October 2024

Happy Fall!

Registration now open for AI Forum, November 13

& our Annual 36th Christmas Luncheon on December 6, at the Harvard Club of Boston.

Reserve your table now! only 20 available!

Message from David Clay, MBE,

British Consul General to New England

It’s a pleasure to be contributing to my first BABCNE newsletter since taking over from Peter Abbott OBE as His Majesty’s Consul General for New England in mid-August. In the six weeks I have been here, I have seen what an important role BABCNE plays in bringing together the British-American business community in New England. I look forward to working closely together during the four years of my posting in Boston.

The new Government in the UK has been clear that promoting economic growth is its top priority. This means that the work that the Consulate does to strengthen trade and investment links between the UK and New England is more important than ever. I am fortunate to have an excellent trade and investment team to lead this work, headed by Tripp Whalen, who arrived just a couple of weeks before me. But the mission to support economic growth extends to the other sections of the Consulate, from our team that deals with science and innovation to our press, politics and public affairs team.

Since arriving in Boston, my priority has been to begin to build the relationships that I will need to deliver my objectives in this job. BABCNE President Rick McKenna kindly invited me on board his boat in week two to talk me through the role of BABCNE and give me a primer on how to do business in Boston and New England. It is the only meeting I have attended where I have seen an osprey fly past with a fish in its beak. I have had excellent conversations with several other BABCNE members during my first few weeks in the role and have no doubt that I will meet many more as I spend more time out and about in Boston and New England.

I have really enjoyed getting to know companies and organisations working in a wide range of sectors including higher education, tech, life sciences, clean energy and insurance. In my view, there is no substitute for face to face meetings and I am keen to ensure that I hear directly from businesses on how the Consulate can support them. 

Read the whole article here

Have an idea for a program? Want to host an event? Let us know! info@babcne.org

December 6. 36th Annual Christmas luncheon, Harvard Club of Boston

Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities are now open!

This prestigious event opens the business Holiday Season in this area. 

Celebrate the holidays with friends, colleague and business associates! Let us do the work – make this your Company party! This early notice Is so that you can make your plans now! Limited number of tables seating 8, are available.

Q: info@babcne.org or call 617 943 7861

In case you missed it!

In today's global landscape, staying informed about regulatory changes is paramount for businesses to thrive. This webinar, held on October 10, 2024, brought together legal and industry experts to shed light on what you need to know if you are already operating in New England or thinking of doing so in the future.

Our thanks to presenters:

• Elizabeth Goss, Esq., CEO, Goss Associates
• Owen Jones, Partner in the Employment and Business Immigration Group at Sheridans, UK.
• Kenneth Vacovec, Esq. Founding Partner, Vacovec Mayotte and Singer.

Watch the video here

BritishAmerican Business Unveils Manifesto for New US-UK Leadership



Recommendations for a Strong and Secure US-UK Economic Partnership

October 10, 2024

BritishAmerican Business has unveiled its policy priorities, with recommendations to strengthen the US-UK economic corridor, amid political shifts in both nations.

With both the US and UK governments focusing on new industrial, trade and economic strategies, BAB’s 2024/25 Policy Agenda outlines several priority areas:

Creating Attractive, Investor-Friendly Markets

• BAB welcomes the UK’s focus on economic growth through the anticipated Industrial Strategy, and calls for the full implementation of the US infrastructure packages.
• BAB supports transatlantic cooperation in digital markets, AI, cybersecurity, and workforce skills development, calling for improved US-UK business mobility and competitive tax environments.
• BAB highlights the need for clear, investment-friendly regulatory frameworks to ensure both countries remain attractive for global investments.

Supporting Trade Growth

• BAB welcomes plans for a new UK Trade Strategy, which should complement and build on the UK's Industrial Strategy.
•  BAB calls on the US to return to an outward looking trade policy that improves market access.
•  BAB supports calls from business for a comprehensive US-UK Free Trade Agreement.

Collaboration in Aerospace & Defence

• BAB highlights the importance of US-UK economic and security ties.
• BAB welcomes advances in US-UK space cooperation under the Atlantic Declaration; both Governments should deliver on the commitments agreed upon.
• Regarding AUKUS, (The security partnership between Australia, UK and the US), BAB calls for greater partnership between government and industry.

Sustainability & Energy

• BAB calls for policies that promote investment in lower-carbon technologies and energy products, positioning the UK and US as leaders in the global energy transition.
• BAB supports efforts to scale renewable energy technologies, including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), nuclear, and fusion energy, while advocating for streamlined financing and regulatory alignment.

Download the report here 

Save the date!

