MEET THE JUDGES FOR THE GREAT AWARDS & GALA DINNER 2024

We are delighted to introduce the judges for the Great Awards & Gala Dinner 2024. Our independent judging panel will deliberate and decide based on the descriptions and documents submitted as applications by nominees. Each judge brings a wealth of experience commitment to excellence in their respective fields. Their diverse expertise will ensure a comprehensive and fair evaluation of all nominees.

Will Lawrenson was appointed the UK’s Deputy Consul-General and Head of Trade and Investment for Ho Chi Minh City in February 2024. He joined from London, where he was Senior Private Secretary to the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Business and Trade from 2022 to 2024. Prior to that, he worked for HM Government for several years as a trade negotiator (for the UK-AUS FTA, CPTPP and others) and a trade policy advisor. Will joined the Civil Service in 2018 from the private sector, where he worked in finance and corporate intelligence.

Trang Nguyen is the CEO of Teach for Viet Nam, a non profit social enterprise aiming to develop a nationwide network of pioneering educators who will teach and lead for a quality and equity education for all children in Viet Nam. In her early career, Trang spent six years in the finance and investment sector, working with KPMG and VPBank Securities. After completing her MBA from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, she worked for Groundworks South Yorkshire as a social enterprise coach, focusing on a project funded by the European Union. Trang chose to return to her home country and transfer her corporate and social entrepreneurial skills to address systemic issues in Vietnam. Trang Nguyen grew up in a low-income family in rural Vietnam. She understands the nature of the challenges facing the communities where Teach For Vietnam works. Trang deeply believes in the power of education through her own life experiences.

Joshua James has worked and lived across Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City, leading both educational organizations and entrepreneurial ventures.

Community Involvement:

– Active business community member: Joshua actively participates on the Advisory Board for the Vietnam Excellence Awards and contributes to BritCham’s Events and Marketing-Communications committee.

– Strong advocate for British education: A UK Alumni, Joshua is a dedicated supporter of British education.

– Regular BritCham representative: Joshua frequently represents BritCham at various events.

– Joshua leads EMASI Van Phuc International Bilingual School, which was a major sponsor of the annual BritCham Fun Run in Ho Chi Minh City.

– Passionate about fostering a thriving business environment in Vietnam, Joshua James seeks to leverage his experience and dedication to continue supporting BritCham members and the chamber’s growth.