Unlike some business leaders who are worried that attending an invitation-only dinner with President Trump later on tonight during his visit to the United Kingdom will damage their reputation, Big 4 U.K. leaders seem more than willing to break bread with the commander in chief.
Trump, who has already arrived in the United Kingdom after attending the NATO summit in Brussels, will reportedly have dinner with American and British officials, including 150 U.K. business leaders, this evening at Blenheim Palace.
According to Economia, senior partners from the Big 4 have been invited to represent the accounting profession at tonight’s dinner.
Deloitte chief executive David Sproul is attending to “recognise the importance of the UK-US economic relationship and the close business links between the two countries,” a spokesperson for the firm said.
Steve Varley, EY UK chairman, is attending; along with KPMG’s UK chairman Bill Michael. PwC’s UK leader Kevin Ellis was invited but cannot attend due to a prior commitment.
Economia cited a Financial Times article that said some business leaders declined their invitation to attend because they were concerned that being at the dinner might hurt their reputation.
“I understand why the government have to entertain Trump but I certainly don’t want to,” said Martha Lane Fox, co-founder of Lastminute.com who rejected her invitation.
It remains to be seen whether the “Trump Baby” balloon will crash tonight’s dinner.
[Economia]
