INFO Magazine - Focus on COP21 & the business of climate change

I N F O t h e

m a g a z i n e

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french chamber of great britain www.frenchchamber.co.uk

b u s i n e s s

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015

COP21 &

the business of climate change

IN THIS ISSUE:

Ségolène Royal on her hopes and expectations for COP21 Antoine Frérot, Chairman & CEO of Veolia: perspectives on COP21 Business leadership in an uncertain world: Carolyn McCall CBE, easyJet CEO President Estelle Brachlianoff outlines her vision for the Chamber New Column: THE UK AND EUROPE - Choices and Voices

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EDITOrial Estelle Brachlianoff President, French Chamber of Great Britain Executive Vice President of Veolia UK & Ireland

T

o start on a good note, I would like to pay tribute to

of thousands of people who would be tragically affected by

HM Queen Elizabeth II, who on 9 September became Britain’s longest reigning monarch, surpassing her greatgreat grandmother Queen Victoria’s reign of 63 years and 216 days. Former Prime Minister Sir John Major, one of the 12 prime ministers of her reign so far, encapsulated this achievement by describing her as ‘an absolute constant’ in British life.

Such continuity provides a stark contrast to what is happening around us. The migrant/refugee crisis is one of the world’s most pressing issues, which has been brought into focus in Europe recently.

In his speech at the annual French Ambassadors’ Conference in Paris, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development also highlighted the Climate Change issues and impending COP21 meeting in Paris.

‘Climate disruption is a problem on whose solution life itself on our planet and the solution to all the other problems depend,’ he said ‘…think about what a temperature rise of 4 to 5 or even 6°C would spell for migration, with consequences for droughts, famines and floods. It wouldn’t be hundreds

migration, like today, but hundreds of millions. In reality, it’s perhaps the greatest trigger for future war or peace.’

It is the topic of Climate Change that this issue of INFO has focused on, with particular emphasis on what is at stake at COP21. An interview with Ségolène Royal brings the government perspective, while various business views on what is being done or needs to be done are presented by business leaders, thought leaders and academics. Other articles consider the issues of financing climate change adaptation and innovation, debate policy direction for renewables, consider consumer attitudes and influence, and look at how business is investing in resilience with various case studies offering examples of best practice. It is a thought-provoking read, which sets the scene for the Paris meetings, which we hope will be progressive and ground-breaking in the fight against global warming.

You will also notice that this issue of INFO has a new look that is more modern, corporate and professional, which we believe is a good reflection of our Chamber and what it stands for. I

It is with great sadness that we announce that Laurence Dubois Destrizais, former Minister Counsellor for Economic and Financial Affairs at the French Embassy in the UK and former Advisory Councillor at the Chamber, passed away on 28 August.

‘I first met Laurence five years ago when she came to London as Minister Counsellor and our professional relationship quickly turned into a great friendship. Laurence was a force of nature – a very charismatic person with a strong personality and an amazing energy, demanding of herself and others, highly intelligent, with a great sense of humour. She had moved to Brussels last summer to become a member of the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union, but I kept in regular contact with her. The quick onset of her illness and her passing within only nine months has left many with a profound sense of loss. Our thoughts are with her mother and partner Jean-Michel Mangeot, to whom we offer sincere condolences on behalf of the Chamber.’ Florence Gomez

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WORLD NEWS

MADE IN FRANCE

FRANCE24.COM

Available in English on Freesat / Sky / TV Player And in English and French on Virgin

The business of climate change Interview with Estelle Brachlianoff

comme nt

9 The UK and Europe: Choices and Voices 11 The Banking Union explained BUSINE S s WOR LD

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15 16

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20 22

5 minutes with... Rob Davies, CEO AREVA UK Schneider Electric in £1.3bn reverse takeover of Aveva SPIE buys Leven Energy Services JCDecaux wins ‘world’s biggest bus shelter ad contract’ Bouygues UK appointed for major London regeneration scheme Médecins du Monde UK providing essential healthcare in Calais Profile: LiveSpeech SME news

E DUC ATION

24 Interview with Simon Mercado, UK

Director, ESCP Europe Business School 26 News briefs FOCUS

The Business of Climate Change 30 32 34

36

37 38

39 40 42

Interview: Ségolène Royal COP21: what is being negotiated and why?

Business perspectives on COP21 and climate change issues Business wants to be a part of the fight against climate change - Paris must give us the gloves Business vs climate change: the true picture A roadmap to finance a low-carbon economy COP21: Mobilisation of the financial sector Climate change & the investment market A route for renewable energy deployment

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CONTENTS

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Winning the challenge of consumer sentiment The hidden environmental impact of the Internet Building a resilient organisation: why context & materiality really matters Case study: Building resilience into supply and customer chains Areva: environmental management on a group scale WARNING: energy fines ahead!

Business innovation out of climate change: - Climpact-Metnext: weather modelling - INERIS: tracking emissions - TGOGC: people-powered gyms

LIFE S T YLE

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Exhibitions La Cave à Fromage: a world-class cheese shop Eat, Drink, Stay - briefs Cheese & Wine Press Travelogue: Japan and Ireland

CHA MBE R HAPPENINGS

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Shorties New members Carolyn McCall OBE, CEO of easyJet Breakfast with Eurostar CEO Nicolas Petrovic The significance of the Magna Carta to our present age Sir John Major: the GE explained Summer Champagne Reception Dîner des Chefs at Club Gascon

Managing Director: Florence Gomez Editor-in-Chief: Keri Fuller Corporate Communication Executive: Marielle Fraize Graphic design & cover artwork: Katherine Millet Advertising & Sales: Suzanne Lycett Publications Assistant: Melissa Hattabi Subscription: INFO is published every 2 months Printed by: CPI Colour Contributors: Philippe Allard, Richard Brown CBE, Pascal Canfin, Eric Charriaux, Antoine Frérot, Jean-Michel Geffriaud, Pat Gilroy, Jonathan Grant, Christine Fedigan, Thibault Lavergne, Dr Andrea Masini, Simon Mercado, Mike Pini, Simon Pringle, James Robey, Benoît Ronez, Peter StephensonWright, Jean-Michel Sylvestre, JeanPhilippe Verdier, Barnaby Wharton Distribution: French Chamber members, Franco-British decision makers, Business Class lounges of Eurostar, Eurotunnel and Air France in London, Paris and Manchester

FORUMS & CLUBS

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Luxury Club Breakfast at Royal Albert Hall HR Forum - The role of HR in CSR SME & Entrepreneur Club - Social media for SMEs, challenges and opportunities Interview: Jean-Philippe Verdier, Deputy Chair of the Climate Change Forum Forthcoming Forums & Clubs Forthcoming Events

Editorial and Publishing Office: French Chamber of Great Britain Lincoln House, 300 High Holborn London WC1V 7JH Tel: (020) 7092 6600; Fax: (020) 7092 6601 www.frenchchamber.co.uk

Interview

Estelle BRACHLIANOFF New President of the French Chamber

In her first interview since becoming President of the French Chamber in June, Senior Executive Vice President of

The Chamber’s 600 members are split fairly evenly between UK and French companies, and range from entrepreneurs and SMEs to blue chips. We provide both business communities with the opportunity to exchange ideas, develop networks and

Veolia UK & Ireland, Estelle Brachlianoff

influence policy makers both in the UK and in France.

reflects on her role, the Chamber’s

networking at the service of Franco-British firms in the UK, to

mission and her perspective of the business landscape in the UK

Our overall aims are to provide a platform for exchange and promote our members’ interests to key decision makers and to help develop economic and commercial relations between France and the UK. How would you like to see the Chamber developing in

Why did you decide to run for President of the French

your Presidency?

Chamber?

