Learn about how Canning House works to build relationships and understanding between the UK, Latin America and Iberia.
Who we are
For over 75 years, Canning House’s Mission has been to build understanding and relationships between the UK, Latin America & Iberia.
We are the UK’s leading forum for contacts, thought-leadership and pragmatic debate on Latin American political, economic and social trends and issues, and business risks and opportunities.
What we do
We publish newsletters and in-depth reports; and we convene insightful geopolitical, socioeconomic and business conferences and seminars to raise awareness and understanding, aid policy-making and disseminate best practice, and offer unrivalled networking opportunities.
We offer our corporate members opportunities to meet key players and decision-makers in the UK, Latin America and Iberia through a range of sector-focused trade and investment conferences, dinners with expert guest speakers and exclusive events such as high-level policy roundtables.
Canning House also acts as the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Latin America and its individual country APPGs. Through events and regular briefings with Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, Canning House helps to raise the profile of Latin American affairs in UK Parliament.
Who we work with
Our members and associates include
government departments
parliamentarians
embassies
companies
chambers of commerce
think tanks
universities
private individuals
anglo-friendship societies
Some of our members:
Some of our partners and associates:
Latin American and Iberian Embassies
Latin American and Iberian Chambers of Commerce
Latin American and Iberian Anglo Friendship Societies
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Latin America
The Department for International Trade
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The King’s Brazil Institute
LSE LACC - London School of Economics Latin America and Caribbean Centre
Instituto Cervantes
ILAS - Institute for Latin American Studies
Canning House's History
1943
The Beginning
The need for a non-governmental organisation which focuses on Latin America for reasons of education and culture as well as business can be traced back to the 1930s. The idea came to fruition in November 1943 with the creation of both a Hispanic and a Luso-Brazilian Council, which were to come together in the post-War period with the merged name and an easier reference simply to Canning House.
Why Canning?
George Canning, after whom Canning House is named, was Foreign Secretary from 1807 – 1809 and again from 1822 – 1827. Canning saw the advantages of British support for the emerging republics established by San Martín and Simón Bolivar, and is still to this day widely respected and admired in many Latin American countries for his support during the Wars of Independence.
1947
Premises founded at 4 Upper Berkeley Street
Early meetings took place at Shell-Mex House under the aegis of Lord Davidson who was a key driving force in the creation of the whole enterprise. In 1947 premises were found at 4 Upper Berkeley Street, with support from the Foreign Secretary, members of the diplomatic corps and a range of companies with interests in Latin America. Pictured here is Lord and Lady Davidson and Mr and Mrs Bevin at the inauguration.
1953
Premises established in No 2 Belgrave Square
In 1953 Canning House took on a lease on Number 2 Belgrave Square from the Grosvenor Estate.
1953
Sir Kenneth Grubb steps down as Secretary General
Pictured here is Canning House’s first Secretary General (the position which became Director General and now CEO) Sir Kenneth Grubb (left) in conversation.
1969
The Canning House Library is refurbished
The Canning House Library was launched in 1948. The Library was recognised for many years as a key source of information on the Latin world and attracted over three thousand users a year. The library collection is now housed at King’s College London and remains one of the largest Latin America and Iberia collections in the UK.
1969
Princess Alexandra visits Canning House
HRH Princess Alexandra explores the collection at the opening of the newly refurbished Canning House Library.
1970
H.E. Dr. Alfonso Lopez Michelson visits Canning House
Pictured is Foreign Minister (and later President) of Colombia Dr. Alfonso Lopez Michelson (first from right) on a visit to Canning House.
1970
Dr Bartolomé Mitre, Director of Buenos Aires newspaper La Nación, visits Canning House
1971
Sir Geoffrey Wallinger (c) with Spanish dignitaries in Canning House
1974
H.E. Jim Callaghan unveils statue of Simón Bolívar
Foreign Secretary (later Prime Minister) Mr. Jim Callaghan unveils the statue of Latin American liberator Simón Bolívar in Belgrave Square. A celebratory reception followed at Canning House, then just under 200m away.
1974
HM Queen Elizabeth II greets President Pérez of Venezuela and his party
1975
HRH The Prince of Wales attends a dinner in honour of the Latin American ambassadors
1976
H.E. Alfonso López Michelsen, President of Colombia from 1974 to 1978, unveils Canning plaque in Bogotá
1983
Bolívar Bicentenary celebrations
Sir Geoffrey Howe peruses the displays of an exhibition commemorating the bicentenary of Simón Bolívar’s birth in the Canning House Library.
