Corey Hastings

Executive Director

BABC Northern California

Dear Members and Friends of the BABC Northern California,

April is a time of change, and as I wrap up my second week as Executive Director of BABC Northern California, I want to thank everyone for the incredibly warm welcome. From kind messages to generous support, I’m grateful for the community helping me settle into this new chapter.

My journey with BABC began in 2018 as an intern, later becoming Events and Membership Manager. While much has evolved, it’s been a joy to reconnect with many familiar faces and see the strength of this network still thriving. Special thanks to our Board and renewing members for their ongoing commitment during this leadership transition.

A bit about me—I’m originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, and have lived in the Bay Area for nearly seven years with my husband, Daniel. Outside of work, I’m a passionate (field) hockey player and coach, and a creative at heart. I’m excited to bring that energy and perspective to this role.

Later this month, I’ll attend the BABN Conference in North Carolina and look forward to sharing insights at our AGM on Wednesday, June 25th. We’re also planning new events and opportunities to connect—stay tuned!

As I opened, April is often associated with change and there is a lot of that going on right now. From recent personal experiences, community and connection has been fundamental in navigating change and so on that note, I hope that many of our members will continue supporting the BABC. 

As we navigate change together, I’m here to listen and lead with transparency with the hope of meeting many of you in person in the coming weeks. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via chastings@babcsf.org or LinkedIn—I’d love to hear from you.

With gratitude,



Corey Hastings

BABC Executive Director

Tammy Sandhu MBE

HM British Consul- General

San Francisco

Dear Members of the BABC,

You are no doubt aware that the last week has seen significant shifts in international trade policy. While much remains uncertain, what I can say to you now is that the UK Government will continue to pursue a cool-headed, pragmatic approach in order to deliver economic stability and continue to press the case for a strong trading relationship that supports businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

To support UK businesses navigating the new trade tariffs, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is laser-focused on engaging the business community, opening a month-long Request for Input. As our own Department for Business and Trade team engages the business community on the West Coast, we will continue to focus on strengthening that fair and balanced trading relationship and pursuing goals central to both the UK and US, including security, economic growth, and – especially for us here in the Bay Area – technological innovation.

It was a very eventful month for the team and I in pursuit of that goal. In mid-March, I had the honour of hosting UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle and our new Ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, on a remarkable visit to the West Coast.

We attended the NVIDIA GTC AI Conference, met with hugely influential tech leaders, and explored the transformative and innovative work of companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Amazon. All our meetings highlighted the shared commitment between the UK and the US to drive innovation and growth. And, on a more personal level, the visit emphasized to me the value of in-person connection.

We also met with notable California political leaders like Mayor Daniel Lurie and Governor Gavin Newsom, with whom we discussed how we can further collaborate to create the strongest environment for innovation and research on both sides of the Atlantic. 

I’m taking this momentum forward into the next couple of months, which are equally pivotal for UK-US priorities. We are looking forward to collaborating with Stanford again this year for its AI Index launch, participating in SF Climate Week, and hosting an event on the sidelines of RSA (among others).

I’m also looking forward to yet another British artist opening at the de Young Museum: Isaac Julien, whose 25-year-long career has shaped great British art by breaking down the barriers between artistic mediums. The exhibition will be a fantastic opportunity to see the art of British innovation, and I hope to see many of you there!

In the meantime, you can keep up to date on our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

All the Best,



Tammy Sandhu MBE

The BABC, in collaboration with the Association of American European Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations, invites you to an exclusive evening of international connections and opportunities at Cooley, LLP in Palo Alto.

Mingle with dynamic entrepreneurs and professionals from across Europe and beyond, all in a lively and sophisticated setting. Enjoy complimentary appetizers, beer, wine, and soft drinks as you expand your network and engage in meaningful conversations.

This premier event consistently draws over 100 international business professionals, making it the ultimate networking opportunity. Members of partnering organizations and their guests receive priority access—secure your spot now before it fills up!

Don’t miss this chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate global business!

