British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia

The BABCPHL welcomed a delegation of Scottish companies to the Greater Philadelphia region during the week of May 15, 2023. The Scottish North American Business Council (SNABC) brought the representatives to Philadelphia and the surrounding area to explore opportunities and expand their international trade activities. Delegates spent the week meeting with public and private sector stakeholders across the City and the State. The objective for this mission was to create mutually beneficial opportunities for companies in both Scotland and our region. We were honored to collaborate with SNABC to ensure the visitors received a warm welcome, learned about our area, and made valuable contacts.

Meetings launched Monday morning, May 15^th with a market awareness session. Robert Jaffe, Director of Business Development, Baker Tilly US, LLP welcomed our group. Jane Rosenberg, Executive Director, BABCPHL provided introductory remarks for Michael O’Rourke, Manager, International Business Attraction & Retention, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, State of Pennsylvania; Pierre-Olivier Lugez, Senior Director, International Business & Global Strategy, Department of Commerce, City of Philadelphia; and Hasna Achik, Manager, Economic Competitiveness and Energy Initiatives Leadership Councils, Select Greater Philadelphia, who presented industry and demographic data about our region. The BABCPHL invited a select group of members from various business sectors to join the roundtable discussion, offer their insight, and network with the Scottish delegates. After the market awareness session concluded, delegates met one-on-one with local public and private sector potential clients and trade partners, based on their individual interests.

On Monday evening the SNABC hosted a networking reception for BABCPHL members as well as many others involved in international trade throughout the region at Yards Brewery. Mayor Kenney was the special guest. There were several meetings and events through Thursday, May 18^th to showcase the delegates businesses and facilitate connections.

Special thanks to Allan Hogarth, Executive Director, and Eilidh MacDonald, Executive Assistant, from the SNABC for organizing this mission and collaborating with us on the ground here in the US to ensure the delegates got the most out of their visit.

Click here to learn more about the Scottish companies who visited our region and click here to view photos taken throughout the week.

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, a spirited group of British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia and Irish American Business Chamber & Network members and friends gathered for a rugby viewing party. Con Murphy’s Irish Pub on the Parkway hosted our special event to watch the England versus Ireland Six Nations Championship match live broadcast from Aviva Stadium. Guests enjoyed delicious pub food and drink, along with networking and a business card raffle draw for exciting prizes. It was a great match with strong plays by both teams. Ireland came out victorious winning 29-16 against England. Some interesting rugby stats: this was the final match of the 2023 Six Nations Championship; Ireland claimed a 32-15 bonus-point victory over England during the 2022 Championship; Ireland and England have contested 139 rugby test matches since their first meeting in 1875; England won 80 of those matches, and Ireland 51; and there have also been eight drawn matches between the two nations.

Jason Walker, current Treasurer for the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia and Managing Partner at Cross Border Financial Planning USA LLC sponsored the event and delivered remarks during half time. Jason has been a member of the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia for nearly a decade. When he left the UK and moved to Philly, the BABCPHL was one of the first Associations he joined. Jason commented, “it has been a great business networking Group and way to meet professionals involved with many different business sectors as well as a wonderful social outlet to meet British expats working and living in the area.” He spoke briefly about the Organization, and thanked event partners and raffle donors: AEG Rugby, Con Murphy’s Irish Pub, Irish American Business Chamber & Network, NBCUniversal Sports Pub Pass, Philadelphia Union, and PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Guests were delighted to be together to watch the match, share pints, eat delicious pub food, and of course network. Despite the team rivalry, it was exciting, nail biting, and fun to gather for a friendly networking event centered around sports – a great cultural unifier no matter the competition.

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2022 Signature Annual Holiday Lunch: Celebrating the Future of Immune Health – Cheers to a Bright Future!

