BSCC News
Intro from our Managing Director
New Platinum Patron: AES International
Important Message from HM Ambassador, David Moran
BSCC website with new features
Question of the Month
February: Strong Swiss franc - Answer now
December / January: Business Outlook - Results
Event Highlights
Geneva Chapter
Zurich Chapter
Ticino Chapter
Member Focus
Member News
Member in the Spotlight:
How does tradition inspire change in your company?
New Members
British-Swiss Facts
Did you know?
Competitiveness in a changing environment
The abandonment of the Swiss franc cap against the Euro took many business leaders and company owners by surprise. To remain competitive, companies need to react and adjust rapidly to an ever changing environment. The SNB's decision and its implications is one of many external trends and challenges that businesses of every size have to fully analyse, take action upon, and hedge risks in the best possible way. The BSCC will keep you informed about further developments and explore short and midterm implications in upcoming events. In order to best serve your interest, we would also welcome your views on the recent SNB announcement in our monthly survey.
Magalie Chelius, BSCC Managing Director
New Platinum Patron: AES International
We are delighted to welcome AES International as a new Platinum Patron of the BSCC. AES International was founded in 2004 in the UK and has now decided to become a strategic supporter of the Chamber. AES International strives to transform its clients' lives by delivering informed and independent financial advice, market-leading investment pricing and excellent service. The company has won 26 financial awards in the last 5 years, states Partner Andrew Chamberlain. The BSCC is grateful for the support provided by Patron companies, which enables further development and promotion of British-Swiss bilateral interests and prosperity.
Find out more about AES International
Important Message from HM Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, David Moran
UK residents overseas will be able to vote in UK's General Election, register now!
To be eligible to vote, British citizens living overseas must have been registered to vote in a UK constituency within the last fifteen years. For the first time in a UK General Election, those eligible can register online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The deadline for registering online to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April 2015. Those who wish to register for a postal vote will need to register some time before this deadline. Find out more on the British Embassy website.
BSCC website with new features
The BSCC is delighted to announce the launch of a new Homepage and Events Page. BSCC members and friends can now benefit from the following new features: A British-Swiss News feed which is updated on a daily basis, a Twitter feed to remain up-to-date with the BSCC's social media activities, a recent speakers box which offers good insights into BSCC events and a newly structured events page which allows for customised searches. To find out more about the new event types, please click here. We look forward to welcoming you soon to one of our events!
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On 15 January 2015, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) decided that enforcing and maintaining the minimum exchange rate for the Swiss franc against the euro was no longer justified and lifted the minimum exchange rate of CHF 1.20 per euro.
How will the SNB's decision to abandon the Euro/CHF ceiling impact the competitiveness of your business in the medium term?
-- Positive impact
-- Negative impact
-- No impact
Question of the Month December / January - Results
In December 2014 and January 2015, BSCC members were asked to share their business outlook for 2015. Of those replying, 74% predict an increase in turnover while 9% expect a decrease and 17% expect turnover to remain stable. One respondent quantified the expected increase with 10%. These are strong signs of confidence amongst business leaders, in times where IMF Chief Christine Lagarde says British economy provides ‘eloquent and convincing’ leadership for the EU. Other respondents’ comments underline the positive outlook with “the introduction of a new product” and “a clear increase in the willingness of firms to invest in their people.”
Read more
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The BSCC has started the year with a bang as our active events programme demonstrates. We plan to continue in this tempo for the rest of the year! Please take a look at our recent event photos and our upcoming events on our website.
Geneva Chapter: Are you in control of your life? Do you know who you are? Do you know what you want?
Existentialist questions? No, just the subject of Geneva’s big, February event with Dr. Aki Hintsa, Team Doctor of McLAREN - Formula 1, on the 18th. Over many years, he has built a remarkable medical practice in Geneva at the Clinique La Colline. His top sporting or patients include Formula 1 Champions like Vettel, Hamilton, Räikkönen and Häkkinen to name just few. Plus, he has helped more than 100 Olympic and World Championship medallists to greatness. Don’t miss it!
