UK–India Creative Circle Hosts Cocktail Evening at Christie’s London Announcing Mumbai Delegation
British creative leaders gather to announce the UKICC delegation to Mumbai, strengthening UK–India cultural and trade ties.
On 19th January 2026, Dr R. Sri Ram, Founder, Chair and CEO, UK-India Creative Circle, and Anthea Peers, President EMEA, Christie’s, and UKICC Advisory Board member, hosted a cocktail evening at Christie’s London, for leaders from across the British creative sectors: music, theatre, fashion, beauty, luxury, art, architecture, film, museums, and more. The evening was the formal announcement of the upcoming UKICC delegation to Mumbai, India, supported by the UK Department for Business & Trade during Lakmé Fashion Week in March 2026.
Stacey James
Anthea Peers
Anthea Peers welcomed guests and highlighted the importance of Indian art and culture to Christie’s, the historic auction house, including the 2025 record-breaking sale of M.F. Husain’s work. “I am delighted to co-host the UKICC event tonight and am looking forward to deepening our connections with India in meaningful and collaborative ways, especially in my role as an advisory board member for the Circle.”
The Tangible Trade Opportunities
Over 150 guests, from British creative businesses, heard of the opportunities about doing trade in India through video presentations and speeches by Rupert Daniels, Director of Services, UK Department for Business & Trade, Dr R. Sri Ram, and Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India.
“My vision for the UK-India Creative Circle was to ensure that the creative industries from both countries, could have multiple opportunities to collaborate.” said Dr R Sri Ram. “Tonight, is our fifth event since our launch, and I am grateful to my advisory board, and collaborators for being so generous with their support. Including Selfridges, Christie’s, SXSW London, Country Town & House and our Business Breakfast Series, our Inaugural Ambassador Manish Malhotra and his spectacular fashion show at the Royal Automobile Club, and to the many people who have generously given their advice and time to connect the dots across the creative industries.”
Connections Across the Creative Sectors
“When we launched the UKICC last year, it has been a pleasure to see it be welcomed by both the UK and Indian creative communities so warmly. At the UK Department for Business & Trade, our work is to support meaningful collaboration and trade, and this is such an exciting way to do this. The creative sectors constantly interact with one another, from beauty, fashion, and music to theatre, creative production, architecture, and so on. Together we are stronger, and with opportunities in India immense, now is the time to catalyse business for the creative economy that is so precious to support,” said Rupert Daniels.
“The UK and India have a shared history in excelling in the arts – craft, textiles, film, music, art – and a history of trade. Following the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the UK and India in 2025, there could not be a better time for our two countries to come together and do business in meaningful ways,” said Mr. Kang. “My teams and I look forward to welcoming you in March, to celebrate all the creative sectors of the UK, in India.”
Kathak: Ballet of India
During the evening, renowned artist, Shivali Bhammer, performed a Kathak dance and talked about the art form to guests. “Kathak is a form of divine expression, and as I perform to you, I hope that you can enjoy the technical aspects of the performance, from the Nritya (emotional expression), the Tatkar (footwork), to the Nritta (rhythmic expression)”.
Guests from the evening included fashion designers, journalists, models, brand owners and representatives from British heritage brands spanning jewellery, silverware, music, talent management, production, retail, interior design, and contemporary art. Attendees were also given exclusive access to view Jim Irsay’s music collection, shown at Christie’s, whilst enjoying Indian delicacies from Ragasaan, London’s leading luxury caterer.
