By Daniel Caruth
Publication Date: 2025-11-20 17:06:00
Last month, the city of Bentonville welcomed the new consul general of the United Kingdom, based in Houston. The consulate covers British government affairs in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas. Keith Scott says the consulate is focused on strengthening economic and cultural ties in the U.S. He tells Ozarks at Large’s Daniel Caruth that’s why Bentonville was an important place to start his regional tour.
Keith Scott: I’ve only been in Houston for six weeks. I had never been to Texas and Houston before, and I had never been to Arkansas or Bentonville before until two days ago. So it was actually a real eye-opener for me to see the existing ecosystem here. And I’ve had a packed schedule. It’s not just companies. It is to see the cultural attractions of this area. The Crystal Bridges Museum, for example. Taking a fantastic bike ride through Bentonville last night was a great way to see the city and see what it had to offer, and it was also the first time I’d ridden a bike in about 30 years. It was another part of the learning experience for me.
Daniel Caruth: Yes. You were included in the cult. Cycling. Good for you.
Keith Scott: That’s how it is.
Daniel Caruth: And you still have all your limbs and everything is intact, I hope.
Keith Scott: Well, it was the possibility of one of those media moments where the British consul general falls into a river or falls off a sidewalk. But fortunately it didn’t happen. And I can confirm that the old saying that you never forget to ride your bike is absolutely true. And I discovered it here in Bentonville.
Daniel Caruth: And well, I know you’ve talked a little bit about that. Technology and clean energy are two of those parts that interest you a lot. Can you talk about having been here and meeting with these companies? Obviously we have Tyson and Walmart. We have huge Fortune 500 companies here. Can you talk about what makes this area ripe for those sectors and what have you seen that makes those things a good fit, or do you think that’s something that can be leveraged?
Keith Scott: Well, I think the reason why the UK is interested in this area in the first place is that there is a new drive, a new ambition in the UK. When President Trump made a state visit to the United Kingdom last month, he signed a technology and prosperity agreement, which focuses on artificial intelligence, quantum computing and nuclear energy. And it really aims to stimulate greater cooperation and partnerships between the UK and the US at a commercial level, but also at a research level. So there is a real push and there is money in this from the UK.
From the northwest side of Arkansas, this morning we had a technology roundtable with several people. And what became clear to me was the statement that was made loud and clear: this is an area big enough to get things done, but small enough to be nimble and nimble. And I think it’s a big advantage for this region: the fact that you can bring together so many key players from academia, big business and startups in the same room speaking the same language. I think it’s a huge asset for this region and that’s why we wanted to explore whether we could do more to create those partnerships between UK institutions and businesses and institutions here.
And we see all this technology in practice. For example, today I saw a drone flying Walmart merchandise from one place to another. So not only is this great ecosystem here, but there is also a real physical presence on the ground of these large companies showing the technology in action.
Daniel Caruth: And I imagine that, meeting people here, everyone probably has an idea of what Britain and the United Kingdom are about. But then when you come back, I’m sure most people might not know anything about Arkansas. So what does that process look like of putting this into practice: recruiting people from the UK so that they believe that this is a place where they can work, they can find opportunities or partner with companies here? Making it attractive at home. What is that process really like?
Keith Scott: Part of that was because we were here across the team and networking at all levels. It’s not just me. It’s the whole team that goes out and makes connections between universities, companies, healthcare and life sciences. So making those connections and then helping us build that narrative. So when we talk to companies, we don’t talk in generalities, we don’t talk in vague diplomatic language. In reality, they are real opportunities.
So, for example, if there are pitch days at some of the companies here, it’s a great opportunity for us to advertise it to innovative UK companies and institutions and get them to come and watch. We know it’s a big airport here. It’s a very short flight from Houston or Dallas. If we get companies that come to Texas, then we go to them and say, “Hey guys, it’s a short flight to Bentonville. Why don’t you go and take a look?” We can put these people in a room with you and you can talk and discuss things. So I think that’s really important.
