On the 26th February 2010 over 135 delegates from the Birmingham business community attended a Luncheon with US Ambassador, Louis B. Susman at the ICC, Birmingham, which was kindly sponsored and supported by the BABC in the Midlands, the Birmingham Law Society, the Birmingham City Council, and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce/UKTI.
L-R: Pic 1:Gaynor Whitby; Bernard Shepherd, Birmingham Law Society; Ambassador Susman; Cllr Mike Whitby, Birmingham City Council; Cassie Muir, BABC Midlands Pic 2: Farah Baksh, Aston Business School & BABC Midlands Board Member; John Morris, BHX & BABC Midlands Board Member; Jill Robinson, ExCathedra
L-R: Pic 1: Ambassador Susman addresses audience; Pic 2: Cllr Whitby and Ambassador Susman; Pic 3: Attendees seated for lunch
The Ambassador’s remarks highlighted the transatlantic trade and investment links between the City of Birmingham and the US which has remained strong and vibrant for the past 80 years. In addition the Ambassador identified the key sectors which have created strong and solid trade and investment relationship for the US and the UK, namely environmental goods and services and how these areas can be enhanced to make this relationship even stronger.
By touching on his professional background and interaction with President Obama, the Ambassador emphasised the importance of UK and US connections which is embedded in our history, culture and language. The Ambassador also highlighted the ‘Sister City’ relationship between Chicago and Birmingham, and acknowledged Birmingham as a significant city for developing and retaining the US and UK ‘Special Relationship’.
Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Mike Whitby was amongst many high profile guests at the luncheon, who all gathered to meet with the Ambassador, creating the opportunity to show case the City as a powerful player on the global stage.
Autumn Networking Breakfast & AGM
On Wednesday 11th November 2009, BABC Midlands members joined together for the BABC Midlands Annual General Meeting 2009, kindly hosted by Mills & Reeve LLP, Birmingham. It was a great opportunity for members to hear how the BABC Midlands has found the past year during the recession, the successful events that have taken place over the past year, and what lies ahead over the forthcoming year for members. Reports were given by Cassie Muir, Executive Director; Harry Reilly, Chairman and Steve Allen, Board Member & UK Regional Representative for the BABC ExComm. The morning also provided members with great networking opportunities and a complimentary breakfast.
Fall Economics Briefing Breakfast
On October 20th, delegates joined together at the Radisson SAS hotel for a Full English Breakfast, networking, and topical presentations on US and UK markets. HSBC Senior Economist Mark Berrisford-Smith, briefed the attendees on the current economic climate in relation to the US and UK economies.
Right to Left: David Enghauser, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (Sponsors) addressing attentive audience; Mark Berrisford-Smith, HSBC, engaging attendees.
Many thanks to David Enghauser at Virginia Economic Development Partnership for their kind sponsorship of the event, and Mark Berrisford-Smith, for the informative and enthusiastic talk, allowing delegates to leave with a positive and encouraging outlook on future US trade possibilities.
Jaguar Track Day
On Friday 25th September, BABC Midland Members and their guests joined together at Gaydon's Racing Heart Experience Centre, for a Jaguar Track Day.
2009 has seen an exciting transformation in the Jaguar range, with the launch of the dynamic 10 MY XK and XF (voted 'Best Executive Car 2009' by WhatCar?) and most recently, the stunning all new XJ.
In celebration of these great achievements, the BABC Midlands were delighted to join together with Jaguar to provide an exclusive Jaguar Track Experience driving programme for BABC Midlands members.
This exclusive track day was a remarkable day where BABC Midlands members were able to drive a Jaguar XK and an XF under test track conditions and experience the most dynamic, most exhilarating expression of Jaguar's beautiful fast cars.
The BABC Midlands would like to thank Jaguar for providing their members with this unique opportunity. We would also like to thank those members who attended, we hope you enjoyed this 'drive of a lifetime'!
Right to Left: 1. A great line up - Jaguar Cars; 2. In the Jaguar showroom before the test driving, BABC Midlands Member John Cave, Westhaven Worldwide Logistics with guest Dhiran Vagdia, Vagdia & Holmes