December 2025

A New Chapter: Welcome from the New BABCNE President

Dear BABCNE Members and Friends,

It is a privilege to write to you for the first time as the President of the British American Business Council of New England. As I step into this role, I am filled with great anticipation and eagerness for the year ahead, but I must first look back with gratitude at the leadership that brought us here.

Acknowledging the Past

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rick McKenna. Rick stepped in when he was needed most, serving as President for a second time. To borrow a metaphor from his new Captaincy career, he successfully “steered the ship" in the right direction. It has been an enormous pleasure working alongside him as Vice President over the past year, I thank him for his hard work, dedication, energy, and successful Captaincy of the Council.

I would also like to acknowledge the significant contributions of our resigning board members:

Judy Ackerman, Mark Exley, Darleen Hollywood, Annabel Realf, and Paul Stanislas.

In recognition of their dedication, the Board has agreed that all resigning members will become the first Honorary Fellows of the Council and I look forward to their continued involvement with BABCNE activities as we go forward.

Introducing Your Board

I am delighted to work with our returning board members: Jack Boyce, David Clay, Richard Hawke, Peter Hirst, Barlow Keener, Jane Ollerhead, and Paul Snape. 

We have also added new board members Louise Fisher, John Golden, James Normington, and Karl Petrick, this year. In particular, to signal a strategic evolution for the Council we have added 4 Board members from the biopharma sector. Given that we operate in the world’s largest concentration of biotech and pharma, four of our new leaders represent this sector: Avi Spiers, PhD (Novartis), Tim Clackson, PhD (Ex-CEO IDRx), Mel Ivarsson, PhD OBE (Ex-CDO Moderna) and Kevin MacDonald, PhD (Wolf Greenfield).

A Strategic Focus: Biotech & Beyond

The UK aims to be the third-largest biotech cluster globally, trailing only Massachusetts and California. I recently spoke to Sean Grady, UK Chairman at AZ, who commented "AstraZeneca exports more product from the UK than the whole of the Scottish Whiskey industry." AZ is currently building a facility in Kendal Square illustrating the strength of the UK-New England links in this sector. It is therefore a natural step for BABCNE to increase our activity in this sector.

Building on the foundation of the Boston Biotech Brits - founded in 2006 and now 650 members strong thanks in no small part to the British Consulate - we have a Life Sciences Steering Committee shared with the Consulate to drive this initiative forward.

However, this new focus does not mean we are ignoring our roots. Stepping into the role as Vice President, Jane Ollerhead, will lead our initiatives in other vital sectors, such as Aerospace & Defence and Financial Services (including VC and Insurance services). We are planning more Steering Committees in these areas and will need your involvement to make them a success.

Looking Ahead

I have already been active on behalf of BABCNE. In November I attended a meeting with Lord Vallance and a group of US biopharma executives to discuss UK-US talent flows, which I hope will help build on the aims of enhancing the UK-Boston BioBridge.

There is also a request from HMG for feedback on tax support for entrepreneurs. If this is of interest to you, please provide your feedback here: Tax Support for Entrepreneurs before midday GMT on 28^th Feb.

We will be announcing a full calendar of events in the New Year, but plans are already afoot for a Boston Biotech Brits Curry Night in February - watch this space!

Thank you for your continued support of BABCNE. I look forward to seeing you all very soon.

I’d like to wish all our Members, Partners and Friends the best of wishes for the holiday season and a happy and prosperous New Year.

December 5, 2025

David Clay, MBE, HM Consul General to New England, was the featured speaker at this year's BABCNE 37th Christmas luncheon held on December 5. For those who could not be with us, a precis of his timely remarks is below.

"It has been a busy year for the UK-US relationship.

• Coldplay came to Gitette Stadium and reminded all CEOs of the perils of a Kiss Cam.
• Beyonce miraculously returned unscathed from six days in Tottenham.
• Rory Mcilroy went to Augusta in April and showed America how to play golf. Then just for good measure, he came back in September and did it again at the Ryder Cup.
• Aimee Lou Wood has shown America the power of a British smile in White Lotus.

We've also had a new US-UK trade agreement; a successful state visit to the UK and a new tech deal that covers Al, quantum and nuclear. Just this week, we've seen the US and UK reach a really significant deal on pharmaceuticals.

Here in Boston, we've launched the UK-Massachusetts legislative caucus, deepened our research collaboration on issues like engineering biology, and seen the trade and investment relationship thrive.

And we've just celebrated the 235th anniversary of the Consulate on December 2 (View more details in the "In Focus section of this newsletter.)

So I'm delighted to report the relationship is in great shape. 

Next year, we have a lot to look forward to.

In March we have the 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day.

My favourite statistic about this period of Boston history is that the British garrison managed to get through half a million gallons of rum during their occupation of the city. I've often thought it must be terrible to find your city occupied by thousands of inebriated invaders.

On a completely unrelated subject, the World Cup is coming to Boston in June and July. (Dates are listed in the "In Focus" section.)

It's one of those moments when I feel most thankful to be in Boston as the only people who really understand FIFA's seeding system are three professors of computational logic at MIT.

