As recognition of Georgia's importance to the UK and to the British Council, we are delighted to announce, for the first time, the upcoming visit to Georgia of the British Council Chair, Sir Vernon Ellis, on 8-9 November. Sir Vernon's visit is confirmation of the British Council's strong interest and support for our country and for the work that is carried out with our Georgian partners.
Sir Vernon's visit will feature numerous meetings with British Council's key contacts in the fields of education and culture, while a rich cultural programme will also constitute an integral part of his schedule.
At 18:00 on 8 November, Sir Vernon will hold a press conference at the British Council office at 34 Rustaveli Ave, during which he will elaborate on the precise purpose of his visit to Georgia. This will be followed by a reception in celebration of his visit and the official opening of the British Council Teaching Centre in Georgia
On 9 November at 11:30 -13:00, Sir Vernon will attend a presentation on the history of fashion exhibitions in the UK, including the screening of fashion films, which will take place at the Georgian national museum. His final day will then be completed with visits to a number of well-known historical places in Tbilisi and Mtskheta,
More detailed information about Sir Vernon Ellis is attached.

The British Council has always supported the exchange of creative ideas with the countries in which we operate and of cause Georgia is not an exception for that.
As a proof of Georgia's importance we are delighted to share the unprecedented news of Sir Vernon Ellis's visit on 8-9 November. Sir Vernon Ellis's visit confirms the strong support to our country and the work we do with Georgian audiences.
His visit will be loaded by meetings with key contacts working in the fields of Education and Culture. Of cause cultural programme will be the integral part of Sir Vernon Ellis's visit.
At 18:00 on 8 November Sir Vernon Ellis will hold a teleconference about the purpose of his visit to Georgia and later on will attend the reception held to celebrate his visit and the official openinf of the Teaching Centre in Georgia
At 11:30 -13:00 on 9 Novemer Sir Vernon Ellis will attend the Presentation on the history of fashion exhibitions in UK and screening of fashion films which will take place at the Georgian national museum .
On a very same day Sir Vernon Ellis will visit historical places of Tbilisi and Mtskheta,
More detailed information about Sir Vernon Ellis is attached.
Sir Vernon Ellis became Chair of the British Council in March 2010
Sir Vernon has a background in both business and the arts.
Prior to early 2010, he spent all his working life at Accenture in a number of major operational roles overseeing a period of extraordinary growth. Through the 1990s he led the firm's operations in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India and also developed Accenture's relationship with the World Economic Forum. From 2001 he was International Chairman and, inter alia, led the global Corporate Citizenship Activities, including a focus on skills for employability through its pro bono, volunteering and Foundations giving activities. He was also the founder Chairman of Accenture Development Partnerships as well as responsible for Accenture's activities with the World Economic Forum at Davos. He was the UK private sector representative on the G8 Digital Opportunities Task Force and has served on several boards and advisory committees for leading business schools.
He is Chairman of Martin Randall Travel Ltd., the leading cultural tours company and of One Medicare, a company providing primary health care services. He is a non-executive Director of FTI Consulting.
He was Chairman of English National Opera from 2005 to 2012 and led the organisation through a period of transformation to its position now as one of the most innovative and productive opera companies in the world. He has now succeeded the late Lord Harewood as President. He is also involved in several other musical organisations and is Chairman of the National Opera Studio. Through his Foundation he supports several arts companies, artists and charities. The Foundation also manages around 80 concerts a year at his London home, providing many leading artists with a run-through ahead of major public engagements but also development and showcasing opportunities for young artists as well as fundraising opportunities for musical organisations and charities. He was Chairman of the Classical Opera Company from its foundation in 1997 until 2009 and remains its President. He was a Trustee of the Royal College of Music from 2004-10 and was awarded a Fellowship of the RCM in 2012. He was a member of the Philanthropy Review, a task force formed in 2011 to make recommendations for increasing levels of giving and makes frequent speeches on this topic as well as on arts infrastructure and funding. He was knighted for services to music in 2011 and was appointed Chair of the Arts and Media Honours Committee in 2012. At the British Council, his first term as Chair ends in 2013 but he has been re-elected for a further term of three years ending in 2016.