Sixth “Building a Better Future” Award Luncheon
On Wednesday, October 6, 2010 the BABC of Greater Philadelphia presented the Sixth “Building a Better Future” award luncheon at the Union League of Philadelphia. Graciously accepting the honors of the day were Gary Marshall, Head of the Americas, Aberdeen Asset Management PLC and Chief Executive Officer, Aberdeen Asset Management, Inc., and Ravi Saligram, Executive Vice President, ARAMARK Corporation and President, ARAMARK International and Chief Globalization Officer. Special guest included the Honorable Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael A. Nutter, who congratulated and applauded the award recipients and their companies for promoting trade and investment between the Greater Philadelphia region and the UK.
Gary Marshall accepted the “inbound” award as recognition for Aberdeen’s selection of Philadelphia as their North American headquarters and commitment to this region through their sponsorship of the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta. Ravi Saligram accepted the “outbound” award for his role in helping ARAMARK become one of the UK’s largest employers.
The recipients discussed their current strategies and commitment to continued success on both sides of the Atlantic in front of a crowd of approximately 200 guests. Mayor Nutter concluded the afternoon remarking on Philadelphia’s strong ties to the UK, and the importance of our strong relationship across the pond.
Platinum Co-lead Sponsors of the Sixth Building a Better Future Award were Blank Rome LLP and Ernst & Young LLP.
16th Annual Holiday Luncheon
On Friday, December 10, 2010, the British American Business Council (BABC) of Greater Philadelphia hosted the 16th Annual Holiday Luncheon. Over 150 people gathered for the BABC’s signature event at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia to gear-up for the celebratory season and to enjoy a lively afternoon of networking, merriment and holiday fare. The light-hearted, festive lunch was complete with the breaking of Christmas “crackers” and the raffling off of a dozen exciting prizes.
Sir Alan Collins, KCVO CMG, Consul-General, New York and Director-General, Trade & Investment USA was the keynote speaker. Sir Alan is responsible for British political and wider relations in one of the most important cities in the world. He sits on the Board of UK Trade & Investment and leads the eight teams across the US whose job is to promote British business. He is also in charge of work on the London 2012 Olympics in both the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and UK Trade & Investment. The title of Sir Alan’s Holiday Lunch speech, “UK & US Transatlantic Partners Going for Gold” epitomized his discussion points about the strong trade relationship between the UK and the US, and his role in London 2012.
The Lead Sponsor of the 16th Annual Holiday Luncheon was British Airways.
