Letter from the President

Nicholas Unkovic
BABC President & Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

   
Dear Friends of the BABC, 
We've had a busy start to the New Year here at BABC; here is a quick rundown.

On the 31st of January we held our 28th Annual BABC Economic Forecast Luncheon. This year we welcomed our largest ever crowd of more than 140 guests to The City Club of San Francisco for an enlightening and lively economic discussion. We were delighted to welcome our expert panel of: Peter Flint (NFX), Ninh Chung (Silicon Valley Bank) and Sean Randolph (Bay Area Council Economic Institute) and our moderator Leslie Hook (The Financial Times). The event covered a number of topics, and provided attendees with some expert insight into the state of global and local economic affairs, and some bold predictions for the future. 
 
In case you missed it, you can find some photos from the event here.
 
On Tuesday, February 13 th we hosted our increasingly popular Young Professionals Happy Hour in  Cafe Americano at Hotel Vitale. The YP Committee were delighted to welcome new and returning attendees to this monthly networking event.   This month's guests represented a diverse spread of industries who were keen to take advantage of the opportunity to grow their network, and have a great time while they're at it. 
     
On the 28th of February we held our 7th Annual "Funding, Exits and IPO's" event . This year we welcomed over 90 guests to the Quadrus Center in Menlo Park
for an enlightening and lively discussion of the current venture capital climate. We were delighted to welcome our expert panel of venture capitalists: Rebecca Lynn (Canvas Ventures), Bill Reichart (Garage Technology Ventures), Steve Goldberg (Venrock), Mitchell Kertzman (Hummer Winblad Venture Partners), and Richard Waters (The Financial Times). The event covered the current climate for venture investment, reviewed recent trends and made some predictions for 2018, a tall order given recent market activity! 

You can see some photos from the event  here.
 
Coming up in March we have a number of exciting events, including our 4th Global Words of Wisdom event, this year focusing on Artificial Intelligence. Also this month we have our Winter European Networking event and of course as always the Young Professionals happy hour. You can check all of these events out on the BABC website.

Last but not least, a s you will see from our new and renewing member sections further down this newsletter, the BABC community remains as strong and vibrant as ever. I hope you will join me in welcoming the newest members of our growing and dynamic community - their information can be found below. Please take a moment to visit their websites and contact our executive director Jo Healey if you would like to learn more.  
 
 
Best,
Nicholas Unkovic
President, BABC Northern California


BABC Featured Events







BABC Events Calendar

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From The Consul General's Desk


Dear Friends and Members of the BABC,
 
In case you missed it, last month the Mostly British Film Festival celebrated its 10 th Anniversary - a big milestone for the little San Francisco-based festival.

To help celebrate, we were lucky enough to have Joanne Froggatt join us. You may know her from her character Anna in Downton Abbey, or the voice of Wendy in Bob the Builder. But beyond her work on the silver screen, I was delighted to learn about Joanne's work as an ambassador for the UK-based charity, Plan International, which works to advance children's rights and equality for girls.

Many of you may not be aware, but supporting and increasing education for girls has become a priority for the Foreign Office. The Foreign Secretary speaks of his personal commitment to addressing gender inequality in all its forms. He argues unequal access to education, itself flowing from gender prejudice and discrimination was a major barrier to women's empowerment.

The FCO is taking forward the global agenda of equality, supporting projects to increase women's empowerment around the world, challenging gender stereotypes of what a "traditional" women's role is.

To support this as a priority, one year ago February, the Foreign Office appointed its first Special Envoy for Gender Equality, Joanna Roper. She's tasked with leading the Foreign Secretary's vision of foreign policy that consistently delivers for women and girls and show cases the UK's leading international reputation in this area.
Additionally, this year the government launched the UK's fourth national action plan (NAP) on women, peace and security , which sets a bold new direction, putting women and girls at the heart of Britain's work to prevent and resolve conflict for the next five years.

