French Chamber Annual Activity Report 2014 by French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain

FRENCH CHAMBER OF GREAT BRITAIN

ANNUAL REPORT 2014

I was very impressed by the French Chamber’s dynamism and standing when I became Ambassador to the UK in August 2014. This is reflected in the diversity of its members, the quality of its events and services, and the rich content of its magazine INFO, to which I have already contributed several times. I recognise the critical role the French Chamber plays in the Franco-British community by promoting its members’ interests and the French Embassy is pleased to collaborate with such a committed partner in supporting the economic diplomacy that is a priority of our government. HE MS Sylvie Bermann, French Ambassador to the UK

Having been a member of the French Chamber since 2011, easyJet views it as an important forum through which we can demonstrate our strong business links with France as well as providing us with an excellent network of more than 600 Franco-British businesses. More companies are choosing to fly with easyJet as our links with French business continue to strengthen. The team led by Florence is excellent and we enjoy being part of a dynamic association and adding value wherever we can. Carolyn McCall OBE, CEO of easyJet

The French Chamber of Commerce plays a critical role in forging partnerships and relationships across the Anglo-French business community. We greatly value our involvement in the Chamber and the opportunities it presents for networking and cultural exchange. I have been particularly impressed with their innovative programme of events and the quality of their speakers. As a business that provides a vital link between the UK and France, we appreciate having this forum for exchanging ideas and building relationships. Nicolas Petrovic, CEO of Eurostar

The French Chamber provides a unique forum for top-quality, inter-industry leadership networking across the Franco-British business and cultural landscape. Renault UK is particularly proud of its longstanding participation in the Chamber and delighted to contribute and benefit from the continued value to its wide-ranging members. Ken Ramirez, Managing Director of Renault UK

The French Chamber gives access to influential business and political leaders, and this is critical to obtain the right information and pass on messages which matter to our business community. The Chamber also forges friendships as it provides an opportunity for our very dedicated members and company representatives to get to know each other. Arnaud Vaissié, President of the Union of French Chambers Abroad Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of International SOS

The Chamber’s team provides us with expert advice on our accounts, as well as VAT and payroll management. The team is very professional, and always gives clear advice and guidance in a prompt and efficient manner. Recently they conducted a routine VAT inspection of our company requested by HMRC without me having to verify their work.With them I can concentrate on my business! I would not hesitate to recommend their services. Jacques Bordier, Director of Jean Rousseau Ltd

OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2 MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OVERVIEW 3 WHO’S WHO 4 OUR PARTNERS 8 OUR NETWORKS 9 HIGHLIGHTS 2014 10 MEMBERSHIP 14 FORUMS AND CLUBS 16 Climate Change Forum Cross-Cultural Relations Forum Finance Forum Human Resources Forum Legal Forum Economic Updates SME & Entrepreneurs Club Luxury Club

EVENTS 25 BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES 34 Incubator Business Consultancy Accountancy, Payroll & Company Set-up Recruitment

PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 38 FINANCIAL REPORT 44

Project Supervisors: Florence Gomez / Keri Fuller Project Manager: Marielle Fraize Design: Katherine Millet Photos of Chamber events by Jose Farinha Printed by CPI UK

Our thanks to CPI for the complimentary printing of this report

OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Richard brown CBE Former CEO & Chairman of Eurostar

‘As this Annual Report will attest, this is a vibrant and relevant Chamber, bringing real value to businesses, no matter what their size or sector’

t is a great pleasure to introduce the 2014-15 Annual Report of the French Chamber. As Deputy President in 2014 and President since Arnaud Bamberger stepped down for personal and professional reasons in March 2015, I have had a privileged overview of all the Chamber’s activities and achievements, and for this reason I am writing this message rather than our new President, Estelle Brachlianoff, who was elected along with Stephen Burgin as Deputy President at our AGM on 25 June. I would like to thank all of those who helped make 2014 such a good year for the Chamber whether through their support, guidance or hard work, in particular former President Arnaud Bamberger, our Board of Directors and Advisory Councillors, the Chairs of our Forums and Clubs, Committees and the Chamber team under the leadership of Florence Gomez. In 2014 we also had the unstinting support of not one, but two French Ambassadors to the UK, as HE Mr Bernard Emié handed over the reins to HE Ms Sylvie Bermann in the summer. We would like to pay tribute to Bernard Emié for his commitment to the Chamber over his three year tenure and thank Sylvie Bermann for the time and effort she has already put in for the Chamber. 2014 was a year in which the close ties between France and the UK, both past and present, were very publicly celebrated as Her Majesty the Queen was warmly received in Paris on her first State Visit to

France in 10 years, and attended along with world leaders the 70th anniversary commemorations of the Second World War Normandy Landings, which provided a moment of reflection and reaffirmation of our solidarity. For its part, the UK – and Yorkshire in particular – wholeheartedly embraced the Tour de France with what the Tour’s race director Christian Prudhomme described as the ‘grandest Grand Départ’ in the race’s 111-year history. It was also a year of continuing economic improvement in the UK as unemployment fell to 6% and the economy grew 2.8%, the highest pace of annual growth since 2006 according to the Office of National Statistics. Franco-British economic relations played no small part in this with the UK being France’s fourth largest customer and France being the third largest investor in the UK after the US and the Netherlands. The UK continued to represent France’s main trade surplus, standing at £10.8bn in 2014. We also saw Franco-British business partnerships growing and strengthening, most visibly in energy and defence, but in other sectors too, and the wide array of French Chamber member companies are testament to this. The Chamber itself goes from strength to strength. Turnover was over £2 million, producing a small surplus after tax. All the departments worked hard to achieve this and maintain the high quality for which the Chamber is renowned. The biggest growth came from Events as the Chamber added even more high calibre events to its calendar, ranging from the Women,

Inspiration and Leadership debate to the Luxury Dinner. We have also continued to provide support for the setting up, development and expansion of French businesses in the UK through our Business Support Services, offering, in effect, a onestop shop for all their needs. Our professional image has been enhanced by the adoption of a new logo that identifies us as part of the network of French Chambers abroad. Hand-inhand with that, the Chamber has been working with CCI France International to develop a new common CRM tool, which will be rolled out in 2015. This will further professionalise the Chamber’s operations and help us better serve our members. Another new project that is under way for 2015 is the development of a new, more interactive website, which will look and feel more up to date and will cater for the needs of members and prospective clients with relevant content and information. As this Annual Report will attest, this is a vibrant and relevant Chamber, bringing real value to businesses, no matter what their size or sector. It has been my privilege to serve as both Deputy President and President, and I will continue to do so as a Director of the Board. I look forward to working with Estelle Brachlianoff as she leads the Chamber into another successful year. Finally, on behalf of all our members, I thank all of the Chamber’s staff for their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment to making the Chamber the continuing success that it is.

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OVERVIEW Florence Gomez

‘A particular focus of the year was on SMEs, entrepreneurs and start-ups as we positioned ourselves as a one-stop shop for all their needs’

014 was another very busy but good year for the Chamber as we continued to pursue our mission to develop and connect French and British businesses whether small or big. A particular focus of the year was on SMEs, entrepreneurs and start-ups as we positioned ourselves as a one-stop shop for all their needs. Our services for SME and entrepreneur members include helping companies to set up in the UK, finding the talent for their recruitment needs, providing outsourced accountancy and payroll services, boardroom space to hire for meetings, an Incubator for long and short-term desk hire, visibility in INFO and, of course, our SME and Entrepreneurs Club which offers networking, benchmarking and learning opportunities as well as peer and expert support. For larger member companies, the Chamber offers exclusive networking opportunities to build business connections with peers and across sectors, as well as for team building and staff development. We encourage our member companies to involve their staff in our Forum activities, as these are exceptional platforms for accessing key information on specific subjects, as well as being opportunities to benchmark and share best practice. This annual report offers a comprehensive account of the activities and achievements of the Chamber in 2014, but I would like to highlight a few. Our Chamber was singled out among 112 French Chambers Abroad (CCI France International) for the 2014

Communication Award in recognition of the quality of our publications, most notably INFO magazine, which marked its 35th anniversary. For the second year running we were able to generously support a Chamber member charity – Handicap International – through a silent auction at our Gala Dinner. Our turnover increased by 6.4% with services representing 60% of the budget. 150 new members joined the Chamber. We organised a record 57 events, making our Events Department the star performer of the year. Among these were four completely new events – ‘From Scratch to Success: Business Stories’; Women, Inspiration and Leadership’; the Annual Luxury Dinner and the FrancoBritish Business Forum. All were extremely successful and will become fixtures in our calendar. For these and other events we had a very impressive line-up of speakers (see page 25). Our Forums and Clubs held 33 sessions and saw a significant increase in the number of member companies involved with more than half participating. Since its creation in 2012, our Recruitment Service has continued to develop, and with a new professional team on board, will continue to meet the recruitment needs of member companies. Our very competitive rates mean that members effectively recoup their membership fees with one or two recruitments. None of this year’s achievements would have been possible without the support and participation of our members and I would like to thank them, particularly our speakers, partners and sponsors.

As busy as 2014 was, we have stepped up a gear for 2015 with a number of new projects. We are in the process of moving to a new CRM which is being developed by CCI France International for all French Chambers abroad. Our Chamber was chosen as a pilot for this and we have been able to ensure that it will be a bespoke professional tool that will not only enhance our efficiency but also understand and respond to our members better. We have also published our first HR Guide, a lot of the work for which was done in 2014. Special thanks go to our HR Forum members who contributed. Preparations are well under way for the launch of a Women’s Business Network for female CEOs, CFOs and those in London-based global positions, as well as a Start-up Lab to support start-ups with advice, mentoring and contacts for their development. On our part, I would like to thank the French Ambassador to the UK, HE Ms Sylvie Bermann and her team at the French Embassy for their support. For their time, dedication, support and advice, we also thank our former President Arnaud Bamberger, the Directors of our Board, the Advisory Councillors, particularly those on the Discover the Chamber Committee and involved in the brainstorming for the Start-up Lab, the Chairs of all our Forums and Clubs, and my hard-working team at the Chamber. Finally, my special thanks go to Richard Brown, who served as Deputy President in 2014 and stepped in so ably as President in March. His guidance and ongoing commitment to the Chamber have been invaluable. Thanks to all for making the French Chamber the best that it can be.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS - as at July 2015 The French Chamber is a private, independent organisation with a mission to develop and connect French and British businesses in Great Britain. Our policies are guided by a Board of Directors responsible for all major decisions concerning the Chamber’s strategy. The Board is assisted by an Advisory Council, helping to increase the visibility and the efficiency of the Chamber. Our dedicated and multicultural team strives to provide high quality services to support the development of our clients and member companies in the UK.

