Pictured above: Guest of honour - Sir Alan Collins

Britain's top overseas trade representative and Olympic Games guru is to be guest of honour at an exclusive lunch hosted by the British American Business Council (BABC).

Sir Alan Collins, KCVO, CMG, who has been Consul-General, New York and Director-General, Trade & Investment USA, since January 2007, is attending the lunch on 21 July. 

He is responsible for political and wider relations between the UK and the USA in one of the most important cities in the world.

He sits on the board of UK Trade & Investment and is responsible for the nine UKTI teams promoting British business interests in the USA.

Sir Alan is also a key figure for the London 2012 Olympics, and has the task of co-ordinating work on this event, as well as being responsible in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for the international support for England's bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 

The Birmingham lunch, which will take place at one of the city's top restaurants, Opus, will give guests the opportunity to find out first hand what the London Olympics will bring to the country as a whole and also the local region.

Cassie Muir, executive director of BABC, a fully integrated part of Birmingham Chamber, said it was a huge honour for the organisation to secure the dinner with Sir Alan.

"He is one of the country's top diplomats, and has a lengthy and distinguished background in business and politics," she said.

"Between 2003 and 2006, he was British High Commissioner to Singapore where he was heavily involved with the strategy for London's winning Olympic bid and also the Queen's state visit. 

"In 2002 he was seconded to Shell as vice president for international relations, responsible for the company's global relationships with governments. 

"Prior to that, he was British Ambassador in the Philippines, so he has a wealth of experience in international diplomacy and relationships.

"It's a huge coup to be able to secure him for the lunch, and we look forward to his visit."

Anyone who wants further information about the event, which is sponsored by Birmingham law firm Mills and Reeve, should contact BABC on 0121 454 6171 x 2208.