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July 2015 eNewsletter

BSCC News
 
Here comes the sun!
  BSCC Task Force Europe: Leadership Change
  Want to make a difference?
  Budget 2015 - Britain is open for business

Question of the Month
  June: UK-EU Relations - Results

Event Highlights
  Looking Back

  Looking Ahead

Member Focus

  Member News
  Member in the Spotlight:
  How does tradition inspire change in your company?
  New Members
British-Swiss Facts

  Did you know that Switzerland won two Wimbledon titles 
  over the weekend?


BSCC NEWS

Here comes the sun!
During the first six months of 2015, the BSCC welcomed 45 new members, partnered with 20 annual sponsors and welcomed you to 47 events and networking opportunities across Switzerland and the UK. Before we leave for our respective summer breaks, I would like to thank you all for your participation and engagement! Our 95th AGM celebration with its record breaking participation was testament to the level of dynamism and strength of the British-Swiss business community.

The BSCC team wishes you a relaxing summer holiday, and looks forward to welcoming you to our “back to work” events in September!

Magalie Chelius, BSCC Managing Director

BSCC Task Force Europe: Leadership Change
Prof Iain Begg, who kindly spearheaded the Task Force Europe (TFE) initiative last year as Co-Chair together with Christa Markwalder has informed us that his schedule and other commitments do no longer allow him to lead this strategic programme of the BSCC. We would like to thank Iain for his valuable contributions and dedication over the past year and welcome Jonathan Djanogly, Member of the British Parliament for the Huntingdon Consituency, as the new Co-Chair. Read more

Want to make a difference?
Would you like to positively contribute to the British-Swiss business relations? Or shape and influence the BSCC local event programme in one of our 8 chapters? Join a team of 85 passionate and dedicated volunteers and make a difference! As a Member of a BSCC Chapter Committee you act as an Ambassador of the Chamber, gain experience, showcase your talents, raise your profile and improve the British-Swiss business community, all at the same time! If you are interested, we look forward to your application. Read more

Budget 2015 - Britain is open for business

Last week’s presentation by the Chancellor, George Osbourne of the 2015 Budget contains a series of interesting statements. As far as the British-Swiss agenda and priorities are concerned, the BSCC has identified amongst others some important measures: the increased number of apprenticeships, the “non-domicile” regime and devolution of tax and welfare to Scotland. Find out more

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QUESTION OF THE MONTH​​

The BSCC Question of the Month is taking a summer break. We look forward to your insight and comments on British-Swiss topics again in September.

Question of the Month June - Results

QoM June 15 Outcome
In June 2015, just over a month after the UK General Elections took place, the 'Brexit’ is still a question that needs to be answered. BSCC members were asked to share their views on whether a Brexit would settle UK-EU relations once and for all. Of those replying, a great majority: 93% do not think a Brexit will help settle the UK-EU relationship. If Brexit is not the option, one member commented: “concessions and renewed discussions on UK-EU relations are necessary to find a win-win situation for both parties.”

To shade some more light into the topic, we invite you to read this interesting analysis by Prof Iain Begg Could it be ‘Brexpulsion’ rather than ‘Brexit’? and another piece on: What does the Five Presidents’ report mean for the future of the euro?


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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Please take a look at our recent event photos and our upcoming events on our website.

Looking back

We have many success stories from the last quarter here at the BSCC. At the record breaking 95th anniversary AGM we had the great honour to welcome Patrick Warnking, Country Director of Google Switzerland to talk about ‘Digital Transformation: Innovation Made in Switzerland’. Guests were surrounded by luxurious Aston Martin models and had the chance to take part in a prize draw for the new Swiss Who’s Who book. Claudia Bidwell of Novartis is the lucky winner of the book. Moving to our friends in Ticino where a luncheon hosted at The Hotel Splendide Royal saw both the British and international community attending 'An update of Swiss and Canton Ticino Taxation: Threads and Opportunities event'. And across the sea our UK friends successfully launched the Stammtisch, welcoming an encouraging turnout for the first UK Stammtisch in London, held at the Champagne Bar in the Andaz Hotel. There was a real buzz about the evening which bodes well for plans to hold future Stammtisches, with the next being held on Wednesday July 29th.

Looking ahead
Someone once said that you are only as good as tomorrow’s sales figures! Well, here’s what to expect in Q3 and Q4: Sir David Michels, the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe DSG in Zurich and Geneva, Diccon Bewes, British Ambassador Julian Braithwaite, Jakob Shaad, David Worlock, Heinz Karrer, Henk Potts, Lord (Mark) Poltimore, Jesús Martin-Garcia, Benoit Dubuis, Debbie Jevans CBE, a Special Business Briefing by the diplomats at the UK Mission Geneva and a Ladies’ (with a sprinkling of Gentlemen) Evening with CLARINS and a Christmas quiz to name just a few. We have many new events coming up with another Young Professionals event under development with the committees, a BSCC new Head Office Opening and a new branded workshop series beginning in November. Stay tuned for more information on all these exciting events – details will be published on the BSCC website. We are excited to dust off those post summer blues and enjoy a varied and rich BSCC event calendar as we kick off the second half of the year in September…. In the meantime, stay cool!

