BSCC News
Intro from our President
BSCC Annual Satisfaction Survey
Thank you, Hans Halbheer
COBCOE Quality Standard Certification
Question of the Month
April: UK Election - Answer now
March: Innovation - Results
Event Highlights
Geneva Chapter
Young Professionals Launch Event
Member Focus
Member News
Member in the Spotlight:
How does tradition inspire change in your company?
New Members
British-Swiss Facts
Did you know?
UK General Election 2015
The UK opens the way. The result may lead to a reconfiguration of the political landscape. It will also impact on the future orientation of European policy. In spite of the uncertain outcome it is likely to lead to a coalition government. This, as well as not too diverging economic policy intentions, should mitigate the propensity towards massive policy shifts. On Europe and irrespective of the emerging majority, agenda and timelines for further steps ought to be defined so as to minimize uncertainty. This is in the interest of the economic (but also the political) wellbeing of the country. Switzerland, the rest of Europe and beyond will watch carefully.
Alexis P. Lautenberg, President
BSCC Annual Satisfaction Survey 2015
We would like to thank everyone that already completed the BSCC Annual Satisfaction Survey 2015. We very much appreciate the constructive and detailed feedback you shared with us. If you did not take part in our survey yet, we would be very grateful if you could spare five minutes to do so. All feedback is important to us as it helps us improve the support and services we provide to our members.
BSCC Annual Satisfaction Survey
Thank you, Hans Halbheer!
Hans J. Halbheer CBE has informed us that he wished to give up his position as Honorary Councillor of the Board of the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce. As President of the Chamber I wish to pay tribute to a truly exceptional personality. Many of the changes that were introduced under his watch have become pillars to the Chamber to the present day. I thought it only fair to remind everyone of his contribution to the Chamber’s modernisation. With these lines I just wanted to express our heartfelt thanks for what Hans has achieved at the time and his strong and ongoing support to his successors.
Read more
Aspiring to be the best! The COBCOE Quality Standard Certification
We are delighted to announce that the BSCC has been recognised as a COBCOE Quality Standard Certified Chamber. The newly introduced Quality Standard certification and accreditation programme aims to identify and promote good practice amongst the members of COBCOE and to improve and streamline quality of service delivery via a new and measurable standard. We are proud of our achievements to date and look forward to continuously improve our standards to best serve our members’ interests! Congratulations to the team and all Councillors and volunteers contributing to making the BSCC a well-respected and professional organisation.
Read more
Back to top
In your opinion, will the result of the UK General Election bring some clarity regarding Britain's future in the EU?
> Yes, it will strengthen the case for renegotiating Britain’s EU membership terms
> Yes, it will strengthen support for Britain's EU membership
> Yes, it will accelerate a “Brexit” scenario
> No, it is unclear how the outcome will influence Britain's future in the EU
Question of the Month March - Results
According to recent numbers published by the European Patent Office (EPO), Switzerland filed the most patents per capita in 2014. Measured by absolute figures, both Switzerland (8th) and the UK (9th) are amongst the top ten in filing patents. The March Question of the Month asked BSCC members whether the British and Swiss governments are creating a favourable environment for innovation. 41.67% of the respondents agree that both governments set the right measures to boost innovation, 25% answered that only the Swiss government sets the right measures and 16.67% think that current proposed measures are not sufficient in either country.
Read more
Back to top
Please take a look at our recent event photos and our upcoming events on our website.
Geneva Chapter April and May Event Highlights
Banking, finance and the UK General Election all feature in the coming weeks. Patrick Odier, of the Swiss Bankers’ Association, will address an audience of record-breaking proportions on 20th April. The morning after the General Election, 8th May, will feature the BSCC hosting, with World Radio Switzerland, a morning breakfast broadcast “live” from the Hotel Warwick, including commentary on the results from an expert panel plus TV news streamed from the UK. And big changes in the regulation of the funds industry in Switzerland will be explained in a conference at which Conseiller d’Etat Pierre Maudet will be the keynote speaker on the 18th May.
Launch of a Young Professionals Group in Zurich
The BSCC is delighted to announce the launch of a Young Professionals Group in Zurich with the aim to reach out to the future generation of business leaders. We are planning 3-4 events per year dedicated to Young Professionals (the target age range is below 40 years old). The events will be business-oriented and will include the following three elements: Inspiration, Career Development and Networking. They are designed to create a platform for Young Professionals to exchange and engage ideas with like-minded individuals. We very much look forward to welcoming Michael Näf, Founder of Doodle, as our first inspirational guest speaker at the Young Professionals Launch Event on Wednesday, 29th April 2015. The event sold out within only a few days! If you would like to be informed on future Young Professionals events in Zurich please sign up for the Young Professionals mailing list.