On Thursday, December 8, 2022, we hosted our Signature Annual Holiday Lunch. This year’s theme focused on the future of immune health. Headline speakers: Dr. Jonathan Epstein, the William Wikoff Smith Professor and Chief Scientific Officer for Penn Medicine, and Mark Rohlfing, Vice President of Operations, Almac Clinical Services, discussed their organizations’ groundbreaking research, technology, clinical trials, and how their work is enabling humans to live healthier and longer lives. James Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia, along with Emma Wade-Smith OBE, HM Trade Commissioner for North America and Consul General New York highlighted how the life sciences industry operating in Philadelphia and the UK are investing in this key business sector and collaborating to make the future bright. Our holiday program featured UK holiday traditions and sponsors: Almac Group, American Airlines, Citrin Cooperman, Santander Commercial Banking, and Forensic Resolutions.

Approximately 150 guests gathered to celebrate the pioneering life sciences work taking place at Penn Medicine and Almac Group, and transatlantic trade. The program featured informative presentations by keynote speakers as well as remarks from Stephen Neuman, Vice President, Global Government Affairs, American Airlines; Kevin Ryan, Partner, Citrin Cooperman Advisors; and Nick Lotz, President, BABCPHL and Managing Director, Head of Mid-Corporate Banking at Santander Commercial Banking. The event included a formal midday meal, traditional “Christmas Crackers,” and exciting raffle prizes, called by Howard Silverstone, incoming BABCPHL President and raffle draw leader of ceremonies extraordinaire. Guests were crying with laughter listening to Howard’s witty jokes. Special thanks to local retailers, restaurants, hotels, musical and performing arts groups, sports teams, and our hometown, hub airline, American Airlines for their generous donations.

Every year the BABCPHL chooses a regional charity to support during the holiday season. A portion of proceeds from this event will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Philadelphia Region in celebration of the life of an extraordinary woman who changed the world, Dr. Audrey E. Evans. Dr. Evans was a trailblazing oncologist who created the Evans Staging System for neuroblastoma treatment. Born in York, England in 1925, she was the visionary and co-founder of the first Ronald McDonald House in the world in Philadelphia. There are now 380 Houses in forty-five countries, including the United Kingdom. Dr. Evans was a woman who cared deeply, and we are honored to do our small part in ensuring her legacy.

This year’s Signature Annual Holiday Lunch was particularly meaningful. This event marked the return of our holiday party after a hiatus brought on by the pandemic, and it recognized the life and contributions of her Majesty the Queen. Professionals from both the public and private sectors were thrilled to be back together again for this annual holiday gathering honoring the strength of transatlantic trade. Attendees joyously celebrated the innovative life sciences developments, making it possible to gather again in person for the first time since 2019. The event concluded with everyone standing to view the live recording of Philadelphia’s cultural ambassador, The Philadelphia Orchestra perform God Save the Queen at Royal Albert Hall just hours after the Queen passed away. We are proud to support the relationship between our region and Great Britain, and to applaud life sciences leaders and BABCPHL Club Level members who are making the future bright.

Special thanks to BABCPHL 2022 Holiday Lunch sponsors, without whom this program would not have been possible: Almac Group, American Airlines, Citrin Cooperman, Forensic Resolutions, and Santander Commercial Banking.

Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous holiday season. We are thankful for your support and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

For photos from the event, click here. 

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia and the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia welcomed more than 100 guests for the 10^th Annual Summer International Business Networking Reception: PHL & The World – Ready, Set, Network! For the first time in three years, public and private sector regional international business leaders gathered in the lobby of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius’s Philadelphia Office for the return of this beloved annual event. The Asian, Chilean, French, German, Irish, Japan and Mid-Atlantic Eurasian American Chambers of Commerce, and the World Trade Centers of Delaware and Philadelphia collaborated to celebrate the City’s status as a top US destination for foreign direct investment and trade.

Michael Pedrick, Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius graciously welcomed guests by opening the formal remarks portion of the program. Michael is the immediate past President and current Secretary of the British American Business Council. He has been an active board member for more than two decades and the Firm is a founding member of the Organization. Lauran Swartz, President & CEO of the World Affairs Council delivered an upbeat introduction to our two keynote speakers – Anne Nadol, Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia and Angela Val, President & CEO, Visit Philadelphia. Both Anne and Angela presented informative data and favorable current statistics highlighting Philadelphia as a hospitable place for business and an attractive region for foreign direct investment. They addressed the important role public-private partnerships play in effective economic recovery, stability, and growth, and how the influx of visitors and the return of travel and tourism will boost all businesses and organizations serving regional and international markets.

