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Welcome to BAB's Trade & Investment Update for January 2020.

We said goodbye to 2019 and hello to a New Year that has already kicked off with three fantastic Accelerate events in London, featuring some inspiring companies, kindly supported by our colleagues at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), Travelers, and HSBC. We also had the pleasure of joining our AmCham colleagues from across the Americas and Europe in hosting a watch party for the U.S. Chamber's annual State of American Business address, where we learned about the Chamber's policy priorities for the coming year.

This month's Update features some excellent Trade & Investment Opportunities, including a mentorship programme with our friends at London & Partners, and the opportunity to join a 'Female Founders' trade mission to New York later this year.

Finally, we're featuring some great news from the transatlantic space, with Scottish exports increasing 2.8% in 2018, the UK reaching an all-time-high employment rate, and the US economy showing modest growth in Q4 2019, as well as taking top spot for global FinTech investment.

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Accelerate Roundtable in Partnership with CLA
15 January 2020

BAB London held its first Accelerate Roundtable meeting of the new year at Schroders , where we were delighted to sit down with a new batch of companies (as well as some familiar faces), all with transatlantic ambitions, in proud partnership with CLA

We were joined by long-time friend of BAB Alex Chisnall , host of the Screw It, Just Do It podcast who co-hosted the discussion with CLA's own Kevin Brown, Principal, Tax, Global Services.
Accelerate Roundtable - Transatlantic Growth through Acquisition with HSBC
27 January 2020

On 27 January, BAB London were at the offices of HSBC for an Accelerate roundtable meeting focused on the advantages and pitfalls of attempting to accelerate global growth via acquisition.

Lending their expertise to this conversation, HSBC helped navigate issues around Brexit, global trade disputes and geopolitical tensions to help plot a path for success in 2020.

We would like to thank our fantastic hosts and partners at HSBC for helping make this meeting such a success
Accelerate Roundtable with Cerys Johnson, CEO, REPL Group
2 December 2019

The final Accelerate roundtable of 2019 saw BAB London at the offices of Travelers where we heard insights from Cerys Johnson, CEO, REPL Group , about the opportunities to grow your businesses in the US, as well as first-hand insights into such issues as tax, recruitment, finding offices, and marketing stateside.

We'd like to thank all of our attendees, our excellent hosts, our guest speaker Cerys, and Alex Chisnall for moderating.
BAB London Hosts 'State of American Business' Watch Party
9 January 2020

BAB London, in its capacity as the American Chamber of Commerce UK, was invited by the U.S. Chamber to host a watch party for the Chamber's 2020 State of American Business address, delivered by Chamber CEO Tom Donohue. The annual address sets out the U.S. Chamber's policy priorities for the upcoming year.

BAB invited a select number of members to join us in watching the address at our Kensington offices.

Learn more about the U.S. Chamber's policy priorities, and read Tom Donohue's speech in full here.
Apply to the London Mayor's International Business Programme

Individually tailored towards your business, this free 12-month programme provides world-class support and advice for your international business success, including bespoke, on-the-ground support in your key global markets.

Companies join the programme in cohorts, giving you a unique opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge with others in your sector.

You will receive:

  • One-to-one and one-to-many mentoring and ongoing guidance from entrepreneurs and business leaders.
  • Focused workshops and events that provide the opportunity to learn from expert advisers.
  • Exclusive connections to top corporates in London and internationally through London & Partners' access to corporates initiative.
  • Live leads for specific business opportunities in North America, Europe, China and India.
  • The opportunity to join high-profile targeted trade missions led by London & Partners' team of international business experts.
  • A dedicated Trade Manager who will be your main point of contact throughout your journey.

For more information, including how to apply, click here
Join the Female Founders' Trade Mission to New York City
9-11 March

The British Consulate New York and the UK’s Department for International Trade are proud to announce the UK’s Female Founders’ Trade Mission to New York, 9 - 11 March 2020.

This Mission aims to accelerate growth for female founders of UK-headquartered tech scale-ups via a 3-day programme with networking events, roundtable discussions, pitching sessions, knowledge seminars, and introductions to prominent business leaders, investors, ecosystem influencers, and other female entrepreneurs in NYC eager to share their success stories.

The programme will have a unique focus on the barriers female founders face when raising venture capital, with a view to exploring effective interventions and informing UK government policy.

For more information, including how to apply, click here
Be a Part of Finding Your Way: The Trade & Investment Guide to the US 2020/21

The United States is the Land of Opportunity, so it's no surprise that British businesses make up the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment in the US Market.