President

Deputy President

Treasurer

Managing Director

Estelle Brachlianoff

Stephen Burgin

Nicolas Ribollet

Florence Gomez

Senior Executive VicePresident, UK & Ireland, Veolia

Regional Vice President, Northern & Central Europe, Alstom Power

Executive Director Mazars Business Advisors

Managing Director French Chamber

Other directors

Peter Alfandary

Richard Brown CBE

Ian Fisher

Brian Gosschalk

Head of French Team Reed Smith LLP

Former CEO & Chairman Eurostar

Chief Country Officer and Head of Coverage & Investment Banking UK Société Générale

Head of President’s Office Ipsos

Paul Kahn

Helena Kavanagh

Carolyn McCall OBE

Olivier Morel

President Airbus Group UK

Managing Director JCDecaux UK Ltd

Chief Executive easyJet

President of CCE UK; Partner & Head of International Corporate Investment, Cripps LLP

WHO’S WHO

Olivier Nicolaÿ

Nicolas Petrovic

Christian Porta

Sir Martin Sorrell

President, Chanel UK, Canada & Latin America

Chief Executive Officer Eurostar International Ltd

Chairman & CEO Pernod Ricard Europe

CEO WPP plc

Honorary members

Arnaud Vaissié

Pascal Boris CBE

Gérard Ocquidant

Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO International SOS

Honorary President

Honorary Treasurer

ADVISORY COUNCILLORS - as at July 2015 All Board Directors are also Advisory Councillors Mark Bomer Senior Partner BDO LLP

Robert Davies CEO Areva UK Ltd

David Glass Partner, Corporate and Finance Thomas Eggar LLP

Guy H.R. Bondonneau Managing Director Web Consulting Team

Renaud Digoin Danzin Executive Director SPIE UK

Oliver Carret Vice President UK Nuclear Project ENGIE Energy Europe

Paul Evans Group Chief Executive Officer AXA UK PLC

Philippe Henry Head of Banking Continental Europe & Africa - Head of Credit & Lending, Europe - Global Banking & Markets HSBC Bank PLC

Victor Chavez CEO Thales UK

Géraldine Fabre Senior Associate Russell-Cooke LLP

Alain de Cointet Minister Counsellor for Economic and Financial Affairs French Embassy

Richard Fostier CEO Colas Rail Ltd

Dr Peter Hindle MBE General Delegate UK, Ireland & South Africa & Senior Vice President with Responsibility for Sustainable Habitat Saint-Gobain Ltd

Marie-Caroline Frochot Partner Lewis Silkin LLP

Maxime Holder Chairman PAUL UK Ltd

Laurence Colchester Director Bitter Lemon Press

David Herbinet Partner, UK Executive Mazars LLP

Pascal d’Hont Founder Eliotus Ben Hughes Global Commercial Director & Deputy CEO Financial Times Elisabeth Markart Managing Director Barkston Consulting Jean-Noël Mermet Managing Director Frenger International Ltd

Gilles Normand CEO MMA Holdings UK & Swinton Insurance

Nathalie Seiler-Hayez General Manager The Connaught

Stéphane Rambosson Managing Director Financial Services Europe DHR International Kenneth Ramirez Managing Director Renault UK Ltd Chairman of the ‘Discover the Chamber’ Committee

Bertrand Michaud Managing Director Hermès GB Ltd

Marc Reboux Senior Director - EMEA Office and Tenant Representation CBRE Ltd

Jeanne Monchovet Founder Olystix

John Rees Trade and Invetsment Director Government of South Australia

Ursula Morgenstern CEO Atos UK & Ireland Marc Mourre Managing Director, Vice-Chairman Commodities Morgan Stanley & Co. International Ltd Jean-Pierre Mustier Partner Tikehau Investment Ltd Ray Newton Advisor to the Chairman Radisson BLU Edwardian Hotels

Rupert Reece Managing Partner Gide Loyrette Nouel

Peter Smith Partner Constantin LLP Madani Sow Chairman Bouygues UK Tarja Stenvall General Manager, UK & Ireland Sanofi Peter Stevens Partner, Business Law Department TWM Solicitors LLP Dominique Tai Associate, French Group Manager Browne Jacobson LLP Alexandre Terrasse Partner Jeffrey Green Russell Marc de Thomasson Director Victanis Advisory Services

Emmanuelle Ries Managing Partner ebl Miller Rosenfalck

Paul Voller Partner, Corporate and Commercial Bircham Dyson Bell LLP

Warner Rootliep General Manager UK & Ireland Air France KLM

Guy Wieynk CEO Publicis UK & Nordics

Bob Scott Senior Vice President Capgemini UK

Honorary Councillor Elisabeth Delahaye

CHAIRS OF OUR FORUMS AND CLUBS Richard Brown CBE

Olivier Morel, Partner, Cripps Ken Morrison, Legal Director, Eurotunnel (Deputy Chair)

Former CEO & Chairman of Eurostar Climate Change Forum

Legal Forum

Peter Alfandary

Philippe Chalon

Partner and Head of French Team, Reed Smith Cross Cultural Relations Forum

Director of External Affairs, International SOS & Managing Director of the Cercle d’outre-Manche Economic Updates

John Peachey Chief Financial Officer, Global Markets, HSBC Bank Plc Finance Forum

Bertrand Michaud Managing Director of Hermès GB Ltd Luxury Club

Mark Pautz Human Resources Director for Europe, International SOS Human Resources Forum

Arnaud de Montille Co-Founder of Merci Maman Personalised Gifts SME & Entrepreneurs Club

We would like to thank all Directors, Advisory Councillors and Chairs for their commitment and dedication to the Chamber.

WHO’S WHO

THE TEAM - as at July 2015

Florence Gomez Managing Director

business consultancy & business centre

Recruitment & Human ressources

Noémie du Chatelier Executive Assistant to the MD

Sabrina Mimid Head of Business Consultancy

Bénédicte Lécuyer Head of Recruitment Service

Carla Coutinho Office Manager

Anne-Laure Albergel Senior Project Manager

Christelle Van-Patier Recruitment & HR Officer

Membership Forums & Clubs

Accountancy & Company set up

Publications & Communications

Roxane Certner Head of Membership

Naser Nashaat Head of Accounting & Business Support

Keri Fuller Head of Publications & Communications

Sophie Bertoux Business Support Coordinator

Marielle Fraize Corporate Communications Manager; Head of Partnerships

Aude Reungoat Senior Account Manager Isabelle Meyers Forums & Clubs Project Manager

Events & Marketing Cécilia Gonzalez Head of Events & Marketing Sonia Olsen Events & Marketing Manager Anne-Claire Lo Bianco Events & Marketing Coordinator

Mariam Jatta Accountant Céline Blanche Accountant

Katherine Millet Graphic Designer

Manon Chauvin Assistant Accountant Solène Chedeville Accounting & Business Support Assistant

+44 (0)20 7092 6600 mail@ccfgb.co.uk www.frenchchamber.co.uk

Suzanne Lycett Advertising & Sales Coordinator

OUR PARTNERS INSTITUTIONAL ORGANISATIONS

CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

French Embassy The French Embassy has always been a strong supporter of the Chamber. We are honoured to have HE Ms Sylvie Bermann, the French Ambassador to the UK, speaking at many of our events and hosting some at the Résidence de France, such as the Ambassador’s Briefs. We also co-organise a Franco-British Conference every year in partnership with the French Embassy, and in 2015, HE Ms Sylvie Bermann will be leading our Trade Delegation to Manchester. In addition, the new Minister Counsellor for Economic and Financial Affairs, Alain de Cointet, has joined the Chamber’s Advisory Council.

In 2014, we signed a 3-year partnership with the Royal Albert Hall, and renewed our agreements with the Royal Opera House and the French Institute. Partnerships with such renowned institutions have notably given us access to iconic venues for our events.

Business France In early 2015, Invest in France and Ubifrance merged to become Business France. The Chamber supports the Business France VIE programme by welcoming VIEs to our Incubator. Business France was also a key sponsor of both our Franco-British Business Awards and Franco-British Business Forum. UK Trade and Investment UK Trade & Investment is a UK Government department which helps overseas companies enter the British market. Our collaboration increases access and engagement with French businesses setting up in the UK and opens up referral streams to mutually benefit both our organisations. UKTI was also a sponsor of both our Franco-British Business Awards and Franco-British Business Forum. London & Partners As London remains a location of choice for companies wishing to set up business in the UK, L&P refers many French companies to the Chamber. Our valuable partnership agreement originally signed in 2013 with L&P was renewed in 2014. Franco-British Council The aim of the council is to promote better understanding between Britain and France. The FBC has always been a valuable partner, most notably in the organisation of our Annual FrancoBritish conferences.

MAGAZINE

PRESS We have renewed our valuable partnership with the Financial Times, which allows us to advertise four times a year in the FT and has also helped us to secure high profile speakers for our events. Our longstanding partnership with the Agence France Presse (AFP) provides a live news stream in both French and English on the Chamber website, giving members access to the latest business news. Thanks to our partnerships with Ici Londres, French Radio London and France in London, we have more press coverage of our events and publications, thereby increasing visibility for our sponsors and members.

SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES Collège Français Bilingue de Londres The Chamber is responsible for appointing half of the Board of Trustees (including Chair and Treasurer) from member company representatives. Schools and universities The Chamber, through its Recruitment Service, has developed partnerships with member schools and universities to support both young graduates and alumni in their search for positions. New in 2014: EDHEC, ESSEC Business School, INSEEC, EM Normandie Renewed in 2014: HEC, Sciences Po Paris, ESC La Rochelle, EM Grenoble, Arts & Métiers Paritech, ESSCA and EISTI.

ASENDIA Since 2012, Asendia has supported the Chamber by distributing free of charge most of our publications, especially INFO magazine. Asendia is a leading global provider of mail and parcel solutions which allows us to benefit from an excellent quality of service.

NETWORKS WE ARE PART OF > A network of 112 French Chambers of Commerce Abroad > The largest private French network in the world > A combined membership base of more than 32,000 companies

CCI FRANCE INTERNATIONAL This network, chaired by Arnaud Vaissié, our former President and a Director of our Board, meets annually for a Seminar of Managing Directors, during which, best practice is shared and Chambers of the network are recognised for outstanding work. Every year, three awards are given for Innovation, Best Contribution and Communication. Our Chamber was the recipient of the 2014 Communication Award. Since becoming President, Arnaud Vaissié, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of International SOS, has strengthened the role of the network and encouraged Chambers abroad to combine their resources. CCI France International will thus oversee and co-finance a new common CRM platform. Our Chamber has been chosen as a pilot for this project and we will transfer to the new CRM platform in 2015. This strategic investment will allow us to better cater for our member’s needs. In 2015, we will also migrate our website to the CCI France International por tal website which will be fully integrated with the new CRM. This will allow us to share future costs with CCIFI and to benefit from common technical support.

‘Beyond

A common visual identity

We started 2015 with a new logo which will better identify our Chamber as part of the network of French Chambers of Commerce both in France and abroad. Most of the 112 French Chambers abroad are also adopting this new logo.

just providing a new visual identity for the French Chambers of Commerce and Industry abroad, this new logo is a strategic move for our network. French Chambers are now more in touch than ever with the professional needs of the business community and provide a vast range of services to businesses. They now display their ‘brand’ as a truly harmonised, unified network, featuring a comprehensive strategy.’ Arnaud Vaissié, President of CCI France International since 2013

COUNCIL OF FOREIGN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE The CFCC comprises 45 foreign Chambers of Commerce in the UK, which represent a combine database of more than 10,000 foreign businesses. We are proud to be the largest foreign Chamber in terms of both turnover and range of services offered. The CFCC, organises four meetings a year, which allow us to benchmark and exchange ideas with other Chambers based in the UK. We also organise joint events with other Chambers such as the International Wine & Spirit Tasting.

A wide range of high quality events

4 new events in 2014

Franco-British Business Forum, held under the high patronage of HE Ms Sylvie Bermann (pictured), French Ambassador to the UK, and the British Ambassador to France.

From Scratch to Success: Business Stories with Nathalie Gaveau, Co-founder & CEO, Shopcade & Co-founder, Price Minister, Arnaud Vaissié, Co-founder, Chairman & CEO, International SOS, moderated by Marc Roche, then London Bureau Chief for Le Monde

Luxury DInner with Nicholas Coleridge CBE, President of Condé Nast International & Managing Director of Condé Nast in Britain

Women, Inspiration & Leadership with Dame Helen Alexander, former President of the CBI and Laurence Parisot, former President of the MEDEF, moderated by Simon Walker, General Director of the Institute of Directors

HIGHLIGHTS

57 events 3,200 participants 72 sponsors & partners 5

Annual Gala Dinner - Lionel Barber, Editor of the Financial Times

Dîner de la Rentrée - Fabrice Brégier, President & CEO of Airbus

Annual Financial Lunch - Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange Group

Franco-British Transport Conference - Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport

FRANCO-BRITISH BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS 2014: Eric Lalardie (ARM, INNOVATION AWARD), Kevin Crawley (Saint-Gobain, LARGE CORPORATE AWARD), Béatrice and Arnaud de Montille (Merci Maman, SME ENTREPRENEUR AWARD), Philippe Henry (HSBC, JURY AWARD), Bruno Gils (Petrossian, COUP DE COEUR)

An inspiring programme of Forum & Club activities

305 member companies were involved in our Forums & Clubs in 2014 3

5 1

Annual Legal Lunch with Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, then Lord Mayor of the City of London, interviewed by Olivier Morel, Chair of the Legal Forum

Cross Cultural Relations Debate with Nicolas Petrovic, CEO of Eurostar and Sir Ian Cheshire, then CEO of Kingfisher, moderated by Peter Alfandary, Chair of the Cross Cultural Relations Forum

3 4

Luxury Breakfast hosted by Ber trand Michaud, Chair of the Luxury Club at the Royal Opera House with Wayne McGregor CBE, Resident Choreographer of The Royal Ballet and Faye Toogood, Designer and Founder of Studio Toogood Economic Update/Finance Forum joint session with Rain Newton-Smith, Director of Economics, CBI and Patrick Artus, Chief Economist, Natixis, moderated by Philippe Chalon, Chair of the Economic Updates, and John Peachey Chair of the Finance Forum Climate Change Forum visit to PwC 7 More London office led by Richard Brown CBE, Chair of the Climate Change Forum

Record sales of our cross-cultural booklet, Practical

Publication of The HR Guide, A practical approach to HR in the UK

HIGHLIGHTS

A collection of business-focused publications

reflections on the French and British in business

23 copies sold per week in 2014

Save money and gain visibility with our

INFO magazine featured

Member 2 Member Offers booklet featuring

330 member companies in 2014

a record 106 offers

An expanding offer of business support services > 267

clients including 170 new clients

> 96% of clients very satisfied or satisfied by the quality our Company Set-up Service > 170 participants and 160 B-to-B meetings at our very first Franco-British Business Forum > +3,500 payslips generated by our Accounting Outsourcing Service >

30 placements by our Recruitment Service

New all-inclusive offer in our Incubator 13

MEMBERSHIP grow your network and your business in G reat britain

The Membership Depar tment’s main mission is to help members develop their business through the Chamber’s high level network. Our dedicated team is devoted to meeting members as often as possible, providing solutions to their needs and introducing them to key decision makers and potential new clients or business par tners. We regularly receive feedback from our members about the connections they have made and the business they have generated through their membership. They tell us direct access to key decision makers is very valuable and time-saving.