There is an English phrase – ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’ What

Veolia has been a member of the Chamber since our UK

has struck me over the last three months is the determination

launch in the early 1990s and Jean-Claude Banon held the

of our team at the Chamber to provide our members with the

office of President between 1997-2002. We have definitely

best possible service and of course I want to encourage this

benefited from our membership and I think it’s important to

proactive approach.

give something back.

When I came to the UK in 2012, I knew of the Chamber’s

What I have found myself from visiting Lincoln House more regularly is the sheer number of opportunities to network

importance and quickly became involved. I served on the

from breakfast meetings to evening events. The Chamber is a

Board as Vice-President and as a French Foreign Trade

hive of activity and we also have dedicated Account Managers

Advisor, I felt very much at home with the team and could see

available, providing a wide range of business consultancy,

the impetus the Chamber was giving to Franco-British trade.

recruitment and marketing services.

What has been so encouraging for both myself and Deputy

So I think we have an excellent platform in place and I don’t

President Stephen Burgin is the support we have received

have an agenda for change. I just think we would benefit from

since our election in June. It has been a really exciting time and

greater feedback from our members about what they value

the backing we have gained makes us very positive about the

and how we have helped them. We also need to make sure

future.

that all our existing members are fully aware of our services, and finally, like every organisation, we need to attract new

How do you view the Chamber’s role and purpose?

members – and I believe we have a great story to tell.

Our goal is simple – to help French and British companies both large and small grow their businesses and share best practice.

In your first speech as President you spoke about the

We make this possible through a number of events, forums and

importance of diversity. Can you elaborate on this?

support services – we help give you access to the right people

You are right, I think diversity is all important for companies

face to face.

seeking to develop their business. The truth is there is no

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I NTE R V I E W wi t h E S TE L L E B R A C H L I A NO F F

There is no shortage of opportunities here for French entrepreneurs.

My experience is that the UK is a secure investment market, GDP growth is outperforming mainland Europe and there have been considerable efforts to become more ‘business friendly’ to encourage companies to set up and expand

monopoly on good ideas and a company that encourages

Cridland, Director General of the CBI and Frances O’Grady,

diversity across agenda, ethnicity, sexuality, age and disability

TUC General Secretary.

will attract talent from a more diverse range of backgrounds.

I am also part of the Ellen MacArthur Circular Economy

The lifeblood of any company is innovation and I believe

100 and the Environmental Leadership team of the BITC. Both

diversity is the key to that innovation. Technology is now

organisations offer the opportunity to increase awareness of

moving so fast and products are coming to market quicker

the importance of improved resource management via a new

than ever before. Businesses are seeking that competitive

business model based on the circular economy.

differentiation and only with access to a wide range of people with new ideas will they start to think differently.

What do you view as the main challenges for business in the current economic and political climate?

As the leader of a French company in the UK what is your

Clearly, we live in a time of great economic and political change

perspective of the business landscape and prospects for

with a host of key issues including economic growth, migration

French companies here?

and EU membership. Working for an environmental company,

What is so exciting about being in London now is that

you would expect me to say this, but I am convinced that top

business and consumer confidence is growing and there is no

of the agenda is how we resource the world. By 2050 the

shortage of opportunities here for French entrepreneurs. My

world population will have risen by a third from 7.2 billion to

experience is that the UK is a secure investment market, GDP

over 9.6 billion and over 70% of those people will live in cities.

growth is outperforming mainland Europe and there have

With a rapidly growing global population and fast increasing

been considerable efforts to become more ‘business friendly’

consumption, it is clear that security of supply will be one of

to encourage companies to set up and expand.

the biggest risks to business continuity and I believe how we

However for existing French companies or start-ups the message is still the same. You have to try and stay one step

cope with the impending shortage of raw materials will dictate our future.

ahead, keep close to your customers, understand what they want and try and anticipate ‘the next big thing’.

Do you believe the Chamber has a role to play in voicing French business views on key issues and how do you

What is your involvement in the wider business

envisage this developing?

community in the UK?

There are two issues here – the Chamber as a forum for

I contribute to a number of business organisations in addition

debate and the Chamber setting out its own viewpoint on key

to the Chamber, but I would like to focus on just three – the

issues.

CBI, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Business in the Community (BITC).

As a forum for debate I am really proud of how the Chamber is tackling topical issues and our six forums on

I sit on the Infrastructure Board and President’s Committee

climate change, cross-cultural relations, finance, human

of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). This gives me the

resources, legal and economic debate do a great job at

opportunity to participate in the infrastructure debate from

keeping our members up to date.

an investor’s perspective and spell out the key issues in terms

As a commentator on key issues we have to be aware

of legislative certainty and economic security which affect

that we represent the views of all our members, but in issues

investment decisions.

relating to Franco-British trade we are the authoritative

Equally it allows me to address current topics affecting

voice. Both Stephen and I look forward to working with our

French and British employers, for example taking part in the

Board and Advisory Council to take advantage of relevant

CBI’s Great Business Debate about living standards with John

opportunities. I Interview by KF

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comment

The UK and Europe: Choices and Voices In this new column about the UK and its relationship with and position within - or without - the EU, Simon Mercado, UK Director of ESCP Europe Business School (who is interviewed on page 24-25), sets out the themes and issues

H

olding the reins of a proudly European business school here in London, I am constantly struck by the tensions

Before disillusionment sets in over yet another column on such matter or yet another phase in our seemingly endless

and uncertainties in the UK’s complex relationship with

machinations over Europe, let me make a quick case for your

Europe and the European Union. Outside of our organisation,

attention. Hardened veterans may have a strong sense of déjà

in our local constituency and business community, opinions

vu with current debate and media preoccupation, especially

about the future of Europe and Britain’s place within it are

those that remember the Common Market debate of the

as diverse as the Europe that is our day-to-day reality. Inside

1970s. But there is something new in the wind that now blows

our organisation too, there is an honest debate over the

across Europe and something new in today’s discussions.

precise character of the European project and its future

As I write, Europe is in the midst of a human tragedy where

direction. A belief in European identity and interdependency

refugees are confused as migrants and bodies wash up on

is in the DNA of those that work at ESCP Europe but our

our beaches, in part, because the European ideal is one held

mission is to educate Europe’s future professionals and

by those who perceive themselves to be on the outside, as

thought-leaders, not to force feed a set view of European

something safe and privileged. Three generations of Brits have

integration. Indeed, preparing individuals to lead in an open

become accustomed to a life where Europe is not so much

European marketplace and to develop as global citizens does

‘over there’ but ‘over here’ in our media, consumption and

not equate with promotion of federalist ideals or a particular

social freedoms. Record numbers of young British people are

vision of Europe as a political construct. What it does require,

flooding to the Netherlands and other parts of continental

however, is the development of an outward-looking ethos

Europe to study at Universities outside of the UK, where tuition

and a management skill-set in which there is firm grasp of the

fees are lower or non-existent. International schools like ESCP

commercial, regulatory and human realities of doing business

Europe offer leading academic experiences that seamlessly cut

in modern-day Europe.

across European and global borders. Educational institutions once suspicious of European interference and agenda

So it is from this starting point that I begin my journey with

creep have been busy painting a positive picture of what

you and reflect over coming months on the character of the

Europe means and offers today for them and their students.