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MEMBER FOCUS


MEMBER NEWS

SkyWork Airlines to begin operating the Basel-London City route on 19 July 2015

The first SkyWork Airlines flight from Basel (BSL) to London City (LCY) will take off on Sunday 19 July 2015. SkyWork Airlines is therefore filling a gap left by SWISS when it moved away from Basel. Initially, the SkyWork Airlines flight will be departing from EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg on weekdays at 07:20 and take off from London at 08:10 local time. On Sundays the airline will be operating a late afternoon flight to London City. With effect from 31 August, the frequency of BSL-LCY flights will be doubled. An extra, evening flight will be added on weekdays and, a further flight to the British metropolis on Saturdays. Find more information here and in the press release.

A new hub for classic car enthusiasts: Emil Frey Classic Center
The BSCC warmly congratulates Emil Frey AG, Platinum Patron of the Chamber for the opening of the Classic Center Schweiz in Safenwil. From now on visitors are invited to discover vintage vehicles from the Emil Frey Collection in an impressive museum. The site also boasts an exceptional events centre, a showroom for collectors and enthusiasts to buy and sell cars, a specialist workshop and a classic car “hotel” offering professional vehicle storage facilities. Don’t miss the star of the collection: Sir Winston Churchill’s Land Rover 86’’. Read more

New disclosure obligations for Swiss companies and equity holders as of July 1, 2015
Are you a holder of bearer shares of a Swiss company not listed at a stock exchange? Do you intend to acquire one or more bearer shares of a private Swiss company not listed at a stock exchange? As of July 1, 2015, new disclosure obligations for Swiss companies and equity holders will be introduced. The need for immediate action, if any, will vary dependent on the individual situation of a company or an equity holder, says Dr. Hans-Ulrich Schoch, Hartmann Müller & Partner and Member of the BSCC. Read more


MEMBER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

How does tradition inspire change in your company?

As part of the BSCC 95 Years Anniversary Campaign along the theme of "Where tradition inspires change" , we invite our members to share their story on how tradition inspires change in their companies. Please find below the story of British Beds Worldwide. To read more stories, please visit our Anniversary webpage and if you would like to particpate with your own story, please let us know!
 
From a small company in Bangkok to an international relocation  specialist with 3000 multi-cultural employees
Originating as a trading company, The East Asiatic Company A/S (EAC), in Bangkok in 1884, today the Santa Fe Group is among the world’s leading providers of global mobility and relocation services. In 1980, Santa Fe was a minor Hong Kong-based logistics /moving business. Santa Fe later acquired the moving / relocation companies Wridgways and Interdean and aligned them under the Santa Fe brand. However, through all these changes, what clearly remains is respect for others and belief in our 3000 multi-cultural employees in 56 countries, to keep our many traditions, but always changing to meet the “new world” needs.

NEW MEMBERS IN JULY


Bricker Weinimport GmbH, Zurich
 
Bricker Weinimport GmbH is an online wine seller that only offers wines that they have degustated themselves. Their goal is to share their love for wine with the customer and to offer the best wines for the best prices.

Choice Ltd, Zurich

Making the best of your abilities, improving the quality of leadership, getting through a crisis, becoming a team, and more –choice will stand by you with moral and practical support, as personal adviser, or as coach for your department or for your firm.

Hostcloudz, Geneva
Hostcloudz is a salesforce.com consulting partner. Based in Geneva, we provide custom business management cloud solutions built on the salesforce platform and integration and support solutions for SMBs operating in Swiss Romande and Switzerland.

PraxisIFM Trust SA, Geneva
PraxisIFM’s expertise is focussed on creating, preserving  and growing wealth. Their clients are at the heart of everything they do. The highly-experienced PraxisIFM teams offer an efficient, informed and personal service.

Risk Management Options Ltd, UK
Risk Management Options Ltd offers risk management, governance expertise, risk management training and advice to design, update, create and implement processes and culture in organisations. It can also take on Non-Executive Director roles in organisations

Starmind International AG, Zurich
Starmind is a pioneer in offering a self-learning technology which applies latest insights from neuroscience and artificial intelligence in order to network and map internal know-how of large corporations. Starmind’s “Brain Technology” is dynamic as it is autonomously evolving based on unique self-learning algorithms.

ViiV Healthcare GmbH, Berne

ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV. ViiV Healthcare is an independent company combining the HIV expertise of GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Shionogi.

Virtustream, Geneva
Virtustream provides enterprise-class cloud solutions to Enterprises, Federal Governments, Local Governments and Service Providers. Over 500 businesses run their IT on Virtustream's enterprise-class cloud solution, including a number of Fortune 500 firms and world-class service providers.

Christof Zuber, Zurich
Christof Zuber has joined the Zurich Chapter as an individual member.


