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March 2015 eNewsletter

BSCC News
 
Intro from our Managing Director
  Thank you, Viviane!
  Job Opportunity: Membership & Marketing Manager
  BSCC Annual Satisfaction Survey

Question of the Month
  March: Innovation - Answer now
  February: Strong Swiss franc - Results

Event Highlights
  Geneva Chapter

  Zurich Chapter

Member Focus

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

  Did you know?


BSCC NEWS

Innovation: the sinews of high growth
Yesterday, the London Stock Exchange launched its '1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ 2015 report. The second edition identifies the UK’s most exciting and dynamic SMEs. Major highlights are: innovation as the key factor for high-growth companies’ success and the need for an ecosystem that promotes the right type of funding. This report coincides with the BSCC’s agenda on innovation this year. The upcoming Public Affairs dinner will explore how to balance financial stability with the drive for innovation and Patrick Warnking, Country Director of Google Switzerland will share his recipe for “innovation made in Switzerland” at our 95th Annual General Meeting. At the same time, the BSCC is thriving to become more innovative and closer to its members. Please share your needs and thoughts in our annual satisfaction survey.
Magalie Chelius, BSCC Managing Director   

Thank you, Viviane!
We report with great regret that after over 2 years with the BSCC, Viviane Grobet has decided to move on to pursue a new professional opportunity. We are very sad to see you leave, Viviane. On behalf of the BSCC, we would like to thank you for your positive contribution and all the work accomplished over the past years on the membership and marketing front. Not only will we miss your positive attitude and formidable professionalism, but also your approachability and friendly personality, always attentive and assisting members with a smile! BSCC members, councillors and colleagues really enjoyed working with you. We wish you every success in your future challenge!

Employment Opportunity: Membership & Marketing Manager
An exciting new opportunity has arisen at the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce central office, based in Zurich. The BSCC is looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and skilled Membership & Marketing Manager to drive the development and implementation of the BSCC Membership and Marketing strategy. If you are a sales driven marketing professional with excellent people skills and want to add value to the British-Swiss business environment, we look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to the BSCC team! Please send your covering letter and CV to magalie.chelius@bscc.co.uk before 6th April 2015.
Job Description     
​                        
BSCC Annual Satisfaction Survey 2015
The BSCC strives to put the needs and interests of its members at the heart of everything it does. Your input is key and we would be very grateful if you could spare five minutes to complete our Annual Satisfaction Survey 2015. Your feedback is very important to us as it helps us improve the support and services we provide to our members. To begin the survey please click here. Thank you very much in advance. We look forward to reading your views and thoughts!

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QUESTION OF THE MONTH​​

In your opinion, are the British and Swiss governments creating a favorable environment and implementing the right measures to boost innovation?

-- Yes, the British government sets positive measures
-- Yes, the Swiss government sets positive measures
-- Yes, both governments set positive measures
-- No, current proposed measures are not sufficient

Poll Button

Question of the Month February - Results

QoM Feb 15 Outcome

On 15 January 2015, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) lifted the minimum exchange rate of CHF 1.20 per euro. In the February Question of the Month, the BSCC asked members how the SNB's decision to abandon the Euro/CHF ceiling will impact the competitiveness of their businesses in the medium term. The majority of respondents foresee a negative impact. One respondent commented that some companies are taking Switzerland out of their FDI strategy due to the volatility and uncertainty. The move from the SNB might be positive in the long term but harmful to many businesses in the short term.
Read more


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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

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

Geneva Chapt
er March Event Highlights
Debt and food: at first glance topics of Geneva’s two remaining March events which would not appear to have a connection. But on further examination, they do: recession. Norman Hay, until recently CEO of the international arm of Cargill, the largest, privately held corporation in the U.S., knows a thing or two about markets. He is alarmed at the increasing levels of debt, both public and private. Dame Fiona Kendrick leads the U.K. & Ireland part of the world’s biggest food company, Nestlé. She has seen retail shopping change dramatically in the recent economic down-turn. Both will have fascinating things to say and unexpected insights to share.
Great British Breakfast with Norman Hay
Business Luncheon with Fiona Kendrick

Economic Outlook Breakfast in Zurich
Join the BSCC at Brasserie Schiller on Tuesday, 17 March 2015 for a tasty start to your day as we discuss the Economic Outlook for 2015. We have two differing outlooks from the East and West as we welcome Oliver Adler from Credit Suisse and Norman Villamin from Coutts to explore the notion of little or even negligible economic growth in a market-based economy.  With the news of the Swiss Franc cap and as we look ahead at the start of the year, they share their thoughts on global economic trends, the survival of the euro and the prospects for the Swiss economy. 
More information & registration

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MEMBER FOCUS


MEMBER NEWS

STEP Private Client Awards
The STEP Private Client Awards is now in its tenth year and as we continue to celebrate and recognise outstanding commitment and contribution to the industry, we are calling for entries around the globe! Entries are now sought across sixteen categories; each designed to reward excellence among private client solicitors/attorneys, accountants, barristers, bankers, trust managers and financial advisors and is open to both members and non-members worldwide. Entries close on the 30 April.
For further details please visit www.steppca.org 


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 Smartville. To read more stories, please visit our Anniversary webpage and if you would like to particpate with your own story, please let us know!
 
