UK

WPP

Industry
Conglomerate
Symbol
LSE: WPP
Country
UK
Response

 

"WPP, the world's largest communications services group, has signed an affiliation agreement with PPG, the leader in digital marketing in Iran, which operates more than 15 top digital services companies in the country. This agreement will give WPP and its clients access, on an exclusive basis, to the most effective digital marketing channels in the Iranian market and provides PPG with access to a huge amount of knowledge through connections with the world leader in marketing communications. PPG employs more than 200 people and comprises several leading Iranian digital businesses, including Anetwork, ADRO, RASANEX, ADAD, DMC, and a host of other leading content, technology, data, mobile and digital consultancy businesses." (WPP Website,  "WPP Signs Exclusive Affiliation Agreement with PPG in Iran," 11/14/2016).

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“Market researcher Kantar, a London-based company, has signed an affiliation agreement with an Iranian market research agency, advertising giant WPP announced on Monday. Kantar has signed the affiliation agreement with Rahbar Bazaar market research institute in Iran, giving global insights network a foothold in Iranian market. Following the signing ceremony, Kantar Insights CEO MENAP Stephen Hillebrand said, ‘There’s been a very high level of interest in Iran among our clients since the easing of the sanctions,’ More About Advertising website reported... Kantar is the Data Investment Management division of WPP plc, a London-based public company.” (Tasnim News Agency, “WPP’s Kantar Signs Agreement with Major Iranian Market Agency,” 7/4/2016)

British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA)

Industry
Energy
Country
UK
Sources

British Photovoltaic Association (“BPVA”) agreed to speak at the Iran Trade Business Briefing 2017 (the “Briefing”) in London on April 26, 2017.

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The Chairman of the British Photovoltaic Association is listed as a speaker at the 2nd Iranian Trade Conference: New Prospects for British-Iranian Trade and Investments, which took place on November 2, 2016, in London. (2nd Iranian Trade Conference, "Speakers").

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"The British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) will construct a €1.5-billion solar plant with the capacity of 1,000 megawatts in Iran, the association’s chairman of the board Reza Sheibani announced, Shana news agency reported on Friday. BPVA is the National Trade Association of the UK solar photovoltaic industry. It is a strong political and commercial organization. Explaining that the contract was signed between Iranian Energy Ministry and BPVA in London and in the presence of the Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian and a number of senior British officials, Sheibani added that besides building the said solar plant, the agreement also seeks establishing a factory at the value of €25 million to build solar panels and transferring technological know-how to the Islamic Republic." (Tehran Times, "British association to construct 1,000 MW solar plant in Iran," 7/15/2016). 

Rolls-Royce

Industry
Aerospace, Energy
Symbol
LSE: RR
Country
UK
Sources

"Company said it is examining the announcement and its potential implications." Martin Robinson, “British companies Rolls-Royce, BA and Vodafone could be forced to cut ties with Iran ‘immediately’ and tear up billion-pound deals as Trump threatens new sanctions on Tehran,” Daily Mail (UK), May 9, 2018.

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"Iran Aseman Airlines has reached an agreement with Rolls-Royce over purchasing three more Tay-650 turbofan engines. The Iranian airline and the British aero engine manufacturer have made a deal over purchasing fanjet engines as well as facilitating supply of spare parts for repairing engines in Iran. Meanwhile, full implementation of the agreement is subject to resolving financial transfer issues." (February 18, 2017).

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British engineering company Rolls-Royce denied a report in The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday that it had in the past sold equipment to Iran by exploiting a series of loopholes in U.S. sanctions. "Rolls-Royce refutes any accusation that it has traded 'in secret' in Iran or that it circumvented U.S. sanctions," said a Rolls-Royce spokesman in an emailed statement. "We conduct business in all countries, including Iran, in accordance with all relevant UK, EU or other national sanctions and export control regulations. This includes applying for export licenses, when they are required, and complying strictly with their terms and conditions." (Reuters, "Rolls-Royce denies UK media report over past Iran sales," 12/21/2016).

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"Rolls-Royce sold equipment to Iran for decades, a confidential company memo reveals, exploiting a series of loopholes in US sanctions to avoid breaking the law. The Iranian government amassed the world’s largest collection of the British engineering group’s signature turbine and booked millions of pounds of orders each year, according to a briefing drafted in 2009 for the company’s then chief executive, Sir John Rose. Trading in Iran appears to have carried on despite the enormous political risk of being seen to avoid US sanctions. A quarter of Rolls-Royce’s entire £14bn revenue is generated in the US, with much of that reliant on military contracts. The company signed orders worth $224m (£181m) from the Department of Defense in the first half of 2015 alone... Between 1975 and 1995, state-owned oil and gas firms in Iran procured almost 100 Rolls-Royce industrial turbines, according to the memo. By 2009, 69 Avon turbines had been acquired by the National Iranian Oil Company, which is cited in US sanctions... The company generated £69m of orders in the country between 2001 and 2009, according to the briefing, and also signed a “technical assistance agreement” to support a facility that carried out repairs and overhauls on about 10 turbines each year." (The Guardian,  "Rolls-Royce exploited US sanctions loopholes to trade with Iran," 12/21/2016).