Unfortunately, women suffer disproportionately all around the world during times of crisis. This is why championing girls' education to promote global stability will be at the heart of UK foreign, development and defence policy to positively transform the lives of women and girls.


 
Andrew Whittaker
HM Consul General  

Previous BABC Events
28th Annual Economic Luncheon
Presented by




A big thank you to all our guests who joined us at the 28th Annual BABC Economic Forecast Luncheon yesterday, and of course  to our sponsors, Squire Patton Boggs , ACCA USA and Vistra   - we couldn't have done it without you and we greatly appreciate your support.
  
Read the full event write up here

Thanks also to our fabulous panelists Ninh Chung, Silicon Valley Bank, Sean Randolph, Bay Area Council Economic Institute, Pete Flint, NFX and to our moderator, Leslie Hook from The Financial Times
 
Last, but not least, thanks to the BABC Team for coordinating all the fine details to bring this event to life!
 
Funding Exits & IPOs 2018, Presented by
Thanks to all of our guests who attended our 2018 Funding Exits & IPOs event on the 28th of February, the event was a huge success and attendees were treated to an evening of insightful discussion of the current state of the venture capital climate.

To read the full event write up click here

Our thanks go to our sponsors, HSBC, CCW Business Solutions, Carr McLellan and Invest Northern Ireland - we couldn't have done it without you and we greatly appreciate your support. Thanks also to our fantastic panelists Rebecca Lynn of Canvas Ventures, Mitchell Kurtzman of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, Bill Reichart of   Garage Technology Ventures, and Steve Goldberg of Venrock, and to our moderator, Richard Waters from 
The Financial Times



Last, but not least, thanks to the BABC Team for coordinating all the fine details to bring this event to life.

Job Postings
Osborn McDerby LLP Corporate Associate Attorney

Osborn McDerby seeks a highly skilled, confident, business-minded corporate attorney with 4-7 years of solid transactional experience to join our team.

Candidates should have experience both working in teams and in managing components of transactions independently.  Specifically, we are interested in candidates with substantive, sophisticated corporate, securities, and M&A experience, including entity formation & governance, financing & restructuring, business and technology transactions, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and strategic joint ventures. A high level of academic achievement from a nationally recognized law school is required.
 
Please direct ALL inquiries to careers@osbornmcderby.com. Please include a resume and transcript in your submission.
 
  
BABC Member News
CFGI Partners with The Carlyle Groupe


New York, NY - Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) today announced it has invested in Boston-based CFGI, a national provider of high-end technical accounting and finance advisory services to the office of the Chief Financial Officer. CFGI currently serves more than 500 national and international clients, with offices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. 

Equity for the investment came from Carlyle Global Financial Services Partners III (CGFSP III) and CFGI management. CGFSP III is Carlyle's third dedicated financial services fund and this transaction represents the fund's first investment.
Fitzgerald & Law's Melissa Harkcom Shortlisted for TAG award


Leaders in global expansion, Fitzgerald & Law is delighted to announce that Mellissa Harkcom has been shortlisted for the Woman In Business Silver Award. 

Read more
Penningtons Manches Named in Rocketspace List of Top Law Firms for Tech Startups in London
 

RocketSpace Recommends: 11 Best Law Firms for Tech Startups in London

Technology startups are disruptive by nature; Unfortunately, the same evolutionary idea that could potentially land you millions could also be the source of your demise - without proper legal planning, that is.

It's not uncommon for tech startups to challenge existing business arrangements that enjoy the protection of long-established laws. However, the status quo doesn't usually bend over backward without a fight. Overlook an obscure regulation, and you could be slapped with a hefty penalty that effectively halts traction to a standstill, siphoning off cash from important objectives like product development, sales and marketing, and recruiting.

The best way to avoid such inconveniences? Partner with legal counsel from the very beginning.

