Maya Mancuso

President, BABC

Northern California

US Business Relationships Manager

Dear Members and Friends of the BABC Northern California,

As fall settles in, the BABC Board and Team are excited to bring you the most spectacular holiday party in town – the 61st Annual BABC Christmas Luncheon! This event is the highlight of the season, attracting over 750 guests from the Bay Area’s international business community.

Join us for a full day of celebration and networking, starting with a Champagne reception at 11am, followed by a delicious three-course traditional British Christmas Luncheon, accompanied by plenty of wine and festive cheer. If you haven’t attended this event before, you can get a taste of the festivities through this video link. Don’t miss out on the incredible Live Auction and Grand Raffle Prizes, graciously donated by our generous Prize Donors!

The Christmas Luncheon is now open to the general public and non-members – everyone is welcome! To register for the event, click here.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to all our new and renewing members listed below. If you are interested in joining the BABC Northern California, please contact our Executive Director, Jo Healey.

With gratitude,

Maya

Tammy Sandhu MBE

HM British Consul- General

San Francisco

Dear Members of the BABC,

Besides Halloween and Diwali, this fall we marked another significant date: the one-year anniversary of the landmark Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit. On November 1^st of last year, the UK convened the world to discuss rapidly-evolving technology – and how we can mitigate its harms as a global community.

As I look towards the news coming out of the UK, this anniversary strikes me as particularly significant, both for the progress we’ve made since then as well as for the consistency of our dedication to collaboration and tech development.

Last month, the International Investment Summit highlighted the innovation, growth, and global interest in our markets, with foreign companies committing over £63Bn of private investment, creating over 38K new jobs in the UK. Four major US-based tech firms also announced the UK will be the home for their data infrastructure, worth a total of £6.3 billion. Among them: AWS, which is committing a further £8Bn to provide compute power to AI companies throughout the UK and Blackstone, which confirmed a further £10Bn investment in Blyth, Northumberland to create one of the largest AI data centers in Europe.

Not only is British innovation pushing the boundaries of tech industry, but companies are seeing the value of the UK’s stability and its world-class talent pool to help them build their own revolutionary technology.

October also saw the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announce up to £100 billion of additional borrowing for investment in infrastructure and key growth industries, including green energy and life sciences, which will spur further private sector investment into the UK. There is great reason for optimism -- The IMF has just forecast UK growth this year to be higher than Germany, Japan, Italy and the Eurozone, and our budget ensures our corporation tax will be the lowest of the G7 in the years ahead.

Consulate activity with British business has been especially busy recently. We brought together a big crowd to toast Virgin Atlantic’s anniversary, and with huge thanks to the BABC for their support in making that happen. We also hosted a group of British delegates at the world’s biggest climate tech conference, Verge24, and joined friends to mark the opening of Imperial College London’s physical base in the Bay.

All this signals that the UK is open for business and ready to deepen its partnerships with companies in California to support jobs and growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

Finally, I am excited to join you for the 61st Annual BABC Christmas Luncheon on December 13th. This is always one of the highlights of our festive calendar and I look forward to toasting to another successful year.

Keep up to date on all our activities and opportunities for involvement via our Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. In the meantime --

Happy Thanksgiving!



Tammy Sandhu MBE

We’re less than five weeks away from the 61st Annual Christmas Luncheon, and there’s exciting news—tickets are now open to non-members! Don’t miss your opportunity to join over 500 attendees already signed up for the Bay Area’s most anticipated holiday celebration, made even more special as we commemorate the 70th Anniversary of BABC Northern California.

Hosted once again at the elegant Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill, the luncheon is the perfect occasion to entertain clients, show appreciation for colleagues, or simply revel in a day filled with festivity, networking, and holiday spirit.

Your ticket includes a warm welcome with a glass of champagne, followed by a decadent three-course traditional British Christmas lunch paired with fine wine.

Enjoy captivating entertainment featuring characters from the Dickens Christmas Fair, the carols by the Coventry Carolers, bagpipes from our friends at the Irish Pipers’ Band of San Francisco, and the National Anthems sung by Natalie Gotts of Jane Blonde and the Goldfingers.

We’re also thrilled to offer a range of luxurious trips and experiences in our Grand Raffle Prize Drawing, giving lucky ticket holders the chance to win unforgettable prizes during the luncheon. Plus, don’t miss our fabulous Live Auction, where you’ll have the opportunity to bid on unique trips and experiences that you won’t want to pass up!