Guests listened attentively to the valuable, current information about economic development and growth presented by our distinguished speakers. The energy in the room was electric, and the positive vibes about collaborating for a stronger and better future were palpable. Our speakers had to pause on several occasions for audience applause. The many participating groups that collaborated in this annual event exemplify how working together advances our mission and underscores our region’s prominent role in the global economic community.

Attendees networked, exchanging business cards, shaking hands, and mingling long into the evening. Everyone eagerly dropped their business card into the basket to try their hand at winning prizes generously donated by some of the participating groups for a raffle drawing. Special thanks to our host, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and our sponsors: The Department for International Trade, EisnerAmper and the Port of Philadelphia. This event would not have been possible without their investment and support.

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Click here to view speaker bios.

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On Monday, October 18, 2021 nearly 100 guests from both the public and private sectors across various industry groups gathered for the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia’s (BABCPHL) second of a series of three 30^th anniversary programs. We were honored to partner with the renowned World Affairs Council of Philadelphia (WAC) to present Code Red for Humanity – The Race to Net Zero, A Multilateral Global Approach. This joint global climate change webinar was planned just a few weeks before world leaders unite for the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.

The BABCPHL and WAC webinar highlighted the two influential nations’ multilateral global approach race to net zero. The distinguished panel of speakers from the US and UK included leading government officials and private sector executives. Presenters highlighted the collaborative effort and a few of the many programs and services involved in the race to net zero in Philadelphia, throughout the US, the UK, and the world.

Christine Knapp, Director of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability moderated the discussion. The first half of the meeting featured Kate Robinson, Head of Energy and Environment, British Embassy, Washington DC, and Elliot Diringer, Advisor on Climate, Office of the Special Climate Envoy to the President of the United States. Kate presented the UK’s priorities for COP26, and discussed how the UK and US are working together to lead the race to net zero. Elliot covered the US government priorities and initiatives, and catalysts for concrete action. Both government representatives emphatically stated the need to act is now, and the bilateral goal is to raise the level of ambition for concrete action, in lead-up to, during and after COP26.

Jonathan Tench, Networks and Partnerships Change Maker, Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales opened the second half of the webinar with a presentation about how Wales is taking specific action to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants with initiatives such as the “Well-being of Future Generations Act” in tandem with collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors. Ron Becker, SVP, Operations and Sustainability, Brandywine Realty Trust addressed environment social governance strategies, and the importance of staying ahead of the curve; health and wellness certifications, and the drive throughout the real estate development industry on leveraging health and wellness initiatives as part of the “return to office” plan. Mark Hillhouse, SVP, Head of Sustainable Finance, US Commercial Banking, HSBC Bank USA talked about the role of banks in helping reduce global emissions, and working with green companies to develop and commercialize technologies and maintain a reliable supply chain. Michael Hughes, Manager, Sustainability & Responsible Business, Accenture presented some of the findings from an extensive research effort with the United Nations ahead of COP26 on CEO perspectives on climate action and sustainability. Michael reported that part of tackling the climate crisis is finding ways in which technology can be used to accelerate efforts at mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

Global environmental health and safety is influenced and dictated by myriad factors. One hour was not nearly enough to cover the multifaceted dimensions of this vital and complicated topic. The BABCPHL is honored and grateful to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia for partnering with us on this timely and important program, and to the distinguished panel of speakers for sharing their knowledge. Many thanks to BABCPHL Crown Sponsor, the Welsh Government, and Premier Sponsor, Duane Morris LLP for supporting our 30^th anniversary program series. Click here for the program guide where you will find speaker biographies; click here to view photos from the event; and click here or see below for the on demand playback.

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