Maya Mancuso

President, BABC

Northern California

US Business Relationships Manager

Dear Members and Friends of the BABC Northern California,

As spring approaches, bringing with it a sense of renewal and fresh beginnings, I have some news to share for your BABC Northern California. After over 11 years of dedicated service, our Executive Director, Jo Healey, will be retiring, effective March 31st.

This marks the end of a remarkable era for the BABC. Since joining us in 2013, Jo has been utterly dedicated to our community and Board of Directors, transforming what was once a more traditional organization into a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic entity. Her commitment to the BABC's mission has created incredible memories through events and connections for all of us.

During her tenure, Jo has assisted countless members and numerous businesses looking to establish themselves in the transatlantic corridor, helping them land, expand, and thrive in the Bay Area. Her unwavering enthusiasm for fostering meaningful relationships is what I call Jo’s magic touch! Many of you have undoubtedly benefited from her passion and vision over the years. Events are the lifeblood of any networking organization, and we have been fortunate to enjoy Jo’s talent for creating memorable and impactful occasions. The Annual Christmas Luncheon, in particular, has been elevated to new heights under her leadership.

Jo, on behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire BABC community, I want to wish you all the very best in the next chapter of your life. We wholeheartedly thank you for everything you have done for the BABC.

I am also delighted to announce that we have found Jo’s successor, though it was no easy task! Many of you will already know our next Executive Director from his earlier work with the BABC. Please join me in welcoming Corey Hastings. Corey will begin his role towards the end of March, spending some time with Jo before she leaves. With his experience and the enthusiasm he has shown during the recruitment process, we are confident that Corey will thrive in this role. He has some fantastic ideas for the organization, and we look forward to working with you, Corey. Welcome aboard!

Please take a moment to review our upcoming events. I'd like to extend our thanks to our new and renewing members. We hope to see you next week at our annual venture capital event, Funding, Exits, and IPOs, at the Quadrus Center in Menlo Park. It will also be an opportunity to bid farewell to Jo at her last BABC event.

With gratitude,



Maya Mancuso

BABC President

Tammy Sandhu MBE

HM British Consul- General

San Francisco

Dear Members of the BABC,

I’m back in balmy California once more after a busy week in a cold Montana deepening connections across politics, technology, and business (and indulging in a bit of weekend tourism in the mountains). Montana has some amazing innovation going on, especially across photonics and quantum, and it was exciting to see the scope of collaboration and partnership in these areas that have the potential to boost the economies of both the UK and US.

On Friday, Montana’s thriving business community got together to celebrate International Women’s Day. It’s always special to be able to meet inspiring women across all the seven states the consulate works with, and this year was no different. I was delighted to speak on a panel with local industry leaders to discuss everything from global investment strategies to accelerating action for women trying to make it in business, politics and emerging technology.

Emerging tech is at the forefront or my mind as my team gets ready to welcome the Secretary of State for Science and Technology Peter Kyle to San Francisco next week. As well as giving a keynote at NVIDIA’s annual conference where he’ll underscore the UK’s dedication to working with the innovators and disruptors of the West Coast, he will get to see some of the fabulous creativity of British developers and world-builders on show at the Games Developers Conference. The British videogame industry is the largest in Europe, worth over £7 billion. This year 77 companies from all corners of the UK will come to the Bay Area to show off their latest creations.

This winning combination of creativity and innovation runs through so much of what sets the UK apart, not just in the tech world but in the Bay Area itself: Sir Jony Ive is transforming the historic Jackson Square district of San Francisco while Lord Norman Foster’s redesign of the TransAmerica Pyramid is showing how you can mix heritage with a fresh perspective.

I’ll be continuing to use this theme of the art of British innovation over the coming weeks as we welcome lots of visitors to show just why the West Coast should invest in the UK.

You can keep up to date on all our activities via our LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. In the meantime --

All the Best,



Tammy Sandhu MBE

After a slow few years, the IPO market saw a resurgence in 2024, with 50% more public offerings than the previous year. While Financials and Healthcare made up half of the action, the biggest winners were tech standouts—Reddit and Astera Labs.

Now, with a new administration, shifting policies, and renewed market momentum, 2025 could be an even bigger year for IPOs. Private equity-backed firms and venture-funded startups alike are eager to make their move. But will tech lead the charge?

