LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | |
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Jo Healey
BABC Executive Director
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Dear Members and Friends of the BABC,
Greetings from London where last week around 200 guests gathered for the BABN Transatlantic Conference. Every year, all 22 chapters of the British American Business Network convene for 2 days of events and meetings with members, senior level business executives and government representatives actively involved in trade, investment and business flows between the UK and US. The US continues to be the UK’s biggest trading nation. That special relationship is worth 280 billion GBP, up 20% from last year. We learned about the ongoing work at the State levels to develop Memorandums of Understanding, referred to as “mini” free trade agreements – Manchester and North Carolina are good examples of these – helping to reduce trade friction. California is a big target for the UK and so hopefully, there will be some exciting news on that in the future. Other programs included hearty discussions on hot topics such as talent and labor market conditions, sustainability and the digital economy. I’d like to commend BAB teams in London and New York for an excellent event. It was an honor to be there representing our Northern California Chapter and to catch up with the Executive Directors of our other chapters. A few photos here.
May was a very busy month for BABC Northern California. We held several events including the Spring European Networking evening, generously hosted by our Patron Member Cooley. Over 100 guests from all the European Chambers in the Bay Area joined us at Cooley for the first time since the Pandemic. Take a look here.
On May 6th, we joined the British Consulate at Grace Cathedral to celebrate and commemorate King Charles III’s coronation. It was a truly wonderful occasion and a moment to be reminded of all that we love about Great Britain. Beautiful event photos here.
On May 16th, we saw the return of the Annual Great British-American Trivia Quiz held at Wingtip. It was a fun evening. Congrats to the winning teams. Details below.
On May 17th, our Patron Member Simmons & Simmons brought together an excellent panel to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence. Our thanks to all the panelists and to Venable for hosting. Details below and finally, on May 31st, we held the 67th Annual General Meeting of the BABC Northern California and voted in our 2023-2025 Directors. Congratulations to all. You can see a full listing of the Directors here.
With the summer months upon us, our events slow down a little but please join us this coming Tuesday at Wingtip for the BABC NeXtGen’s Happy Hour. Link to register below.
Finally, as always, huge thanks to all our renewing members. If you would like to join BABC Northern California, learn more here.
Sincerely,
Jo Healey
Executive Director
BABC Northern California
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LETTER FROM THE BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL | |
Joe White, MBE
Tech Envoy to the US & British Consul General San Francisco
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Dear BABC Members,
Happy Pride! This is a meaningful and festive month here in San Francisco and I am privileged to reaffirm the UK’s global commitment to supporting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The UK was the first foreign government to march in local Pride parades in the United States and I’m looking forward to continuing that long tradition by marching in the San Francisco Pride Parade later this month, here in one of the most vibrant LGBTQIA+ cities in the world. And that’s not all we have on the roster – I’m pleased to report we’re moving from a busy, action-packed May straight into an equally busy, action-packed June.
In May, we hosted the Rt. Hon Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, in San Francisco for a busy programme of meetings and activities centring on zero-emissions vehicles, clean tech, and the transition to sustainable energy. In partnership with some of California’s most prominent climate innovators, we took a whirlwind tour around the Bay Area’s must-see climate technology, from the all-electric Jaguar with Waymo technology to the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled commercial ferry, the Sea Change. Secretary of State Shapps also met with Governor Gavin Newsom, where they affirmed UK-CA cooperation on shared global challenges like climate change and the transition to net zero with such enthusiasm that the meeting ran over by an hour!
Transitioning from net zero to AI, just last week we hosted an extremely well-attended panel on Generative AI as part of SF Tech Week, with the visiting FCDO Director-General for Economics, Science, and Technology Kumar Iyer as one of our panellists. It was a pleasure to moderate such a thoughtful and informed discussion between some of the best and brightest figures in the industry.