1983
Bolívar Bicentenary celebrations
Directors General of Canning House Steven M. Mackenzie (R) and John Heath (L) with representatives from Venezuela, preparing for the Bolívar Bicentenary celebrations.
1988
From the Annual Report 1988
“Sir Leslie Bowes KCMG had a long and deep connection with Canning House and very close links with Latin America over many years. He was immensely active and helpful up until the end of his long life in all matters relating to Latin America and was a regular supporter of Canning House in his retirement and old age as well as in the 1950s and 60s when he served on the Executive Committee as member and Chairman.”
1990
A carriage arrives for the presentation of the Panamanian Ambassador’s credentials
1992
H.E. Alberto Fujimori, President of Peru, visits Canning House
1992
HRH The Princess Royal gives an Address at Canning House
HRH is greeted by Director General Sir Michael Simpson-Orlebar prior to delivering an address at Canning House. Also pictured are Viscount Montgomery and Dr Iain Macfarlane.
1992
H.E. Carlos Salinas de Gortari, President of Mexico, presents a portrait of Don Miguel Hildago y Castilla, by Raul Anguiano, to Canning House
1993
Vin d'honneur in honour of the President of Uruguay, H.E. Dr Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera
1994
Prime Minister John Major, the first British PM to visit South America, prior to delivering an address at Canning House’s 50th Anniversary celebration
1994
The statue of José de San Martín is unveiled by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including Eduardo Menem, President of the Argentine Senate.
1997
H.E. Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President of Brazil, gives the first Canning Lecture
President Cardoso was introduced by Viscount Montgomery.
1998
H.E. Alberto Fujimori, President of Peru, gives the Canning Lecture
1998
The Salón Colombia in No. 2 Belgrave Square is opened
The Salón is opened by Lord Limerick, Baroness Hooper, Baroness Symons, H.E. María Emma Mejía (Foreign Minister of Colombia) and H.E. Carlos Lemos Simmonds, Colombian Ambassador to the UK.
1998
H.E. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León, President of Mexico, gives the Canning Lecture
1999
H.E. Maria Eugenia Brizuela de Avila, Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, gives a talk at Canning House
1999
“Diplomacy for Peace”
A Reception and talk is given by H.E. Guillermo Fernandez de Soto, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia. The event was chaired by Lord Montgomery.
1999
H.E. Dr Carlos Menem, President of the Argentine Republic, delivers the Canning Lecture at Lancaster House
1999
Visit of Venzuela's Minister of Environment, Dr Jesus Arnoldo Perez, to Canning House
2000
Brazil visit debrief by the Rt Hon John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
2000
“The future of Colombia - Peace and Development in an International Context”
The Canning Lecture is given by H.E. Andrés Pastrana Arango, President of Colombia, at Lancaster House.
2000
“A modern Government for a 21 Century Argentina”
H.E. Carlos Alberto Alvarez, Vice-President of the Argentine Republic and leader of the FREPASO Coalition, gives a talk at Canning House.
2000
A talk is given by H.E. Sra Nina Pacari Vega Conejo, Second Vice-President of the Ecuadorian Congress and Leader of Pachakutic, the Ecuadorian Indigenous political party
2001
“A new Vision for Venezuela”
H.E. Hugo Chávez, President of Venezuela, gives the Canning Lecture at Lancaster House.
2002
“Democratic Peru - Opportunities for Investment”
H.E. Alejandro Toledo, President of the Republic of Peru, gives a lecture in Goldsmiths Hall. Baroness Hooper, Honorary President of Canning House, introduces President Toledo.
2002
“Mexico's New International Role- Democracy and Human Rights”
The 2002 Canning Lecture is given by H.E. Vicente Fox, President of the United States of Mexico.
2003
The Canning House 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner, in the presence of HRH The Duke of York
2003
The Canning Cultural Lecture with Mario Vargas Llosa
2003
H.E. Ricardo Lagos, President of Chile, gives the Canning Lecture
2004
“Four Hundred Year with Don Quixote”
The Canning Cultural Lecture is given by Carlos Fuentes.