British debate on Europe and on Britain’s place in Europe. We

In one eye-opening move, Universities UK has launched

will keep tabs on the BREXIT debate and look at some of the

its ‘Universities for Europe’ campaign with support from

fundamentals of UK-EU relations. We will look at emerging

politicians like Chukka Umunna MP. Campaign groups like

models of European co-operation and engagement – it will not

these are keen to highlight Europe’s role in supporting them to

be long before the concept of associate membership rears

pursue new knowledge and markets, whether this be through

its head – and will assess the debate from the perspective

access to European talent or funding.

of trade, industry and education. We will also dive deep into some of the psychology that will characterise the Referendum

It is now up to the Government to decide when to move

process and debate. In this regard, I am often taken back to

and how to move. By the time the next column is published,

the weighty assessment of Winston Churchill that: ‘We are

important matters should have been settled. By no means

with Europe, but not of it. We are linked, but not comprised.

least, the Government will have taken a stance on the

We are interested and associated, but not absorbed’. For

recommendations of the Electoral Commission over the

many, Churchill’s words ring hollow in a later century and

wording of the Referendum question and the Referendum Bill

after 40 years of economic and political partnership under

should have passed through Parliament. It looks set to be a

the auspice of common institutions. And yet, this sense of

choice between ‘remain’ or ‘leave’ but in this debate at least, no

semi-detachment is something that we confront quickly in

choice is ever a straightforward one! I

today’s debate and in the actions of successive governments.

Whether it is Britain’s historical self-perception of difference or simply a clash of philosophies, not all Brits see themselves as ‘European’ and the ‘awkward partner’ label seems as valid today as it was when first coined.

This column will run until the referendum on British membership of the EU takes place. Members wishing to contribute to it should contact Keri Fuller at kfuller@ccfgb.co.uk

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comme nt

The Banking Union explained Philippe Allard Policy Expert, Regulation, European Banking Authority

I

n June 2012, the governments of the European Union decided the setting up of the Banking Union with the

objective to reinforce the mechanisms of prevention and resolution of banking crisis in Europe.

The Banking Union stands upon three pillars. The first pillar is a single banking supervision in the European Union, supported by a Single Rulebook. It consists in a single set of rules which provide harmonised prudential regulation that credit institutions and investment firms must respect throughout the European Union. The term Single Rulebook was chosen in 2009 by the European Council in order to refer to the aim of a unified regulatory framework for the financial sector of the European Union that would complete the single market in financial services. These prudential rules, which cover topics such as credit, market, operational and liquidity risk but also governance and reporting, are enforced by national competent authorities (e.g. the Prudential Regulation

collaboration between national deposit guarantee schemes.

The development of a set of rules for resolution is

Authority in the United Kingdom) and the European Central

the most important innovation of the financial regulatory

Bank in the Eurozone with the entry into force of the Single

framework. In a post Lehman world, it is one of the answers

Supervisory Mechanism in November 2014.

brought by policy makers to the ‘too big too fail’ issue and the

The development of a set of rules for resolution is the most important innovation of the financial regulatory framework The second pillar is a European mechanism for the

challenges of supporting systemic banks. In this framework,

resolution of ailing banks. The purpose of these rules is to

banks should rely eventually not on government support

ensure that failing credit institutions and/or investment firms

but on resolution plans prepared ex ante, where alternative

can be either liquidated thanks to national rules or put under

solutions are prepared when a bank is failing.

resolution when necessary. Resolution is implemented with

Therefore, the banking regulatory supervisory landscape

specific tools such as assets sale or separation, the setting

is now covered by two types of rules and institutions: on the

up of a bridge bank or the implementation of the bail-in tool.

one hand, banking supervisors assess the adequacy of the

This mechanism is also supported by a single set of rules

risk profile with the risk management of banks and investment

resulting from the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive

firms throughout their life and on the other hand resolution

and the Guidelines and technical standards developed by the

authorities prepare with institutions the conditions for their

European Banking Authority. The enforcement of these rules

orderly resolution when they are failing or they are likely to fail.

is ensured by national resolution authorities and the Single

In order to strengthen the resilience of the EU financial

Resolution Board in the Eurozone, which entered into force on

system, the national authorities of the European Union in

1st January 2015.

charge of supervision and resolution, the European Central

Finally, the third pillar consists in a Single Deposit

Bank and the Single Resolution Board shall ensure an efficient

Guarantee scheme which ensures the same level of coverage

interplay between supervision on the one hand and resolution

for all depositors in the European Union and an efficient

on the other hand. I

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5 minutes with

rob davies CEO, AREVA UK Ltd

You come from a military background, having spent 25

in West Cumbria to be closer to our client Sellafield, and

years in the Royal Navy, commanding warships, and later

through further partnerships with leading UK companies.

in the Ministry of Defence. How did you end up in the

AREVA is also supporting the UK’s low carbon energy mix

nuclear and renewable energy industry?

through Adwen, its 50/50 joint venture with Gamesa dedicated

Nothing spectacular, there are many ex-military personnel in

to offshore wind. Adwen operates in the UK from Edinburgh

the UK, French and US nuclear industries. The nuclear culture

and Glasgow.

has similarities with that of the military – it is disciplined, under high scrutiny and there are clear chains of command. National

AREVA has an historical approach of partnerships with UK

governments take a clear position on industrial civil nuclear,

leading firms and suppliers to deliver its projects in the

it is a strategic issue, nearly as much as a nation’s military.

UK. Can you tell us a bit more about this and the latest

Also, both military and civil nuclear projects tend to be capital

initiatives and agreements?

intensive, they have significant timelines and a plethora of

It is a clear strategy of AREVA to build and maintain strong

stakeholders. So there is a great deal in common, not least a

partnerships with UK industry because: (1) it is the only way to

common stakeholder (sometimes shareholder): the national

ensure competitive project delivery tailored to clients’ needs

government. But at least in civil nuclear, sea sickness or ‘mal

and country regulations; and (2) because we are committed

de mer’ is not an issue.

to contribute to the development of business growth in the countries and communities in which we operate.

What is AREVA’s history in the UK, and what is the

As of today, we are currently involved in six major projects

company doing here today?

in the UK, four of which are delivered alongside UK partners

The UK is a major target market for AREVA, today and

such as Atkins, Mace, AMEC and Rolls-Royce, and engaged

tomorrow. We have a historical presence in the UK, dating

in discussions with a number of others regarding futures

back 30 years, partnering and providing services to the UK

projects.

nuclear industry across the entire nuclear cycle from fuel

With regard to the supply chain, more than 20 UK

supply and reactor services to decommissioning and waste

companies are already part of AREVA’s nuclear supply chain

management.

and working on projects worldwide, and twice as many have

Today, as well as being involved with new build at Hinkley Point C with EDF Energy and supplying fuel and outages

received initial approval to join.

In early June, we partnered with UKTI to organise the

services at Sizewell B, the group is well established at the

first supplier event focusing on the decommissioning and

Sellafield site, where it is set to continue to play a key role in

waste management sectors to support UK projects. Over 100

cleaning up hazardous wastes, notably as part of the Silos

company representatives attended the event which provided a

Direct-encapsulation Plant (SDP) project, with our UK partners

platform to foster new partnerships and open opportunities in

Mace and Atkins.

both domestic and international markets.

With already 300+ people operating at 15 sites across

We also became the 250th member of the Britain’s Energy

the UK, the company is gearing up to work on other projects

Coast Business Cluster in order to build strong ties and close

and is developing its UK base through the deployment of an

business relationships with the Cumbrian supply chain as we

engineering arm in the north west of England, a new office

expect to grow our operations in the region.

12 - info - september / october

5 MINUTES WITH rob davies

France and the UK are... the drivers for European nuclear, thus greater cooperation between the two nations could do much to optimise synergies, reduce cost and increase industrial certainty Philippe Knoche, AREVA’s CEO identified the UK

its new 8MW wind turbine – which features the largest rotor

as a strategic country for the group in his 4 March

available and has already a secured pipeline of 1.5GW – will

announcements on the group’s future. Has this position

give a competitive edge to the utilities and developers in this

changed with the decision to split the company into two

very competitive UK market where the Contracts for Difference

with the reactors and their services on one side and the

(CfD) auction system put in place by the UK Government strives

nuclear fuel cycle on the other?

for ever lower strike prices and the reduction of the offshore

The simple answer is no, the UK remains a key target market.

wind energy costs. There is therefore a clear need for larger

The UK and France are clearly at the forefront of European

wind turbines which can offer a reduced and optimised lifetime

nuclear, with both nations having a strong nuclear industrial

cost/MWh. Adwen is thus committed to play a key role in the UK

base and installed nuclear generation capacity. The UK is driving

market in the coming years, including through the development

European new nuclear with major new build investments being

of local content, if long-term visibility and market volume can be

developed. So the decision to create two companies from the

ensured under the current market framework.

group doesn’t alter the fact that the UK is one of the two key markets along with Asia for all of AREVA’s activities. For the new

What are AREVA’s main challenges in its areas of operation

AREVA, the ambitions are clear and two-fold in the UK:

in the UK?