More information & registration
Zurich Chapter: Upcoming Events in February and March
The Zurich Chapter is delighted to invite you to its 2nd annual Curry Night at Kings Kurry on Tuesday, 24 February. Enjoy an evening of delicious Indian dishes and networking. On Commonwealth Day, Monday, 9 March, the Zurich Chapter hosts its first Commonwealth Day Celebration at the Lion, a typical British Pub. Please come along to an international networking evening, where we will also welcome members from other Commonwealth Chambers. On the morning of 17 March, Norman Villamin, Coutts, and Oliver Adler, Credit Suisse, will present their Economic Outlook for 2015, while you can enjoy your breakfast at Brasserie Schiller.
Gala Dinner in Lugano on 12th March 2015
Peter Steimle, the Chairman of the Ticino Chapter of The British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to invite you, your colleagues and friends to the Gala Dinner in Lugano on Thursday, 12th March 2015. We are delighted to welcome as our guest of honour His Excellency David Moran, Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. As usual, the Dinner will take place in the beautiful surroundings of the Hotel Splendide Royal. Do join us, with your colleagues and friends, for what will be a very enjoyable evening, with cocktails, dinner and a traditional piper. During the evening you will be entertained by a Ticinese mandolins performance.
More information & registration
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MEMBER NEWS
City Week 2015 - “The Role of International Financial Services in Driving the Global Economic Recovery”
On behalf of City & Financial, the BSCC is delighted to invite you to City Week 2015 which will take place on 24th – 26th March 2015, at the The Mermaid Conference & Events Centre, London. Organised under a partnership between the UK Government, TheCityUK and City & Financial, City Week 2015 will take as its theme “The Role of International Financial Services in Driving the Global Economic Recovery”. Attendance is free of charge for all international delegates, whose application is accepted. If you are based in the UK there are fees to attend the event, however a discounted rate is available through the BSCC. For more information about applying for a place please contact Paul Hooper of City & Financial Global.
More information
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 Le Richemond. To read more stories, please visit our Anniversary webpage and if you would like to particpate with your own story, please let us know!
Le Richemond Celebrates its 140 Years Anniversary
As part of the esteemed Dorchester Collection, the Swiss Flagship hotel, Le Richemond – also one of the most iconic hotels in Geneva – has always had the Swiss tradition and the respect for its heritage as their motto. Founded in 1875 by the Armleder family, the Riche-Mont Pension featured only 25 bedrooms. Their service level was unique as Adolphe Rodolphe Armleder, the founder of the hotel, welcomed the guests himself. 140 years later, the hotel offers 109 bedrooms and in 2014 one of the hotel’s receptionists won the award for The Best Receptionist in Switzerland. On February 19th 2015, Le Richemond will host a Gala Dinner in the presence of Stéphane Bern. Stéphane will share the secrets behind Le Richemond’s long and glamorous history.
Find out more about Le Richemond
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NEW MEMBERS IN JANUARY
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11 Invest SA, Geneva
11 Invest SA is the investment advisory to a private equity fund and invests in property in the ex-Soviet Union.
JR Partners Ltd, UK
JR Partners Ltd is a Scottish/Swiss partnership registered in Kensington to promote cleantech technologies in cooperation with academia in both countries.
Martin J. Pugh, Geneva
Martin J. Pugh has joined the Geneva Chapter as an individual member.
Orell Füssli Thalia AG The Bookshop, Zurich
Orell Füssli Thalia AG The Bookshop is a well known book store specialised in English literature in Zurich.
OTTO Uomo, UK
OTTO Uomo is a semi-private firm specialising in made-to-measure garments, shoes and accessory. All of its products are hand made by artisans in Italy.
Preston Capital Partners Ltd, UK
Preston Capital Partners Ltd is a strategy and investment consultancy based in the UK, led by a UK-Swiss dual national.