2006
H.E. Leonel Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic, gives the Canning Lecture
2007
H.E. Hugo Chávez, President of Venezuela, gives the Canning Lecture
2008
H.E. Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, gives the Canning Lecture
Pictured here with Lord Brennan, Honorary President of Canning House.
2009
H.E. Mauricio Macri, Mayor of Buenos Aires (later President or Argentina), visits Canning House
2009
H.E. Rafael Correa, President of Ecuador, gives the Canning Lecture
2010
The Canning Lecture is given by Foreign Secretary William Hague
In 2010 William Hague launched the Canning Agenda, designed to revive links between Britain and Latin America.
2011
H.E. Ricardo Martinelli, President of Panama, gives a talk at Canning House.
2011
H.E. Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia, gives the Canning Lecture.
2012
The 2012 Canning Conference - “Latin America on the Global Stage”
2012
The Canning House Library Collection is transferred to King’s College London
Pictured is Lord Garel-Jones unveiling a plaque reading: “The Canning House Room. This room is named to mark the transfer of the Canning House Library to King’s College London. MMXII.”
2012
H.E. Sebastián Piñera, President of Chile, gives the Canning Lecture
2013
H.E. Álvaro Uribe, former President of Colombia, gives a talk at Canning House.
2013
Canning Conference 2013: “Business and Opportunity in Latin America”
2013
H.E. Pedro Passos Coelho, Prime Minister of Portugal, gives the Canning Lecture.
Pictured with Dr John Hughes CBE, Chairman of Canning House, and Miriam González Durántez, Honorary President of Canning House.
2014
H.E. Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, gives a briefing to Canning House corporate members
2014
The Rt Hon Michael Portillo, Honorary Vice-President of Canning House, chairs a discussion at the Canning Conference 2014.
2015
H.E. Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Mexico, gives the Canning Lecture
2016
H.E. Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, gives the Canning Lecture
2017
H.E. Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Jeremy Corbyn MP address Canning House Members
H.E. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, leader and founder of Mexico’s National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), spoke about the upcoming elections in Mexico. Jeremy Corbyn MP, leader of the Labour Party, spoke about human rights, social justice and UK foreign policy with a specific focus on Mexico.
2018
Canning House moves HQ
New, more accessible premises are found in the heart of the West End.
2018
Canning House celebrates its 75th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner at the Foreign Office
The event was attended by Latin American and Iberian Ambassadors, former and current Ministers, UK companies with major trading links and investments in the regions, together with Canning House’s long-standing corporate and individual members.
2018
Canning House celebrates its 75th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner at the Foreign Office
(L-R) The Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas; H.E. Iván Romero-Martínez, Ambassador of Honduras and Dean of GRULA; The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Foreign Secretary; Cristina Cortes, CEO of Canning House; Beatriz Araujo, Chair of Canning House; and The Lord Mountevans, Honorary President of Canning House.
Our People
Lord Mountevans
Honorary President
Jeffrey Richard de Corban Evans is a London shipbroker and UK hereditary peer, who served as Lord Mayor of London from 2015 to 2016. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Cambridge-educated, he has worked in the City since 1972 when he joined Clarksons shipping as a graduate trainee. He is now a ship-broking executive and managing director at Clarksons, and has been a familiar figure in the City since he served as Sheriff of the City of London Corporation in from 2012-13.
Honorary Vice-Presidents
Viscount Montgomery CMG CBE
HVP 1994-2020
Lord Garel-Jones
Baroness Hooper CMG
Lord Brennan QC
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart KCMG
Viscount Montgomery CMG CBE
HVP 1994-2020
Canning House regrets to announce the death of David Montgomery, Viscount Montgomery of Alamein CMG CBE, who passed away on 8th January 2020 at the age of 91.
Beatriz Araujo is a corporate partner in Baker McKenzie's London office. Since serving on the Firm's Global Executive Committee (2009-2013), Beatriz is spearheading Baker McKenzie's Corporate Governance Group. She also advises clients in Spain, Portugal and Latin America investing into the UK and Europe. Beatriz has been on the Board of Trustees at Canning House since June 2014 and assumed the Chair from 1 January 2018.
Trustees
Alan Charlton CMG CVO
Carla McRoberts
Carlos Ibargüen
Giles Paxman CMG LVO
Hugo Shorter
Alan Charlton CMG CVO
Alan Charlton was British Ambassador to Brazil from 2008-2013. He then founded the UK-Brazil Conversa, a bilateral discussion group, which has met in Cambridge, Rio de Janeiro, London and most recently in Sao Paulo in February 2019. He is the Robin Humphreys Fellow at the Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS). He is a member of the ILAS and the King’s College London Brazil Institute Advisory Boards.