•

Contributing to the success of Hinkley Point C, then Sizewell

Nuclear is a long term business. To be successful we need

C, as one of EDF Energy’s partners as well as continuing to

to offer products and services required by the UK, at a

support Sizewell B Nuclear Power Plant with fuel supplies

competitive price and, to be able to deliver these in a safe and

and outages services.

sustainable way. In addition, our clients seek continuity and

Remaining a key partner to the Nuclear Decommissioning

certainty of delivery. So to achieve this, we are building a UK

Authority (NDA) to support the UK’s clean-up and legacy

engineering workforce, complemented by French colleagues,

waste management programmes, notably at Sellafield where

and establishing enduring industrial relationships with our

we are committed for the long term and keen to provide,

UK partners. In parallel, we are establishing footholds in the

amongst other projects, a solution for the plutonium

key nuclear centres of Sellafield and Warrington. These are

stockpile stored on site with AREVA’s Convert project.

the foundation stones for a sustainable future. There is much

•

similarity between the nuclear industries of France and the Can you tell us a bit more about this Convert project?

UK. They are, and will be in the foreseeable future, the drivers

The UK is currently storing 100 tonnes plus of plutonium at

for European nuclear, thus greater cooperation between the

Sellafield. Not only does this cost in the region of £80 million

two nations, establishing common ground, could do much

annually to manage but from a security and proliferation risk

to optimise synergies, reduce cost and increase industrial

standpoint, this issue needs to be addressed.

certainty. Perhaps we could take a leaf out of the Airbus book.

AREVA Convert is the industrial solution we propose to eliminate 100% of the stockpile, converting at least 95% of the

What does AREVA UK get from being a member of the

plutonium into valuable fuel to power UK’s new nuclear plants,

French Chamber?

with the remaining material to be treated to make it suitable

Being part of the Chamber is simply coherent with who we

for final, safe storage. Based on our proven Mixed Oxide (MOX)

are and what we do in the UK, namely building on French

fuel technology employed successfully for 40 years in France,

and British strengths and bringing them together to deliver

the project will require the construction of a new facility at

and answer to our clients’ needs. We therefore fully share the

Sellafield to reprocess the plutonium, bringing new jobs and

Chamber’s values and objective aimed at fostering economic,

investment to Cumbria and to the wider UK supply chain while

technological and commercial relations between French and

supporting the UK in tackling its energy challenges and meeting

British companies. It is also for us a great platform to raise

its environmental, safety and non-proliferation targets.

brand awareness in a country where AREVA is not necessarily well known outside of the Franco-British business community

Through the Adwen joint venture, AREVA has an offshore

and the energy sector. Finally, it gives us the opportunity to

wind offer in the UK. What developments and ambitions do

touch base and share experiences and best practices with all

you have in this area?

type and size of companies on a number of occasions which

Since its creation in March this year, Adwen is working with

always proved instructive and interesting at many levels. I

numerous UK utilities and developers. The JV is confident that

Interview by KF

info

- september / october - 13

BUSINESs WORLD - COMPANY NEWS Compiled by Marielle Fraize

Schneider Electric in £1.3bn reverse takeover of AVEVA

Alstom completes work on Nottingham tram extension Alstom and JV partner Taylor Woodrow have completed work on the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) extension.

The expanded network has more than doubled the existing tram line, with 17.5km of new track and 28 new stops to the South and Southwest of the city, with the extension linking directly with the existing NET Line One at Nottingham Station.

The total tram network is now 32km in length, serves seven park and ride sites, and is able to cater for up to 20 million passenger journeys a year.

‘We’re delighted to have finished what was the region’s biggest construction project and, more importantly, a project that offers the people of Nottingham a modern, effective, low carbon transportation system. Everyone can now see, and

Schneider Electric has reached a deal with AVEVA Group

enjoy, the benefits of the expanded network,’ said Terence

PLC, the British engineering software company spun out of

Watson, UK Managing Director of Alstom Transport.

Cambridge University in the 1960s, which effectively amounts

The joint venture built all associated infrastructure for

to a £1.3bn reverse takeover of the UK group. Schneider

the project, including overhead wires, track and signalling. I

Electric will own 53.5% of the enlarged AVEVA Group while

www.alstom.com ©Alstom

also combining its software operations with the UK group.

The combination of the two groups is expected to create a business active in sectors ranging from nuclear power to pharmaceuticals and less reliant on oil and gas markets but it will also create a global leader in industrial software, with a unique portfolio of asset management solutions from design & build to operations. The group will also establish a ‘best in class’ management team and increased brand profile for attracting further talent. I www.schneider-electric.com

ENGIE signs land contract for UK nuclear plant

John Clarke, the NDA’s CEO, with Tom Samson, NuGen’s CEO

14 - info - september / october

ENGIE’s UK subsidiary, NuGeneration Ltd (NuGen), has signed a land contract for Moorside with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in order to build a new nuclear power plant. The proposed Moorside Nuclear Power Plant at Sellafield, West Cumbria, with 3.4GW net output capacity, will be the UK’s biggest nuclear power station, delivering enough low-carbon electricity to power approximately 6 million homes.

This project meets the British government’s CO2 emissions reduction and energy supply security objectives. When in full operation, the Power Plant will meet 7% of the UK’s anticipated electricity needs. The first reactor is expected to enter into service by 2024 and its construction and operation is expected to create up to 21,000 jobs. I www.engie.com

BUSINE S s WOR LD - COMPANY NE WS

SPIE buys Leven Energy Services SPIE, a European leader in electrical, mechanical and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) engineering services, energy and communication systems, has acquired Leven Energy Services, an independent utilities contractor supporting Distribution Network Operators. This latest move expands SPIE’s operations into the gas, water and substation sectors as Leven Energy Services provides a range of engineering and utility services, including mains replacement, underground cabling and overhead line management. Leven’s strong client base includes National Grid, Northern Gas Networks, Electricity North West and Scottish & Southern Energy.

James Thoden van Velzen, CEO of SPIE UK, commented: ‘This acquisition is the next step forward after the creation of SPIE ENS (Electricity Network Solutions) two years ago when we entered into the power line contracting market. Since then, we have been involved in some very exciting projects – including the recently reported network renovation with Northern Ireland Electricity. We are looking forward to developing our reach further and becoming one of the biggest players in the utility sector.’ Leven Energy Services will integrate with SPIE ENS to become SPIE Distribution & Transmission. The entity will be one of the largest woodpole distribution service providers in the UK by both volume and resource. I www.spieuk.com

Thales awarded Underground signalling contract Thales has been awarded a £760 million contract by Transport for London to deliver the vital modernisation of the signalling and train control system of four London Underground lines – the Circle, District, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines. As a result, up to 1,100 jobs and 60 apprenticeships will be sustained or created, both in London and across the UK. ‘Once completed, 60% of the London Underground will have been modernised using Thales signalling technology,’ said Thales Chairman & CEO Patrice Caine.