Fees/Admission:

$30: BABC Member Ticket

$45: Non-Member Ticket

$55: On The Door

More information will be shared next week but should you wish more information on sponsorship opportunities and or wish to play as an individual or part of a foursome team please click below.

Registration will be available soon! Stayed tuned!

BABC members are invited to join us on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 for the 69th Annual General Meeting of the BABC Northern California to vote in the 2025-20267 Board of Directors. We are delighted to be joined by Tammy Sandhu MBE, British Consul General.

Only current and fully paid-up members are eligible to vote in the election of the Directors. If your dues are outstanding, please take a moment to pay them prior to sending in your ballot/proxy.

Ballots will be sent in due course.

At the AGM, we will also reflect on the activities of the BABC Northern California over the past year and immediately following the formal proceedings, you will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with your fellow members! 

At 6pm, non-members are welcomed to join us and particularly those interested in joining the BABC Northern California

If you are not a member, but would like to join, click here to compare member benefits.

Raise a glass with the British Benevolent Society (BBS) at Tiburon Tavern on Thursday, April 24th, 2025, hosted by BBS Member Colin Crawford. Come enjoy an evening of live music, a variety of delicious food options, and great company in beautiful Tiburon.

Optional $20 Donation:

All donations go toward providing financial relief to Brits in need—a small gesture that makes a big impact.

Please RSVP — we’d love to see you there!

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, April 24th, 2025

Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Tiburon Tavern (1651 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA, 94920)

Join 5,000+ startup enthusiasts in Silicon Valley for two days — April 29-30, 2025 —that could transform your startup’s future at the Startup Grind Conference!

🔹 5,000+ Startup Builders – Founders, teams, investors, and partners unite to connect and shape the future of tech.

🔹 400+ VC Funds – Meet top investors, join Q&As, and pitch your vision.

🔹 150+ Startup Exhibitors – Showcase your startup, secure funding, and land major deals.

🔹 175+ Sessions – Engage in interactive talks, pitch sessions, and workshops.

25% off Investor, Full Access and Expo passes: Use Code: BABC_25

To learn more and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

During his 2024 campaign, President Trump pledged to impose tariffs on countries like China, Canada, and Mexico. Back in office, he has acted on that promise to varying degrees, impacting U.S. mergers and acquisitions—especially those involving global supply chains.

Read key legal insights from Squire Patton Boggs HERE.

SambaNova has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025 list, ranking fourth within the computing category.

Continue reading HERE.

The new corporate criminal offence of "failure to prevent fraud" is set to reshape the compliance landscape for commercial organisations. Osborne Clarke address some of the most common questions regarding this significant legal development.

Continue reading HERE.

In March, key US-UK trade discussions took place as UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds visited Washington, meeting with US officials and BAB members to explore investment and growth opportunities.

Tariff tensions also rose, with the US imposing a 25% tariff on global steel and aluminum imports, prompting calls from the UK for exemptions. Meanwhile, momentum is building toward a potential US-UK trade agreement, with both sides signaling a desire to move quickly following recent high-level meetings.

Continue reading HERE.

On New US Tariffs on UK Exports

Commenting on the April 2nd 2025 announcement of a 10% tariff on all UK exports to the USA, BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“BritishAmerican Business members will be disappointed to see that new tariffs are being imposed on imports from Britain and elsewhere into the USA. The 10% general tariff is unhelpful but is significantly lower than many had feared and than has been imposed on many other major US trading partners, including the EU..."

Continue reading HERE.

On Warren Stephens’ Ambassador Nomination

Commenting on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing of Warren Stephens, heard on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Edwards said:

“BritishAmerican Business welcomes this week’s Senate confirmation hearing of Warren Stephens to be US Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland."

“Given Mr. Stephens’ extensive business expertise and leadership in expanding economic opportunities both domestically and internationally, we are confident that he will serve as an exceptional Ambassador to the United Kingdom..."

Continue reading HERE.