Back to top
|
|
|
MEMBER NEWS
Gain The Skills To Assist Practitioners In Analysing A Family Business, Advising On Governance And Making Recommendations For Action
The STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising arms you with immediately-applicable, practical tools, required to effectively work in this multi-disciplinary field. This Advanced Certificate covers all aspects of family business systems; from the first meeting with the client, setting agendas and planning, to structuring the business and identifying and managing issues within the family. The course will provide an understanding of both simple family enterprises as well as more complex multigenerational families, allowing you to better understand and serve your clients. Enrolment closes 22 May 2015. For more information or to register, please click here.
Iain Martin announced as a Finalist in the IndieFab Awards 2014 with his book 'Looking Down on Leaders'
'Looking Down on Leaders’, an entertaining and informative leadership book by former BSCC Councillor Iain Martin, has just been named as Finalist in the prestigious Foreword Reviews annual ‘IndieFab Awards’ for 2014. Finalists were selected from thousands of entries and the winner will be announced in San Francisco in June. The author presented the book and its leadership themes to BSCC members in an entertaining and thought-proving evening in October last year. Our Managing Director, Magalie Chelius, has read the book and certainly enjoyed MacMentor’s pragmatic and inspiring observations and tips! We wish Iain the best of success in the final judging in San Francisco!
“Very British” -- an exhibition about the culture of play and games in Britain at the Swiss Museum of Games
The
Swiss Museum of Games, unique museum dedicated to 5000 years of
cultural history of games, plans to dedicate an entire temporary
exhibition to the British culture of play – for the first time ever! The
Museum will collaborate with collectors and museums in Britain, as well
as with British schools in Switzerland. His Excellency the British
Ambassador in Switzerland, Mr. David Moran, has accepted to act as
honorary event patron of the project. In order to materialise this
important project, the Swiss Museum of Games is looking for sponsoring
partners.
Read more
Dinner lecture on Russia, 5 May in Geneva, organised by The Swiss LSE Alumni Association
You, your guests and staff members of your company are cordially invited to an evening with Professor Dominic Lieven, FBA, Senior Research Fellow at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and Professor of Russian Government, LSE (1993-2011), who will be speaking about the international breakdown that led to the two World Wars and the contemporary international order from a Russian perspective, on Tuesday, 5 May 2015, at 18:45 for 19:00, at the Domaine du Chateau de Penthes in Geneva, followed by a fine dinner. For more information and to book your place(s), please visit the event page.
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!
British Beds Worldwide: a new era in the greatest tradition of British beds
Over the centuries Great Britain has earned a worldwide reputation for creating the very finest beds. Now the newest range of super luxury beds from Roger Charles is set to further build on this heritage. The whole collection is inspired by the wild and beautiful landscape of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England, where these exceptional beds are traditionally handcrafted whilst reflecting current international design influences. Roger Charles beds are built to the most exacting standards and feature locally sourced wool from sheep that graze this dramatic terrain.
Find out more about British Beds Worldwide
|
NEW MEMBERS IN MARCH
|
CJF S.A., Geneva
CJF S.A. offers legal and international tax consulting.
Michelle Crossan, UK
Michelle Crossan has joined the UK Chapter as an individual member
EKO 4 Global Services Ltd, UK
EKO 4 provides four categories of professional services: translation, document legalisation, digital marketing and business solutions.
EtherSec Industries, Geneva
EtherSec provides video analytics for security and safety.
Five Brand Communication Ltd, UK
Five Brand Communication builds brands from the inside by defining, shaping and activating a clear core message through simplified creative communications for SMEs in English and German speaking markets.
Globaleye Sarl, Zurich
Globaleye’s Wealth Management expertise provides unbiased financial planning solutions for over 10,000 clients worldwide from our head office in Dubai, with additional offices in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Mercury Mobility Sàrl, Geneva
Mercury Mobility offers a complete door to door international moving service, be it by road, air or sea, including: comprehensive export wrapping with high quality materials, secure storage, replacement insurance and specialised services such as handyman, maid and cleaning.
David Smith, Geneva
Anton Taylor has joined the Geneva Chapter as an individual member.
Swiss LSE Alumni Association, Berne
The Swiss LSE Alumni Association (SLSEAA), founded in 1998 as a Swiss membership organisation, is today one of the largest and most active national LSE alumni organisations worldwide.
Anton Taylor, Geneva
Anton Taylor has joined the Geneva Chapter as an individual member.
We Spot IT, UK
Newly established, vibrant digital recruitment agency, We Spot-IT is a dynamic company based in London.
Back to top
DID YOU KNOW that Switzerland and the UK have not held their General Elections in the same year since 1987?
For the first time since 1987 the UK and Switzerland hold their General Elections in the same year, with the UK General Elections taking place on 7th May and the Swiss elections on 18th October. While the Swiss elect their parliament every four years, in the UK, the Prime Minister decided about the date of an election until very recently. Only in 2011 the UK introduced a fixed term, with elections taking place every five years on the first Thursday in May. From now on, the Swiss and UK parliaments will be elected every twenty years in the same year.