The improvements will boost capacity by an average of a third on the four lines, which is vital to support London’s growing population, expected to increase from 8.6 million today to 10 million by 2030. Work is expected to begin later this year and the main benefits will be delivered by 2022, when the frequency of trains running during peak periods will increase to 32 trains per hour in central London – a train every two minutes. I www.thalesgroup.com

info

- september / october - 15

BUSINE S s WOR LD - COMPANY NE WS

JCDecaux wins ‘world’s biggest bus shelter ad contract’ JCDecaux, the number one Outdoor advertising company worldwide and the number one in the UK, has been awarded what Transport for London (TfL) describes as the world’s largest bus shelter advertising concession, in a deal worth €700m across a period of eight years. From 1 January 2016, JCDecaux will sell ad space across 4,900 of TfL’s bus shelters. London’s public transport provider said the new contract provide more digital ads, more interactive advertising and local information. The digitisation of the London bus shelters will provide a complete digital footprint in London covering all the touchpoints in the consumer journey.

Jean-Francois Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-CEO of JCDecaux, said: ‘JCDecaux is delighted to have been awarded the prestigious TfL advertising contract, the world’s largest bus shelter advertising concession. London’s economy and population is booming. The city is changing at a rate not seen since Victorian times and it will have a 10 million population by 2030 increasing its value as a market for advertisers’. I www.jcdecaux.co.uk

AREVA gets contract for nuclear site decommissioning AREVA has signed a framework contract with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Shared Service Alliance to provide engineering services for nuclear site decommissioning.

The contract applies to 12 sites throughout the UK managed by the decommissioning company Magnox Ltd as well as the nuclear site at Dounreay in Northern Scotland, Radioactive Waste Management Limited’s site in Harwell and the LowLevel Waste Repository in West Cumbria. The first segment of the contract, won by AREVA and its British partner Atkins, ©AREVA/Eric Larrayadieu

includes engineering and design services for decommissioning projects. The second, won by AREVA’s British safety and environmental risks assessment consultancy subsidiary, AREVA RMC, combines studies for the management of waste Glove box, decommissioning of Cadarache plant, France

from nuclear site decommissioning. I www.uk.areva.com

Asendia creates guide to cross-border commerce for retailers Asendia, the Joint Venture between La Poste and Swiss Post, has strengthened its position as an international facilitator of crossborder e-commerce, by providing a range of online support materials to retailers who want to sell their products across borders.

Already one of the world’s leading companies for the distribution of international mail and parcels to over 200 destinations, Asendia set up a dedicated microsite at www.ecommerce.asendia.com, designed to make cross-border commerce easy and reliable. The material is available in various languages and allows businesses to assess their preparedness for the challenges related to entering new markets. On the site, retailers can complete a self-assessment tool (FitCheck) to find out about how their business can optimise its cross-border shopping experience. As an additional support tool, visitors to the microsite can download the 2015 Pocket Guide to Cross-Border E-commerce. I www.asendia.com 16 - info - september / october

BUSINE S s WOR LD - COMPA NY NE WS

VINCI joint venture wins ‘smart’ motorway contract Highways England, the government-owned company responsible for managing the core road network in England, has awarded a contract to convert a section of the M5 southwest of Birmingham into a ‘smart’ motorway to a joint venture comprising VINCI Construction Grands Projets, Taylor Woodrow and Balfour Beatty.

The €65 million project, part of the Smart Motorways Programme, will add capacity to an 18km section of the M5 motorway southwest of Birmingham by converting the hard shoulder to a traffic lane with digital signage telling drivers what speed to drive at, if lanes are blocked or closed and about incidents up ahead. Traffic flows will be managed in real time with sensors sending information to a control centre that is able to modulate speed limits. The improved traffic flow will benefit thousands of motorists a day.

The major project entity of VINCI group has already turned large parts of the UK’s motorway system into smart roads. I www.vinci-construction-projects.com

Bouygues UK appointed for major London regeneration scheme

The first construction contract for an ambitious regeneration

Phase One of the project, as well as the construction of an

project in Barking, being jointly delivered by East Thames

energy centre. Altogether, the contract represents a value

and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD),

of approximately £41.5m. This first phase of the scheme has

has been awarded to Bouygues UK, the British subsidiary of

already won a ‘Project Award’ at the Housing Design Awards.

Bouygues Construction.

Commenting on the new contract, Bouygues UK Managing

East Thames and LBBD are renewing the eastern end of

Director for Housing London, John Campion, said: ‘We’re very

the Gascoigne Estate in Barking, with shared responsibility

happy to be working with East Thames and LBBD as part of the

for funding, design, construction and maintenance. Designed

overall masterplan to regenerate Gascoigne Estate, as well as

by architects Levitt Bernstein and Allies & Morrison, the first

increasing our contribution to the wider regeneration of the

190 homes will become available by 2018 and will be part of

borough as a whole.’ I www.bouygues-uk.com

info

- september / october - 17

Š photo credits: VINCI, Crossrail, BBMV and MVB photo libraries

CONSTRUCTING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE At VINCI Construction Grands Projets, we engineer solutions that are not only financially competitive, but also work in a way that is sustainable for the planet.

Sustainability goes beyond the care we take in protecting our people and our environment.

It’s also a commitment to offer new solutions to our clients and stakeholders.

We nurture Innovation.

Every two years, the VINCI Innovation Awards get increased entries, reaching 2,075 in 2013. These awards reflect the core values of the group and we are proud at VINCI Construction Grands Projets that the Lee Tunnel project (Thames Water) was awarded the Grand Prize in the UK & Ireland.

To learn more please visit www.vinci-construction-projects.com/british-isles

Discover more...

BUSINE S s WOR LD - COMPA NY NE WS

Veolia selects its 2015 Apprentice of the Year Veolia demonstrated its long-term commitment to apprentices

Qualifications Employer of the Year award, we see many of our

with a special awards ceremony at the House of Commons in

future leaders emerging from our apprenticeship programme

July. Skills Minister, Nick Boles MP and Veolia’s Senior Executive

which is central to our investment in the company’s long-term

Vice-President, UK & Ireland, Estelle Brachlianoff, presented

development,’ Estelle Brachlianoff said.

its 2015 Apprentice of the Year Award to Ben Thompson, a 22-

Skills Minister Nick Boles MP said: ’It’s crucial that employers

year-old electro-mechanical engineering apprentice who was

like Veolia continue supporting high quality apprenticeships

selected from 500 Veolia apprentices across the UK.

which help young people build their skills and help boost the

‘As a two-time winner of the National Vocational

Estelle Brachlianoff with Apprentice of the Year Ben Thompson

UK’s productivity and prosperity.’ I www.veolia.co.uk

Nick Boles MP takes a selfie with Veolia’s finalist apprentices

AXA PPP Healthcare recognised as Green World Ambassador AXA PPP Healthcare, the UK healthcare arm of AXA, has been recognised as a Green World Ambassador by The Green Organisation for its programme of environmental commitment. This new accolade, which comes as part of the Green Apple Awards, will see AXA PPP Healthcare’s environment management achievements published in The Green Organisation’s Green Book as an example of corporate best practice.

The organisation reached ISO 14001 environmental management standard across all of its office sites in 2014. Among the achievements recognised by The Green Organisation were a reduction of its carbon footprint by 46 tonnes since 2007, a reduction in water usage of 787m3, and the elimination of 2.5 million pages of A4 from use across AXA PPP Healthcare offices. For the future, the business continues to focus on improvement, setting itself targets to maintain a focus on reducing energy consumption. I www.axa.co.uk

Médecins du Monde UK providing essential healthcare in Calais Migrants in and around Calais are living in appalling conditions including pregnant women and very young children, many of them unaccompanied. Most lack essentials such as safe drinking water, adequate food, sanitation and proper shelter.

This is causing a huge number of health issues among the migrants including mental trauma, respiratory and skin problems.

Médecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) is the only

charity providing medical help on the ground in Calais. It has a clinic in the main ‘Jungle’ camp where a team of volunteer doctors and nurses provide essential medical consultations, counselling and psychological support services for up to 90 people a day. It also provides tents, sleeping bags and hygiene kits to those in other camps in the region.

To donate to Doctors of the World’s emergency appeal, please visit: www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/pages/calais-appeal I

info

- september / october - 19

BUSINE S s WOR LD - SPOTLIGHT ON SME S

Prof ile

LiveSpeech

LiveSpeech was an idea conceived at a Chamber event by two Chamber members, and this bilingual public-speaking and media-training platform that combines their complimentary skills was launched at the Chamber when Olivia Penichou and Etienne Duval conducted their first workshop in April

O

livia brings the communications expertise to the partnership. Before founding her own communications

agency O2P in 2007, she spent 15 years ‘in the field’, working in communications roles for the French National Assembly and Nuclear Safety Authority as well as for Nicole Ameline, then Minister for Women’s Rights and most notably Christine Lagarde, then Minister for Foreign Trade, whom she accompanied to high ranking meetings such as the WTO Ministerial Conference and Davos Economic Forum in 2005-6 as communications supervisor. Drawing on all her experience, she now advises companies, institutions, experts and prominent personalities, including politicians, on their communications strategies, public relations and tools such as public speaking. Olivia was initially based in France, but moved to London in 2010, and now works between the two capitals. London is where she is developing the coaching side of the business with Etienne, aimed at foreign professionals in the UK. ‘I realised that for many non-British managers, public speaking is a challenge,’ says Olivia. ‘They lack confidence and find it stressful because they don’t learn how to do it at school like you do in the UK.’

20 - info - september / october

Explaining the different cultural approaches is where Etienne comes in. ‘It’s very important and useful to help people understand the very different way of addressing an audience in the UK,’ he says. ‘The British approach is to start with a joke and continue in a vein of self deprecation while keeping it focused and light. The French, on the other hand, favour formality and jokes are frowned upon.’

Etienne’s insights come from his bilingual, bicultural background, thanks to French and Scottish parentage and a ‘traditional’ upbringing in both France and the UK. ‘I have a passionate interest in helping each side decode and understand the other,’ he says. His education too, in both the French Lycée system and an English public school, followed

by Brasenose College, Oxford (notably David Cameron’s alma mater), gave him ‘a proper insight into the way the establishment works in both countries’.

After his French military service, Etienne joined the BBC World Service, working in the French radio service for three years before deciding to go freelance, ‘randomly’ picking India as a base from where he reported for French newspapers and radios at the time of the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the Bhopal disaster. He later returned to London as a broadcast journalist for French language media, including Le Matin de Paris, Europe 1, Arte, TV5, la RTBF and RTS. ‘My purpose in life has always been to explain the Englishspeaking world to French-speaking people,’ he says wryly.

Training journalists was something Etienne was

of the overlap, notably Etienne’s pre and post production know-how as a television producer and broadcast journalist,

increasingly drafted in to do by various television and

and Olivia’s expertise with content and messages as an

media organisations, and as he enjoyed it, he decided that

advisor. Conducted within small groups or individually, the

this, along with media training for corporate clients, some

interactive coaching is tailored to each and every client with

independent journalism and communications consulting

the objective of preparing them for any public situation.

would be the core business of his own boutique company,

And for both Olivia and Etienne, the context of the Chamber

NewTownVision, which he set up a few years ago. He

is important for the contacts and support in working with

has deliberately kept his client list small, but works very

French companies.

I realised that for many non-British managers, public speaking is a challenge...

They lack confidence and find it stressful because they don’t learn how to do it at school like you do in the UK thoroughly with them ‘to look good on television’.

When Olivia and Etienne met, they realised there was

With a potentially large pool of clients in London, the pair has high hopes for their new joint venture, LiveSpeech; the

a complementary intersection between their two small

workshop that kicked it off has already led to a new client

companies, and that their combined firepower had the

project and a second workshop at the Chamber is planned

makings of an effective coaching business. ‘Leaders have

for 22 October… Before long, a new breed of presentationally

to grow and be visible with public speaking and media

polished French business leaders will be taking on the British

interviews. If they are not ready for that, they won’t progress,’

at their own game! I www.livespeech.eu

says Olivia. ‘Knowledge is acquired slowly, but when a crisis hits, things happen very fast,’ Etienne adds. ‘By then, it’s far too late to acquire the right reflexes, so we believe it’s cleverer to put in the training ahead of time so you are equipped when the time comes.’

To enhance their offering, both bring skills from outside

Top right: Etienne Duval puts a client in front of a camera for a practice media interview Left: Olivia Penichou (left) and Etienne Duval (right) conducting a workshop at the Chamber

info

- september / october - 21

BUSINE S s WOR LD - SME NE WS

Joseph partners with the Franco-British Lawyers Society International Fashion House Joseph, whose identity is built upon its dual nationality, has been working closely with The FrancoBritish Lawyers Society in order to support the understanding of legal differences between France and the UK. As part of the close partnership, Joseph will sponsor a conference on 9 October at Notre Dame University in Paris, organised by the Franco British Lawyers Society, at which lawyers and experts from the art world will share their knowledge and experiences of working in the Art and Law sector. I www.joseph-fashion.com

Blick Rothenberg LLP launches Tech Business Awards Blick Rothenberg LLP and other leading enterprises have

the right financial infrastructure or the right mentor as the

teamed up to launch the Tech Business Awards. The awards

business is growing.

are part of Blick Rothenberg’s 12-month Tech Business

Our role in this project is to provide guidance around

programme, available to 10 tech companies who will receive

finance and tax, but also use our considerable experience

tailored financial guidance. Nilesh Shah, Partner, said: ‘Young

of dealing with tech companies to mentor founders on the

tech companies often fall at the first hurdle, not because

disciplines of running and growing a business.’ I

their technology is poor but simply because they do not have

www.blickrothenberg.com

Anthony & Co UK rebrands as ALTYX Financial Planning

MyInternshipAbroad working with Frenger International

Following recent changes in the business, Anthony & Co UK has changed its name to ALTYX Financial Planning. The redesign and brand changes have been accompanied by the launch of a new website. An Independent Financial Adviser (IFA), ALTYX Financial Planning is specialised in working with expatriates and corporate clients in the UK and France. I www.altyxfp.com

MyInternshipAbroad, the agency specialised in recruitment of French interns for UK companies, has been collaborating with Frenger International, the international business development specialists, by providing them with a significant number of interns from the top French business schools. These two companies, both members of the Chamber, have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration since 2010. I www.myinternshipabroad.com

OVH.com pairs up with Cavium for public Cloud

Expandys to represent Galicia region in the UK

OVH.com, the world’s third largest Internet hosting company,

Expandys, the international

paired up with Cavium this July to launch the world’s first

expansion advisory company,

ARMv8 based public Cloud. This deployment is an example

has won the call for tender to

of OVH.Com’s leadership in delivering latest industry leading

represent the Spanish region

technologies to the tech community. From web hosting

of Galicia in the UK through

to virtual data centres, all of their services benefit from

its collaboration with PEXGA,

continuous innovation and are regularly enriched with new features..’ I www.ovh.co.uk

the Galicia. I www.expandys.com

22 - info - september / october

Agency

for

External

Promotion and public entity of the Regional Government of

BUSINE S s WOR LD - SME NE WS

Credit Limits International Ltd gets Healthy Business Award Independent owner-managed international debt collection agency Credit Limits International Ltd was one of a few SMEs to pick up a Kent Healthy Business Award in July 2015. The company is continuing to build its reputation for commitment to best practice in health, safety and wellbeing. A number of measures have been added to the company’s Staff Handbook, including its famous non-smoking breaks, and it has been working with Swale, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils to introduce new policies that place health and wellbeing at the heart of business.