2014 KEY FIGURES 150 new members > 10 new Patron members including Ardian, Atos, Aviva, >

CPI Colour, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Keolis, Longchamp, MI-GSO, Schneider Electric and the Royal Albert Hall.

24 new Corporate members > 117 new Active members >

The Member 2 Member Programme 159 exclusive offers! This programme allows members to promote their products and services to fellow members, and entitles members to benefit from discounted rates. In 2014, the M2M booklet featured a record of 106 offers such as events & printing, financial, legal & accounting services, food & drink amongst others. We also issued dedicated newsletters with exclusive seasonal offers: Summer, Autumn and Christmas. Members of the Chamber can also benefit from offers in 82 countries thanks to the CCI France International network. Visit www.ccifrance-international. org for further details.

SPECIAL SUPPORT FOR SMES The Chamber has further developed its support for SMEs already established or setting up business in the UK through:

> A very active SMEs & Entrepreneurs Club with six free sessions in 2014 on transversal issues > A dedicated SMEs and Start-ups section in INFO promoting our member companies’ know-how and success > Further developing networking events with affordable prices such as Economic Updates or Rendez-vous Chez charged at only £25 > Commercial representation, virtual office and outsourced accountancy at very competitive rates

‘Being

> An Incubator offering short-term contracts and an all-inclusive package > A highly competitive Recruitment Service package for companies of up to 10 employees > The Franco-British Business Awards with its SME & Entrepreneur Award, awarded to Merci Maman in 2014 > Advertising and sponsorship targeted opportunities from £300 to increase small companies’ visibility

part of the Chamber has been invaluable for Simplement Londres for many reasons. First of all, the various networking opportunities, including the SME Club, have enabled us to make new contacts and reinforce our position as the leading French-speaking relocation agency in London. Furthermore, advertising on the Chamber’s website has provided us with additional quality sales leads and a platform to advertise our brand. Finally, thanks to the Chamber, we have developed a new partnership with another member, London & Partners, which has transformed the shape of our business by enabling us to reach new international markets.’ Sylvie Froger, Managing Director, Simplement Londres

With a diverse membership base we are able to help existing and future members benefit from current growth and business opportunities in Great Britain. Our member companies, from small businesses to global organisations, are represented by 3,000 representatives at ‘decision-making’ level.

Membership Upgrade As member companies grow, our team encourages them to upgrade their membership to the next level. This allows members to access more events, increase their visibility and extend their networks.

MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP PROFILE

‘The

583 member companies as at December 2014

14%

14% Patron Members 14% 7979 Patron Members

14%

14% Corporate Members 14% 7979 Corporate Members

72%

Members 425 Active Members

72% 72% 425 Active

Stéphane Rambosson, Managing Director Financial Services Europe, DHR International

A multicultural network: 43% of main representatives are non French

75% represented at C-level 34% Managing Director Level 34% Managing Director Level 19% Executive Level 19% Executive Level 19% Chairman & CEO 19% Chairman & CEO

13% 34%

13%

French Chamber in Great Britain is a key and major networking platform in the Anglo-French community. I’m very impressed by its ability to facilitate connections between decision makers from blue chip companies to small businesses and in a wide range of sectors. The team is impressive and the infrastructure very user-friendly.’

57% 32%

13% Head of Department 13% Head of Department

19% 19%

57%

11%

32%

57%

32%

11%

13% Lawyer, Solicitor, 13% Lawyer, Solicitor, Partner & Associate

French

English

Other

Partner & Associate

2% Other 2% Other

A wide range of sectors

49%

Food, Drink, Hotels Services > & Restaurants Banking, Financial Drink, Hotels 12% Food, 14% Services & Insurance & Restaurants Retail Financial 9% Banking, 12% & Consumer Goods Services & Insurance Industry, Technology, Retail 6% 9% Transport & Energy & Consumer Goods Construction Technology, 4% Industry, 6% & Engineering Transport & Energy Health, Pharmaceuticals 6% Construction 4% & Engineering Cosmetics & 6% Health, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics 14% 49%

14% 12%

49%

9% 6%

Services

Breakdown of services 11%

5% 24%

24% Marketing, Media & Communication Professional Training, 18% HR, Professional Training, 18% HR, Education & Language Education & Language

Media 24% Marketing, & Communication

Law Firm

16% Law Firm 16% Legal Services & &Legal Services

13% 18%

13% 16%

13% Consulting Consulting 13%

Telecom, 13% IT,IT,Telecom, 13% Electronics Electronics

11% & Relocation 11% Property Property & Relocation

Services, Public Services, 5% 5% Public

Development Agencies Development Agencies & &Charities Charities

OUTLOOK 2015: FOCUS ON START-UPS WITH A NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY We shall be launching a ‘start-up’ category of membership to attract new and innovative companies which might not have considered French Chamber membership to be for them.

FORUMS & CLUBS To develop your e xpertise and learn from your fellow members

The aim of our Forums and Clubs is to help Chamber members, both small and large, to share information and best practice in order to develop their businesses. Chaired by committed members of the Chamber, they are platforms for high level interaction and knowledge-sharing that provide added value to all participants and ultimately help to save time and money. Through the year, over 45 sessions and activities gave members valuable learning, sharing, benchmarking and networking opportunities. 2014 was a record year of participation with nearly 1,000 individuals and over 300 member companies involved, marking a 48% increase compared to 2013. This substantial attendance can be attributed to the range and quality of the business-related topics covered, as well as the expertise of prominent speakers who contribute to Forum & Club sessions.

2014 KEY FIGURES > > > > >

45 sessions and activities 36 guest speakers and experts 988 participants overall 305 member companies involved (+ 48% vs 2013) 27 articles in INFO

‘We regularly receive extremely positive feedback about the high quality content of our Forums & Clubs. With more than half of our members involved, they provide unique opportunities for sharing and learning from each other that are not to be missed. Come and see for yourself! ’ Florence Gomez, Managing Director of the French Chamber

Our Forums Climate Change Cross-Cultural Relations Finance

Human Resources Legal Economic Updates

Our Clubs Luxury SME & Entrepreneurs

> Publication of The HR Guide. Members of the HR Forum wrote a very comprehensive and practical guide on Human Resources practices in the UK. > The SME & Entrepreneurs Club hosted the inaugural ‘From Scratch to Success: Business Stories’ event, which drew more than 120 participants.

Annual Chairs’ Lunch For three years running, the Chamber has organised an annual lunch bringing together all the Chairs and Deputy Chairs. It is an opportunity to share best practice and further develop synergies between the different Forums and Clubs.

Coverage in INFO Reports of most Forum and Club sessions are published in INFO, giving all members the chance to sample the wealth of inspiration, knowledge and advice that is disseminated in the wide variety of presentations and discussions.

New in 2014

LEGAL FORUM 25 MARCH

Employment Law M R,   W LLP,  F V,   G L N,           UK  F     ,    UK        F

espite recent legislative initiatives intended to foster flexibility in the French employment market, French employment law remains far less flexible than English law. The protection afforded to an employee under English employment law is generally lower than the corresponding protection under French law. English employment law is regarded as one of the more flexible within Europe. An illustration of such differences can be found in the following examples: • Whilst the use of fixed-term and atypical contracts is widespread in England, indefinite-term employment contracts in France are the rule and recourse to fixedterm contracts is the exception. The use of fixed-term contracts is very restricted (temporary replacement, increase of activity, seasonal employment, etc.). • Working time: France is subject to a 35-hour working week for all employees, except top-level executives. It is possible to set up schemes to negotiate collective agreements within the companies in question for the purpose of implementing an average 35-hour working week over a certain period of time. French law provides for a maximum overtime limit and premium pay therefor. English law provides for a maximum 48-hour working week subject to the right to opt out. Overtime is governed by the employment contract. • Termination of employment in France is subject to very protective rules (notice period, termination indemnities and additional damages awarded by the courts in cases of termination without real and serious cause) whilst in the UK, employee protection and remedies are limited.

sme & entrepreneurs • Redundancies are highly regulated in France where club 27 JAnuArY important lay-offs are subject to severe control/ clearance by the labour authorities and negotiations with the works councils and/or trade unions. Implementing redundancies is much easier in England, with no requirement to seek prior clearance and straightforward collective consultation obligations. • Notice period are regulated under French law, whereas in the UK they are agreed upon between Effective networking the parties to the employment agreement subject is to a matter of strategy and preparation, as Jeanne Monchovet, Founder low-level legal minima.and Principal Consultant at Olystix, explained • In France, pensioning-off is possible at the employer’s survey by Small Business by function and industry, for those you wish to talk initiative, but only with the employee’s consent, News revealed that over of small businesses to. If and when you are asked about yourself, make it when the employee is aged35% between 62 and 70, and consider networking activitieswhen to bethe ineffective, as natural as possible using everyday language rather at the employer’s discretion employeewhile on the other hand academic research that SMEs lack the skills than marketing strap lines. Have a collection of little is over 70 years of age. By contrast, in shows England, network effectively. stories to tell, scripted but adaptable to every situation, retirement is subject totoage discrimination lawsUnlike and large corporates, who to use networking for relationship building and make people laugh so they will remember you. You requires objective justifitend cation. with existing clients, for SMEs, it is essentially a sales also have in your armoury prepared responses hr forum should 18 mArCh activity toare build their get a sense of the to common objections, such as dealing positively with In France, employment reforms under way.business, The monitor competition comparisons with a competitor. French labour reform act market, of 14 June 2013, which mainly and gather information. There is also a huge difference concerns redundancy procedures, includes a set of between networking in France andadaptation the UK. Here it is a war game, and having Just before provisions to facilitate workforce in case strategy the is allinternal important. So how do you make Time block half an hour the day before an event to of economic difficulties the andright to facilitate networking and effective? tweak your strategy, rehearse your lines and scan your and external mobility ofyour employees. Draftpowerful legislation Human Capital Director, Head of Diversity & Inclusion list. If you don’tSarah have a Churchman, list, work on your objectives. (mainly the so-called ‘Macron law’ and a draft law on Wellbeing PwC explains how it is responding to the 1. Build a strategic network That might be toand find Employee one new client, to meet allatthe ‘social dialogue’) is currently pending before the French Your networking start well before a actors in a certain sector, oroftothe target three CEOs. challenge growing and rather broad concept of flexible working Parliament and should be discussed and strategy adopted should in event. lists of your top 50 contacts, Whatever it is, be clear about it and stay focused. through the implementation of key policies and programmes the summer. The intent networking of such texts is toBuild simplify active network, lost network and your future procedures and foster your flexibility in the your French andcurrent fill in information that you find out as At the event employment market. Innetwork, short, the trend is you gofriendly’ along soenvironment. that you have a clear vision. Don’t Arrive 10 minutes before the start so that you can to create a more ‘employer forget the case lost network – it may be more of an online scan the room and find those you want to speak to. However, it will remain the that French Flexibility: is it important? activity butofremember that networking is not just face why Important people usually arrive on time and leave employment law is the less flexible the two systems, a strategic fortime us and central to face �– it is a state of mind. If you haveFlexibility done your is early, so thatpriority is the best to talk to them. work Don’t from home on occasion, or have a reasonably notwithstanding these changes. to who or transformation agenda, flexible predictable work schedule from week to week so homework, you would have researched those are spend most of yourpositioning time with people you already attending an event and know who to target and thewithin know you can always of catch withfor them that later!plans can be made with friends. For others, it’s working the– wider context the up need kind of contacts you want to make. if you attend with a business partner, stick being able to come in later or finish earlier after greater agility,And which impacts our resourcing, peopledon’tabout together – divide and conquer! For breakingworking into and business strategies. late the day before, or being able to take a 2. Work your network strategically Being open-minded a group, preparation is ways again of imperative: yourlunch break from time to time. For us, flexibility to different working find long It is no coincidence that networking contains the word be natural and prepare questions. Having an exit can help us style, operate more effectively across time is not a one-size-fits-all concept, and we encourage ‘work’. If you have the planned objective of attending strategy is just as important – again, have your script zones and be more responsive to client needs. It teams and individuals work together to define it for  �  /  � �� a physical event, there are four steps to doing this: but make it natural.