Back to top
|
|
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
|
|
Fri 17.04.2015 - Basel: British "Proms Concert" at Stadtcasino Basel
More information
Mon 20.04.2015 - Geneva: Business Luncheon with Patrick Odier
This event is fully subscribed
Wed 29.04.2015 - Zurich: Young Professionals Launch Event with Michael Näf, Founder of Doodle
This event is fully subscribed
Fri 08.05.2015 - UK General Election: Morning-after "Special"
More information & registration
Fri 08.05.2015 - Basel: Microbrewery Tour: Business through the Eyes of a Beer Glass
More information & registration
Wed 20.05.2015 - Zurich: Does Reputation Matter?
More information
Thurs 21.05.2015 - Basel: Easyjet: The Basel Success Story
More information
Wed 27.05.2015 - Zurich: Nick Beglinger: "Switzerland and Sustainability - why we succeed but still fail"
More information & registration
Fri 29.05.2015 - Geneva:
Great British Breakfast with Prof. Julian Lindley-French
More information
View all upcoming events
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE:
Wed 03.06.2015 - Berne: Public Affairs Dinner (Invitation only event)
Wed 10.06.2015 - Zurich: Business Lunch with Mark Branson, CEO of FINMA
Fri 12.06.2015 - Geneva: Business Luncheon with Peter Kellner, President of YouGov plc
Wed 17.06.2015 - Zurich: 95th Anniversary AGM Celebration with Patrick Warnking, Country Director of Google Switzerland
BSCC NETWORKING
Thurs 23.04.2015 - Basel: Informal Networking "Stammtisch"
More information
Tues 05.05.2015 - Café Soirée at Papon
More information
Tues 12.05.2015 - Zurich: Informal Networking "Stammtisch"
More information
BSCC NEWS
The BSCC has been awarded with the new COBCOE Quality Standard Certificate
→ Read more
The McKay Interview on
WRS - latest edition with Norman Hay, former CEO of Cargill International
→ Listen now
McKay Interview Special - Doing business in La Côte
→ Listen now
Event write-up: CSFI breakfast meeting on “Currency Wars” in London
→ Read more
BRITISH-SWISS NEWS
08.04.2015: Labour and Tory economic plans could hold the key to number ten
→ Read more
06.04.2015: Exit from EU 'would worsen inequality across Britain' as poorer areas depend on manufacturing
→ Read more
27.03.2015: Switzerland's UBP to buy RBS's Coutts International
→ Read more
21.03.2015: Six Western economies apply to join AIIB
→ Read more
MEMBER NEWS
42nd European Hotel Managers’ Association General Meeting
→ Read more
Evaluating the Impact of the Falsified Medicines Directive in Switzerland
→ Read more
Iain Martin announced as a Finalist in the IndieFab Awards 2014 with his book 'Looking Down on Leaders'
→ Read more
BSCC Committee Member Faiz Kermani wins Bronze medal with his children's book in a UK competition
→ Read more
A.T. Kearney has recently published several reports
→ Read more
The Deloitte Wealth Management Centre Ranking 2015
→ Read more
“Very British” -- an exhibition project about the culture of play and games in Britain at the Swiss Museum of Games in 2016
→ Read more
|
|
MEMBER &
PARTNER EVENTS
|
|
Sat 18.04.2015 - Sat 27.06.2015: Geneva reaches out to the Swiss
→ Read more
Wed 22.04.2015 - Geneva: IFMA - Economic Outlook 2015
→ Read more
Thurs 23.04.2015 - Basel: Innovate for health: “Swiss made” in medical technologies and life sciences
→ Read more
Sun 26.04.2015 - Geneva: Servette Football Club vs FC Lausanne-Sport
→ Read more
Mon 27.04.2015 - Lucerne: Europa Forum Luzern - Direkte Demokratie auf dem Prüfstand
→ Read more
Tues 28.04.2015 - Zug: English stand-up comedy
→ Read more
Sun 03.05.2015 - Geneva: Servette Football Club vs FC Wil 1900
→ Read more
Tue 05.05.2015 - Zurich: Creating a winning culture to innovate
→ Read more
Tue 05.05.2015 - Geneva: Evening with Professor Dominic Lieven
→ Read more
Wed 06.05.2015 - Zurich: University of Strathclyde MBA Information
→ Read more
Sat 09.05.2015 - Zurich: Reading God Loves Haiti
→ Read more
Mon 11.05.2015 - London: COBCOE Gala Dinner 2015
→ Read more
|
|
|
|
|
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
Black and White
IT Support: 20 CHF per hour discount
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
The_BSCC
Switzerland and the UK
are among the socially most advanced countries. #socialprogress Index
2015 @socprogress http://ow.ly/Lqk8S
UK Embassy Berne
Are you an #Expat living in Switzerland? You can now register to vote online #YourVoteMatters http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Magalie Chelius
Very inspiring speech by Dame Fiona Kendrick @nestle @The_BSCC on sustainable growth
http://ow.ly/LDBhR
The_BSCC
London, Zurich and Geneva are Europe's best financial centers and London is 2nd worldwide found the Global Financial Centers Index. @SGE
Follow the BSCC on Social Media and join our discussions:
Twitter I LinkedIn I Facebook
|
|
|