BABN Conference

April 30 - May 2, 2025, Charlotte, NC

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 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. It will offer a series of roundtables, plenary sessions and networking receptions for over 100 guests. ​ More details will be posted as planning progresses. Q: info@babcne.org

BritishAmerican Business (BAB) Trade & Investment Guide to the UK for US Companies

BritishAmerican Business (BAB)' s 2024 edition of Finding Your Way, is the most comprehensive guidebook for US companies seeking to expand their business into the UK.

Finding Your Way provides essential information on the services that both the UK and US governments, as well as leading associations and networks offer to help US companies be successful. It also includes details and practical advice from leading private sector firms whose services can help companies with their expansion endeavors.

Read more here

Download the guide here

Why the upcoming budget could be a turning point for small businesses in the UK 

elitebusiness, October 11, 2024

As the Autumn Budget approaches, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is urging the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to deliver a pro-small business agenda that could significantly shape the future of the UK’s economic landscape. 

Read more here

UK Government Creates AI Hub

ATD, April 1, 2024

The UK artificial intelligence market is valued at more than $21 billion, the third-largest AI market in the world behind the US and China. In addition, according to the International Trade Administration's United Kingdom Artificial Intelligence Market 2023 report, the UK's AI market value will grow to more than $1 trillion by 2035.

To continue its progress in the AI sector, the UK government announced a funding boost of 118 million British pounds (approximately 150 million US dollars) for AI skills. The money will directly support postgraduate research centers, 15 scholarships for international students, as well as efforts—such as the Backing Invisible Geniuses initiative, which identifies and nurtures high school talents in the International Science Olympiads—to encourage students to pursue careers in AI via AI- and data-focused courses.

Read more here | A reminder - sign up for our AI briefing on November 13 here

Inaugural Supply Chain Summit Outcomes and Actions

The Supply Chain Center, housed within ITA's Industry and Analysis business unit, hosted the inaugural Supply Chain Summit in collaboration with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) on September 10, 2024. Bringing together leaders from government, industry, academia, and civil society, the Summit highlighted the work of the Biden-Harris Administration and industry to shift from reacting to global supply chain disruptions to proactively strengthening supply chain resilience. The full livestream recording is now available.

Watch the livestream recording here

Interested in helping?

The British Charitable Society has been providing emergency relief and assistance to Brits in need in New England since 1816, and are looking for several volunteers to support our critical work. 

We're looking for passionate individuals for the roles of: 

• Director - Communications and Social Media to drive our online presence 
• State Ambassadors, to represent us in the region and identify new partnerships within the expat community

If interested, please email volunteer@britishcharitablesociety.org for full job descriptions.

UK makes electronic travel authorization mandatory for foreigners visiting United Kingdom

Foreigners who need a visa to live, work or study in the UK are now issued with an eVisa.

Financial Express, Sunil Dhawan, September 20, 2024

The United Kingdom is fast transitioning to a digital immigration system for immigrants coming to the UK. People who need a UK visa to live, work or study in the UK are now issued with an eVisa, providing digital proof of immigration status.

eVisas offers an alternative to hard copy immigration documents, reducing the risk of theft, loss, or alteration, allowing individuals to expedite their travels.

Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission in advance before travelling to UK. This can be either through an ETA or an eVisa.

Read the whole article here

What a month without alcohol really does to your body

Some of us plan to cut back on booze for Sober October – but will this really benefit our health in the long term?

The Telegraph, Flic Everett, October 1, 2024

According to Alcohol Change UK, 24 per cent of adults in England and Scotland regularly drink over the Government’s low-risk guidelines, and 27 per cent of drinkers in Great Britain binge drink on their heaviest drinking days (over eight units for men and over six units for women). In 2020, according to government figures, there were 8,974 UK deaths from alcohol-specific causes; an 18.6 per cent increase on 2019.

Want to find out more? Here is the full article



Explore U.S. Trade Data with Industry

& Analysis Resources

Did you know that ITA publishes a variety of trade-related statistics and tools for public use? ITA's Industry & Analysis business unit maintains interactive dashboards and infographics providing trade and economic data on U.S. goods trade at the national, state, and metropolitan area levels. Most dashboards are updated monthly, while the country reports are updated semi-annually.

Explore the Data!

Assessing the most improved places for doing business

October 10, 2024

EIU’s business environment rankings assess 91 indicators to give a comprehensive measure of the attractiveness of doing business in 82 countries and territories. Vietnam leads for the most improved business environment over the past 20 years, followed by Serbia and Romania, with countries in the Middle East and North Africa strongly benefiting from increased investment funding, economic growth and business confidence.

Download our summary report for two decades of data and insights on markets to watch over the next five years. 

Download the report here