One of the most influential international trends in recent years is how countries use "soft power" rather than military, political or financial might to influence global opinion.

Trade and economic ties between Britain and Hong Kong continue to go from strength to strength, thanks to shared belief in open markets, the rule of law, and the spirit of innovation.

Overseas investment in British property is booming. Historically, London has been a magnet for international buyers seeking security and stability, and the city has never been more attractive to savvy international investors. Hugh Obbard founded London property investment company Obbard more than 20 years ago. As a passionate believer in London as the world's first truly global city, Obbard aims to ensure clients maximise the potential of their London property investment.

For Clinigen Group, paving the way for greater availability of medical provisions is one step towards improving global health. Clinigen Group works ceaselessly throughout a drug's clinical lifecycle to ensure that patients always have access to effective medications.

Building about 15 per cent of London's homes in the past five years has cemented the position of the Berkeley Group as Britain's leading property developer. More importantly, it has reinforced the group's stance as a pioneer in all aspects of sustainability - social, economic and environmental.

As environmental awareness increases worldwide, the market for green technologies and products, including sustainable building materials, has also seen significant growth. World-leading wood modification company Accsys Technologies has taken a key role in advancing the green movement in construction with the commercialisation of Accoya, a revolutionary wood solution.

Standing strong on its family foundation, Pentland Brands has taken leading sports, outdoor and fashion brands to the forefront of global markets. Pentland is the owner of popular brands such as Speedo, Canterbury and Berghaus - all leaders in their respective categories.

Anchored in rich history, propelled by innovation and inspired by an increasingly globalised educational landscape, Northumbria University is quintessential of today's academic institutions aiming to breed, hone and equip tomorrow's leaders.

As more of the world's trade gravitates toward Asia, globally competitive Asian companies trust leading international law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) to meet their specific business requirements. "We major in focusing on specific industries - it's what distinguishes us," says George Eddings, managing partner.

The global job market is becoming increasingly cutthroat as companies struggle to recover from the financial crisis. Graduates need more than a diploma to guarantee employability. Aiming to provide industry-relevant skill sets that will differentiate its graduates from competition, BPP blends practical and theoretical pedagogy to hone professionals that can thrive in a corporate setting.

The unparalleled luxury of cashmere makes it among the most sought-after fibres in the world. Harnessing this material for more than 200 years, the best-kept secret of Scottish textile, Johnstons of Elgin, exercises exquisite craftsmanship to bring out its splendour in garments and accessories that reflect true Scottish heritage.

Cardiff Business School is creating pathways for working professionals in Asia to establish their industry credentials with some of the top global experts in finance, business management and economics.

As the global centre for trading industrial metals, the London Metal Exchange accounts for more than 80 per cent of the world's non-ferrous metal business. Working at the heart of such a demanding environment for more than 25 years, Brady has gained the experience to become a global leader in energy and commodity trading software platforms. Through acquisitions, the company's coverage has grown from metals to energy, recycling and soft commodities such as agriculture.

Bridges aren't just steel; they connect communities and make a positive social impact. It is these strong social responsibilities and the state-of-the-art technologies deployed that distinguish Mabey Bridge as a world-class engineering firm, which provides tailored solutions at reduced project times and financial costs. Such a commitment to perfecting design and implementation has driven the Mabey family business into more than 140 countries, while maintaining its integrity and identity.

One of the 10 largest ports in Western Europe, the bustling Teesport, located in Teesside in northeast Britain, is a significant hub for Asian investors. About 38 million tonnes of cargo passed through Teesport last year alone. Behind Teesport's growing business activities is PD Ports, one of Britain's top five port-operating companies. Having more than 160 years of experience, PD Ports is a key contributor to the development of Teesside as an ideal destination for foreign investment.

Of the roughly 7.2 billion people worldwide, about 2.2 billion have bank accounts while there are 6 billion mobile phone subscriptions. Alastair Lukies foresaw this situation and the opportunity it presented when he founded Monitise in 2003 to offer mobile banking platforms to financial institutions.

British universities attracted more than 95,000 Chinese students last year, increasing the demand for secure, well-managed living spaces for students. Unite Students, Britain's largest developer and operator of student accommodation, works with higher education providers to provide a home for students from all over the world who are studying in Britain.

With international commerce continuing to break down traditional boundaries, the need for multijurisdictional legal service providers with particular expertise in English common law is increasing. Backed by almost 140 years of excellence and a distinct client-centred culture, independent British law firm Macfarlanes is thriving in this global setting.

Leading global banks, government facilities, airports, oil companies and universities are among the high-profile clients that entrust the safety of their operations to Newmark Security. As a company that leads a group of electronic and physical security systems providers, Newmark Security has more than 40,000 installations protecting workplaces throughout Britain. The introduction of its access control system, SATEON, is spearheading the company's expansion into Asia, with the product's initial launch on July 30 at the British consulate in Hong Kong.

Global agricultural biotechnology firm Genus can play an important role in attaining global food security by applying genetic improvement technology to livestock more vigorously in China. With about 600 million pigs slaughtered annually in China, the country accounts for half of the worldwide production and consumption of pork. This exceeds the combined production in the United States and all of Europe.

Venerable universities have established Scotland as a global hub for higher education. Heriot-Watt University stands out among these institutions as "Scotland's International University". Half of all Scottish degrees earned abroad are from Heriot-Watt, and more than half of its 29,000 students complete their degrees overseas. In addition to its well-established presence across Asia, Heriot-Watt will be completing its Malaysian campus in September.

When four underwater specialist companies from around the world merged last year to form Harkand, they created a global subsea inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) company. Catering to the oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors internationally, Harkand is believed to be one of the world's first full-service IRM companies offering diving, light subsea construction and survey services.

Cross-border investments boost international prospects of investors and local economies, but a lack of knowledge on the regulatory hurdles can get in the way of such ventures. With its partner-driven and relationship-based service, independent law firm Burges Salmon is able to provide specialist legal advice to international clients on British inward investment opportunities at affordable prices.

Gazeley, a leading global investor and developer of sustainable, build-to-suit distribution warehouses and logistics parks trusted by the world's biggest brands and logistics leaders, is raising the bar further. It is set to transform into a full-service logistics asset provider - leveraging a wider reach through global commercial property expert Brookfield Property Group, which acquired Gazeley last year.

Moore Stephens International's expertise in accountancy, business advisory and consulting services spans 107 years. As a top 10 global accountancy network, Moore Stephens' member firms operate through 667 offices with more than 27,000 people in 105 countries. These numbers, however, do not drive the organisation's success - and understanding why not is the reason Moore Stephens has become the first port-of-call for businesses looking to prosper in cross-border trade and investment.

China's manufacturing industry is making profound strides midway through the implementation of the country's 12th five-year plan. Driven in part by external pressure from global vendors that operate factories in China, Chinese companies are increasingly demanding more sophisticated materials and processes.

Transforming derelict docklands into one of the world's most modern commercial complexes speaks volumes about the business acumen of integrated property development, investment and management firm Canary Wharf Group (CWG). As one of the pioneers that transformed the London skyline with the introduction of bespoke high-rise buildings at Canary Wharf, CWG strengthened London's position as a global financial powerhouse and among the best places for business.

Sophisticated electronic components are at the heart of technological development. From automated controls for German designed printing presses to embedded computers that guide drones, Acal is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of customised premium electronic parts worldwide.