British Airways partner Iberia to Launch Routes to San Francisco and Managua in 2018
 
The restructuring efforts and initiatives undertaken by Iberia in recent years under the 'Plan de Futuro' scheme, are now yielding their fruits, enabling the Spanish airline to launch new routes and reinforce its network. Cost reduction, productivity hikes, new long haul fleet and product, and new commercial strategies are allowing Iberia to compete advantageously in what were once unprofitable markets.

 
As of the end of April, 2018, until the end of September, it will operate three non-stop return flights per week between Madrid and San Francisco, a new destination for Iberia.


Osborne Clarke Regulatory Outlook
 
Regulatory law affects all businesses. Osborne Clarke's Regulatory Outlook is designed to help in-house lawyers, compliance professionals and directors navigate the landscape
of business regulation in the UK. For each of the 14 areas of business regulation covered, we highlight the issues that are most likely to affect your business in 2018, whatever sector you operate in, as well as dates that you might want to put into your diary.

4 Best B2B Lead Generation Strategies for your Business in 2018
 
It's a new year and undoubtedly some of your major goals for 2018 are to build your sales pipeline and increase ROI.

In this article, we're going to talk about the most effective lead generation strategies for B2B businesses and answer the ever elusive question that keeps every Marketing Director up at night - How do I get more leads? To help you get the ball rolling, we've put together a list of lead generation strategies guaranteed to help to work together to help you build a stronger sales pipeline.

Tricor Group and Fitzgerald & Law Announce Their Alliance to Accelerate US Companies' Global Growth

Tricor Group, Asia's leading provider of integrated business, corporate and investor services, has today announced its strategic alliance with global expansion experts Fitzgerald & Law, to enable US companies to enter both European and Asian markets with ease.

From their shared base in San Francisco, the two companies will collaborate on their sales and marketing efforts across the US - helping clients to accelerate expansion into key markets.

This strategic alliance will streamline all cross-border services including company formation, global payroll, international accounting, tax and HR.


New ACCA and IMA Report: Global economic confidence remained high at end of 2017; Confidence in U.S. 

The latest Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) released today found that global economic confidence remained relatively high at the end of 2017 despite a slight dip from the previous quarter, with an improved economic outlook in the United States and South Asia off-setting a more cautious mood in China.

BABC Network News
Across the Pond - British Trade & Investment Success Stories in the US

Across The Pond pays homage to the many British and American companies who have made the jump across the Atlantic to create their own transatlantic trade and investment success stories.
Indeed the UK-US economic relationship that is powered by companies like those featured below continues to be a source of strength and countless opportunities for both countries.

In partnership with the UK Embassy in Washington D.C., BritishAmerican Business is proud to tell just a few of these stories.

Read More
Birmingham chapter to host BABC transatlantic conference 2018

The British American Business Council (BABC) annual conference takes place from June 6 to 8 and will attract delegates from all over Britain and North America as businesses in the city, led by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), seek new markets in the post-Brexit era.

The conference is a highly sought after occasion for which many of the American states and British cities bid.  The event has previously been held in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC and Chicago.
BritishAmerican Business names new CEO

Duncan Edwards has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of BritishAmerican Business.

Duncan, a media executive with more than 30 years' experience, spent 27 years at New York City-based Hearst Corporation, most recently as president and CEO of its international magazine and digital media company, Hearst Magazines International.

Read More
Meet our New Members
New Corporate Level Members  
Elite Apprenticeships

Elite Apprenticeships is committed to solving the skills gap by providing apprentices with bespoke apprenticeships & real world, industry focused careers training, and employers with risk-free recruitment.
 
Werqwise

Werqwise is a California based collaborative workspace provider focused on accelerating your success. Our mission is to enable everyone to realize their ambition by shaping the future of work.

