PM Delegation – Mumbai, India

Back Story

So how on earth did we even get here?

Well, back in 2019 I started a little company called Universal Simulation. Over the next couple of years I built a prototype desktop simulator (used in ADEMA University, in Spain) and a portable suitcase simulator that has miracuously been taken all around the world.

I would attend various events that were linked to the Portsmouth Technopole where we had our offices, often in my signature orange hoody and tracky bottoms. I enjoyed the fact people would at first dismiss me and then eventually be wowed over by my presentation and technology. One such time I had the good fortune of meeting a gentleman called Roy Fowler from the Department for Business and Trade. He would help me with country specific information and I would record each export we did with the department. It was win-win and led to my first business delegation. It was low-level and you needed to pay for all your own flights and accomodation and the department would pay for your entrance into the exhibition and welcome you on the UK pavillion to meet up with clients, prospects and partners to add a level of credibility to your small business.

This continued for a couple of years when I was invited to become an “Export Champion”. Basically a voluntary role to help others on their export journey by sharing with them what you’ve done and what you’ve learnt. I find it a very rewarding role and it helps open a few doors abroad.

Then, just as it happens, we exported to India a few weeks before the PM delegation was put together. Which, I assume, is the reason I find myself receiving a phonecall asking me if I’d be interested in a potential trip to India.

7th October
This has already been the strangest trip that I’m about to go on. I had a call a couple of weeks ago asking if I could be ready for an India trip. Sure, why not? Nothing was really confirmed until a few days before and then BAM all the wheels are in motion. Getting a VISA? Pay online and head down to the high commissioner’s office on Monday through a VIP door. Got it.

A day or two to go and I’ve received the delegation pack. The Prime Minister is coming along and all details of flights etc have been redacted. This should be fun.

The day of the flight comes and I’m sure to get to the airport early, no point hanging around. I’m first there, the lady is confused that me flight ticket doesn’t have many details but checks with her colleague and lets me through. I then find myself in a VVIP lounge where everyone else is being asked to leave before I find myself on my own in the lounge. I go through my delegation back from front to back multiple times hoping it will help me recognise someone when they turn up.

A couple of people arrive and we have some nice chats. A little while later the new Minister for Inward Investment turns up and comes over to introduce himself. Things get more and more surreal as Carl Pei (founder of Oneplus and the Nothing phone) comes into the lounge, too.

Soon enough, everyone is here and we’re making our way to gate number PM:

Here we are getting on / off the Prime Minister’s plane. Can you spot me?

We get off the plane for a quick photoshoot with the PM who has just arrived and then we’re back on the plane, ready to have a little sleep before we are going to find ourselves in India and rolling straight on to a full days schedule.