We're also looking forward to the 250th anniversary of American independence in July.

I've spent a lot of the last year showing up at anniversaries — Lexington — Concord — Bunker Hill— and representing the losing side. 4 July next year will be my last chance for a while to make my standard lame joke - that you probably heard Last year - about being a professional loser.

But in all seriousness, it has been a real privilege to play a small part in the anniversaries so far. And July will be a really important moment to reflect on the history of our relationship and how a terrible conflict has transformed into the world's greatest alliance.

As I look around this room today, it fills me with great optimism that the future of the relationship is in good hands.

I would like to close by wishing everyone happy holidays and a very merry Christmas."

37th Annual Christmas luncheon

Remembrance Service

The Commonwealth Diaspora assembled at Old North Church Boston on November 9 for the annual Remembrance Service.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Commonwealth Forces by by Barry Leonard Royal Canadian Air Force, and Scott Taylor, Royal Navy. The Consulate Generals laid wreaths Hon. Bernadette Jordan, David Clay MBE, and Peter Richardson, British Officers Clulb of New England, Kirsten Chambers New England Kiwis and James Normington AAMS™ CRPC™. President of the British and Commonwealth Project and Director of BABCNE.

The vicar, Rev Matthew Cadwell led the prayers.

We will remember them.

You may be interested in viewing the events of

the twenty chapters of the network: https://babn.org/events/

Office for Life Sciences - call for evidence

Do you have feedback to share on the UK entrepreneur tax support?

The Office for Life Sciences is seeking feedback on any current challenges you have experienced with the UK tax system that may be deterring your company from establishing a UK base (particularly compared to the US). 

Please explore this link for details | Responses are requested online on this link

New pharmaceutical ‘agreement in principle’

BritishAmerican Business (BAB) has welcomed the announcement from the UK and US governments regarding the new pharmaceutical ‘agreement in principle’.

Read BAB CEO (John) Duncan Edwards OBE's response in full here

U.S. Government Announces Agreement in Principle with the United Kingdom on Pharmaceutical Pricing

December 1, 2025

The Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Health and Human Services, issued the following statements announcing an agreement in principle on pharmaceutical pricing between the United States and the United Kingdom.

In the historic U.S.-U.K. Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD), President Trump and Prime Minister Starmer agreed to address long-standing imbalances in U.S.-U.K. pharmaceutical trade by improving the overall environment for pharmaceutical companies operating in the United Kingdom.

Read the press release here

Registration is now open for the 2026 BritishAmerican Business (BAB) Members Trade & Investment Policy Conference — a key annual event for anyone working across UK–US trade, investment, and transatlantic business.

On February 2, 2026, members from across the BAB network will gather in London for a full day of high-level discussions with senior government officials, policy experts, and business leaders. This conference provides clear, practical insight into the issues shaping the business environment on both sides of the Atlantic.

The agenda will cover:

• The Policy Agenda — launch of BAB’s 2026 priorities, based on member input
• The Case for Investment — perspectives on the UK and US as destinations for global investment
• Bilateral Trade — updates on UK–US trade discussions and progress on the Economic Prosperity Deal
• The CEO View — senior executive insights on opportunities and challenges in the transatlantic corridor

Keynote government speakers will be announced shortly. Speakers already confirmed can be viewed at the registration link below.

All sessions are free of charge for current BABC members.

The British American Network (BABN), engages with the US and UK governments on a broad range of policy issues impacting the flow of goods and services between the UK and North America. The New York/London chapter, named British American Business (BAB), represents all the chapters on policy matters.

For more details visit: https://babn.org/about-us/ The BABCNE is a founding member of the network of 20 chapters.

Did you know that....

On December 2, the British Consulate to New England, celebrated its 235th birthday. This is the story of why George Washcngton deserves some of the credit.

Want to learm more about the services of the British Consulate?

Click here

Thinking of traveling to the matches?

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/world-cup-2026

Christmas is coming to the royal residences

Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will shine bright this Christmas season. Visit the royal residences when they are transformed with sparkling trees and festive décor. Enjoy an array of holiday activities for adults and children when the Palace and Castle are decked out in their Christmas finest.

Want to learn more?

Boston.com 30,Darin Zullo

November 26, 2025

Congratulations to John Kerry on receiving the Knight Commander award of the Order of St Michael and St George for his services to tackling climate change. His Majesty King Charles III bestowed the award in a private ceremony.

“King Charles and I share the same point of view — that there’s an urgency to doing things,” Kerry told the Globe Wednesday. “He’s been ahead of most folks on this from the time I can remember… He always had a commitment to nature.”

Full article

Your BABCNE Membership Today

We connect. We inform. We support.

Now is the ideal time to renew your membership—or join for the first time—and take full advantage of what’s ahead in 2025. JOIN US!

Video courtesy of Hawke Commercial Filmmaking

Foreign travel advice

Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences. Details

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Update

Overview: The UK Home Office have provided an updated on the UK's ETA process for non-UK nationals travelling to the UK.

Want to know more? For more information, see here.

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