This month I will be attending London Tech Week where I will be helping to fly the flag for the UK’s tech industry and meeting with key stakeholders and partners from across industry and government. Back in California, the team will be hosting a large UK delegation for the 36th Annual Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition which is being hosted in Sacramento. EVS36 is one of the premier electric vehicle conferences and we are looking forward to showcasing British technological prowess and policy expertise in an area of major cooperation between the UK and California. Deputy Consul General Tammy Sandhu MBE will take her turn moderating a panel in partnership with the Accelerating to Zero Coalition. If you or anyone you know is stopping by 36th Annual Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition in Sacramento, please do feel free to stop by the UK pavilion as well as the range of events being hosted by UK businesses and government departments.
Whether at London Tech Week, EVS36, or else, we look forward to seeing you soon.
Take care,
Joe White MBE
Tech Envoy to the US & British Consul General San Francisco
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JOIN US TOMORROW!
BABC NeXtGen | YOUNG PROFESSIONALS HAPPY HOUR AT WINGTIP
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JOIN US TOMORROW! LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
Join us in the fabulous Wine Cellar at Wingtip — a 21st century interpretation of the classic, members-only, social club — for drinks and appetizers in the company of young professionals from different countries, businesses and industries. This event will provide you with a chance to meet and talk about your careers and businesses, and share tips on life in the Bay Area.
$15 Members; $25 Non-members.
Thank you to our Sponsor Wingtip for hosting the event.
Interested in becoming a BABC NeXtGen Member? Join here!
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DATE:
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023
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EMERGING LEADERS & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS EUROPEAN SUMMER MIXER | |
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DATE:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2023
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BUSINESS NETWORKING: WINE, BEER & BUSINESS BANTER | |
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Join us on Tuesday, July 25th at Werqwise's San Mateo Location for some su business networking. Enjoy some fine wine, beer and nibbles on the spectacular sunny roof top deck and get caught up with your fellow members and non-member guests.
Non-members interested in joining the BABC Northern California, please contact Jo Healey.
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DATE:
TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023
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11th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL GOLF SCRAMBLE | |
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Calling all golfers! We're excited to launch our 2023 tournament, this year to be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the beautiful and sunny Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, with awe-inspiring scenery along the 20-mile Crystal Springs Reservoir.
The Course, which forms part of a 32,000-acre wildlife refuge, was designed by British architect W. Herbert Fowler, a golf-lover who changed the history of course design.
Get your foursomes together and join us for a fun day of golf and networking, or become a sponsor (foursomes included!). There is a cash prize of $20,000 for your Par 3 Hole-in-One and lots of other prizes to be won as well!
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DATE:
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023
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SAVE THE DATE! 60th "DIAMOND" ANNUAL BABC CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON | |
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS! TICKETS GO ON SALE AUGUST 1ST, 2023
The Annual Christmas Luncheon is the BABC's flagship social event and a real highlight of the City's holiday season.
Typically attended by over 1000 members of the Bay Area business community, this year, we will celebrate the 60th "Diamond" Annual Christmas Luncheon which will once again be held at the spectacular Fairmont Hotel, atop Nob Hill.
Sponsorship opportunities now Available! Please contact Jo Healey.
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DATE:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023
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67th ANNUAL BABC GENERAL MEETING | |
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On Wednesday, May 31st, 2023, we held the 67th Annual General Meeting of the BABC Northern California incorporating the election of Directors for 2023-2025 term. Our thanks to Werqwise for hosting us and to all who attended to mix and mingle with fellow members and to hear an update on the organization and its activities during the prior fiscal year.
The occasion provided a wonderful opportunity to thank our members for their patronage and support as well as hear updates from Deputy British Consul General, Tammy Sandhu MBE, on the activities of the United Kingdom government both here in the Bay Area and across the pond.
The BABC Northern California would like to acknowledge and thank all of our members for their support and for keeping our community dynamic and vibrant.
Congratulations to all of the elected Directors:
New Directors:
Adam Dunnett, Director, Zedra
Carmen Sanchez, Senior Relationship Manager, Bank of America
Sion Edwards, Director of Sales & Marketing, Fairmont San Francisco
Richard Evans, Co-Founder and COP, Werqwise
Georgie Faine, Associate Director of Business Travel Sales, InterContinental Hotel
Directors Re-Elected:
Adrian Bray, CEO, Stellar Consulting
Emma Cockerton, Co-Founder & CEO, Florin Pensions
Henry Davies, Director, Turner & Townsend
Catherine House, Commercial Real Estate Broker, SVN | Capital West Partners
Stuart Keirle, Executive Business Development Director, Preferred Bank
Kathleen Kimura MBE, Director, Public Relations, Tokyo Express Co., Inc.