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BRITISH-SWISS FACTS

DID YOU KNOW that Switzerland actually won two Wimbledon titles over the weekend?
Did you know that, despite Roger Federer loosing against Djokovic in the Wimbledon finals over the weekend, Switzerland took home two Wimbledon titles this year? Martina Hingis succeeded in both the ladies doubles (together with Sania Mirza) and the mixed doubles (together with Leander Paes). Andy Murray was unable to repeat his coup from 2013, when he became the first British Wimbledon Champion in 77 years, as he lost in the British-Swiss semi final against Roger Federer on Friday. It was already the sixth time that he lost against Roger on home soil.

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Platinum Patrons: AES International, Deloitte AG, Emil Frey, Julius Bär, Syngenta, UBS and Zurich Insurance

Patrons: ABB, Blick Rothenberg, BSI SA, Coutts & Co, Credit Suisse, EY, KPMG, Lloyd’s and Thomas Eggar LLP


BSCC EVENTS

Sat 18.07.2015 - UK: Swiss National Day
More information

Thurs 23.07.2015 - Basel: Informal Networking "Stammtisch"
More information


Wed 29.07.2015 - UK: BSCC UK Stammtisch
More information

Tues 08.09.2015 - Geneva: Business Luncheon with Sir David Michels
More information

Wed 23.09.2015 - Geneva: Business Luncheon with the Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe
More information

Wed 23.09.2015 - UK: International Wine Tasting Networking Event
More information
​ 
Thur 24.09.2015 - Zurich: Business Lunch with Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe
More information


Wed 30.09.2015 - UK: Air Travel Innovation: Upgrading the passenger journey
More information


View all upcoming events



STEP Banner June 2015

 


BSCC NEWS


Successful Tax Conference in our Ticino Chapter
Read more

BSCC Task Force Europe: Leadership Change
Read more

Inaugural Stammtisch for London
Read more

​​New Councillors
Read more

The McKay Interview on WRS
Read more


BRITISH-SWISS NEWS

13.07.2015: Commodity trading gains in importance in Lugano
Read more

13.07.2015: Two out of three big firms think UK exit from EU could harm them, survey finds
Read more

11.07.2015: Brexit vote could trigger European free market 'chain reaction', say Swiss and Icelandic MPs
Read more

11.07.2015: The new Conservatism
Read more

10.07.2015: Dear Britain, there is life outside the EU
Read more

18.06.2015: 6 things other cities can learn from London’s transport successes
Read more


MEMBER NEWS

New flights between Basel and Bristol
Read more

SWISS unveils new flagship Boeing 777-300ER with a new cabin layout and route network plans
Read more

Santa Fe Relocation Services has just released its Global Mobility Survey 2015
Read more

Budget take two: will election promises be made a reality?
Read more

Swiss National Council supports Swiss Innovation Park
Read more


MEMBER &

PARTNER EVENTS



Wed 22.07.2015 - Geneva: How to legitimately reduce UK interitance tax
Read more

Wed 05.08.2015 - Geneva: Maximising Income from your Assets
Read more

Sat 08.08.2015 - Geneva: Soirée des Feux at the Hotel Warwick
Read more

Fri 21.08.2015 - Lenzburg: The Swiss Armed Forces and the Economy: Unlikely couple or partnership of convenience with mutual benefits?
Read more



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MEMBER OFFERS


British Airways
10% discount for BSCC members


International New York Times
Unlimited digital access for 99¢ for your first four weeks, then 50% off for one year.


Engadin St. Moritz 
Mountain railways & cableways inclusive

Swiss Who's Who
special release price of CHF 470.–


Black and White
IT Support: 20 CHF per hour discount


Hostcloudz
Free consultation and 15% off consulting fees for salesforce.com projects

The Economist
Save 15% on a regular subscription rate and receive a free copy of The World in 2015.

mt:onyx
Business Partnering for British/Swiss SMEs in Life Science/MedTech

Restaurant Schlössli Utenberg
10% discount for BSCC members

Swiss International Air Lines
Smart businesses save more with SWISS and partner airlines

Cresta Hotels Davos
10% discount for BSCC members


British Beds Worldwide
The World's finest beds at UK Prices and a special offer for BSCC Members

Aplomb Translations 
10% Discount on all translations!

Hotel Le Richemond Geneva
10% off on the à la carte menu at Le Jardin

View all Member Offers



BSCC TWEETS

UKTI
Need some background on a new #export market? Read our doing business guides & find out the basics http://ow.ly/BjLk9

Adrian Jones PwC

“We believe in the next life of things. That’s why we think and act in cycles and cycle.” Freitag philosophy #frtg #ypgzurich @the_bscc

GREAT Britain
A record breaking year: £2.9bn of investment in London tech last year  http://buff.ly/1UgVdGo

The_BSCC

How well do you know Switzerland? Test your knowledge with the new app @politbox and learn more about the country. https://www.politbox.ch/en/

nickcreak
2.5 billion people online ! 4.5 billion have never used the Internet @Warnking @The_BSCC

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