Asia House

Business and Policy Programme

Asia House organises private briefings with senior political and business figures from Asia and the West. The briefings offer a unique opportunity to engage decision-makers in frank, off-the-record discussion and connect with other companies with Asian commercial interests.

Asia House also offers advice and insights into economic policies, particularly relating to trade and investment between Asia and the UK. The organisation offers support to multinational companies with their government relations in Asia and offers advice on bilateral relations with the UK.

Asia House produces publications that focus on commercially-relevant issues and are distributed to leading corporate and political figures, companies, governments, diplomatic missions, the media and academic institutions globally. In 2016, Asia House published Asia 2025, which looks at the next decade in Asia. Some of the most influential thought leaders in and experts from Asia contributed their forecasts for the region for the book including international government figures, academics, CEOs and chairmen from some of the world’s leading multinationals.

Recent events include briefings with President Joko Widodo of the Republic of the Indonesia; Cesar Purisima, Philippines Secretary of Finance; The Hon Steven Ciobo MP, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment; H.E. Liu Xiaoming, China's Ambassador to the UK; Inga Beale, Chief Executive, Lloyd's of London; Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats; Lê Lương Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN for 2013-2017; and Chimediin Saikhanbileg, former Prime Minister of Mongolia.

Cultural Programme

An established part of London’s cultural scene, the Asia House Arts & Learning programme presents over 100 events a year, offering a varied selection of opportunities to explore, absorb and enjoy the arts of Asia

Talks, exhibitions, music, dance, literature, film and performance from across Asia take place seasonally at Asia House. Highlights include the Asia House Bagri Foundation Literature Festival, which happens in early May each year.

Editorial

The News & Views section of the Asia House website carries editorial pieces written by its in-house editorial team and pieces commissioned from Asia-based writers.

The site carries opinion pieces, features on Asia, coverage of events that have taken place at Asia House, pictured-led stories and research.

Contributors have included editors, ministers, academics and economists who are often Asian or based in Asia. Stories on the site challenge stereotypes and distil complex topics in accessible ways as well as analysing political events and offering insights into Asian cultures.

History

Asia House was founded in 1996 by a small group led by Sir Peter Wakefield, a former diplomat.

Since 2005 Asia House has been housed in an 18th-century listed building in London's Marylebone.

Headquarters

Asia House's headquarters at 63 New Cavendish Street, London is a Grade II* listed building, originally planned by Robert and James Adam on the Duke of Portland’s Marylebone Estate in the 1770s. By 1775, however, the Adams’ attention had turned to the creation of Portland Place, and neo-classical architect John Johnson took over the site, erecting the townhouse that has since been redeveloped as Asia House. The rooms retain many of their original features – including bookcases designed by Sir John Soane and plaster cornicing – while other parts of the building have been modernised to create café and gallery spaces.