TICKET PRICING:

MEMBER PRICING:

$295 - Individual Member Ticket

$275 - Young Professionals Ticket

Corporate Level Member Table for 10 - $2,655

Corporate Level Member Table for 12 - $3,245

Member Table for 10 - $2,950

Member Table for 12 - $3,540

NON-MEMBER PRICING:

$320 - Individual Ticket 

Table for 10 - $3,100

British Airways has signed a deal to purchase more than £9 million worth of innovative carbon removals credits in the United Kingdom and overseas as part of a six-year agreement. The deal is part of an ambitious drive to accelerate the airline’s climate change efforts between now and 2030.

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As the year nears an end Sean Randolph, Senior Director, Bay Area Council Economic Institute, revisits where the Bay Area’s stands in its long recovery from the pandemic.

"What we’re seeing is consistent with what the Economic Institute reported last Spring and before that in 2023: a mixed story of slow progress in addressing underlying challenges combined with resurgent innovation at the research and business level."

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Inspire Business Law Group has strategically expanded its reach, now with offices in New York, San Francisco, and London, responding to the growing demand for cross-border legal expertise in key global markets. The expansion to London is a milestone that extends their capability to support clients in the US and the UK, particularly in the tech-forward cities of San Francisco, New York, and London. 

This new office will be led by Edward Grenville, a seasoned legal professional with over 25 years of experience in corporate and international transactions.

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You want to elevate your event marketing campaigns with fresh, exciting materials that captivate and engage your target audience. You need unique branded merch, box kits, and swag bags to standout. But, where to start?

Enter Almaden’s 2024 Event Lookbook. It may not solve all your problems, but it will strengthen the engagement at your next event!

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According to Synergy Global Housing, as business travel evolves, companies are increasingly turning to diverse accommodation options to meet cost-saving goals and cater to individual traveler preferences. Corporate housing, Airbnb and hotels all have their place in this landscape, offering a range of options in both price and experience. 

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Imperial College London has announced its first physical presence in the US, with a new hub located in San Francisco. The new San Francisco hub launched in October to bring Imperial’s world leading science and tech research closer to the centre of global venture capital.

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Join us for our 40th Season at The Cow Palace! The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party runs Nov. 23 – Dec. 22, 10am–6pm (including the Friday after Thanksgiving).

Immerse yourself in Victorian London with lamplit lanes, handmade gifts, costumed characters, and the aromas of hot cider and roasted almonds. Feast on fish 'n chips, meat pies, and more.

Enjoy live entertainment on seven stages—comedy, pantomimes, music, and dance. From the festive Fezziwig’s Dance Party to the lively Mad Sal’s Ale House, there's something for everyone!

Join the British Benevolent Society (BBS) for a festive Christmas celebration dinner with family and friends at the University Club of San Francisco, an elegant historic clubhouse atop Nob Hill.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 as we raise a toast and goodbye to the year. Anticipate a delightful evening with a welcoming glass of champagne upon your arrival, along with an exciting raffle and live auction to add to the festivities.

Don’t forget to dress to impress in cocktail or formal attire. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

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Join the Association of American European Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the groundbreaking European Union AI Act, a regulatory framework that is shaping the landscape of artificial intelligence in Europe and beyond. Our esteemed panel of experts will discuss the key provisions, implications, and challenges posed by this landmark legislation, including how it is influencing the AI regulation debate in the USA. 

From the ethical considerations surrounding AI applications to the impact on innovation and competitiveness, our panelists will provide valuable insights and diverse perspectives on how the EU AI Act will influence the development, deployment, and governance of AI technologies. 

Whether you are a policymaker, industry professional, or simply interested in the future of AI, this discussion promises to be a compelling exploration of the regulatory frontier that will shape the next era of artificial intelligence. Don't miss the opportunity to engage with our experts and contribute to the dialogue on responsible and ethical advancement of AI.

The British Consulate wants you to know about Peter Pan: Panto in the Presidio taking place from Tuesday, 3 December to Sunday, 29 December at the Presidio Theatre in San Francisco. There are matinee and evening performances that are designed for families and are open to all ages. 