Carla McRoberts
Carla McRoberts leads Veracity Worldwide's European operations and business development efforts. Carla previously worked at Citibank, where she helped companies and governments across Latin America access US equity markets, and at JP Morgan, where she focused on US equity products for companies in Eastern and Western Europe, Israel, and Egypt.
Carlos Ibargüen
Carlos Ibargüen, a Bolivian national, joined Shell in 2000, and has since held leadership positions in Government Relations, Regulatory Affairs, and Communications in Brazil, Bolivia, United States, Qatar, and The Netherlands. In January of 2012, Carlos was appointed as Head of Shell’s Government Relations team for Latin America & the Caribbean.
Giles Paxman CMG LVO
Giles Paxman was the British ambassador in Madrid and, before that, Mexico City, until his retirement from the British Diplomatic Service in 2013. Prior to that, much of his diplomatic career had been spent dealing with Britain’s relations with the European Union in Brussels, Paris and Rome, as well as in the Foreign Office in London.
Hugo Shorter
Hugo Shorter joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1990. He has served at the UK Delegation to NATO (Brussels) and in senior positions at the British embassies in Brasilia and Paris. He was Ambassador to Lebanon from 2015-18.
Hugo grew up in Tokyo, Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro, and took his first degree in Modern Languages at Oxford University. He also attended the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Paris, obtaining a post-graduate diploma in Public Administration.
Irene Mia
Joanna Crellin
John-Paul Rathbone
Juan Botín
Philip Paddack
Irene Mia
Irene Mia is Global Editorial Director, Thought Leadership at the Economist Group. In her role, she is responsible for leading and growing the Thought Leadership business globally. Previously, Irene was regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), where she provided intellectual and strategic leadership to the regional editorial team within the EIU's Country Analysis division.
Joanna Crellin
Jo Crellin was appointed Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Latin America and the Caribbean in April 2018. Jo took office as British Consul-General in São Paulo, Brazil in February 2015 in her first post overseas. She is also the Director-General for the Department for International Trade (DIT) for Latin America.
She has worked for the UK government since 2001. Jo has occupied roles covering issues as diverse as nuclear decommissioning, social enterprise and corporate finance at the former Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) and HM Treasury. Jo has a degree in Social Anthropology, French and Spanish from Cambridge University and a MSc in Politics of Development in Latin America from the London School of Economics (LSE)
John-Paul Rathbone
John Paul Rathbone is the former Latin America editor of the Financial Times and author of the NYT bestselling book, "The Sugar King of Havana: the rise and fall of Julio Lobo, Cuba's last tycoon". A graduate of Oxford and Columbia Universities, he joined the FT in 2008 after working throughout the Americas as a journalist and a stint at the World Bank.
Juan Botín
Philip Paddack
Professor Linda Newson OBE FBA
Professor Rory Miller
Samuel Ribero
Professor Linda Newson OBE FBA
Linda Newson is Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies, University of London. She is also Emeritus Professor of Geography at King’s College London, where she held a number of senior administrative positions, including as Head of Humanities. She is the author of seven books and many other articles on early colonial Spanish America.
Professor Rory Miller
Rory Miller was Reader in International Business at the University of Liverpool Management School until 2017, and is now Honorary Research fellow there. He was editor of the Journal of Latin American Studies for nine years, and Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at Liverpool.
Samuel Ribero
Samuel Ribero has over 13 years of investment banking experience having spent the last 6 years arranging financing for Transport Systems worldwide. He has advised and helped to finance high profile transport projects in Latin America such as Transmilenio in Colombia, Metrobus in Panama and Transantiago in Chile, to highlight just a few.
Staff
Cristina Cortes
Chief Executive Officer
Cristina Cortes is an Oxford and LSE politics and economics graduate. She has worked in government, banking and energy across a variety of commercial, business development and government relations roles in London, Houston, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil. Cristina joined Canning House in 2015, taking over as CEO in 2018.
By joining as an individual member you’ll have the opportunity to access our wide range of public events at a discounted rate, as well as additional benefits such as online access to in-depth reports, webinar recordings and This Week in Latin America news articles.