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"Iran is stepping up the hunt for overseas investment in its energy infrastructure after talks with Siemens and Rolls-Royce that point to the gradual opening of the country’s economy following the lifting of international sanctions. Hamid Chitchian, Iran’s energy minister, met representatives of both companies in London last week to discuss collaboration in power generation technology. The talks were focused on so-called decentralised power generators that can provide more localised and flexible supplies of electricity than big power stations. No deals were struck but Mr Chitchian told the Financial Times that Siemens and Rolls-Royce were interested and he hoped to 'reach a result' soon. Rolls-Royce said last week’s talks with Mr Chitchian involved the potential use of piston engines made by the group’s power systems business in Germany. 'The minister requested a meeting with Rolls-Royce to discuss the renewal of Iran’s energy infrastructure and whether our diesel and gas power generation systems have a role to play,' it said." (Financial Times, "Iran opens talks with Siemens and Rolls-Royce on energy investment." (7/17/2016)

Lotus Cars

Industry
Automotive
Country
UK
Sources

Lotus Iran has its own website

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UK In Iran posted on September 29, 2016, "Great to be at launch of @grouplotusplc cars in Iran tonight - one of UK's most iconic brands taking advantage of trade relationship." (UK in Iran)

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"With very little fanfare, Britain's Lotus brand opened the doors of its very first showroom in Iran unveiling the Elise 220 sports coupe to Iranian car fanatics.Mohammadali Basravi, CEO of ILIA Motor, said the company "seeks to become the largest representative of the British brand in the Middle East".He added that once Iranian buyers place an order, the vehicle will be ready for delivery in at most two and a half months. The handmade vehicles have been priced at about 3 to 4 billion rials ($118,000 at market exchange rate) which is at least double the price in international markets.Financial Tribune contacted Avid Ommi, sales manager of the company, who said Lotus cars and their Iranian counterpart had been negotiating a deal for over two years and finally managed to reach an agreement in March 2015." (Financial Tribune, "Lotus Opens Showroom in Tehran," 9/20/2015). 

Audere International

Industry
Professional Services
Country
UK
Sources

Audere International is able to obtain information for its foreign investors through its local partner in Iran.

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The CEO of Audere International is listed as a speaker at the 2nd Iranian Trade Conference: New Prospects for British-Iranian Trade and Investments, which took place on November 2, 2016, in London. (2nd Iranian Trade Conference, "Speakers").

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The CEO of Audere International is listed as a speaker at the 2nd Iranian Trade Conference: New Prospects for British-Iranian Trade and Investments, which took place on November 2, 2016, in London. (2nd Iranian Trade Conference, "Speakers"). -- The CEO of Britain's Audere International Ltd, Charles Blackmore, is also the Chairman of Plexus Resources Ltd, UK. Blackmore is listed as a speaker at the Iran's Mines and Mining Industries Summit which takes place on December 10-11, 2016, in Tehran, I.R. of Iran. (Iran's Mines and Mining Summit 2016 Brochure) -- “At the 2nd Business and Banking Forum Iran Europe” which kicked off in Tehran...Charles Blackmore, the CEO of Britain's Audere International Ltd said, 'The forum is important for passing information, for being able to bring together the global institutions and Iranian institutions, so we understand how we can work closely together.'" (Tehran Times, "Iran welcomes expansion of trade ties with the European Union," 3/15/2016).

Grayling

Industry
Telecommunications, Professional Services
Country
UK
Sources

Lists PGt Advertising as its trusted affiliate partner. "Brief Description: PGt is a multi-marketing solutions agency in Iran. We excel at Marketing in Iran which includes everything from Creative, Media Buying, Brand Management, PR & Event Management, and marketing strategy consultations. We offer global ideals and experience coupled with local knowledge and culture."

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"In an effort to expand into Iran, London-based Grayling has signed an affiliation agreement with Tehran-based advertising and marketing comms firm PGt Advertising...“The agreement will see both agencies working together to provide a full range of communications services to current mutual clients, while extending PGt Advertising’s global network and allowing Grayling to offer clients premium PR and communications services in Iran,” said PGt Advertising in a statement... "The signing of this affiliation agreement between PGt Advertising and Grayling is another step in the right direction for us and we are extraordinarily excited to be accepted into such a successful global communications network” said Sam Cordier, Managing Director of PGt Advertising.“As Iran opens up its arms to the world, we are proud to be able to offer our clients a truly integrated international communications reach and quality of service.” (Branding in Asia, "Grayling Opens Iran Office Through Partnership with PGt Advertising in Tehran," 8/8/2016).