The power of networking: unlocking and creating business opportunities

Flexibility at PwC

Well before

will also help our people stay resilient, engaged and performing at After their best.

themselves.

You need to be equipped to network in every situation, Time block an hour the following morning or How even do we promote/support flexibility? our policy? • We are continually working to build business for example by being armed with business What cards atisall up to 36 hours after the event. Connect with people Formal flexiblevia working confidence in implementing flexibility, most times, but for a specific event, you should prepare LinkedIn, add them to the appropriate list and a ‘toolbox’. This does not mean having a• 60-second follow up. Keep their in mind your future All our people, whatever roletheorbuilding grade, of can recently by launching our ‘Agile Ways of Working’ ‘elevator pitch’ because if you spend all your time network and be realistic your part expectations. apply to work flexibly. Typical options in include toolkit, which features our business case for agility; talking about yourself, you are losing opportunities Some connections immediately, time and jobshare, and we alsobear havefruit people working but other flexibility top tips; and other practical tools and to gather information. Instead you should come relationships to build other arrangements suchneed as term time trust only.over time and may resources for teams; plus stories from people working prepared with a set of ‘killer’ questions, customised take much longer. I KF

• People may apply to work flexibly for many different flexibly around the firm to provide inspiration. • Our technology supports ad hoc as well as more reasons such as childcare, caring, study, hobbies, info - march / april - 73 sport, voluntary work, transition into retirement – formal flexibility, including home working; and HR, all are valid and accepted under our policy. IT and Facilities Management work in partnership • Applications may be made for short term, as well as to ensure our people are fully supported. • Our staff survey asks if employees feel they can permanent, flexible working arrangements. • Each application is assessed on its own merit, based balance their work and personal lives effectively on current business and resourcing circumstances. and whether colleagues are considerate of their lives Informal flexible working outside work. From these responses we can identify We know that the nature of our work affords our areas for action. people a good amount of informal flexibility in how, • We encourage our people to focus on outputs not where and when they work. All our internal research inputs. For instance, in the guidance and training tells us that informal flexibility in their everyday provided for performance and reward review, there working is what the vast majority of our people is a clear focus on making sure that the contribution want. So we have a key focus on increasing informal of flexible workers is fairly and accurately assessed. flexibility – a little more ‘give and take’ in everyday • We advertise roles on an external flexible working working practices. job board and all our job descriptions say we are For some, it’s being able to leave the office early open to agile ways of working. I to see their child participate in a school activity,

For us, flexibility is not a ‘one size fits all’ concept, and we encourage teams and individuals work together to define it for themselves 74 - info - may / june

Thanks We would like to thank all the chairs for their time and commitment, and bid farewell to Rose Gledhill and Jennifer Westen, as well as Sébastien Delecour and Sophie Mirman as chairs of the HR Forum and SME & Entrepreneurs Club, respectively. We are pleased to welcome Ken Morrison, Legal Director, Eurotunnel, as Deputy Chair of the Legal Forum, Mark Pautz, Human Resources Director, International SOS as Chair of the HR Forum and Arnaud de Montille, Co-Founder of Merci Maman Personalised Gifts as Chair of the SME and Entrepreneurs Club. A special thanks to all the speakers and members for the quality of the discussions, their involvement and their contributions.

OUTLOOK 2015: LAUNCH OF A WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK 2015 will see the launch of a new club: the Women’s Business Network. It will be distinctive for being the very first business networking platform for female executives within the Franco-British business community. Membership will be restricted to CEOs, CFOs and women with global positions in blue chip companies based in the UK.

Launched in April 2011 Chaired by Richard Brown CBE Former CEO and Chairman of Eurostar

forums & clubs

CLIMATE CHANGE FORUM

‘Climate Change is undoubtedly one of the biggest long term threats to business and the global economy. Fortunately we are seeing the rate of investment and the pace of innovation in low carbon technologies accelerate with many Chamber members being leaders in the field.’ Richard Brown CBE

MISSION STATEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

The main and ambitious objective of the forum is to become the very first Franco-British think tank on this critical issue by being recognised as a legitimate, credible and leading voice. To achieve this goal, it brings together decision makers and key actors of the business community who are particularly proactive in terms of climate change commitments.

The Forum had a very productive year, with meetings ranging from the European sustainability agenda and financing green investments to building green cities and the ins and outs of tidal power. We had two fascinating visits, one to Veolia’s Southwark Material Recovery Facility, the other to PwC’s new state-of-the-art low carbon office at 7 More London. We now have over 20 regularly attending member companies, all of which are actively developing low carbon products and services and/or working to reduce their carbon footprints and who value the opportunity to share experience and develop knowledge across sectors.

5 sessions and 2 site visits 4 February: Building Green Cities Speakers: Michel Mossessian, Design Principal and Founder of Mossessian & Partners, and Aleksandra Njagulj, Sustainability Manager, Bouygues UK 29 April: The European Climate Change Agenda Speaker: Alastair Harper, Head of Politics, Green Alliance 17 June:Visit to PwC ‘7 More London’ and Veolia, Southwark Material Recovery Facility Introduction by Marc Thompson, Director, Sustainability & Climate Change Team, PwC; Presentations by Trevor Rollings, Senior Facilities Manager, PwC, David Adair, Head of Community Affairs, PwC and Fabrice Bouchon, General Manager at Veolia’s Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility 9 September:The green economy – how to finance sustainability Speakers: James Cameron, Chairman of Climate Change Capital and Josué Tanaka, Managing Director, Operational Strategy and Planning, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change, EBRD

‘The

French Chamber Climate Change Forum is a great networking opportunity with interesting sharing of best practices on carbon reducing activities with other French companies present in the UK. As part of our involvement in 2014, we organised a trip to Veolia’s Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility to share with members how this facility is contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions through the recovery of recycled materials.’ Charlotte Kyle, Senior Environmental Officer, Veolia

21 October: Tidal Energy Speaker: Rob Stevenson,Vice-President, Ocean Energy, Alstom Power 2 November: The Juncker €300 billion plan and the bio energy megatrend – business and investment opportunities in Europe Speaker: Jean-Michel Sylvestre, Chairman & CEO of Charmont Investments Visit to PwC ‘7 More London’

OUTLOOK 2015: PREPARATION FOR COP21 The Forum will be starting 2015 with a joint conference on Climate Change and the Business View, organised with the French Embassy and the European Commission Representation in the UK. It will also be repeating its 2013 survey of member companies’ attitudes to climate change, which highlighted strong business concern about climate change and a desire to see clearer and stronger taxation policies and regulation to tackle it. Further sessions will include new battery technology, climate change adaptation and a briefing on preparations for COP21 in Paris in December.

CROSS-CULTURAL RELATIONS FORUM Launched in May 2009 Chaired by Peter Alfandary Head of French Team, Reed Smith LLP

‘Cross-cultural relations never seem to go out of fashion, which is good news as there is always more work to do. Our mission remains unchanged – to enhance relationships between French and British businesses and to highlight best practice for the benefit of members and the wider business community.’ Peter Alfandary

MISSION STATEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Forum’s aim is to be a hub for best practice and open dialogue in order to foster a better understanding of business culture and to disseminate cross-cultural know-how to Chamber members and a wider audience.

Sales of our highly acclaimed publication Light at the End of the Tunnel continued apace. The Intercultural Debate between Nicolas Petrovic, CEO of Eurostar, and Sir Ian Cheshire, CEO of Kingfisher, at the French Ambassador’s Residence was a huge success.

4 sessions & 1 Cross-Cultural Relations debate 13 February: Roundtable session 6 March: Cross-Cultural Relations debate at the Résidence de France with Nicolas Petrovic, CEO of Eurostar and Sir Ian Cheshire, former CEO of Kingfisher 3 June: Brainstorming session 16 September: Working session 20 November: Mini master class on cross-cultural skills

Cross-Cultural Relations booklet

1,200 copies sold in 2014: 23 a week! More than 5,000 copies sold since first publication!

‘The fascinating bilingual guide [...] is full of shrewd insights into both sides’ codes.’ Simon Kuper, The Financial Times

CROSS-CULTURAL DEBATE - 6 march 2014 with Nicolas Petrovic, CEO of Eurostar and Sir Ian Cheshire, former CEO of Kingfisher moderated by Peter Alfandary (more information on page 29)

OUTLOOK 2015: LAUNCH OF A CROSS-CULTURAL QUIZ EVENING The first Cross-Cultural Quiz Evening, which took place in February 2015, was extremely successful. We hope it will become a regular annual event given its popularity. In addition, there are plans to hold a series of half-day skills workshops for members on effective cross-cultural communication, as well as a joint session with the HR Forum.

Launched in May 2012 Chaired by John Peachey Chief Financial Officer, Global Markets, HSBC Bank Plc

forums & clubs

FINANCE FORUM

‘I would like to thank all the guest speakers who joined us last year. Without their contributions we would not have had such lively and informative debates. In addition I would like to thank my Co-Chair Patrick Gougeon who stepped down at the end of 2014. Patrick made a considerable contribution to help establish the Finance Forum over the last three years. Both his enthusiasm and his drive ensured the success of the Forum. I am keen that we continue to foster greater connectivity across the Chamber.’ John Peachey

MISSION STATEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Finance Forum aims to be one of the leading voices of the financial community by bringing together key players from blue-chip, successful companies and representatives from major financial institutions. It also aims to provide a trusted space for open dialogue, to produce engaging recommendations, share best practices across the sector and also provide great networking opportunities.

In 2014 we purposely chose varied topics with the aim of attracting a broader audience from the Chamber.The Digital Economy is one of those topics on which everyone seems to have an opinion – it is rapidly evolving and has an impact on our day-to-day lives. Patrick’s perspective was to look at how we value these massive global companies that are driving the digital economy. We also looked again at the importance and influence of emerging economies and our focus was on Latam, specifically Brazil and Mexico. With the next Olympic Games being hosted in Brazil we thought it was an opportune time to examine this diverse economy. We had a panel of experts that were able to provide an overview of both the opportunities and challenges in these markets. The final session was jointly hosted with the Economic Update and held at the French Lycee’s impressive library in Kensington. It was an extremely lively debate and we are very grateful to the two speakers Patrick Artus and Rain Newton-Smith for participating in this session.

3 sessions 7 March: Financing a sustainable digital economy Presentation and remarks given by Patrick Gougeon, former Director of ESCP Europe UK Campus 19 June: ‘Challenges & opportunities in Latam: focus on Brazil and Mexico’ Speakers: Clive Grethe, Digital Sales Director, Atos UK; Eric Striegler, formerly Head of Trade and International at HSBC Brazil, Regional Head of Business Development Europe in HSBC London; and Carolina Arriagada Peters, Head of EMEA & Latin America, London & Partners 23 October: How France and the UK managed through the crisis and perspectives for years to come Joint session with the Economic Update forum Speakers: Patrick Artus, Chief Economist, Natixis and Rain Newton-Smith, Director of Economics, CBI.

JOINT SESSION - 23 october 2014 Patrick Artus, Chief Economist, Natixis and Rain Newton-Smith, Director of Economics, CBI

OUTLOOK 2015: A NEW CO-CHAIR We will be looking to appoint a new Co-Chair, the CFO of a blue chip company. Our key objectives will be to broaden audience participation and continue to enrich the debate. A number of the challenges that we mentioned in 2014 still remain to be addressed in 2015. Given this backdrop we will continue to identify topical issues and invite expert panels to participate in these debates.

