John McLean OBE
John McLean OBE
Chair, China UK Business Development Centre
Chair, IoD City of London
Senior Advisor, CCCUK
In 1999, John set up a manufacturing and retail business in Shanghai and since then he has been active in the promotion of UK/China trade & investment, people to people exchanges and the development of the bilateral relationship John’s initial background was in London and New York with PwC and thereafter with Gresham House in the City.
He has been CEO, Chair and NED of several listed and private companies with a focus on business change and growth. His background covers operations, acquisitions and international management in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, China, Thailand and Australasia.
In 2011, he joined the board of the China Britain Business Council (CBBC) as a NED and in
2019, he led the City of London’s business delegation to China. Thereafter in 2020, John co-
founded China UK Business Development Centre to continue to develop the business
opportunities between China and the UK
John is the Senior Advisor to CCCUK (China Chamber of Commerce in the UK). He is also
Chair for the Institute of Directors for the City of London and sits on the FTSE Women
Leaders Advisory Board.
John was Chair of Carers Trust and sits on the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Fundraising Board for
the City of London. Previously he was member of the VSO Council and Chair of VSO China
In the 2014 New Year Honours list, John was awarded an OBE for services to British business
interests and the development of civil society in China.