Who’s next in line? CoreWeave, backed by Nvidia, is eyeing a major debut. SymphonyAI’s new CFO has a track record of taking companies public. And the long-anticipated Stripe IPO—will it finally happen, or will Klarna or Revolut beat them to it? HingeHealth is gearing up to go public—could this spark a wave of health and biotech IPOs?

Join us for an evening of insight, debate, and bold predictions from a panel of top Venture Capitalists. We’ll revisit their 2024 forecasts, hear their boldest takes for 2025, and answer your burning questions about the future of tech IPOs.

Don't miss this must-attend event—register now!

The BABC, in cooperation with the Association of American European Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations invite you to join us for another wonderful European Networking Evening at the offices of Cooley, LLP in Palo Alto.

Come and mingle with entrepreneurs and a range of professionals involved in cross-border business in a relaxed and European atmosphere! Complimentary appetizers, beer, wine and soft drinks will be served.

This event attracts many international business professionals from different European countries. Members of the partnering organizations and their guests have priority access to tickets for this event which is attended by over 100 guests. The perfect networking opportunity!

Fees/Admission:

$30: BABC Member Ticket

$45: Non-Member Ticket

$55: On The Door

The Future of Education Starts Here – Join Us!

Big things are happening at Hiba Academy, a groundbreaking international school for Pre-K through Grade 5, opening in San Francisco, Fall 2026! We’re reimagining education—and you’re invited to be part of the journey.

Join us for exclusive online and in-person events where our expert team will unveil how we’re shaping a dynamic, forward-thinking learning environment that nurtures academic excellence, creativity, and emotional well-being.

🔹 Discover Our Vision – A pioneering approach to education.

🔹 Meet Our Experts – Insights from the minds shaping Hiba Academy.

🔹 Be Part of the Future – Get an inside look at our curriculum and philosophy.

Don’t miss out! Click below to register and explore how Hiba Academy is setting a new standard for young learners.

📅 Primary Virtual Session: Tuesday, March 11th, 6:00PM - 7:30PM

📅 Discover Hiba: Meet our Founder and Head of School (in person): Saturday, March 15, 2025,

10:00AM - 11:30AM; Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (6:00PM - 7:30PM)

Join the British Benevolent Society (BBS) for a no-host happy hour at Tiburon Tavern.

Enjoy an evening filled with music, a variety of delicious food options, and the chance to win a special surprise in our raffle.

There is an optional $20 fee, which will be considered a charitable donation. All donations will help us continue to provide financial relief to Brits in need. 

Please RSVP below. We hope to see you there!

Event Details:

🗓️: Thursday, March 13th, 2025

⏰: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

📍: Tiburon Tavern,1651 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920

RSVP HERE

HSBC Supply Chain & Logistics Innovation Day — an exclusive invitation-only event produced in partnership with Silicon Foundry / Kearney and some of world's top supply chain & logistics focused VC firms bringing together senior corporate executives, thought leaders, venture capitalists, and disruptive startups to explore the future of supply chain innovation.

HSBC Innovation Days provide a unique opportunity for Senior Executives from Leading Enterprises to hear from their peers, engage with influential voices shaping the industry, and discover cutting-edge technologies driving transformation in areas such as procurement, logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain resilience.

To learn more and request to attend, click HERE.

Join Us for a Virtual Whisky Tasting!

Saint Andrew's Society of San Francisco invites you to "Taste the Wonders of Seven Sails" on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, via Zoom.

Whiskies on the Menu:

🥃 Sherry Wood Finish – Rich aromas, fruitiness, and sweetness.

🥃 Port Wood Finish – A subtle touch of peat smoke for single malt lovers.

🥃 Peated Port Wood Finish – A perfect balance of aroma, fruit, and peat.

🥃 Amarone Wood Finish – Notes of apple, berries, vanilla, cinnamon, and more.

Tickets:

$70 – Tasting package shipped to your home

$50 – Pickup from The Whisky Shop

Enjoy a night of exceptional whisky while supporting our community. Reserve your spot today!

To register, click HERE.

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.

To learn more and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Bird & Bird’s International Defence & Security team contributed to the 2025 edition of Lexology Panoramic: Defence & Security Procurement, providing the Global Overview and chapters on France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, and Australia. This annual publication offers expert analysis on defence procurement, covering regulatory issues, contracting, export controls, dispute resolution, and more.

Continue reading HERE.

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has released a report on AI in Recruitment, which asks helpful questions and provides recommendations for employers using AI recruitment tools.

The report is the output of consensual audit engagements with providers of AI recruitment tools, and the findings are insightful for both users (recruiters) and providers of such tools.