Despite this, many businesses, particularly smaller firms in the UK need help navigating the often vastly different and sometimes complex US business landscape.

Finding Your Way: The Trade and Investment Guide to the US serves as a first port of call for any business with transatlantic ambitions, providing comprehensive, expert advice from our partner companies on a range of issues such as Tax & Accountancy, Finance, Logistics, Insurance and Immigration. The guide also features regional spotlights on the best places to invest across the United States.

Get in touch with Rita Davids, Manager, Corporate Engagement and Trade today and find out how you can be a part of transatlantic success!
What Does Brexit Hold for U.S. Companies in 2020?
A U.S. Commercial Service Webinar
20 February 2020 - 12:00 PM EST

The Brexit process has been lengthy and confusing. Find out what you really need to know to continue doing business considering the UK’s decision to leave the EU. In addition to a market overview, topics to be addressed include travel and immigration, cross-border trade (U.S.- UK and UK – EU), and updates on potential changes to UK regulation. What are the key dates? How can you keep up to date with developments?

Featured Speakers:
  • Rosemary Gallant, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Embassy – London
  • Emanuel Adam, Executive Director London & Director of Policy & Trade, BritishAmerican Business (BAB)
  • Graham Zebedee, Director, Continuity, Wider Europe Negotiations and Development, Department for International Trade

For more information, and to register for this event, click here
Scottish Exports Increased by 2.9% in 2018
Scottish Government 29 January 2020

The value of exports from Scotland grew to £85bn in 2018 - an increase of 2.9%, according to new estimates released by the Scottish Government .

In 2018, exports to EU countries increased by £695 million (4.5%) to £16.1 billion, while exports to non-EU countries increased by £425 million (2.5%) to £17.7 billion.

The USA continued to be Scotland’s top international export destination country with an estimated £5.5 billion of exports in 2018. The top five international export markets (USA, France, Netherlands, Germany and Belgium) accounted for £15.1 billion (45%) of international exports from Scotland in 2018.

Read the article in full here
Thriving UK Jobs Market Hits Record High Employment Rate
MTD MFG 22 January 2020

The number in work has hit yet another record high and the unemployment rate remains at its lowest level since the mid-1970s as Britain’s jobs market continues to flourish, new figures released show.

All regions throughout the UK are benefiting from an upturn in employment since 2010. The number in work climbs to a record high in the North West to 3.55 million.

And, with weekly pay still rising, outpacing inflation for a 22nd month in a row, workers nationwide can expect their money to go that bit further.

Read this article in full here
U.S. Economy Growing Moderately in Fourth Quarter; Likely Missed Trump's 3% Goal in 2019
Reuters 30 January 2020

The U.S. economy likely maintained a moderate pace of growth in the fourth quarter, and probably again fell short of attaining the Trump administration’s coveted but elusive 3% annual growth target because of slumping business investment amid damaging trade tensions.

The Commerce Department’s snapshot of gross domestic product on Thursday will likely show the Federal Reserve’s three interest rate cuts in 2019 helped to keep the longest expansion in history, now in its 11th year, on track and avert a downturn.

Read this article in full here
United States Takes Top Spot for Global FinTech Investment, UK in 2nd Place
Innovate Finance 30 January 2020

A newly-released report from Innovate Finance shows that the United States led the world for global FinTech investment in 2019 with $16.3 billion invested across 1,095 deals in 2019, nearly a quarter increase (23%) from 2018.

The United Kingdom ranked second in 2019 with $4.9 billion of investment (up 38% on 2018) across 359 deals (down 9%).

Download the report here
The Transatlantic Growth Awards 2020
30 March 2020 - London

BAB's Transatlantic Growth Awards are back in 2020, celebrating stories of growth and success across the pond.

The 2020 Transatlantic Growth (TAG) Awards will take place in London, to recognise and reward companies from SMEs to MNCs that invest in the transatlantic economy, creating growth, prosperity and jobs in the US and UK.

This event is a highlight of the London calendar, and not to be missed for those looking to celebrate the inspiring stories of transatlantic success.

For more information on the TAG Awards, including how to register - click here
Start Up, Scale Up, Sale: Lessons Learned
12 February - New York

Join us at our workshop Start Up, Scale Up, Sale: Lessons Learned the second event in a three-part series across London and New York aimed to provide founders, board members and other professionals insight into their peers experiences in starting up, growing and potential exits from a business between the UK and the USA.

CLA will bring their client’s experience, expertise and know how to have an honest and open discussion on a peer to peer basis to provide insightful, real life and relevant guidance of what to expect on US and UK expansion.

Speakers Include:


More information here
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