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In August 2016, Grayling “signed an agreement with PGt Advertising [of Iran] to work together on integrated communications, public affairs, design, and market development services in Iran.” The arrangement “will see the extension of the Tehran-based agency’s global network while allowing Grayling access to PGt’s clients and capabilities in Iran.” (Gulf Business, “Grayling moves into Iran with PGt partnership,” 8/1/2016).

British Airways

Industry
Airline
Country
UK
Sources

"Flight-tracking site FlightRadar24 showed, in this screen capture taken Friday morning U.S. time, that airlines including Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian and Alitalia were avoiding Iran by flying north of it, and Iraq by flying to / from Europe over Saudi Arabia." (The Points Guy, "Major airlines are steering clear of Iranian airspace — except these," 1/11/20)

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According to its website, “Melika Seir is the direct agent of … British Airways” (https://melikaseir.com/en/services/).

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Will terminate flights to Tehran on September 22, 2018, citing the operation as being “currently not commercially viable.” "Air France-KLM, BA Pull Out of Iran Amid U.S. Sanctions," Bloomberg, 8/24/2018.

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September 2017 - British Airways, the UK’s flagship carrier, has opened a new office in Tehran, the head of Asia Pacific and Middle East Sales at BA said. “Iranian customers can choose their flights from Tehran to 200 destinations under the network of British Airways,” IRNA also quoted Robert Williams as saying on Saturday. BA resumed direct flights to Iran in September 2016 after a nearly four-year suspension following the lifting of sanctions on the country.”

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"British Airways plans to resume flights to Tehran Thursday evening, the latest restored link between the West and Iran since the lifting of nuclear sanctions in January. A Boeing 777 wide-body jetliner is scheduled to take off from London around 9 p.m., bound for Tehran, the first flight into Iran by the airline since 2012. It suspended service then amid tightening Western sanctions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which curtailed demand for travel to the country. British Airways plans to operate the service six times a week. The airline said the new service had received “a huge amount of interest.” (The Wall Street Journal, "British Airways Flights to Iran Set to Resume," 09/01/2016). -- "The long-awaited resumption of British Airways flights to Iran has been delayed until September. The six-weekly direct service to Tehran from London Heathrow was due to start from July 14 but has now been pushed back due to 'some technical issues'. News of the route reopening in February was greeted with enthusiasm by British travellers, with tour operators offering trips to Iran registering a surge in interest. But now those keen to travel on the airline’s first direct flights to the country since 2012, when political tension was peaking following the severance of diplomatic relations with the West, will have to wait. A spokesperson for British Airways told Telegraph Travel that Tehran remains an importation destination for the airline." (Daily Telegraph, “BA postpones its relaunch of flights to Iran,” 6/22/2016)

Petrofac

Industry
Energy
Symbol
LON: PFC
States
TX
Country
UK
Sources

"Oil services company Petrofac (PFC.L) will reopen its office in Iran, its chief executive said on Wednesday, as the lifting of Western sanctions allows foreign companies to rekindle business ties with Tehran." (February 24, 2016).

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"A high-profile business delegation from the UK met with Iranian petroleum officials to discuss future cooperation in oil and gas projects in Iran in the post-sanction setting. Executives and representatives from British oil and gas heavyweights including British Petroleum (BP), KCA Deutag and Petrofac, headed by Francis Maude, the UK trade and investment minister, met with Amir-Hossein Zamani-Nia, Iran's deputy minister for international affairs and trading, on Sunday to discuss oil and gas cooperation after the sanctions removals as per Iran's nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of countries which was struck on July 14 in Austria's Vienna." (Shana, "British Business Delegation in Tehran," 11/1/15)

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In 2014 Petrofac was removed from Pennsylvania Treasury's List of Scrutinized Companies Determined as Having Involvement In Iran after it was determined to have past involvement. 

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In 2011, Petrofac was added to the Pennsylvania Treasury's List of Scrutinized Companies Determined as Having Involvement in Iran because of oil-related investment of US $20 million since 1996.
 

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"Intended recipient of safety bellow valves made of inconel alloy, the procurement of which was denied in 2006 by a member state of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG); part of the multinational Petrofac Group; as of December 2004, secured a $30 million maintenance, modification and operations contract with South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC) to support production from phases 2 and 3 of Iran's South Pars gas field." (Iran Watch, "Petrofac Pars PJS," 8/28/08)

KCA Deutag

Industry
Energy
States
TX
Country
UK
Sources

"A high-profile business delegation from the UK met with Iranian petroleum officials to discuss future cooperation in oil and gas projects in Iran in the post-sanction setting. Executives and representatives from British oil and gas heavyweights including British Petroleum (BP), KCA Deutag and Petrofac, headed by Francis Maude, the UK trade and investment minister, met with Amir-Hossein Zamani-Nia, Iran's deputy minister for international affairs and trading, on Sunday to discuss oil and gas cooperation after the sanctions removals as per Iran's nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of countries which was struck on July 14 in Austria's Vienna." (Shana, "British Business Delegation in Tehran," 11/1/15)