And another advantage of (in case Arkansas is the case) is that the current US ambassador to the United Kingdom is from this state, Ambassador Stephens. So that is a link that we must use, and the State must use it, indeed, to raise the profile in the United Kingdom.
Daniel Caruth: And then I imagine part of your job is also working on behalf of or with UK expats here in our region. I imagine there is probably a small but significant population of British expats living here. I was wondering if you were able to meet anyone, communicate with anyone, or talk to any of your compatriots.
Keith Scott: Yes. Some of them. One of the first things I did was go here to Rapha Bikes, which is a British company. But it’s where British innovation and American ambition really come together and make a big statement. And as part of last night’s bike ride, a couple of British citizens came along. All very positive about the state, about this region and what it has to offer. And frankly, that makes a big difference because when British citizens who live here can give feedback on what this region can offer, that’s always more powerful than people like us who come to visit.
But I must say that it is not something isolated. It has to be a process if we want this to work. And for me, it is making the statements and the ambition a reality. So it has to be a regular rhythm of keeping in touch. And for us, frankly, to be as agile as a lot of the operators here are and make sure we react. And if there are big events and conferences, then we make sure we are represented, we make sure there are the right people in the room.
So yes, we should use British citizens in this state as ambassadors for Arkansas as well.
Daniel Caruth: Yes. And looking to the future and the events that lie ahead, you have this Road to America’s 250 campaign, which I think some people may find interesting, maybe a little funny, given that that anniversary marks our separation from the Crown. But can you talk about that event, what’s coming up and why you’re putting this together and what you hope to get out of it?
Keith Scott: Yes you’re right. It seems strange that we are celebrating a defeat in British history. But the idea is to join you in commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, because, frankly, it’s a great story: how two nations can go from conflict to one of the strongest alliances the world has ever seen across the board. Not only politically and in terms of shared values (freedom, democracy, enterprise) but also in security, defense cooperation, intelligence sharing and also trade, which is in a really good place.
The economic and trade ties between the United States and the United Kingdom are very, very strong. We have 1.5 trillion dollars invested in each other’s economies. Trade ties are worth $418 billion. Support 2.5 million jobs in our two countries. They are phenomenal figures, really. So we want to help commemorate that. From a difficult start, we have built this incredible partnership, which shows what can be done with shared values and a willingness to work together.
So we’re very keen to join our friends here in the US and really commemorate this, and also this will help raise the profile of not only the US, but states that perhaps don’t get the same attention in the UK as they should. So we hope some good things come out of this.
And I must say that, as part of the Road to 250, we are starting it here. The Brit Fest reception I’m hosting tonight is the start of that. We then move to Little Rock and then back to Houston and highlight parts of America or any British links along the way. So we hope again through this to give a little more profile to other parts of America that are overlooked.
Daniel Caruth: And if anyone hears this and thinks they’d like to learn more, get involved in this, or connect with you, any upcoming events they should know about or ways to get in touch?
Keith Scott: Well, we have a LinkedIn page and an Instagram page, the British Consulate in Houston. So I would recommend checking it out. And then there is a website which will have the details of the consulate in Houston, how to get in touch. Certainly, for businesses, we just launched a website For anyone interested in doing business with the UK, investing in the UK. And that’s a very good portal into the kind of support that the UK government offers, but also into the specific attributes of different regions of the UK. So that’s a good first point of reference. But if. Check out our social media and website and hopefully the partnership can go from strength to strength.
Daniel Caruth: Well, that’s mostly what I had for you, Keith. Was there anything else you would like to add? Everything people should know.
Keith Scott: I think I’ve covered that enough already. I mean, the only thing I would say is that while I think Arkansas (certainly northwest Arkansas) punches above its weight, I think the UK does too. And that’s what I’ve been telling people here. The world is a big place. There is a lot of competition. But we think we have pretty good attributes that make us good partners for the people of this region. We are number one of several unicorns in Europe, for example, and more than France and Germany combined. We are the largest investor in 21 states in the US. We are a very open economy and also very innovative. So I think it’s a really good partnership between Arkansas and the UK.
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