HR FORUM Launched in February 2009 Chaired by Mark Pautz Human Resources Director, International SOS

‘With the UK recently recording a rate of 0% inflation – the lowest since records were first properly kept – we have moved into unfamiliar, and challenging, territory. The implications of this development are far reaching and the HR Forum will continue to evolve in order to adapt and respond to both internal pressures and the demands of the “new normal”. I would like to express my gratitude to my predecessor, Jennifer Westen, and commit to continuing the lively debate! ’ Mark Pautz

MISSION STATEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

This forum offers HR Directors and HR professionals an opportunity to share best practice and experiences to benefit their teams and, ultimately, their organisation and employees. It hosts regular sessions inviting speakers and experts, encouraging open discussion and the exchange of experiences from a wide range of industries on people-related subjects such as flexibility, social media or fostering innovation.

In the fifth year of its existence, the HR Forum achieved a significant milestone with the publication of the first edition of The HR Guide – A Practical Approach to Human Resources in Great Britain. The guide will serve as a useful reference tool for UK subsidiaries of French companies to help them clarify the differences between UK and French practices. It also provides French companies intending to set up business in the UK with the information and tools they would need to plan and implement their human resources strategy.

6 sessions 15 January: Stress management and well-being at work Speakers: Emmanuelle Ries, Managing Partner, ebl Miller Rosenfalck and Claire Sallis, Occupational Health and Wellbeing Manager, Alstom UK

Publication of The HR Guide An overview of HR practices in the UK, full of valuable testimonials, tips and advice.

5 March: Learning and training methods Speaker: Simon Parker, Communications, Learning and Development Manager at Danone Ltd

26 contributors 7 testimonials 9 ‘Extra info’ boxes

30 April: Social media Speaker: Kevin Poulter, Senior Associate at BDB and Social Media Specialist 25 June: How to manage flexibility Speaker: Caroline Yarrow, Employment Lawyer, Bircham Dyson Bell LLP 24 September: How to foster a culture of innovation Speakers: Abi Marchant, HR Director, Danone Dairy UK & Danone Waters UK & Ireland and Andy Powell, European Marketing Director, Hudson 12 November: Apprenticeship Speakers: Kevin Wilkinson, Senior VP, Human Resources at Atos UK & Ireland and Gary Griffiths, Head of Early Careers Programmes, Airbus UK

‘We

hope that this guide will help companies to prepare for the challenges they face when working with employees in the UK. I hope also that it will provide an initial insight into the work of the HR Forum of the French Chamber.’ Jennifer Westen, former Chair of the HR Forum, Group Director HR at International SOS

OUTLOOK 2015 The HR Forum will host a series of six sessions focusing on international mobility, the implications of cultural differences for HR managers, flexible working, the role of HR in promoting CSR, diversity in the workplace and creating a culture on values. The Forum will continue to work towards its ultimate goal of reviewing the impact of employer legislation and (in the long term) influencing future decisions in this area. A French version of The HR Guide will be published in 2015 and members of the Forum will also produce new material with a view to keeping it current and relevant.

Launched in January 2013 Chaired by Olivier Morel, Partner, Cripps and Deputy Chaired by Ken Morrison, Legal Director, Eurotunnel

forums & clubs

LEGAL FORUM

‘2015 is the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, so our work at the Legal Forum is more relevant than ever as we continue to compare the legal systems of our two countries. In doing so, I am struck more than ever by the fact that France and Britain have given rise to the two dominant systems of law in the world: the civil code has been adopted by some 100 countries; common law is practiced in almost all the other countries.’ Olivier Morel

MISSION STATEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Legal Forum aims to foster exchange and cooperation between General Counsels/Heads of Legal Departments and senior representatives of law firms, to encourage debate on current legal issues and to deliver a programme of activities that mobilise and attract Chamber members as well as key players of the legal community.

After a first very successful year in 2013, 2014 continued in the same vein. Aside from the very good work of all the members of the Forum on the comparative legal issues on directors duties and litigation, two events really marked 2014: • The first highlight was our second Annual Legal Lunch when we had the privilege of welcoming Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, then Lord Mayor of the City of London, and only the second woman ever to hold the position in over 800 years; she is also a solicitor with a worldwide reputation and as such was a fitting successor to Lord Phillips, our guest speaker last year.. • Then, Ken Morrison, Legal Director at Eurotunnel, joined us as Deputy Chairman. Ken’s long experience as an in-house lawyer in the quintessentially Anglo-French business that is Eurotunnel has already proved to be a huge asset to the work of the Forum. Now our challenge is to continue with guests of a similar calibre!

5 sessions and the Annual Legal Lunch 31 January: Directors’ Duties Session chaired by Olivier Morel and Michael Butcher 20 March: Litigation Session chaired by Olivier Morel 5 June: Trade secret harmony in the EU – a recipe for crossborder collaboration? Speaker: Serena Tierney, Head of Intellectual Property at Bircham Dyson Bell 25 June: Annual Legal Lunch with Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, former Lord Mayor of the City of London 1 October: Brainstorming session Session co-chaired by Olivier Morel and Ken Morrison 9 November: Setting the agenda for 2015

ANNUAL LEGAL LUNCH - 25 J une 2014 with Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, former Lord Mayor of the City of London interviewed by Olivier Morel (more information on page 29)

OUTLOOK 2015: PUBLICATION OF 2 BOOKLETS Our work needs to match the needs and expectations of our members, in particular those of general counsels. To this end, each session deals with a management topic that is relevant to in-house legal departments, in addition to handling a legal ‘technical’ topic. We would like the Forum to be a place where general counsels can share views and ideas on best practice in running an in-house legal department in an Anglo-French group. We will also publish the long-awaited Anglo-French comparative booklets on Directors’ Duties and Litigation.

ECONOMIC UPDATES Launched in June 2011 Chaired by Philippe Chalon Director of External Affairs at International SOS & Managing Director of the Cercle d’outre-Manche

‘In 2014, the UK’s economy grew by 2.8%, its fastest pace since 2006 and the unemployment rate is expected to fall below 5.5% by the end of 2015. Buoyed by some 700,000 jobs created over the last 12 months, the British economy is back on track.’ Philippe Chalon MISSION STATEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

This Forum invites key personalities to present their views and analysis on current and forthcoming economic issues impacting our Franco-British business community. The aim of this Forum is to give access to relevant information, as well as insights and mid- to long-term perspectives on topical issues to all members.

The Forum has set up two exclusive sessions held by leading figures in British and French economic policies: Stephen King (HSBC) provided us with food for thought on the way Britain went from gloom to boom, whilst Rain Newton-Smith (CBI) and Patrick Artus (Natixis) helped us comprehend how the UK and France managed through the crisis and would fare in the years to come. At the moment, it is fair to say that the British and French economies remain quite asymmetrical. We are proud that each of our 2014 sessions attracted between 50 and 80 participants.

‘The Economic Update is a must-attend event for both professional and casual observers of the British economy. The chance to hear the views of leading UK economists is invaluable, and the debate with the audience is always informed and passionate. On top of that, the library of the Institut français is a brilliant place to network.’ Alain de Cointet, Minister Councellor for Economic and Financial Affairs, French Embassy

2 Economic Updates

The economic situation in the UK ‘FROM GLOOM TO BOOM’ 29 September 2014 with Stephen King, Group Chief Economist, HSBC Bank Plc

‘How France and the UK managed through the crisis and perspectives for years to come’ 23 October 2014 with Patrick Artus, Chief Economist, Natixis and Rain Newton-Smith, Director of Economics, CBI

OUTLOOK 2015: PARTNERSHIP WITH HEC & FOCUS ON THE EU The Forum has entered into a special partnership with top French business school HEC, which will help it reach out to even more decision makers and business leaders within the Franco-British community. Following the UK General Election in May 2015, the Forum will also pay close attention to the 2016 referendum on whether the UK should remain within the European Union.

Launched in April 2009 Chaired by Arnaud de Montille Co-founder of Merci Maman Personalised Gifts

forums & clubs

SME & ENTREPRENEURS CLUB

‘SMEs are the backbone of our economies. The Club enables Entrepreneurs and SME managers to network, create partnerships and develop. A great place to share ideas with other business leaders and get energy! ’ Arnaud de Montille MISSION STATEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

The SMEs & Entrepreneurs Club is the meeting place for successful SMEs and ambitious entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses and share their experiences. It also provides a platform to work on case studies and transversal issues identified by the members of the Club such as social media, pitching techniques, marketing strategy, how to fund and manage growth, etc.

2014 was a successful year for the SME Club! With an average of 30 members attending each meeting, all from different backgrounds, the club fulfilled its mission of sharing knowledge and experience to help entrepreneurs grow and market their business.

6 sessions, 3 ‘Club @ the Pub’, 1 annual event

We had great guest speakers discussing key business topics such as social media, HR, investment, crowd funding, sales and marketing. The new format has developed a strong networking platform. Numerous members are now working together and helping each other by exchanging tips and best practices.

16 January: Brainstorming session to discuss 2014 agenda 30 January: From Scratch to Success: Business Stories Speakers: Arnaud Vaissié, Co-founder, Chairman & CEO of International SOS and Nathalie Gaveau, Founder & CEO of Shopcade & Co-founder of Price Minister 10 March: How to define and implement a successful marketing strategy for your business Speakers: Anthony Barry, Director, Commune Works and Laurent François, Founder and Executive Creative Strategist, RE-UP 23 April: Friends & family: are they the best business partners? Speakers: Julien Planté, Producer, Minky Productions, James Byrne, Director, Ecclestone Square Hotel and Laurence Parry, Director, French Resources 10 June: The essential HR Dos and Don’ts for SMEs Speaker: Emmanuelle Ries, Partner, Miller Rosenfalck LLP 10 September: How to fund and manage growth Speakers: Christian Mouysset, co-owner of Hummus Bros and Grégoire Schöller, CEO & Co-founder, NextBanquers Ltd 18 November: From London to the rest of the world – how to unlock export opportunities Speakers: Arnaud de Montille; Maria Corts, Head of Southern Europe and LATAM, London & Partners; and Graham Nicholas, International Trade Adviser, UKTI

FROM SCRATch TO SUCCESS: BUSINESS STORIES - 30 J anuary 2014 With Arnaud Vaissié, Co-founder, Chairman & CEO of International SOS and Nathalie Gaveau, Founder & CEO of Shopcade, Co-founder of Price Minister, moderated by Marc Roche, former London Bureau Chief for Le Monde at the Cine Lumière of the French Institute

OUTLOOK 2015 The Club organised the second edition of ‘From Scratch to Success: Business Stories’ in June 2015. The Club will continue to run a series of workshops on subjects as diverse as ‘Cross-cultural communication in business’, ‘How to attract capital’, ‘The use of social media for SMEs’ and ‘Changes in the labour laws’. Finally, we will introduce an innovative pitch competition at the end of the year.

LUXURY CLUB Launched in April 2010 Chaired by Bertrand Michaud Managing Director of Hermès GB

‘Never forget that a true luxury in life is being able to take joy in going to the office every day.’

Bertrand Michaud

MISSION STATEMENT The Club’s objective is to bring together companies operating within the luxury industry including iconic brands, high-end hospitality services and cultural institutions. The Club aims to encourage the exchange of best practice, share experiences as well as celebrate savoirfaire and excellence.

2 Breakfasts We would like to thank both the Royal Opera House and The Bulgari Hotel & Residences for hosting such beautiful breakfasts

‘THE PROCESS OF CREATION – HOW TO ACHIEVE PERFECTION’ - 16 O ctober 2014 With Wayne McGregor CBE, Resident Choreographer of The Royal Ballet and Faye Toogood, furniture designer and founder of Studio Toogood, at The Royal Opera House

3 Dîners des Chefs

‘GLOBAL TRENDS AND TOPICAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE LUXURY SECTOR’ - 11 D ecember 2014 With Richard Dickinson, Chief Executive, New West End Company, and Barratt West, Managing Director, Tiffany & Co, at Bulgari Hotel

Launch of our Luxury Dinner

The Luxury Club hosts regular Dîners des Chefs to celebrate a certain ‘art de vivre’ and put the spotlight on iconic Chefs who have been awarded Michelin stars and have remarkable journeys as entrepreneurs and ambassadors of gastronomic excellence. (more information on page 30) 24 March: L’Atelier de Jöel Robuchon w ith newly appointed Chef Xavier Boyer 17 September: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester with Chef Jocelyn Herland 12 November: The Connaught with Chef Hélène Darroze

LUXURY DinNer - 15 A pril 2014 With Nicholas Coleridge CBE, President of Condé Nast International & Managing Director of Condé Nast Britain (more information on page 27)

OUTLOOK 2015: CELEBRATING FRENCH & BRITISH LUXURY The Club will host a series of breakfasts on themes such as ‘The internet of luxury things’ as well as its much-anticipated Dîners des Chefs. In partnership with Walpole and the Financial Times, the Club will host a cocktail reception celebrating British and French luxury at The Connaught on 9 September. The Club is also planning to organise a visit of Faye Toogood’s studio.

