Asia-UK Cultural Exchange

Leadership

The programme is led by a combination of artistic direction and strategic guidance, bringing together expertise across performance, education, and the creative industries.

Di Xiao

Founder & Artistic Director

Di Xiao is a concert pianist and Professor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. A Steinway Artist, her work spans performance, education, and cross-cultural collaboration.

She is the founder and Artistic Director of the Asia–UK Youth Cultural Exchange Programme, leading the development of the initiative from its inception into a growing international platform connecting young musicians, educators, and institutions across the UK and Asia.

Her work focuses on creating meaningful opportunities for artistic collaboration and educational exchange, with a particular emphasis on building long-term partnerships between schools and cultural organisations.

Pablo Ettinger

Chair

Pablo Ettinger is an entrepreneur and cultural advocate, best known as co-founder of Caffè Nero. He is also the founder of TalentBanq, a platform supporting artists and creative professionals, and comes from the family behind Ettinger, the British luxury leather brand with over a century of heritage.

As Chair of the programme, he supports its strategic development and international positioning, with a particular interest in fostering connections between the arts, education, and the wider creative industries.

John N. M. McLean OBE

Senior Advisor

John N. M. McLean OBE has extensive experience in UK–China trade and international collaboration. He has played a leading role in strengthening links between the UK and China through business, institutional, and civic engagement.

As an senior advisor to the programme, he provides strategic insight and supports its development as a platform for cross-cultural exchange.

Dr Jayne Cadbury MBE

Arts Supporter

Dr Jayne Cadbury MBE is a philanthropist and long-standing supporter of the arts. Her encouragement reflects a shared commitment to fostering creativity, cultural understanding, and international dialogue through artistic exchange.

Email: info@weculturalexchange.com