ThatcherMacKenzie GmbH, Zurich
ThatcherMacKenzie GmbH is an executive recruitment consultancy focused on qualified staff for the trust, wealth planning and family office sectors of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Hong Kong and Jersey.
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DID YOU KNOW that 1 British Pound once equalled over 25 Swiss Francs?
The exchange rate Swiss franc / British pound has seen dramatic changes since the BSCC was founded 95 years ago. After a volatile period in the 1920s to 1950s, it was stabilised by the Bretton Woods system. Between the 1960s and 1980s, the CHF/GBP-rate depreciated but has been fairly stable since. After the SNB's announcement to abandon the euro ceiling it dropped to 1.09 at some point on 15 January 2015. It recovered in the meantime and now stands at 1.41 (09.02.2015). To view the development over the past 95 years, please click here.
Bank of England / Swiss National Bank
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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
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BSCC NEWS
The BSCC Geneva Chapter February 2015 Events Programme on World Radio Switzerland
→ Listen now
The McKay Interview on WRS - latest edition with Henk Potts, Economy Strategist of Barclays Bank, London
→ Listen now
BSCC Website with new features
→ Read more
30.01.2015: The BSCC celebrates 95 years and launches Anniversary Book
→ Read more
BRITISH-SWISS NEWS
04.02.2015: UK economy makes solid start to 2015 as services sector accelerates
→ Read more
04.02.2015: Franken kann auch bei Rezession sehr stark werden
→ Read more
03.02.2015: Exportrekord für die Schweiz
→ Read more
British economy outpaces ALL of the G7 with best performance since 2007
→ Read more
MEMBER NEWS
Swiss Companies put the Brakes on Personnel Recruitment
→ Read more
British Airways offers BSCC Members 10% discount to celebrate 95 Years of BSCC
→ Read more
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MEMBER &
PARTNER EVENTS
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Wed 11.02.2015 - Zurich: University of Strathclyde MBA Information
→ Read more
Wed 18.02.2015 - Zurich: The Bookshop's Book Club
→ Read more
Thurs 19.02.2015 - Geneva: Le Richemond Anniversary Gala Dinner
→ Read more
Tues 24.02.2015 - Zug: English stand-up comedy
→ Read more
Wed 25.02.2015 - Geneva: IFMA - An Overview of the New Accounting Law
→ Read more
Wed 11.03.2015 - Zurich: University of Strathclyde MBA Information
→ Read more
Sat 14.03.2015 - Zurich: 2nd Annual Health & Safety Day
→ Read more
Tues 24.03. - Thurs 26.03.2015 - London: City Week 2015
→ Read more
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MEMBER OFFERS
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British Airways
10% discount for BSCC members
Engadin St. Moritz
Hotel and Ski Pass deal
Black and White
IT Support: 20 CHF per hour discount
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
International New York Times
Unlimited digital access for 99¢ for your first four weeks, then 50% off for one year.
British Beds Worldwide
The World's finest beds at UK Prices and a special offer for BSCC Members
Pension fund pro
Free pension fund review
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
UK Embassy Berne
Here @UKEmbassyBerne the @UKTI team helped UK-based businesses generate over £810 million on the Swiss market between 01.01.2012 & 31.12.14.
The_BSCC
#Zurich was found to be the 7th most safe city in the world by @TheEconomist! Read the article by @Inc: http://ow.ly/IyDNN
The_BSCC
Swiss exports grew to 208.3 bn CHF in 2014 - a new record! How do you think this number will develop in 2015? http://ow.ly/IowHp
Vicky Ellis
Heading to #London for the @The_BSCC #leadership series this eve, enjoyed digging up stories from onboard Heidi @ClipperRace
The_BSCC
Read the BSCC's statement on the recent #SNB decision: http://ow.ly/HqsbE #swissfranc #euro
Follow the BSCC on Social Media and join our discussions:
Twitter I LinkedIn I Facebook
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