Docusign

D ocuSign® is changing how business gets done by empowering more than 300k companies and 200m users in 188 countries to sign, send and manage documents anytime, anywhere, on any device, with confidence

New Business and Community Partner Level Members  



New Individual and Young Professional Members  
Jonathan Allen
Ketan Jashapara
Georgia Bell
Brian Saalfeld
Our Thanks to these Renewing Members
Patron Level Members 
Squire Patton Boggs

At Squire Patton Boggs, we combine sound legal counsel with a deep knowledge of our clients' businesses to resolve their legal challenges. We care about the quality of our services, the success of our clients and the relationships that are forged through those successes.
Breadth and Depth-  We advise a diverse mix of clients, from Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 corporations to emerging companies and from individuals to local and national governments.
Client Focus-  Our combination of legal and industry experience allows us to better analyze client requirements and develop the right approach for the matter at hand. Clients receive tested insight and guidance from a team that understands their needs and is able to offer tailored solutions.
Business Has No Borders-  With 44 offices located in 21 countries on five continents, our global legal practice is in the markets where our clients do business. We are able to deliver the seamless cross-practice, cross-border and industry-specific support that clients require for success in today's competitive markets.
Outstanding Value-  We emphasize quality, efficiency and alignment with client goals as core standards to improve continually our service delivery and the value of what we do for our clients. We encourage and manage processes and tools to improve pricing models, training and resource optimization, knowledge management and more, all centered on our core focus - delivering the services our clients want, when and where they want them and with the value they deserve.

Cyracom

International trade, foreign investment, and an increasingly diverse language mix in the US, UK, and other locales drive the need for translation and localization. You need your legal documents, user manuals, marketing materials, and websites translated accurately and quickly to meet the demand of global markets. CyraCom's professional translators understand complex projects and the importance of critical deadlines.
Support the BABC and experience service from the leading provider of translation services. Email translation projects and quotes to  babctranslations@cyracom.com
Premier Level Members 
Grant Thornton LLP

Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of  Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world's leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton has revenue in excess of $1.3 billion and operates 57 offices across the United States with more than 500 partners and 6,000 employees.

Grant Thornton works with a broad range of publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations. Core industries served include consumer and industrial products, financial services, not-for-profit, private equity, and technology. Grant Thornton focuses on serving dynamic organizations that pursue growth holistically - whether through revenue improvement, leadership, mission fulfillment, or innovation.

Grant Thornton supports the kinds of policies that allow these companies to reach their full potential and is particularly qualified to serve clients in the middle market that face the challenges of growth and expansion. By fostering responsible entrepreneurship, Grant Thornton helps these organizations grow and fuel a thriving economy
NCC Group

NCC Group is a global information assurance specialist, passionate about making the Internet safer and revolutionizing the way in which organizations think about cyber security.
Through an unrivalled and unique range of services, the company provides organizations across the world with freedom from doubt that their most important assets are protected and operational at all times.

NCC Group protects your business with our security experts offering security consulting services in the following areas:
  • Application Security
  • Infrastructure Security
  • Cryptography
  • Mobile Security
  • Incident Response & Forensic Analysis
  • Risk Management & Governance
  • Security Training
  • Bug Bounty Services
Listed on the London Stock Exchange, NCC Group is a trusted advisor to more than 15,000 clients worldwide. Headquartered in Manchester, UK, NCC Group has 32 offices across the world and employs over 1,700 specialists in information security, assurance and technology. NCC Group delivers security consulting, software escrow and verification, website performance, software testing and domain services.

Hogan Lovells

Why choose Hogan Lovells?
Straight talking. Understanding and solving the problem before it becomes one. Delivering clear and practical advice that gets your job done. Hogan Lovells offers extensive experience and insight gained from working in some of the world's most complex legal environments and markets for corporations, financial institutions, and governments.
We help you identify and mitigate risk and make the most of opportunities. Our 2,500 lawyers on six continents provide practical legal solutions wherever your work takes you.

A fast-changing and inter-connected world requires fresh thinking combined with proven experience. That's what we provide. Progress starts with ideas. And while imagination helps at every level, our legal solutions are aligned with your business strategy.

When law, policy and politics converge, you need advisors who do not see Brexit through a narrow lens. You need advisors who see the big picture but don't miss the details. In uncharted waters, you need advisors who are not afraid to innovate. We have been leading analysis of Brexit since before the referendum was promised.