EVENTS

EVENTS TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK AND D E V E L O P YO U R B U S I N E S S

We offer our members networking platforms within the context of a wide range of events, from informal to prestigious events with highprofile guest speakers. In order to attract more SMEs, we offer a number of ‘affordable’ events, with almost half our events costing less than £40 including refreshments. In 2014, 4 new events were launched: The Luxury Dinner, The FrancoBritish Business Forum, ‘Business Stories: From Scratch to Success’ and ‘Women, Inspiration & Leadership’.

2014 KEY FIGURES 57 events including 12 Patron events > 3,200 participants > 35 speakers > 72 partners and sponsors >

a line up of high profile speakers

The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP Secretary of State for Transport

HE Ms Sylvie Bermann French Ambassador to the UK

Sir Peter Hendy CBE Commissioner of Transport for London

Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE then Lord Mayor of London

Lionel Barber Editor of the Financial Times

Nicholas Coleridge CBE President of Condé Nast International and MD of Condé Nast Britain

Xavier Rolet Chief Executive, The London Stock Exchange Group

Roland Ries Mayor of Strasbourg Chairman of GART

Fabrice Brégier President and CEO of Airbus

Marc Pontet CEO of Asendia (La Poste)

Arnaud Vaissié Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of International SOS

Nicolas Petrovic CEO of Eurostar International

Sir Ian Cheshire then Group Chief Executive of Kingfisher

Dame Helen Alexander former President of CBI

Victor Chavez Chief Executive of Thales UK

Laurence Parisot former President of MEDEF

ICONIC VENUES We only work with members, and occasionally we host events in venues introduced by fellow members. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Barbican Hall, Beefeater Gin Distillery, Claridge’s, Emirates Stadium, Four Seasons Hotel, French Institute, Grand Connaught Rooms, HSBC St James offices, IOD, Landmark Hotel, Moët Hennessey UK, One Great George Street, Pullman London St Pancras, Reed Smith offices, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Automobile Club, Royal Opera House, Tate Modern, The Connaught, The Dorchester, The May Fair Hotel.

72 sponsors & partners of our events in 2014

Partners in kind and lot donors

Wine and Champagne partners

Air France, Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel, Dior, Caudalie, Chanel, Chivas Brothers, The Conran Shop, Evidens de Beauté, Guerlain, Hermès, The Landmark Hotel, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, L’Occitane, London&Partners, Longchamp, Louis Vuitton, Lotus F1, La Maison Maille, Lucien Barrière Hôtels & Casinos, La Cave à Fromage, LVMH Watch & Jewellery UK Ltd, Melia Hotels International, Nuxe, Porsche Design, Pullman London St Pancras, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Opera House, The Four Seasons Hotel, Reed Smith, Royal Park Hotel, Wine story

Le Conseil des Vins de Saint-Emilion, Les Vins du Médoc, Les Vins de Pessac-Léognan, Crus Classés de Graves, LaurentPerrier, Moët Hennessy, Perrier-Jouët, Pernod Ricard, Vranken Pommery

All these venues, partners and sponsors contributed immensely to the success of our events and we would like to thank them for their support.

MOST-ATTENDED EVENT IN 2014 ANNUAL GALA DINNER

28 M ay at T he L andmark L ondon Gold sponsors: EY and HSBC Silver sponsors: Accor, Colas Rail, EDF Energy and Safran 400 participants gathered for the Chamber’s premier black tie event with Lionel Barber, Editor of the Financial Times, as guest of honour. He gave an entertaining speech on ‘l’entente fructueuse’ and guests took part in a silent auction for lots generously donated by 24 companies, raising £21,500 for Handicap International. Special thanks go to Chanel for giving a bottle of perfume to every guest for the 10th consecutive year.

Lionel Barber, Editor of the Financial Times

Jean-Baptiste Richardier, Director General of Handicap International

EVENTS

EVENTS LAUNCHED IN 2014 LUXURY DINNER 15 A pril at C laridge ’ s Sponsored by Société Générale Private Banking Hambros

Arnaud Bamberger, former President of the Chamber with Nicholas Coleridge CBE

An event of elegance and sophistication, the Luxury Dinner was attended by over 130 guests from the most prominent luxury houses. For this first edition sponsored by Société Générale Private Banking Hambros, we heard from Nicholas Coleridge CBE, President of Condé Nast International & Managing Director of Condé Nast Britain, as guest speaker. Special thanks to Hermès for offering every guest a bottle of perfume.

FROM SCRATCH TO SUCCESS: BUSINESS STORIES 30 J anuary at C iné L umière , F rench I nstitute Sponsored by HSBC Commercial Banking

Arnaud Vaissié, Nathalie Gaveau and Marc Roche

A captive audience of 150 members listened to the business stories of Nathalie Gaveau, Founder & CEO of Shopcade & Co-founder of PriceMinister and Arnaud Vaissié, Co-founder, Chairman & CEO of International SOS and their engaging debate moderated by Marc Roche, former London Bureau Chief for Le Monde. Special thanks to the French Institute for hosting the evening.

WOMEN, INSPIRATION & LEADERSHIP 18 M arch at the I nstitute Sponsored by Chanel

D irectors (I o D)

For the first edition of ‘Women, Inspiration & Leadership’, over 120 participants gathered to hear from Dame Helen Alexander, former President of CBI, and Laurence Parisot, former President of MEDEF. In a debate facilitated by Simon Walker, Director General of the IoD, they both spoke from the heart of their own experiences and different takes on the prevailing issues in achieving gender parity in business. Special thanks to Chanel for sponsoring the event and offering every guest a bottle of perfume. Dame Helen Alexander, Simon Walker and Laurence Parisot

FRANCO-BRITISH BUSINESS FORUM 28 N ovember at the P ullman L ondon S t P ancras Sponsors: DHL, Eurostar, HSBC, Mazars Supporting sponsors: Boulle International, Bryan Cave, Business France, UK Trade & Investment

One of the 160 tailored B-to-B meetings

The very first FBBF, organised under the high patronage of the French Ambassador to the UK and the British Ambassador to France attracted 170 delegates. Over the course of the day, representatives from French and British companies met for topical roundtable discussions, B-to-B meetings with potential clients, partners or suppliers. They also networked around the expert village, where sponsors and partners offered advice on taxation, employment law, logistics, transport, real estate and banking.

FRANCO-BRITISH TRANSPORT CONFERENCE 14 O ctober at O ne G reat G eorge S treet Partners: French Embassy and Franco-British Council Main sponsors: Alstom, Bouygues Energies & Services, HSBC, Keolis, Renault, TomTom Supporting sponsors: Altran, Bolloré The Franco-British Transport Conference, which gathered more than 150 participants, provided a platform for debate and discussion on the challenges of moving around and between our growing cities, and how to meet them. Panellists from the UK and France provided different perspectives on financing urban transport and innovative solutions for the digital age in debates moderated by Christian Wolmar, a specialist transport journalist. Bringing the conference to a close, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport, encouraged France and Britain to work together and find shared answers to common problems.

DINER DE LA RENTREE

23 september at F our S easons H otel Sponsored by Airbus A record audience of over 300 guests gathered to hear from Fabrice Brégier, President & CEO of Airbus. In a brilliant speech, he discussed the ways in which high technology industry can boost the European economy and the challenges it faces. Using the example of Airbus and aerospace, he showed the many ways in which France and the UK are united in this process. Fabrice Brégier, President & CEO of Airbus

‘Airbus were delighted to be the sole sponsors of the Dîner de la Rentrée 2014, which was an excellent opportunity to meet and engage with key people and organisations from the French and UK business communities. We were very satisfied with the organisation of the event, which included a roundtable for journalists to meet our CEO & President, Fabrice Bregier, and the evening itself was a great success.’ Jason Impey, Head of Communications, Airbus UK

FRANCO-BRITISH BUSINESS AWARDS

27 N ovember at T he M ay F air hotel Sponsored by Eurostar, HSBC and Mazars Partners: Business France and UKTI

The 15th edition of the Franco-British Business Awards brought together 175 guests at The May Fair hotel. The Awards celebrate the expertise, enterprise and knowledge of successful French and British companies.

L to R: Eric Lalardie (ARM), Kevin Crawley (Saint-Gobain), Béatrice and Arnaud de Montille (Merci Maman), Philippe Henry (HSBC), Bruno Gils (Caviar Petrossian)

2014 Winners Innovation award: ARM Large Corporate Award: Saint-Gobain SME Entrepreneur Award: Merci Maman Jury Award: HSBC Coup de Coeur: Caviar Petrossian

EVENTS

ANNUAL FINANCIAL LUNCH

7 N ovember at T he D orchester Sponsored by Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking One of the Chamber’s flagship events, the Annual Financial Lunch brought together 150 guests from across the financial and business spectrum to hear from Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange Group. Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking reaffirmed its longstanding support to the Chamber by sponsoring the event for the 18th consecutive year.

L to R: Xavier Rolet, HE Ms Sylvie Bermann, Ian Fisher, Chief Country Officer and Head of Coverage & Investment Banking UK, Société Générale; Richard Brown CBE, former President of the French Chamber.

Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange Group, spoke about the challenges faced by European governments to revive growth.

ANNUAL LEGAL LUNCH 25 J une

at the

C onnaught

Guests at the second Annual Legal Lunch had the privilege of listening to Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE speaking about her role as Lord Mayor and how her skills as a lawyer have been a crucial help in this position. On her objectives for her year as Lord Mayor she explained her 686 Plan, which includes fundraising for communitybased charities.

Olivier Morel, Chair of the Legal Forum, put questions to Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, who was at the time Lord Mayor of the City of London and only the second woman ever to hold the office that was inaugurated in 1189.

CROSS-CULTURAL RELATIONS DEBATE 6 M arch

L a R ésidence

F rance

A lively discussion between two French and British business leaders revealed there is much to learn and take away from each other’s cultures. As cultural intelligence has become more important than ever before as a business requirement, both speakers shared their experiences and gave extremely valuable advice to face cultural differences in a business environment.

Nicolas Petrovic, CEO of Eurostar International, Sir Ian Cheshire, then Group Chief Executive of Kingfisher in a debate moderated by Peter Alfandary, Chair of the Cross-Cultural Relations Forum.

BREAKFASTS WITH... Sponsored by PAUL UK

23 A pril - V ictor C havez , CEO of T hales UK ‘I could give you fantastic insights into the technology of autonomous air systems,’ Victor Chavez quipped, but instead he spoke about the impact of globalisation on strategic sectors – which he knows well, with Thales working in Defence, Space, Security, Aerospace and Transportation – and the role of national governments in controlling such markets.

13 J une – J ean-J acques Lebel, then Chairman of L’Oréal UK & Ireland On L’Oréal’s constant renewal, Jean-Jacques Lebel said ‘Big organisations have to adapt and change if they want to survive’. The beauty group may have been around for over a century but it has never looked more towards the future, with increasing investments in research, innovation and digital. By 2020, all L’Oréal products will have a social or environmental benefit.

12 S eptember – N icolas B eytout , P resident & F ounder of L’O pinion ‘Is France the sick man of Europe?’ That is the question Nicolas Beytout sought to answer in his talk on the current economic and political situation in France. In an impromptu response, the Minister Councillor for Economic and Financial Affairs asserted that the government is sticking with its ambitious public spending cuts and is ‘highly committed’ to structural reforms.

21 N ovember – M arc P ontet , CEO of A sendia (L a P oste ) In a fascinating presentation, Marc Pontet showed how a company founded under the reign of Louis XI can still be a leader six centuries later. In an industry deeply affected by the rise of the Internet, he pointed to reinvention as the key to success and explained how La Poste & Swiss Post have formed an equal joint venture, Asendia, to meet the new needs of customers and operate within the new distribution landscape.