The French Chamber uses the services of Credit Limits International. I www.creditlimitsinternational.com

L to R: Graham Gibbens, Kent County Council, Pierre Haincourt, Managing Director and Kent Swindells-Spruzen, Collections Manager Southern Europe, Credit Limits International Ltd

French Radio London celebrates its 5th anniversary On the occasion of its 5th anniversary in November, French Radio London in collaboration with Thierry Suc will be hosting a concert by the award-winning singer Calogero on 9 November 2015. Calogero, who received several accolades at the NRJ Music Awards and Victoires de la Musique, will be performing for the first time in London at La Scala, King’s Cross. Tickets are available at http://frenchradiolondon.com/calogero Still the only UK-based French radio station, FRL has

achieved a lot in 5 years. Not only has it been keeping its audience entertained with a mix of French music, exclusive talk shows and local news, but it has also worked in partnership with private businesses, governmental and non-profit organisations to promote local cultural events, and has given a voice to young French entrepreneurs, start-ups, charities and other organisations to raise awareness of their businesses and causes. I www.frenchradiolondon.com

Rival Colour signs up to Living Wage Scheme Commercial printer Rival Colour has become one of the first companies to sign up to the Living Wage Accreditation scheme for the next 5 years. This means that it will pay all employees over the age of 18 no less than the London Living Wage of £9.15 per hour. Managing Director Nick Clode says, ‘Rival has always invested in the staff, which has been reflected in the average length of service in the company being over 20 years... We value the staff and their expertise they bring, so we feel it is only right to make this commitment to them in return.’ Rival believes this may benefit the company with more work as like-minded companies and councils will want to do business with each other. I www.rivalcolour.com

New office for Henri Wedier Henri Wedier, a multi-disciplinary firm specialising in audit, advisory, tax, legal and accounting services, has recently opened a new office in Saint Martin Boulogne, 15 minutes drive from Eurotunnel Le Shuttle in the North of France. Dedicated to subsidiaries of foreign companies or

individuals establishing or developing business in France, Cabinet Henri Wedier is developing a new corporate culture offering a full range of services for entrepreneurs who wish to deal effectively with people from different nationalities. I www.cabinetwedier.fr

info

- september / october - 23

EDUCATION - INTERVIEW

Interview

Professor SIMON MERCADO UK Director, ESCP Europe Business School

You were appointed UK Director of ESCP Europe Business

Strategically, the London campus is important

School in April. What is your background and what aspects

within this multi-centre model, a ‘pole’ of ESCP Europe

will you be bringing to your new role?

in Europe’s most global city. I aim to support key pillars

I am the first British national to serve as UK Director for a

of our European strategy, including the development of

number of years. As such, I bring a fresh eye, which is both

transnational education experiences and the promotion

local and international, to the opportunities and challenges

of responsible leadership. In many respects, the demands

of developing our London campus. I have over a decade’s

upon management educators have never been greater – to

experience in higher education management in the UK,

respond to the effects of the financial crisis, as well as the

primarily at Nottingham Business School, where I worked in

social, environmental and geopolitical challenges that we all

both academic and managerial roles. Complementing that,

face collectively. We need to help develop a new generation

I have been fortunate enough to study, teach and work in

of leaders who are not only equipped with technical skills

several countries and have good experience in international

and competencies, but also to deal with the complexities and

education practice and marketing. I bring that ‘glocal’ history

uncertainties that characterise the contemporary business

to this role along with a belief in the internationalisation

environment. It is important that as we develop the portfolio

imperative. What I mean by this is that we live and function in a

here in London, we develop global citizens and hold to

globalised and connected economy; modern education has to

the humanist values that have always been a part of ESCP

reflect that.

Europe’s DNA.

The internationalisation of higher education is one of your

an example of how we are approaching this task. It is the first

primary research and professional interests, which fits well

Bachelor degree in the history of the school and launches in

with ESCP Europe’s model. How does this feed into your

London this September. The curriculum includes business

strategy for ESCP Europe’s London campus?

management, psychology, philosophy, economics and

ESCP Europe is a truly authentic multi-national European

languages. It runs over three years, with students moving

business school – a school with five ‘doors’ or campuses (soon

across three campuses and national cultures. This is ESCP

to be six with the opening of one in Warsaw in partnership

Europe’s very unique form of ‘intra-institutional’ mobility,

with Kozminski University. The others are in Paris, London,

which aims to develop individuals that are cosmopolitan,

Berlin, Madrid and Torino.) It has a unique level of integration

culturally literate and comfortable in different environments

across those campuses, with academic programmes, designed

and cultures. Campus London is proud to be its launch pad.

Our new Bachelor in Management (BiM) programme is

and delivered jointly by faculty in our different locations, and programmes experienced by students across those campuses.

How international is your London campus?

I have been talking, writing and teaching about international

We have over 20 nationalities across a core staff of 60 and 28

education models for the best part of 20 years and ESCP

nationalities within the student body approaching 500. That

Europe is one of the most mature and developed examples. I

number does not count those on our customised executive

also believe passionately in the development of intercultural

education programmes. You can touch, feel and hear the

effectiveness. ESCP Europe has developed a position of

international character of the place when you are here day

leadership in cross-cultural management, knowledge and

to day. This is a living, breathing example of multi-campus

practice, and that is something I am keen to contribute to.

international education at its best.

24 - info - september / october

EDUCATION - INTERVIEW WITH Simon Mercado

How do you see the evolution of the UK campus and

here. We have built links with the City and leading business

programmes?

firms across London and the Southeast and these will develop.

The school has an excellent reputation in key areas. Finance

We are also looking to capitalise on our positioning with

is one; our Master in Finance has just been ranked number 3

respect to the M1 and M40 corridors. We already have very

in the world. Energy, oil and gas is another, with a flourishing

strong programmes in place with a range of international

Master in Energy Management and a very successful research

firms and run an executive development programme for

centre based in London. Another area of expertise is around

NATO. We are primed to apply that international experience

Marketing (Creativity/Digital/Analytics) and we have a strong

more sustainably here in the UK. In doing so, we can call on

Masters in Creativity Marketing. We also have an international

a large network of experts and an expert faculty. Most of our

research centre in health management innovation across

professors have recent or current industry experience.

the London and Paris campuses and this is the next area for course development. Indeed, alongside our FT ranked

ESCP Europe has long-established links with the French

‘transnational’ programmes (MIM and EMBA), we are running

Chamber, particularly with its forums and conferences. How

locally led Masters programmes in our core areas of expertise.

do you see this relationship developing?

We’re also building on some fantastic research expertise in

We are proud of our history of working together with the

this school with our core faculty of 20 staff, many of whom

French Chamber, and both our faculty and services staff will

are producing world-leading published research and papers.

continue to do so. It is a positive and stimulating relationship,

Our aim is to have that sought-after trinity of outstanding

which underlines the importance and significance of London

programmes in key areas, first-rate research and world-class

to French business. We were particularly encouraged by

graduates making an impact in business and government.

being awarded the Chamber’s 2015 Intercultural Trophy in

We are also looking to expand our expertise in executive

recognition of our efforts to develop culturally intelligent,

education and bespoke management development to a

multilingual excellence in the sphere of business education. I

wider client base. A key part of my mission and mandate is to

Interview by KF

connect and engage with the corporate community more fully

MAP YOUR OWN COURSE! ESCP Europe Executive MBA

PARIS | LONDON | BERLIN | MADRID | TORINO

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ESCP Europe is among the 1% of business schools worldwide to be triple-accredited info - september / october - 25 The World’s First Business School (est. 1819)

E DUC ATION - news

Peter Todd appointed new Dean of HEC Paris At the invitation of Pierre-Antoine Gailly, President of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France, Peter Todd has accepted the appointment as Dean of HEC Paris, succeeding Bernard Ramanantsoa who had headed HEC since 1995.