The firm's Constitutional Change Taskforce (CCT) brings together senior thought leaders from across Hogan Lovells to analyze, anticipate, and help clients to navigate Brexit. We collaborate with our clients and other experts to provide a holistic view of the risks and opportunities. We are ready to help you to make the best of it by delivering sound legal analysis, global perspective and active engagement with policy makers.

Corporate Level Members 
Wilton & Bain

In 2017 Wilton & Bain was ranked by Executive Grapevine as the #1 Executive Search firm for the Professional Services industry and the leading headhunting boutique for Technology and Digital Services.
We have unrivalled headhunting expertise across Management Consulting, Risk Advisory, Corporate Finance, Legal, IT Services, Software, Telecommunications and Digital Services. Our strategy is to build entrenched and longstanding relationships with our clients based on deep sector knowledge and exceptional delivery of results. We are a Global Boutique; offering the versatility and sector-dedication of a boutique, married with the pedigree service, sophistication and international coverage of a large global premium Executive Search firm.
Integral Group

Integral Group is an interactive global network of design professionals collaborating under a single deep green engineering umbrella. Wee provide a full range of building system design and energy analysis services, with a staff widely regarded as innovative leaders in their fields. Located in twelve offices across North America and the U.K., along with an international network of affiliates our passion for sustainable design runs deep.
Our organization is designed to specifically meet the challenge of acceleration critical change in sustainable building practices. Our integrated approach to building systems design allows us to enhance opportunities that nature provides, working in harmony with a building's environment to reduce its reliance on outside energy sources. We specialize in the design of simple, elegant, cost-effective systems for high performance building environments and provide a comprehensive analyses that help prioritize their energy saving potential and carbon reduction effect.
BPM LLP

Founded in 1986, BPM is one of the 50 largest public accounting and advisory firms in the country.
 
With six offices across the Bay Area - as well as offices in Oregon, Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands - we serve emerging, mid-cap, and closely-held businesses as well as high-net-worth individuals in a broad reach of industries.
 
From financial services, technology, life science and consumer business to real estate, nonprofits, wine and craft beverages, we are committed to the success of our clients. To learn more, visit us at our website.  
 

First National Bank of Northern California

First National Bank of Northern California is dedicated to providing the finest in financial services to our valued customers. We are a community bank focused on delivering quality service to individuals, families and businesses, thus enhancing the economic environment of our communities while providing employment opportunities and an equitable return to our shareholders.

This statement is as true today as it was when First National Bank was created in 1963 as First National Bank of Daly City. The Bank was founded in response to the growing need for an independent, community oriented and community-based bank, serving the needs of the people in San Francisco and on the San Mateo peninsula.
https://www.fnbnorcal.com/index.html
Business Level Members  
 

 
       
Individual and Young Professional Members  
 
Individual Members
Ian Powell
Brian Ward
 
Young Professional Members:  
Christopher Waldon 
Georgia Bell 
      
Member Offers & Discounts
Please log in to the BABC Member Information Center to access these fantastic Member-Member Hot Deals and Discounts.

If you have forgotten your username and password, you can reset it here.
Hot Deal
Member:
Color Consultation and 15% off Hot Deal!
 
$250 off your First 30 day stay!
 
Excellent Discounts on Goldschmidt Vineyard Wines
 
Fairmont San Francisco - 15% Discount Off Best Available rate on hotel reservations
 
OFX Foreign Currency Exchange - Free transfers and a preferred rate of exchange!
 
British Airways Promotional Offer for BABC and BA Executive Club Members
 
10% Discount at InterContinental Hotels

$50 off Youth Soccer Camp Fees
90

 
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca- Discount on tickets to the 2018 Pirelli World Challenge
 
Turkish Airlines - Substantially discounted Business and Economy Fares to Europe.
 

British American Business Council | (415) 296-8645 | info@babcsf.org | www.babcsf.org
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