Paul Llewellyn, Partners, Lewis & Llewellyn LLP
Christopher Smith, Deals Partners, PWC
Julie Wicklund, Attorney & Solicitor, Cooley LLP
Gregory Wald, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
To see the full list of directors, click HERE.
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DEMYSTIFYING CHATGPT & THE FUTURE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | |
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Great to convene with our guests on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 to hear experts from Simmons & Simmons, the British Consulate General, SambaNova Systems and Venable LLP discuss the current and future state of generative AI. As Marshall Choy (SVP Product at SambaNova) said, “AI is the next “industrial revolution” and it is happening at break-neck speed.”
We covered a lot! What it is, and what it is not, how it works, including its limitations and failures and how generative AI is being/will be regulated, or not, around the world!
Contact Emily Jones or Minesh Tanna at Simmons & Simmons for legal advice on AI if you are thinking about implementing AI in your company outside the US – there is a lot you will need to be aware of!
Thank you to all our panelists – Emily Jones, Minesh Tanna, Marshall Choy, Heather West and William Cutler – and special thanks to Venable LLP and Alyssa Castro and team for hosting us and providing a wonderful overall experience for our guests.
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THE GREAT BRITISH-AMERICAN TRIVIA QUIZ | |
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We had a fantastic time with BABC members and guests on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 at the sold out Trivia Quiz Night hosted by the BABC’s NeXtGen | Emerging Leaders Group. It was a fun evening and great to bring this event back live and in person. Simon Wistow, you were a brilliant Quiz Master! Thanks also to Alyssa Lammers, Rebecca P. Murphy and the entire NeXtGen Committee for making the event such a success.
We would also like to thank everyone that participated -- with extra special thanks to Joanna Gabriella, Sunie Kama and Jenna DeRobbio at Wingtip for hosting us. Such an amazing experience.
Congrats of course to the winning teams:
1st Place: “Team name censored to protect the innocent,” Florin Pensions LLC (Charles Cockerton, Jon Passmore, Peter Brook, Anthony Flower).
2nd Place: “Legally Trivial," Osborne Clarke (Felix Hilgert, Jonathan Cheng, Ray Berg, Malcolm Pobjoy).
3rd Place: “The Crown Jewels,” BDO (Alexa Boswell, Gavin Fitzgerald, Liam Caton, Michael Tat).
Check out all the event photos here: https://lnkd.in/gSNitd3N
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NEW COLUMN:
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
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Every month, the BABC will spotlight a Thought Leadership Article from our members.
This month, we are delighted to share the following hot-topic AI article from the experts at SambaNova Systems:
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MOSTLY BRITISH FILM FESTIVAL LOOKING FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS | |
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The Mostly British Film Festival, in its 16th year playing annually at the Vogue theater in San Francisco, would like to expand its board of directors. Members are requested to attend three meetings a year at the executive offices at Oracle Park. Responsibilities include growing a larger audience of Brits living in the area and pinpointing potential sponsors. Film lovers can also view online links of potential submissions and weigh in on whether a particular film seems worthy.
Mostly British screens new and classic films from Britain and other English-speaking countries. This year two of our films wound up with Oscar nominations.
To learn more about joining our board, please email [email protected].
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BABC MEMBER TICKET DISCOUNT TO THE 2023 BARRACUDA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP | |
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TICKETS ON SALE! BABC MEMBERS RECEIVE 10% OFF!
Calling all BABC Golfers! We are a fellow member of the BABCSF and for all the golfers out there, we are offering you a 10% discount to join us at the 2023 Barracuda Golf Championship at the Old Greenwood Golf Course in Truckee, CA, July 20-23, 2023. To apply the discount, use code BABCSFBC23. If you have any questions, feel free to contact, Caen Healy, at (707) 227 6158 or [email protected].