Continue reading HERE.

Our report looks at trends and emerging dealmaking across our international offices in 2024 and how these are likely to pan out in 2025. A very high-level summary of our main findings would be that economic conditions are relatively stable, supply and demand remains dynamic, and the need for transformation and change continues to be strong.

Continue reading HERE.

Commenting on the meeting between Prime Minister Starmer and President Trump on February 27, 2025, BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“BritishAmerican Business welcomes today’s meeting between Prime Minister Starmer and President Trump and the warm atmosphere in which it took place. The UK and US share one of the most important economic partnerships, built on deep trade and investment ties that supports over $1.2tr in investment and millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic."

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. ​

The Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix kicks off March 22-23, 2025 — the second stop in a U.S. doubleheader.

With just a week between events, expect high-speed action as 12 teams, including local favorite Hans Henken and defending champions Australia, battle unpredictable Bay waters. Who will dominate the 2025 season?

For tickets, click HERE.

PREMIER MEMBER

Ace Relocation Systems strives to deliver a high-quality, personalized relocation experience at every level and during every interaction. Whether moving around the corner or across the globe, Ace is strategically positioned to best support our client’s relocation programs.

We are proud to be one of the largest movers in the industry, successfully completing more than 20,000 moves per year. Ace is counted among the best and maintains this quality leadership position by continually investing in team members, processes, and equipment – while also embracing technology that further enhances the experience being delivered.

BUSINESS MEMBERS

Andersen Tax LLC is a globally recognized leader in tax, valuation, financial advisory, and consulting services, dedicated to delivering tailored solutions to individual and commercial clients. Our firm excels in navigating the complexities of local and international tax matters, making us the trusted partner for expatriates, high net worth individuals, and businesses seeking seamless global expansion.

Our expertise spans a wide range of international tax and global mobility services, including expatriate tax planning for high and ultra-high net worth individuals, strategic global expansion coordination, and cross-border taxation consulting.

Bia Mindset is a performance consulting and coaching firm based in San Francisco. Our mission is to develop resilient leaders, high-performing teams, and cultures that sustain exceptional performance. Drawing on expertise in business, psychology, and elite sports, we offer a strategic blend of mindset coaching, performance psychology, and leadership development.

As you start to think about how Ireland is the best place to help you scale globally, IDA Ireland is here to offer comprehensive pro bono support for your company. As Ireland's inward investment promotion agency, we are a non-commercial, semi-state body promoting foreign direct investment into Ireland.

Access funding supports and incentives to ease your journey. Choose from great locations where you can set up and scale

Since 1844, Penfolds has been grounded in experimentation, curiosity, and uncompromising quality.

Our success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers. It began with Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold, the pioneers who dreamed big, inventing tonics, brandies, and fortified wines made from grapes and Australian sunshine. It continued with Alf Vesey, Ray Beckwith and Max Schubert, celebrated winemaking legends who pushed our development to extraordinary, bold new heights.

Pound Management Inc. (PMI) has provided exceptional services as owner representatives and project managers in construction and property development for over four decades.

Construction projects involve three key stakeholders: the owner, designers, and contractors. While architects and contractors contribute expertise, owners often lack construction experience or resources to manage projects effectively. Acting as the owner’s representative, PMI provides the necessary support and guidance for project success while providing various levels of service and tailoring involvement to complement clients’ resources.

Founded in 1863, the Saint Andrew's Society of San Francisco joins people who share a connection with Scotland in a community and a bond of culture and benevolent purpose, the latter best expressed in our motto: “OUR AIN ILLS HAE STRENGTH TO BEAR ANITHER’S AYE HAE HEART TO FEEL.”

Relief to people with Scottish origins, who are in distress remains an important function for us. Additionally, the Society gives financial support to Scottish cultural organizations in Northern America, such as Bagpipe Bands, Fiddling Schools, Scottish Country Dancing, and other cultural artists and musicians. Lastly, the Society manages a robust scholarship fund for students studying in Scotland or Northern California.

Woodside Capital Partners is a global, independent investment bank that delivers world-class strategic and financial advice to emerging growth companies in the technology and health-tech sectors. With a strong track record in M&A, strategic partnerships and private placements, Woodside Capital Partners has been providing worldwide investment banking services since 2001. Woodside Capital Partners has offices in Silicon Valley, London, and Zurich and leading domain experience in SaaS software, internet services, electronics, communications, materials, and health tech.

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.