I’ll refrain from karaoke. I want to express heartfelt gratitude to everyone present. This is an extraordinary program, featuring over 500 leaders and innovators from the most dynamic companies in the UK and the US—marking the largest trade delegation to ever land on American soil. Make no mistake: the British are here, and we mean business. Thank you to our remarkable partners and to the dedicated team at GREAT, as well as our colleagues at the Consulate General in LA, who worked tirelessly to bring this event to fruition. Now, let’s set the stage for the UK-US economic corridor. We live in turbulent times; leaders in business and politics alike are navigating uncertainty, protectionism, and concerns over long-term international relations. It's vital to acknowledge that doubts exist on both sides of the Atlantic. We are facing economic shocks from European and Middle Eastern conflicts affecting household budgets and escalating business costs, especially concerning energy prices. Today, growth, security, and resiliency go hand-in-hand. Our challenge is not about division; rather, as the King put it, it’s about renewal, modernization, and maintaining strong connections with our allies in Europe and the United States. The reason? Because, as His Majesty remarked during the state visit, partnership fosters resilience, while isolation does not. The trusted partnerships represented in this room are more crucial than ever. As the British Ambassador, I am here to champion Britain. If there’s one message I want you to take away from this Greater Together LA event, it's that I refuse to see the UK or our incredible UK-US relationship as declining. In fact, despite global challenges, the UK achieved the fastest-growing economy in the G7 for the first quarter of 2026. We remain one of the world’s most open, stable, and interconnected economies, bolstered by a modern industrial strategy attracting over $335 billion across eight sectors. The UK is recognized as Europe’s startup hotspot. Global CEOs frequently name it as Europe’s top investment destination, home to four of the world's top ten universities producing groundbreaking research in fields from AI to life sciences. Our trillion-dollar tech sector is the third-largest globally, following the US and China, boasting more unicorns than any other European country and raising more venture capital in 2025 than France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland combined. We are actively addressing investment barriers; for instance, we plan to reduce the administrative burden on businesses by 25% by the end of this Parliament. Infrastructure approvals are happening at unprecedented speeds, with fast-track processes already benefiting data centers. Recently introduced, the Energy Independence Bill will enhance homegrown power that we can control, fueling our digital economies as part of a diversified and affordable energy system. This all underscores the idea that business is fundamental to the US-UK relationship, one of the most integrated in the world. While my background is in national security, the economic agenda remains at the forefront of my mission as Ambassador. Referring back to the recent State Visit, it reminded me of a live-action episode of The Crown, commemorating 250 years of our people-to-people relations. As His Majesty eloquently stated, our partnership is foundational and enduring, offering immense value to both Brits and Americans, driven by the daily choices you make in your professional lives, rather than solely by diplomats like myself. Our bilateral trade now exceeds $430 billion annually, growing at about 4%, partly fueled by our trade deal which includes preferential tariffs on key sectors. Just two weeks ago, during the State Visit, we reached an agreement to remove whisky tariffs—raise a glass to that! We have over $1.7 trillion invested in each other’s economies—UK investments are the largest in 21 states, and US Foreign Direct Investment into the UK has doubled over the past decade. This nexus supports millions of jobs across the Atlantic. Consider GSK’s $30 billion investment in US R&D aimed at harnessing AI for drug discovery, or Core Weave’s $1.5 billion investment in AI cloud deployment in Scotland. Universal Studios is also making headlines, with a new theme park in Bedford expected to create 28,000 jobs and bring £50 billion in economic value. Today, California’s Communify, a financial AI and digital firm, announced its expansion into the UK; all worthy of applause. Though based on the east coast, this message emphasizes the extensive relationship between our countries. California is an apt host for the Greater Together LA summit, where the future is innovatively created. For the past two years, the UK has been California’s top foreign investor in job creation, yet we mustn’t rest on our laurels. The King spoke about renewing our alliance and scripting the next chapter of our shared prosperity. That's why we signed a memorandum of understanding with California this year to advance clean energy technology. I am dedicated to the UK-US Technology Partnership, a pioneering initiative that links our tech, science, and research ecosystems for advances in AI, quantum technology, and civil nuclear projects. These initiatives lay the groundwork for us to reach new heights, driving innovation that enriches the lives of our citizens. Shifting gears to sports, I wish California much success as it prepares to host the 2028 World Cup, as well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games. And if we could agree to call it football, that would simplify things! Let’s discuss connectivity—these people-to-people links are the lifeblood of our relationship. California ranks as the top state for visits to Britain, accounting for 15% of the anticipated 5.5 million Americans expected to travel to the UK this year. Furthermore, the UK maintains the highest transatlantic airline capacity, with nearly double the flights of the next closest country pair—about 250 flights daily between our two nations. British film and TV heavily influence tourism; 66% of visitors state these mediums affect their decisions to visit the UK. This contributes billions in spending, fortifying the ties between our nations. In conclusion, let’s draw on the spirit of 1776—a landmark year of revolutionary thought rooted in British Enlightenment. While I won’t dwell on that historic declaration of independence, it was also the year Scottish economist Adam Smith released "The Wealth of Nations." Smith’s core idea was simple yet transformative: prosperity flourishes when ideas, people, and goods can move and connect freely. This principle holds true today, echoing the sentiments from 250 years ago. So let’s maximize our time together at this event. I want to emphasize that I’m not here simply to occupy a position. I carry a sense of urgency and purpose. We cannot rest on our achievements; instead, we must be ambitious. The word from last night’s wonderful reception was “catalyst.” Let us all aim to be catalysts for something greater. Throughout my tenure, I am dedicated to advancing this remarkable relationship. When the UK and US unite our talents, resources, and ambitions, we don't merely observe the unfolding future; we actively write its script. Thank you very much.

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