The Gala Dinner, which has been organized annually by the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce since 2001, honours two outstanding leaders who have been particularly instrumental in forging closer ties between the two nations.
Sir Frank Chapman, Former CEO of BG Group, and Mr. Rubens Ometto Silveira Mello, Chairman of the Board of Cosan S.A., Cosan Ltd., Raizen and Comgas, were the recipients of the Personality of the Year Awards 2013.
Sir Frank Chapman is regarded as an iconic chief executive who led BG Group from October 2000 until the end of last year. One of the most significant developments during Sir Frank’s tenure was the relationship he built with Petrobras, which resulted in the company partnering in the world-class ‘Big Five’ Santos Basin pre-salt discoveries – Lula, Sapinhoa, Iracema, Iara and Carioca. Today BG Group is the UK’s largest investor in Brazil and by 2025 the company will have invested up to $1.5 billion in research and development in the country.
Rubens Ometto Silveira Mello has led Cosan’s transformational growth, helping the company become Brazil’s largest sugar-ethanol group. In 2011 Mr Mello led the formation of Raizen, a joint venture with Shell for sugar and ethanol production, power co-generation and fuel distribution. Under Mr. Mello’s direction Cosan has acquired the controlling stake of Comgas, Brazil's largest natural gas distributor, from BG Group.
Our Guest of Honour was The Rt. Hon. Kenneth Clarke QC MP, Minister without Portfolio. Mr. Clarke was appointed as Minister without Portfolio for the Cabinet Office in September 2012, previously serving as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice since 12 May 2010. He is responsible for developing key trade relationships on the Prime Minister's behalf, particularly with the Emerging Markets.
Each year over 500 leaders from the international business, financial, legal, academic and diplomatic communities convene in London at the traditional Gala event to pay tribute to the honourees. The Gala Dinner 'Personality of The Year Awards' took place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 14th May 2013 at 7pm.