DINERS DES CHEFS Partner: Pernod Ricard The Luxury Club hosts regular Dîners des Chefs to celebrate ‘l’art de vivre’ and put the spotlight on iconic Chefs who have been awarded Michelin stars and have had remarkable journeys as ambassadors of gastronomic excellence. We would like to thank Pernod Ricard for its longstanding and most generous support, which was very innovative in 2014, creating and providing cocktail pairings for each dinner.

l’atelier de joel robuchon 24 M arch - w ith Chef Xavier Boyer

Alain Ducasse at THE DORCHESTER 17 September - Chef Jocelyn Herland with HE Sylvie Bermann and Arnaud Bamberger

THE CONNAUGHT 12 N ovember - Chef Hélène Darroze with Chef Raymond Blanc OBE

13 March at the Pullman L ondon S t Pancras Partners: Powervote and Service Point

EVENTS

MEMBER TO MEMBER COCKTAIL AND EXHIBITION More than 250 participants and 21 exhibitors enjoyed extensive networking and the chance to find out about each other’s businesses in a very convivial environment. The M2M Offers booklet was launched and distributed during the evening. Connections were improved thanks to a dedicated mobile app developed by Powervote, which was given to participants on arrival with information on how to use it.

2014 exhibitors: Artelia, Asendia, Bourner Bullock, CEI, Citroën, Emmaus, Four Seasons, Handicap International, Institut Français, Interactifs, La Maison Médicale, Le Pain Quotidien, Lloyds International Private Banking, Merci Maman, Miller Rosenfalck, NewTownVision, Pullman, Solocal, The Medical Chambers Kensington, TheWesley

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 24 J une hosted by R eed S mith 2013’s achievements and the outlook for 2014 were presented to over 120 members attending the AGM. As always, it was followed by a networking reception with a finger buffet generously provided by Reed Smith.

Business Club Cocktail

Rendez-vous chez…

3 A pril at HSBC S t J ames ’ s S treet offices Sponsored by HSBC Over 80 participants heard from Peter Dockar, Head of Mortgages at HSBC, Martijn Van der Heijden, Global Head of Mortgages at HSBC and Alexandre Terrasse, Partner at Jeffrey Green Russell. Theme: ‘A short guide to a successful purchase: UK vs France’.

Regular events hosted by Chamber members at their business premises, providing the chance for fellow members to network informally and sample their host’s products and services.

Summer Champagne Reception 8 July at the Royal Automobile Club Sponsored by Accuracy - Partner: Vranken Pommery More than 100 participants enjoyed Champagne and networking in beautiful surroundings.

International Wine & Spirit Tasting 16 S eptember at the G rand C onnaught R ooms In partnership with 11 other foreign Chambers in the UK: Argentina, Austria, Canada, Georgia, Hungarian, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

Aubaine on 16 January Léon de Bruxelles on 4 March L’Occitane on 13 May La Maison Maille on 17 June The Royal Park Hotel on 7 August Caudalie on 19 November

Say ‘Cheese’…and Wine 11 February & 29 October in partnership with La Cave à Fromage and Wine Story.

PA evenings This unique type of event specially for Personal Assistants took place at Aubaine in January, February and September, and Chaumet in June.

PATRON EVENTS A record of 12 exclusive events were organised for Patron member main representatives. These free events, ranging from tastings and trips to cultural and sporting events, combine business and pleasure in an informal atmosphere with opportunities to network. Only main representatives are invited to attend these events, often with their spouses, and as the invitations are non-transferable, members can build close connections at the highest level. Patron members are welcome to contact us if they wish to sponsor an event for their fellow Patron members.

30 32

BUSINESS IN SOCIETY 19 M arch at the T ate M odern Sponsored by Mazars Mazars organised a discussion around the role of business in society. The evening addressed the role and influence of boards in implementing a society-oriented approach to business in order to create a mutually beneficial relationship that promotes sustainable growth and a thriving society.

DISCOVER LOTUS F1 TEAM (1) 24 A pril at L otus F1 T eam site Sponsored by Altran Patron members had the unique opportunity to visit the Lotus F1 Team site in Oxfordshire, where they were welcomed by CEO Matthew Carter and the Formula One driver, Romain Grosjean. Fun, good humour and friendly rivalry ruled the day!

LUNCH AT CARTIER (3) 16 M ay at the L ondon headquarters of M aison C artier Arnaud Bamberger, former Chairman of Cartier, hosted guests for an exquisite meal in the first Cartier boutique in the UK, opened in 1902. A presentation about the history of the brand and its legacy was led by Clyde Tabiner, Training Manager at Cartier.

ROMEO & JULIET DRESS REHEARSAL (4) 10 J une at the R oyal A lbert H all A very exclusive behind-the-scenes evening showcasing the final adjustments of the ballet Romeo & Juliet by British choreographer Derek Deane, with Carlos Acosta (Romeo) and Tamara Rojo (Juliet) whose performance was the last of her amazing career.

5 THE CONRAN SHOP LAUNCH PARTY OF ‘A SEASON IN FRANCE’ (2) 1 M ay at the C onran S hop Designer Jasper Conran OBE invited a few VIPs to view the new collection ‘A Season in France’ as well as other vintage and contemporary designs and collections in his Fulham Road shop.

TOUR & TASTING AT BEEFEATER GIN DISTILLERY (5) 19 J une at B eefeater G in D istillery Patron & Corporate members visited the refurbished Beefeater Distillery and took part in a gin-tasting session with Master Distiller Desmond Payne, the world’s most experienced gin industry expert. Thanks to Pernod Ricard, all participants learnt more about this iconic London spirit.

EVENTS

9 8

1111

OPENING CEREMONY OF THE GLASGOW COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2014 (6) 23 & 24 A pril in G lasgow Sponsored by Atos In partnership with easyJet 10 Patron members flew to Glasgow for a two-day trip to watch the ceremony that launched the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

EMIRATES CUP 2014 (9) 23 & 24 J uly During this two-day competition, sponsored by Arsenal, Patron members had the opportunity to experience the Emirates Cup Tournament from an Executive Box.

TOUR DE FRANCE (10) 27 J uly at M ansion H ouse Thanks to London & Partners, Patron members were invited for lunch at Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor, to celebrate the arrival of the Tour de France in London and later watched the race finish on The Mall.

DISCOVER RUINART (8) 11 S eptember at M oët H ennessy 40 Patron members were welcomed by Jo Thornton, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy, in their elegant offices in Belgravia for a formal tasting of Ruinart Champagnes and an induction into the history of the oldest Champagne house.

A NIGHT AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE (7) - 3 N ovember at ROH Sponsored by the Royal Opera House In the presence of Sally O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer of the ROH, Patron members enjoyed an Opera Masterclass in the Clore Studio, followed by a Champagne reception.

RAMEAU AND LES ARTS FLORISSANTS (11) 18 N ovember at the B arbican H all Sponsored by Alstom Alstom invited fellow Patron members to an exceptional production of Jean-Philippe Rameau at the Barbican, Europe’s largest multi-art venue.

business support services THe One-stop shop for french Sme & start-up development in great britain

We aim to support French businesses at all stages of their development in the UK, through long-term strategies and solutions. Our Incubator, Business Consultancy, Company Set-up and Recruitment departments work in synergy to offer a wide range of services with a dedicated and experienced team of 11. We take great pride in having met and advised 969 businesses in 2014 and worked with 267. We also organised the first Franco-British Business Forum which provided a new platform for decision makers of 87 French and British companies to meet potential clients, partners or suppliers. source of new clients

267 clients in 2014 including > 170 new clients >

16% 16%

52%

32%

52% 32%

52% Direct (89) 52% Direct (89) 32% Chambers of Commerce in France (54) of Commerce Chambers 32% in France (54) 16% Others (27) 16% Others (27)

INCUBATOR 2014 saw the launch of our central London Incubator’s ‘all inclusive package’ - see below. Whether for a day, a week or a month, our flexible desk rental service is aimed at start-ups, entrepreneurs or SMEs who are developing their businesses in the UK.

Occupancy rate in 2014: 73%

23 tenants

Flexible and all-inclusive offer • Dedicated desk and phone line • Access to printers and scanners • 24/7 secure access and free WiFi • Unlimited, free access to meeting rooms • Use of the Chamber’s address • Free Active membership of the Chamber for contracts of 12 months minimum

‘Renting a desk at the Chamber gave movingdesign the opportunity to be close to all the exchanges going on at the French Chamber. It is a real asset to be at the Chamber, especially in terms of networking opportunities and access to the Business Support Services. Ultimately we acquired great visibility with other premium members of the French Chamber.’ Lilian Rabin, UK Country Manager, movingdesign, digital design studio

MEETING ROOM RENTAL Very competitive prices • Versatile meeting rooms with video-conferencing facilties, audio-visual equipment, plasma screens • Professional reception and technical support

‘I regularly use the Chamber’s meeting rooms and they are very good value for money! They are bright, modern and well located in central London. The team is very welcoming.’ Henry Schmidt, Managing Director, Ici Londres

The UK’s encouraging growth rate boosted the Business Consultancy department activity as more and more companies looked to do business in the British market. This translated into a 25% increase in revenue compared to 2013. In 2014, 62 export missions were carried out in a variety of sectors such as Design, Retail, Creative Industries, ICT and Manufacturing with a total of 278 B-to-B meetings. turnover by service 8%

10%

36%

15% 28%

36%

missions of the Individual export

28%

Collective export missions

15%

Seminars

10%

Market research

Individual export missions

10%

28%

Collective export missions

15%

Seminars

EDHEC MBA Finance Seminar

89% satisfaction rate for services

Our services

• Bespoke market research • Lists of prospects and potential clients 3% Lists of prospects • Organisation of B-to-B meetings with prospects market research • Trade visits for groups of companies in the same sector Commercial representation • Commercial representation and virtual office • Seminar organisation lists of prospects 8%

36%

2014 KEY FIGURES > 95 clients > 278 B-to-B meetings organised > 18 roadshows on which 166 companies were met > 62 export missions > 3 trade delegations for French regions > 2 seminars organised including the second edition

BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES

BUSINESS CONSULTANCY

Commercial representation

‘We have been very satisfied with the support provided by the Chamber in our UK partner search. Its team is very professional and dynamic, impressing even our British contacts. We particularly appreciated the fact that we were put in contact with high-level decision makers such as CEOs and Managing Directors.’ Jean Préau, CEO, BLO, Direct Marketing Company

First edition of the franco-british business forum 2014 saw the launch of the Franco-British Business Forum under the high patronage of the French Ambassador to the UK and the British Ambassador to France. 87 French and British companies met for topical roundtable discussions, B-to-B meetings with potential clients, partners or suppliers, and networked around the expert village where participants were able to get advice on taxation, employment law, logistics, transport, real estate and banking from sponsors and partners.

170 participants > 160 B-to-B meetings > 87 companies involved >

‘Thank you to the French Chamber team for organising this forum and congratulations for its professionalism. This platform was very inspiring and provided a lot of information; it helped us to determine our mode of representation in the UK. Furthermore, we met two companies that would be very interested in working with us.’ Daniela d’Aloïa, Commercial Director, Dyna shock system sas

OUTLOOK 2015: FURTHER DEVELOP COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATION Our department will further develop its sales outsourcing service, aimed at companies wanting to drive sales but unable to afford the risk of additional fixed overheads. Trained up, sales and administrative staff can be contracted to a business a few days per month, for as long as they are needed.

ACCOUNTING, PAYROLL & COMPANY SET-UP SERVICES

2014 was a year of development for our department as we took on 40 new clients. Our team of bilingual professionals worked hand-in-hand with every client, adapting our services to their needs to give their businesses a strong start and enable them to grow successfully in the UK. Our clients endorsed us with a 97% satisfaction rate.

turnover by service

> > >

177 services provided to128 clients 50 accountancy, 81 payroll management 17 virtual office, 29 VAT management 7 ‘Implantation Days’ organised 3,548 payslips generated

Our Services 53% 53% Accountancy Accountancy

6% 6% 6% 6%

34% Salary 34% Salary 53% 53%

34% 34%

2014 KEY FIGURES

6% Domiciliation 6% Domiciliation 6% VAT Management 6% VAT Management 1% Implantation Day 1% Implantation Day

• ‘Implantation Day’: all-in-one-day package of tailored meetings with Franco-British experts • Accountancy: bookkeeping, management accounts, sales processing and credit control, purchase and payment processing, bank reconciliation and group reporting • Payroll: processing, payment and HR support • Registered address service and phone line • VAT management services

satisfied or very satisfied by our services * Quality: 96% Timeliness: 98% Process: 96% Team: 99% 0

100

* Survey of 113 companies – 69% responded

‘We

‘The

felt as if we were explorers in unknown territory but luckily we encountered the French Chamber as a guide! When we struggled to find information or a local supplier, the Chamber provided us with quality advice and helped us to source the right lawyer, bank and architect/contractor among other things. The Chamber Business Support department provides us today with full accountancy services.’

outsourcing of our accounting and payroll services allowed us to fully concentrate on our business development within the UK. The Chamber reacts very quickly to our needs and provides us with constant support and timely advice. For more efficiency, one of the Chamber’s accountants comes regularly to our offices, allowing us to save time and maintain close links with the Chamber.’