S
martville: Adapting to Change
Information technology is key for the transformation from old into new business models. Around the world, the industries are in a race to complete the digital transformation of its business model. But the hype around new electronic media has not replaced the one dimension which - quite the opposite – has now become a precious commodity: high-quality contents.
«Digitization is driving paradigm change across all industries. Traditional business models and job profiles are being supplemented and, in many cases, replaced by new ones. We need to embrace these changes in order to share in the opportunities they create.»
Read our blog on www.smartville.ch


NEW MEMBERS IN FEBRUARY


Aiglon Wealth Management, Geneva   
Aiglon Wealth Management assists with financial planning needs and provides advice on repatriation and options with wealth left in previous jurisdictions.

Dental Office, Central Switzerland   
Dental practice Dr. M. Thomas has practices in the centre of Zurich and Luzern.

Ibrahim Schneidawind Group AG, Zurich
Ibrahim Schneidawind Group AG is a Swiss based, multi-divisional corporation which manages Investment Advisory, Finance Consultancy, Real Estate and Retail.

Morgan Philips, Geneva   
Morgan Philips Group is a privately owned human resources consulting group created by former board members and senior executives of major international recruitment firms.

Open Text AG, Zurich   
OpenText is global leader in Enterprise Information Management (EIM), with 8500 employees and 100’000 customers.

Peter Whitmore, Zurich   
Peter Whitmore has joined the Zurich Chapter as an individual member.

Quercus Invest AG, Zurich   
Quercus Invest is an independent company that offers advisory and execution services in the Fixed Income Markets to regulated financial entities.

Rothschild Bank AG, Zurich   
Rothschild is one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory groups, employing approximately 2,800 people in 40 countries around the world.

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BRITISH-SWISS FACTS

DID YOU KNOW that both Switzerland and the UK belong to the most innovative nations?
Since 2011, Switzerland and the UK have always ranked amongst the top 10 nations both in the Global Competitiveness Index and the Global Innovation Index. The two countries are also leaders in filing patents. According to recent numbers published by the European Patent Office (EPO) at the end of February 2015, 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.
European Patent Office

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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

Thurs 12.03.2015 - Lugano: Gala Dinner
More information & registration

Tues 17.03.2015 - Zurich: Economic Outlook Breakfast
More information & registration

Fri 20.03.2015 - Great British Breakfast with Norman Hay
More information & registration

Tues 31.03.2015 - Business Luncheon with Fiona Kendrick
More information & registration

Thurs 16.04.2015 - Zurich: UK Election Breakfast
More information & registration

Fri 17.04.2015 - Basel: British "Proms Concert" at Stadtcasino Basel
More information

Mon 20.04.2015 - Geneva: Business Luncheon with Patrick Odier
More information & registration

Wed 29.04.2015 - Zurich: Young Professionals Launch Event with Michael Näf, Founder of Doodle
More information to follow shortly

Fri 08.05.2015 - UK General Election: Morning-after "Special"
More information to follow shortly
​ 

View all upcoming events

STEP Banner March 2015

 


BSCC NETWORKING


Thurs 19.03.2015 - Basel: Informal Networking "Stammtisch"
More information


Tues 07.04.2015 - Café Soirée at Papon
More information


Tues 14.04.2015 - Zurich: Informal Networking "Stammtisch"
More information


Thurs 23.04.2015 - Basel: Informal Networking "Stammtisch"
More information


Tues 05.05.2015 - Café Soirée at Papon
More information



BSCC NEWS


The BSCC Geneva Chapter March 2015 Events Programme on World Radio Switzerland 
Listen now

The McKay Interview on WRS - latest edition with the Mayor of Geneva, Sami Kanaan.
Listen now

BSCC Website with new features
Read more

​​The BSCC celebrates 95 years and launches Anniversary Book
Read more

BRITISH-SWISS NEWS

05.03.2015: UK economy is set to expand further in 2015
Read more

04.03.2015: Mercer-Ranking 2015: Swiss cities remain top
Read more

04.03.2015: Bloomberg predicts happy Swiss economy
Read more

03.03.2015: Swiss GDP grows by 2%
Read more


MEMBER NEWS

SWISS starts new Dublin - Geneva service
Read more

BSCC Committee Member Faiz Kermani is a finalist in the UK’s Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards
Read more

SWISS continues to invest in its Business Class product
Read more

EY - Global Information Security Survey 2014
Read more



MEMBER &

PARTNER EVENTS



Wed 11.03.2015 - Zurich: University of Strathclyde MBA Information
Read more

Sat 14.03.2015 - Zurich: 2nd Annual Health & Safety Day
Read more

14.03.2015 - Geneva: Geneva English School Open House
Read more

Tues 24.03. - Thurs 26.03.2015 - London: City Week 2015
Read more

Tues 24.03.15 - Zurich: Philanthropy Impact | Social Investment The British Experience and its Relevance in Switzerland
Read more

Thurs 26.03.2015 - Geneva: Salon International of the best MBA QS World MBA Tour Geneva
Read more

Thurs 26.03.2015 - Zurich: Wirtschaftskriminalität: Die Zerstörung von Unternehmen
Read more

Tues 31.03.2015 - Zug: English stand-up comedy
Read more

Wed 22.04.2015 - Geneva: IFMA - Economic Outlook 2015
Read more

Wed 06.05.2015 - Zurich: University of Strathclyde MBA Information
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 
Hotel and Ski Pass deal

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

Viktoria Ivarsson
Enjoying the pics of the @The_BSCC evening with Dr Hintsa and @SutilAdrian, sponsored by @LaCollineGeneve click here.

UK Embassy Berne
Far from the UK – but close to being able to register to vote at the General Election #expats #passthemessageon http://bit.ly/1pAMZZ5

The_BSCC

How does #Tradition inspire #Change in your company? Share your story with us: http://ow.ly/J7R3v  #95yearsBSCC

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