Past « British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia

2019 Summer International Networking Reception Recap

On Wednesday, July 24, 2019 the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia partnered with the Chilean, French, German, Irish, Israeli, Japanese, and Eurasian Chambers of Commerce for the Ninth Annual Summer International Business Networking Reception.

More than 250 global business executives and regional and foreign government officials gathered at the National Museum of American Jewish History for this annual meeting of the who’s who of international relations in the Greater Philadelphia region.

BIO 2019 Recap

From Monday, June 3 through Thursday, June 6, 2019, Philadelphia welcomed the BIO International Convention. More than 16,000 attendees from around the globe gathered to meet global biotech and pharma industry leaders from 67 countries. This annual event offers unparalleled partnering, education, and networking opportunities. The tristate region’s vast array of leading universities and research institutions fostered a particularly collaborative environment for conference participants.

The UK’s delegation to BIO 2019 included more than 200 companies from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK sector is in growth mode. After adding 7,500 jobs last year, there are now almost 250,000 people employed in the biotech and pharma industry. 5,800 life science businesses are operating across the UK, including the largest cluster of advanced therapy companies in Europe. The UK offers the largest biomedical pipeline in Europe, with a turnover of £74 billion. Foreign direct investment increased by 5% last year, with US companies in particular looking to invest more heavily.

British Composer, Graham Fitkin’s Concerto for Recorder and Orchestra

This year’s PS Festival Concert in Verizon Hall will include an unusual performance of a contemporary work by British composer, Graham Fitkin. Performed only once, in Britain, Fitkin’s Concerto for Recorder and Orchestra became one of three celebrated orchestral works to be nominated last year for the BBC’s British Composer Awards 2018. Click through the […]

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British Government’s US Regional Envoy Visits Philadelphia

On Tuesday, April 16, 2019 Mark Garnier MP, the US regional Envoy for the Department for International Trade London, visited Philadelphia with Alexandra Hall Hall, Brexit Counsellor from the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. The BABCPHL had the honor of welcoming Mr. Garnier and Ms. Hall Hall for a VIP luncheon discussion about Brexit at The Palm restaurant in Philadelphia. The visit was perfectly timed as the world watches the UK’s momentous decision evolve.

Appointed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Garnier is the British Government’s US Regional Envoy. He is focused on promoting UK/US trade and investment ties across the US, through engagement with local governments, relevant trade bodies, Congressional representatives in their districts, investors and regional media. Mr. Garnier is supported by the UK’s US network, and plays a key role in helping open markets, unlocking barriers, and promoting deeper trade and investment links. Previously, Mr. Garnier was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for International Trade from July 17, 2016 to January 9, 2018. He was elected as the Conservative MP for Wyre Forest in May 2010. Before coming to Parliament, Mr. Garnier spent 27 years as an investment banker and investment manager. During this time, he spent 15 years specializing in the emerging markets of South East Asia.

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2019 Annual Transatlantic Conference

Once a year the British American Business Council (BABC) Network brings together companies from all 23 chapters throughout the UK and North America. The 2019 Annual Transatlantic Conference was held in Birmingham, England. This two-day annual program featured high-level business discussions and networking with senior business executives, government officials, SMEs, exporters, and academics. The two […]

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Welcome Lunch for Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States

On Monday, May 20, 2019, the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia welcomed His Excellency Sir Kim Darroch KCMG, British Ambassador to the United States, to Philadelphia. Ambassador Darroch’s diplomatic career spans three decades, and has been primarily focused on national security issues and European Union policy. From 2004 to 2007, he was EU Advisor to the Prime Minister. Ambassador Darroch served in Brussels as the UK Permanent Representative to the European Union from 2007 to 2011. From January 2012 to September 2015 he served as the Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor, and was Secretary of the National Security Council. Sir Kim was appointed British Ambassador to the United States in January 2016, and this was his first official visit with the Greater Philadelphia international business community.

A Musical Adventure with the British American Business Council and the Philadelphia Orchestra Recap

On Thursday, February 28, 2019, the BABCPHL partnered with the Philadelphia Orchestra for a magnificent concert held at Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center. Nearly 50 BABCPHL members and friends gathered for a special behind the scenes tour; meet and greet with musicians; and reserved seats for the concert, featuring special guest, British performer, Benjamin Grosvenor.

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Welsh Minister Visits Philadelphia

On Thursday, March 1, 2019 the BABCPHL welcomed the Welsh Government Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely, Labour Assembly Member in the National Assembly of Wales to Philadelphia for an official visit and exclusive, by invitation only VIP lunch hosted by Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP. The Minister’s day in Philadelphia began with private sector company meetings and a visit with Mayor Kenney and the Commerce Department. Mayor Kenney and Minister Morgan share similar political views on several hot button topics. The Minister led an open forum discussion with the BABCPHL about pressing global matters during the last stop on her itinerary in Philadelphia.

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The Death of LIBOR Not SOFR Away… Are You Ready? Secured Overnight Financing Rate: The New Benchmark – Expectations & Implications

On Thursday, May 16, 2019, the BABCPHL hosted a finance seminar about The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. In 2021, the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the world’s most important financial rate, will go away, but it is unclear what will replace the index used in virtually every significant credit arrangement, bond, swap and financial instrument. The volume of financial contracts based on LIBOR is estimated at $200 trillion. The change will affect every company and financial institution. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has proposed that SOFR become the new lending resource rate. It is the rate banks will pay on the repurchase agreement market for borrowing overnight. US regulators anticipate SOFR will be widely adopted to back the derivatives and loans market, and to be the universally accepted replacement for the outgoing LIBOR.

Need for Speed – Around the World in 90 Minutes

On Thursday, April 25, 2019, the BABCPHL Young Professionals Group (YPG) hosted the eighth annual panel discussion and networking event: Need for Speed – Around the World in 90 Minutes. The BABCPHL in collaboration with the Chilean, French and Irish Chambers of Commerce offered an exciting evening of speed networking with global professionals at Philadelphia’s premier whiskey and go go bar – the Trestle Inn. Industry experts led a brief discussion about the importance of networking; how to pitch yourself and your business; and how to deliver the perfect elevator speech. Following introductory remarks, attendees rotated in small groups so each person had the opportunity to interact with as many attendees as possible. Guests brought plenty of business cards to exchange with executives representing various industry sectors with operations throughout the world. Volume and energy were running full throttle; questions between participants were flying across the tables in both the front and back rooms of the Trestle Inn for 90 minutes. More than 60 people played the game, rotating every eight minutes to meet additional contenders.

Jay Jumper, Partner at Pepper Hamilton and BABCPHL Programs & Events Chairman welcomed guests and introduced the topic and speakers. Jay explained this is one of our signature events. “Each year we choose a different topic to present – today we will be speaking about professional networking, the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts is one of the most important components of professional success.” The art of active listening and the ability to promote oneself are very important components for self-advancement and achievement. After a brief intro about the topic, Jay turned the microphone over to our three panelists.

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