Mathieu Durand, Country Manager, Big Fernand

Jean-Christophe Samyn, UK Director, Caudalie

OUTLOOK 2015: BUILD ON SECTORAL EXPERTISE With the knowledge and expertise that we have built up, we are aiming to prospect for new clients in specific industries: F&B, retail, digital and technology, while we will continue to provide outsourcing services in a wide range of sectors. In 2015, our department will also assist construction businesses with their registration and monthly report obligations under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), created by HM Revenue & Customs for tax deduction from contractors and subcontractors.

RECRUITMENT SERVICE Our Recruitment Service is dedicated to all companies with recruitment needs in the UK, whether looking to set up or already established. Our very competitive rates allow members to recoup their membership fee in one to three recruitments at most. In 2014, 11 companies joined the Chamber especially for our services, we met 475 candidates and signed four new partnerships with top Business Schools (EDHEC, ESSEC, INSEEC and EM Normandie). We also coordinated the production of The HR Guide. turnover by service

Flexible Part-time Package Recruitment 86%8% Classic

Part-time Start-Up Package 8%6% Flexible Package

86%

> 44 clients in 2014, 75% new clients > 35% of clients recruited more than one position > 30 placements > 3,440 candidates on the database since 2012 > A total of 11 partnerships with school and universities

Our Services 86% Classic Recruitment

2014 KEY FIGURES

Start-Up Package

• Highly competitive fees • Privileged access to bilingual and high profile candidates across a wide range of disciplines • Innovative recruitment options for companies of all sizes - ‘Classic’ recruitment - Discounted fees for start-ups - A special package for temporary contracts and part- time positions

candidates by discipline 36% Marketing/Sales 6%

12% Com/Events/Design

12% Project Management 36%

11% 11%

11% Finance/Accountancy 11% HR/Law

12%

Business Support

Engineer

Teacher/Translation

‘In

2014, SOFYNE were looking to hire bilingual highly skilled IT technical staff to join them in London. The French Chamber met us and took great time and consideration to understand and support our growth plans. We were not inundated with unnecessary CVs; in fact, the opposite! Two CVs and one hire, which was very cost effective. SOFYNE will continue to work with the French Chamber and looks forward to continued success in 2015 and beyond! ’

‘We have been very pleased by the quality of the candidates that we were offered, which matched our requirements very closely. On top of being very efficient and professional, the team is also very pleasant to work with. We would have no hesitation in recommending the French Chamber service to other companies seeking to recruit new employees.’ Jean-Noël Mermet, Managing Director, Frenger International

Rick Tolfrey, Managing Director, SOFYNE

OUTLOOK 2015: JOBLINK We will send out JobLink on a more regular basis. This newsletter, which is aimed at HR Managers and Managing Directors of smaller companies, features a selection of the best candidate profiles in a wide range of disciplines, and up-to-date information on our HR Forum activities.

PUBLICATIONS and COMMUNICATIONS To provi de yo u with in formati o n a n d e xpo s ure The role of the Publications and Communications Department is to keep members of the Chamber informed of relevant news and Chamber activities, provide business-focused publications on concrete and topical matters and offer visibility for members through editorial contributions and advertising opportunities in all our print and digital media.

BOOKLETS AND GUIDES The HR Guide, A practical approach to Human Resources in Great Britain Written by members of our HR Forum, the booklet provides an overview of HR topics, reflecting the strong legal basis of the UK employment landscape, and is full of valuable testimonials, tips and advice. It is aimed at French businesses that have or are intending to set up in the UK. Available at www.frenchchamber.co.uk for £12

‘The HR Guide presents clearly the diverse aspects of the UK’s HR attributes, with helpful case studies and different companies sharing viewpoints and expertise. As a UK branch of a French company, the booklet presents a great tool to help us to liaise with our Head Office as it conveys concise details on HR in the UK’ David Harper, Brand Manager, Proman Recruitment UK

‘The Cross-Cultural Relations booklet, Light at the End of the Tunnel, has been very useful in spreading awareness of and avoiding the potential misunderstandings which can occur through interactions between the French and the British’ Richard Fostier, CEO, Colas Rail

The 2015 Franco-British Trade Directory Published annually, The Franco-British Trade Directory is a compilation of French Chamber members with names, addresses and contact details, as well as key contacts within the Franco-British community. This edition of over 300 pages lists more than 1,650 representatives of 600 companies from blue chip firms to SMEs and entrepreneurs. Distributed to all member representatives free of charge. An online version is available to all members on www.frenchchamber.co.uk

The Member-2-Member Offers Booklet The 2014 booklet featured a record of 106 offers, giving members discounted rates on products and services such as hospitality, transportation and retail, amongst others. It also allows members to promote their products or services to fellow members, and entitles members to benefit from exclusive offers not only in the UK but also in more than 82 countries around the world thanks to the CCI France international network. Find out more on www.ccifrance-international.org/privileges Distributed to all members free of charge. Online version available on www.frenchchamber.co.uk

OUTLOOK 2015: TWO NEW PUBLICATIONS The Legal Forum will publish Anglo-French comparative booklets on Directors’ Duties and Litigation

38 30

ua ing bil

Written by members of our Cross-Cultural Relations Forum under the guidance of Peter Alfandary 1,200 copies sold in 2014, bringing the total number sold to 5,000. Available at www.frenchchamber.co.uk for £6

LIGHT at the end of the tunnel, Practical reflections on the French and British in business

Our bimonthly magazine INFO, which is published in print and online, continued to improve in terms of content and scope, gaining a reputation for its quality and calibre of information in the Franco-British business world. In 2014, INFO marked its 35th anniversary, looking back at the very first issue in 1979. INFO magazine has always been a tool for the development of strong relationships between the French Chamber and its members, and also serves to broaden collaboration on both sides of the Channel.

2014 KEY FIGURES > > > > >

5,000 printed copies per issue Overall readership: 20,000 per issue Online readership: 12,000 per issue 330 member companies featured 9 advertisers renewed annual contracts

PUBLICATIONS

INFO MAGAZINE

DISTRIBUTION Sent to 1,650 members’ representatives and more than 1,000 decision makers and opinion leaders Distributed in the business lounges of Air France, Eurostar and Eurotunnel

Editorial Committees for Focus themes For each issue, an editorial committee is convened to which we invite representatives from member companies as well as other experts and academics with particular knowledge or expertise on the Focus topic, to discuss the content framework and ultimately contribute articles. Editorial committees serve as a useful platform for us to hear directly from our members and provide networking opportunities for members operating within the same sector of activity.

INFO focus themes for 2015 Luxury & Craftsmanship (Jan/Feb) Women in Leadership (Mar/April) The New Workplace (May/June) Real Estate: London or Paris? (July/Aug) The Business of Climate Change (Sept/Oct) Digital (Nov/Dec)

INFO: STAY INFORMED AND GAIN VISIBILTY Our magazine offers members multiple and varied opportunities to be featured, whether through regular feature articles and interviews, company news, Forum & Club and Events reports, or contributions from experts in areas relevant to each Focus. The ‘5 minutes with…’ interviews allow heads of Patron member companies to talk about their companies, achievements and strategies, while for members in the financial sector there is a chance to be profiled in ‘News in the City’. We also feature articles on interesting SMEs and start-ups and tell the ‘Success Stories’ of the most outstanding. In ‘Eat, Drink, Stay’ we put the spotlight on the activities of our food, drink and hospitality members with mini articles and features, while the newly launched ‘Travelogue’ gives our travel industry members the chance to shine. We invite all members – large and small – to send us their news, which we selectively feature in our various news sections.

OUTLOOK 2015: NEW LOOK FOR INFO We will undertake a reader survey about design and content, and our Graphic Designer will be redesigning INFO to give it a fresh and modern look.

NEWSLETTERS Our newsletters help us to keep in touch with our members and partners, providing bilateral news, member news, information about Chamber activities, highlights from INFO magazine, advice for businesses wishing to invest in the UK, etc. All can boast strong opening rates and readerships of up to 5,000 per newsletter. Sent throughout the year with monthly, bimonthly and quarterly editions, as well as to different target audiences (from all our members to Patron members specifically or French SMEs wishing to expand to the UK), our newsletters are an essential source of information for the Franco-British business community. In 2014, we introduced a ‘Recent News’ section in our monthly newsletter, featuring significant economic and market news on both sides of the Channel. That is the reason why we recently revamped this monthly update and renamed it ‘Channel’, to convey the connections and communication between members that this newsletter facilitates.

Monthly Newsletter: Channel Distributed to 3,000 member contacts, highlighting: • • • •

Forthcoming events and Forum & Club sessions Recent news Member company news New members and Chamber news

Bimonthly INFO News Distributed prior to the printed version of INFO to 4,000 member contacts, highlighting a selection of key articles from the latest issue Quarterly France-UK Express Edited in French and distributed to 5,000 French SMEs and French Chambers of Commerce in France as well as abroad, highlighting: • • • • •

Facts and figures on the bilateral environment UK market opportunities Sectoral and regional focuses Legal and fiscal advice Upcoming trade fairs

Bimonthly Patron Newsletter Distributed to1,000 Patron member representatives, highlighting: • • •

Forthcoming Patron events and Forum & Club sessions Patron members’ news New Patron members

SECTORAL REPORTS Written in French and edited by our Business Consultancy department, these sectoral reports are used to inform French companies interested in developing their business in the UK.

New in 2014

> Retail Pharmacy > Cosmetics > Alcoholic Beverages

Updates > > > > > >

Life Sciences Logistics and Transport E-commerce Automotive Industry Renewable Energies ICT

OUTLOOK 2015: REVAMPED PATRON NEWSLETTER In 2015 we will further improve the content and design of our Patron newsletter, and introduce a new section featuring exclusive offers for Patron members.

We strive to provide our members with many opportunities to gain exposure and communicate with fellow members. All our communication tools and platforms therefore benefit our members and help them to create awareness of their activities amongst our member base and across the Franco-British community at large.

website Attracting more than 6,000 unique visitors per month, our website is the ideal platform for our members to stay up to date on Chamber activities. It is also a unique opportunity for sponsors and partners to gain publicity. In 2014, we introduced a new dedicated page featuring all our Corporate member logos.

Evolution vs 2013

Number of visitors Absolute unique visitors Pages views

+3,6% +10.9% +3.4%

COMMUNICATIONs

communication toolS

Year 2014 109,000 73,000 412,000

social media platforms Our social media channels allow members to exchange with one another, ask questions and share information. These platforms also keep our members informed about Chamber activities and fellow members’ news on a daily basis. In 2014, we reinforced our presence on social media and developed new content such as member-to-member offers and new member features. The highlight of 2014 was a screen at our Franco-British Transport Conference, showing a live feed of tweets which allowed participants to share their opinions and interact, generating more than 240 hashtags!

+ 119% followers + 62

% suscribers

+ 154% fans

advertising Thanks to our various par tnerships, we were able to feature adver tisements in our media par tners’ promotional tools. Our four adver tisements in the Financial Times, for example, allowed us to communicate on our flagship events, including visibility for the sponsors’ logos.

Organised by: #FBBF

Announcing... The winners of the

O-BRITISH THE FRANC UM BUSINESS FOR

ERS S AND PARTN S TIAL CLIENT GS WITH POTENLED BY INDUSTRY EXPERT BTOB MEETIN ROUNDTABLES SECTORAL

THE FRANCO-

NOW REGISTER O.UK

SME / Entrepreneur Award

Innovation Award

NovemberNW12014 2AJ Friday 28 London St Pancras,

Merci Maman

ARM

Large Corporate Award

Jury Award

Saint-Gobain

HSBC

WWW.FBBF.C

At the Pullman

nised during pre-orga

BtoB meetings

and British partners future French experts on: s / Energy les led by industry / Creative Industrie during roundtab / Silver Economy  Get informedof activity including: ICT France and Great-Britain in - 4 top sectors a distribution network real estate, law, taxation, - how to build in employment our experts Village questions to at the Expert  Put your recruitment logistics and

 Meet your

In 2014, the Franco-British Business Award winners were notably featured on a dedicated quarter page in the Financial Times issue distributed at the Franco-British Business Forum the following day.

SUPPORTING MAIN SPONSO

Tuesday 14 Octo At One Georg

FIRST PANEL:

Coup de Coeur

Financing urban

Caviar Petrossian

SECOND PANEL:

The city of the

French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain Find out more about the winners...