Now in its fourth year, Panto in the Presidio has quickly become a San Francisco holiday staple. The annual production is a uniquely San Franciscan twist on the British tradition of holiday pantomimes (more commonly known as Pantos) which are over-the-top musical theater parodies of popular children’s stories and folklore. Join in the Panto traditions of booing the villains, cheering the heroes, and singing along to popular songs played by a live band. Oh, and watch out for flying candy!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS



BUSINESS MEMBERS

Almaden is a full-service print and marketing company specializing in sustainable print solutions, signage, trade show materials, and advanced inventory management technology. Since 1998, our experts have crafted personalized brand activation solutions that inspire meaningful customer engagement for top brands in California, nationwide, and globally. Almaden operates two production facilities; North Bay in Cotati, CA and South Bay in Santa Clara, CA in addition to a state-of-the-art distribution center in Fairfield, CA. Together, with its partner network, Almaden supports brand initiatives for hundreds of the world’s leading corporations, organizations, and wineries.

Jez Cartwright Inc. has had the privilege of working globally across professional sports, startups, venture capital, private equity, and large corporations, all with a single focus: helping people win, however they define it. Over the years he has developed an approach, known as Performance Intelligence, which helps individual, teams and individuals deliver the sustainable high performance results. His job is to help instill this philosophy in order to help people win on whatever the stage they find themselves on.

COMMUNITY PARTNER MEMBER



Imperial Global USA offers:

• Collaboration: Connects Imperial with US research partners for global solutions.
• Science & Tech Networks: Links partners and alumni to cutting-edge science and tech.
• Enterprising Ventures: Supports startups moving lab innovations to market.
• US Events: Brings top Imperial startups to US audiences.
• WestTech Corridor Bridge: Links investors to London’s innovation ecosystem.
• Careers & Recruitment: Shares study opportunities and connects employers with US-based alumni.

PREMIER MEMBERS



As the regional business development agency, Invest NI's role is to grow the local economy. We do this by helping new and existing businesses to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland.

We are part of the Department of The Economy and provide strong government support for business by effectively delivering the Government’s economic development strategies. Some of the recent US Investors we have worked with include, Aflac, Bazaarvoice, Imperva, Microsoft, Rapid7, Signifyd and Workrise.

Simmons & Simmons is a collaborative, agile law firm with a partner-led approach, delivering innovative business solutions by working closely with clients as a unified team. Headquartered in London with 320+ partners and 2,415 employees across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the firm advises on a wide range of legal matters.The firm’s U.S. representative office in San Francisco provides our U.S. based clients with a local point of contact and in time zone support for companies as they launch and grow their businesses internationally.

CORPORATE MEMBERS



KPMG LLP is the U.S. firm of the KPMG global organization of independent professional services firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 143 countries and territories and has more than 265,000 people working in member firms around the world. KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, inclusion and diversity and eradicating childhood illiteracy.

Lewis & Llewellyn LLP, one of California’s premier litigation boutiques, was built from the ground up with the mission to win high-stakes, complex civil cases. The firm splits its practice approximately 50-50 on the plaintiff and defense side and represents clients in federal and state courts, and in arbitration, throughout the United States. While the firm practices across virtually all areas of civil litigation, the majority of its matters fall within four areas: complex business disputes, employee mobility litigation, founders’ disputes, and intellectual property litigation.

BUSINESS MEMBERS

BDO USA is a leading professional services firm offering assurance, tax, and advisory services to companies and individuals. For over 100 years, BDO has provided quality service through its experienced professionals, with 75+ offices and 650+ alliance locations nationwide. As part of a global network in 160+ countries with 97,000+ professionals, BDO brings extensive expertise across industries and regions.

Pick your picture window view at the InterContinental San Francisco and then sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. With 556 modern rooms, each facing one of the four cardinal directions, every vantage point showcases the city’s urban energy unfurled both below and above. The hotel is centrally located to a number of recreation venues, but your room’s sparkling skyline views might be all the entertainment you need during your stay. Luxurious amenities such as 60” televisions, plush beds and bedding, an indoor lap pool, a central bar, and a Michelin starred restaurant further justify any desire to ‘stay in.'

Synergy never applies a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter approach to furnished housing, because we believe each of our guests deserves individual attention. We pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled end-to-end accommodation solutions tailored to meet specific client objectives.

From strategic, on-the-ground partnerships to superior customer service and cutting-edge technology, our restless and resilient teams will stop at nothing to ensure our guests and clients receive a remarkable experience from day one. We provide personalized solutions for business travel, employee relocation, and individual traveler housing, all of which are delivered with a comprehensive approach.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

Adrian Bray

Steven Minchen

Greg Tinker

Peter Woodhouse

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.