Executive education and research business Møller Institute, based in Churchill College at the University of Cambridge, has secured a six-figure annual contract with China’s largest bank, ICBC.

The deal is due to connections made through the Department for International Trade (DIT) and its strong track record in China.

Møller Institute, which is owned by Churchill College, works with academics and industry leaders to develop in-depth practical leadership development programmes to help organisations improve their business strategy, innovate and navigate new challenges.

Its second contract in two years with the bank will see Møller deliver a leadership development programme for more than 25 senior executives on practical leadership, FinTech and corporate governance with support from UK economists, consultants and representatives from the financial service and professional service sectors.

Møller first started developing a relationship with ICBC in 2015 when it attended a specialist Professional and Financial Services Trade Mission with DIT to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and met representatives from numerous Chinese financial institutions.

Mark Carberry, director of client and product development at Møller Institute, said: “Over the last 10 years, we’ve experienced rapid growth in China and the country now accounts for a significant part of our executive education income.

“Attending the forum allowed us to achieve further exposure to Chinese financial institutions. DIT facilitated 1-2-1 meetings which allowed us to have in depth discussions with key decision makers.

“We’re now working with DIT to build on this by pursuing new opportunities in the Middle East and Japan, to complement our existing work with UK and executive education clients in other European countries.

“Our service is unique and we’ve found a real appetite for UK consultancy internationally, which businesses of any sector can tap into.”

Alan Pain, head of exports for DIT in the East of England, added: “The new contract with ICBC is an important next step for Møller Institute. Working with such a renowned financial institution will help lead to greater recognition for the business in China and across the globe.”