Your route to a Competitive Edge

Our Vision

We exist to make China → UK expansion frictionless, governed, and culturally resonant. We believe the strongest growth happens when regulation, government relations, culture/creative industries, and technology are aligned from day one.

 

Our vision is to be the trusted bridge that helps Chinese leadership teams enter, scale, and build lasting reputations in the UK - elevating cultural heritage, integrating creative perspectives, and creating public value as they grow.

 

We can layer in board-level AI and data strategy to keep innovation safe, factual and trusted - so our clients can move faster, with confidence, and with society on their side.

Discover the latest insights from AB International, your trusted partner in UK market entry/growth.

Drawing on frontline experience in UK public governance, media/culture‑tech integration, and China→UK market execution - get our mini‑report which distils the regulatory, stakeholder, and reputational moves Chinese leadership teams must master to enter, scale, and stay trusted in Great Britain.

Introducing our CEO, Ashley Bowkett

Mayor of Gloucester, United Kingdom. Publicly elected figure. Non‑Executive Director.

Ashley Bowkett is the Mayor of the City Gloucester and a Non‑Executive Director of Gloucestershire Airport. As a visible public leader, he brings government credibility, stakeholder trust, and board‑level oversight to China→UK expansion projects.

 

An occasional Mandarin‑speaking executive, and with strong connections in China, Ashley builds human‑to‑human relationships that align commercial goals with UK policy, regulation, and community expectations.

 

Deep China media & business pedigree.


Before founding AB International, Ashley spent 17+ years in China‑rooted international media and business development, co-creating and launching a 24/7 TV channel across four continents, securing global distribution partnerships (e.g., Time Warner, SKY, Amazon Prime, Bloomberg and Associated Press), and earning multiple international documentary awards.

 

He has led cross‑border teams, implemented Blue Ocean Strategy, and authored sector analysis on China’s film/broadcast landscape - giving clients seasoned connections and insight across media, culture, and commerce. Ashley is energetic and travels widely.

 

For Chinese leadership teams entering the UK, Ashley delivers:

 

  • Government & stakeholder navigation that unlocks approvals, partnerships, and reputation.
  • Market entry strategy & execution, tailored to Chinese decision styles and UK requirements.
  • Media & creative integration and exchange to build brand, audience, and influence.
  • Cultural‑tech and heritage digitization that elevates public value and soft power.
  • Board‑level AI & data governance to keep innovation factual, safe, and trusted.

 

Ashley studied at the University of Derby and the University of Cambridge, and has certifications in Management, Leadership, and is a PRINCE2 Project Management practitioner.

 

With Ashley, Chinese companies gain a trusted UK public figure and a China‑experienced operator in one partner - turning UK complexity into a clear path to growth.