More than most courses, Old Greenwood’s 18-hole course is influenced by the land upon which it sits. With rolling green grass, lush trees and beautiful water features, the course is truly breathtaking. In addition to the stunning views, it’s also quite challenging to play. Be sure to catch all the beauty and excitement of our televised-only PGA TOUR event.
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The European Chamber of the Bay Area (AAECCBA) invites you to join us for this Newcomers Info Fair on Thursday, September 7th, 2023. If you are new to the Bay Area, you are sure to have many questions. We want to help you get them answered and point you to the many resources we all know about. Please join our info fair and casual mixer in order to get valuable information about the area and its many businesses.
EuroCham members and experts who have information to share? Join us in welcoming new arrivals to the Bay Area and get a chance to introduce them to your business! This event will provide you with an opportunity to talk about your products, services, and businesses, and share tips on life in the Bay Area.
Refreshments will be served.
If you are interested in exhibiting, click here for more information.
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DATE:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
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BAB LAUNCHES NEW WHITE PAPER | |
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BritishAmerican Business (BAB), in partnership with MSD, has launched a new White Paper, which calls for a stronger life sciences policy ecosystem that can sustain the UK's position as a leading global player in life sciences.
BAB’s White Paper puts forward a set of recommendations that will support the UK’s position as a leading global player in the field; attract investment from transatlantic companies; and help people access medicines, prevent disease and live longer, healthier lives.
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS | |
WITH THANKS TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS | |
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Bird & Bird is an international law firm with a focus on helping organizations being changed by technology and the digital world. With over 1400 lawyers in 31 offices across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Africa and North America, we’re ready to help you wherever you are in the world.
Our San Francisco representative office provides US businesses with a full suite of legal services and advice related to matters in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, including international expansion and investments outside the US, intellectual property, disputes, data privacy, venture capital transactions, cross-border M&A, HR issues, complex restructuring and transformational projects and coordinated multi-jurisdictional services.
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At Preferred Bank, we truly believe we are The Preferred Way to Bank. Since 1991, Preferred Bank has served the financial needs of its valued customers and communities. Our Headquarters office is located in Downtown Los Angeles, along with multiple full-service branch banking offices in California (2 branches in San Francisco), Houston and New York. Preferred Bank offers personalized banking options to both consumers and businesses. Our team of banking professionals offer a line of banking products and services in addition to commercial, international and real estate lending solutions. We can give you the personalized one-on-one service that you are looking for and is often lacking in today’s big banks. | |
BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY PARTNER MEMBER | |
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IDA Ireland is Ireland’s inward promotion agency. We partner with established companies, both large and small, working with them every step of the way to achieve a smooth, fast and successful set-up of their operations in Ireland. IDA Ireland’s services to clients are free of charge and confidential and we currently support over 1,600 client companies with operations in Ireland.
For over 70 years Ireland has attracted MNCs from all over the globe and we continue to attract the best companies in the world due to our consistent pro-business policies, unwavering commitment to EU membership, our industry and innovation clusters and highly educated workforce.
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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
Nichola Barber
Joe Calder
Tony Hyams
Joe Partida
Jeremy Woan
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WITH THANKS TO OUR SUSTAINING
PATRON & PREMIER MEMBERS
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MEMBER-TO-MEMBER OFFERS
Enjoy the perks of being a Member
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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.
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Wingtip
Exclusive Member-to- Member Offer
| BABC Members Save 20% on Membership Initiation Fee — a savings value of $700! | | | |
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At InterContinental San Francisco, we want BABC MEMBERS TO MEET HOW YOU MEET.
Now through December 31, 2023, YOU tell US what concessions are most valuable to your program.
Choose from three (3)* when you have 20 or more guestrooms on peak or over $10,000 in Food & Beverage spend.
*Full concession list available via the Member-to-Member Deals button. Not valid on existing groups. Blackout dates apply.
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To take advantage of this promotion, contact the Sales Department at [email protected] or 415.616.6500 for availability. | | | |
BABC Members get one month free and special pricing of $600 per desk! (SF or San Mateo) | | | |
British American Business Council | (415) 296-8645 | [email protected] | www.babcsf.org | |
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