Focus on the Future: Navigating the Demands of Tomorrow’s World

The 2025 Transatlantic Conference — taking place April 30 through May 2, 2025 in Charlotte, NC — will feature experts discussing key topics like AI, sustainability, green finance, circular economies, renewable energy, AR in healthcare, cybersecurity, autonomous vehicles, and upskilling. They will address the challenges of technological growth, ethical and privacy concerns, necessary safeguards, and how non-tech executives can lead in this evolving landscape.

Each year, the BABN brings together members of all 20 chapters throughout the US, UK and Canada for a 3-day conference. The aim is to convene a senior level business executives and government representatives actively involved in trade, investment and business flows between the UK and US. ​

This conference is by invitation only and for members of the BABN chapters and offers a series of roundtables, plenary sessions and networking receptions for over 150 guests. ​

Click here for The 2025 BABN Conference flyer with agenda and registration link

CORPORATE MEMBER

Your employee's click links everyday - Do you trust they know which are safe? Do you have the right safeguards in place to keep your business safe?

909Cyber is a cybersecurity firm offering expert consulting and resourcing services. Our Pragmatic Security approach is designed to help you reduce risk and friction while lowering costs. 

909Cyber was established to address the growing need for executive-level, enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions that are financially accessible to small- and medium-sized businesses. We believe that every organization, regardless of size, deserves access to the same caliber of cybersecurity expertise that has traditionally been available only to large enterprises. Our mission is to bridge this gap and provide forward-thinking, tailored cybersecurity strategies that enable businesses of all sizes to thrive in today's digital landscape.

With decades of experience across various industries and company sizes, from series A startups to Fortune 100 enterprises. We bring deep expertise to every engagement.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

Martin Kangasniemi

PREMIER MEMBER

CCW Business Solutions helps companies develop and execute successful international expansion strategies. Our suite of international payroll, accounting, tax, compliance and HR services is designed to overcome the challenges companies experience when expanding overseas.

Our business is to provide our clients with scalable centralized support services delivered through a dedicated support team and a single point of contact. Our aim, supported by our global resource consisting of 650 offices worldwide and 30,000 partners and staff, is to provide you with peace of mind, knowing you are compliant with all international accounting, tax, and HR rules and regulations.



CORPORATE PLUS MEMBER

Dentons is designed to be different. “We redefine what is possible and shape the future. Together. Everywhere.” Guided by our purpose we commit to pioneering change and innovation and to bringing the best out of local and global. The challenges that our clients are navigating and the opportunities they are advancing are changing at an accelerating pace.

We are a law firm that embraces change and can help you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization. This is why Dentons is organized to offer more than legal insight; we help you find business solutions, in a seamless fashion, across the globe. With offices in more than 200 locations across 80 countries, Dentons can support you everywhere you do business.



CORPORATE MEMBER

Florin Pensions LLC is a US based investment advisory firm specialising in providing UK pension transfer and investment advice to people in the US with UK pensions. With only British expatriate advisers working at Florin, we are well placed to help our clients make sense of their UK pensions and provide local advice on how to manage them before and during retirement.

As part of our service, Florin provides a complimentary review of a person's existing UK pension(s) to provide a better understanding of it and determine whether a pension transfer could be of benefit.

BUSINESS MEMBERS

Atlas Foundation Americas is the US-based affiliate of the Atlas Foundation UK, established in 2015 by England rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE. The Atlas Foundation is dedicated to helping deprived children find a better future through the community of rugby.

Funding locally created programs, Atlas provides safety, education, sport, guidance and community to thousands of children around the world, underpinned by rugby’s core values of hard work, integrity and respect.

We are client-focused and solution-driven by design. We specialize in high-quality practice areas that serve the needs of businesses and sophisticated individuals. Our careful growth, minimal turnover and low partner/non-partner ratio are all designed to provide efficient and cost-effective legal services of the highest caliber.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

Ian Paget

Withbert Payne

Jeremy Woan

One of the benefits of membership in the BABC Northern California is the opportunity to access Member-to-Member-Only special offers and hot deals.

To learn how to access codes and instructions, log in to your BABC Account and click on the Member-to-Member Deals button.

To take advantage of these Member-to-Member offers, join the BABC today to obtain the discount code. Click here to learn more about membership.