Peter Todd, a renowned researcher and professor in the fields of innovation management and information technologies, had more than 25 years of significant experience in managing degree programmes (specifically MBA) and Executive Education programmes before becoming Dean of a business school. With a PhD from the University of British Columbia, Peter Todd was a professor at Queens School of Business (Ontario) and later at the University of Houston (Texas), before joining the prestigious McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia Peter Todd in 2001. From 2005 to 2014, he was Dean of the McGill Desautels Faculty of Management, based in Montreal.

The choice was made after an exhaustive selection process that was both open and transparent. The selection committee, under the leadership of Etienne Guyot, General Director of CCI Paris Ile-de-France, worked from January to June 2015 to independently consider more than 20 candidates. I www.hec.fr

SciencesPo Paris opens new School of Public Affairs SciencesPo Paris will see the opening of its new School of Public Affairs in September 2015. Yann Algan, who holds a PhD in economics from University of Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne and joined SciencesPo in 2008, has been appointed its Dean. The School will seek to contribute to the education and training of students by offering a European alternative to the American schools of public affairs, which tend to focus on national issues. Internationally focused and strongly anchored to social sciences and ethics, the programme will aim to train leaders enabling them to make decisions within an ever-changing and complex environment. Students will be able to enrol for the Master of Public Policies (4 terms) or Executive Master (2 terms), targeted at professionals with over five years of experience. I www.sciencespo.fr

Yann Algan

a practical approach to human resources in great britain

Want to know more about HR in the UK ?

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Written by members of the French Chamber’s HR Forum, this guide provides an overview of Human Resources practices and law in the UK, and is full of valuable testimonials, tips and advice. A particularly useful reference tool for those seeking to set up a company in the UK, it will also help French subsidiaries in the UK to clarify the differences between UK and French HR practices for their French headquarters.

Areas covered include: How to recruit - The legal framework - What salary and benefits? - Payroll, taxation and other charges - Working conditions

www.frenchchamber.co.uk 26 - info - september / october

Renault CAPTUR Capture life

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Book your test drive today at renault.co.uk The official fuel consumption ďŹ gures in mpg (l/km) for the Renault Captur Dynamique Nav dCi 90 are: Urban 67.3 (4.2); Extra Urban 83.1 (3.4); Combined 78.5 (3.6). The official CO2 emissions are 95g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment ďŹ gures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors.

28 - info - september / october

COP21 &

The business of climate change

focus

F

or the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), 2 degrees Celsius is the headline number. Not a goal, but a limit to the rise in global temperature above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate change risks become unacceptably high. Getting all parties – 195 countries – to agree to a deal that would make this target achievable is the big challenge ahead. While it is governments that

will be negotiating in Paris, establishing rules and mechanisms, setting out national contributions, and pledging funding to enable this, business and industry also have a pivotal role to play. Our interview with Ségolène Royal, the French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy reveals just how ambitious the scope of COP21 is, but she also challenges business to rise to the occasion by adapting their own business models, making commitments and demonstrating how their actions are making a difference in order to build momentum.

Many businesses are already doing this. Our own Climate Change Forum’s survey revealed that 80% of respondent businesses are taking action and half of those are going above and beyond what is required. It seems that the tide is turning – as the high cost of doing nothing starts to become apparent, action is no longer being weighed against profit. Consumers bring some of the pressure as eco-awareness begins to have a bearing on brand choice, but business reputation is also increasingly at stake. And as climate change events start having an impact on commodities, suppliers, production, logistics and distribution, it is clear that much more than lip service towards a ‘feel-good’ CSR or ‘sustainability’ is needed. It has become a matter of future proofing for survival.

In order to prepare for the future, however, businesses do need certainty in their operating environments. Three fundamentals that underpin this are identified by the CBI, and these are reiterated in various forms in other articles: a strong regulatory framework, a carbon price and the means for finance to flow. All eyes will be on Paris to come up with the roadmap that business is crying out for.

One of the biggest questions is, who is going to pay for all this? Financing is crucial for mitigation, adaptation and innovation, and while there are signs that the investment community is shifting towards a low carbon economy and there exist numerous specialist investment vehicles, Richard Brown CBE, Chair of the Chamber’s Climate Change Forum and former Chairman and CEO of Eurostar, points out that listed companies and banks are still primarily focused on financial performance, so there is still huge scope for improvement.

Companies are also paying to adapt and build resilience into their businesses, but many have found that there are cost savings too, as the case studies of Areva and Capgemini show. And often small, inexpensive changes or out-of-the-box thinking can lead to large gains in the fight against climate change.

A big part of the equation is energy consumption, which is responsible for so much of global warming, and no discourse on climate change can ignore it. Renewable energy will be in the spotlight at COP21 and all the questions around it are considered by HEC professor Dr Andrea Masini. In the meantime, as frighteningly huge amounts are being consumed by our increasingly online lives, some digital and IT companies are taking serious steps to ensure that they are powered by renewable sources.

To some extent, policy regulations and taxes will bring about change, but what is far more interesting is the innovation that is happening as creative minds find new ways to work. Some of this is happening on a company level, and some of it is giving rise to new companies with products and services that would never have been imagined had it not been for the realities of climate change.

This, above all, gives hope that a deal in Paris is within our grasp. I KF

info

- september / october - 29

Interview with

SEGOLENE ROYAL French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy

Ahead of COP21, you have said that in terms of ‘ecological transition’, France must be an example in order to

agreement to come into force in 2020.

These four aspects are complementary and will be mutually

convince and lead. How do you intend to do this?

reinforced, in order to give our fellow citizens, local authorities

I felt that in order for France to live up to its role as host of

and businesses a clear signal that we are embarking on a

CoP21, it had to set an example. The Energy Transition for

resolute transition to low-carbon economies while guaranteeing

Green Growth Act, which I defended in Parliament and which

everyone fair access to sustainable development.

is now in effect, sets out ambitious objectives, in line with the European Union’s commitments, and beyond. It lays down

You have said that business and industry are necessary to

the regulatory framework for companies, territories and local

the success of COP21. How are you engaging with them to

authorities to embark on a true energy transition.

be involved?

I want the environmental and energy transition to be a

The contribution of business is essential to the success of the

source of new opportunities: an opportunity for businesses

Paris climate negotiations this December. Companies have

to become more competitive on price, through technological

a responsibility to adapt their own business models to meet

innovation, training, better product quality and differentiation,

the challenge of ensuring that we keep global temperature

and improved brand image.

rises to no more than 1.5ºC or 2ºC. There are three principal ways in which business can engage with the Action Agenda:

What are your hopes and expectations for an agreement

Cooperative Action, which includes joining partnerships

at the Paris Climate Change Conference?

or cooperative initiatives; Individual Action, which involves

My hope is that a Paris Alliance for Climate will emerge from

setting individual targets; and Public Policy Action, whereby

the Conference in December, which will enable us to limit the

businesses lobby governments for public policies which

planet’s average temperature rise to less than 1.5ºC or 2ºC

encourage emissions reductions (notably on carbon pricing).

above pre-industrial levels and adapt our societies to deal with the existing disruption.

This Alliance will have four aspects: a universal agreement

The time to commit has now come! In the months before Paris, I strongly encourage businesses to sign-up to one or more Cooperative Actions in order to build momentum.

establishing rules and mechanisms capable of progressively

Businesses may also make individual commitments and are

achieving the goal of respecting the limits of 1.5 or 2ºC; the

encouraged to directly register their commitment on the UN

presentation by all countries of their national contributions,

climate action portal NAZCA. Many businesses have already

ahead of COP21, in order to create a ripple effect and show that

realised they will gain from the transition. This was clear at the

all countries are moving ahead in the same direction, depending

Business and Climate summit which we held in Paris in May.

on their national situations; the financial aspect, which must

At COP21, climate action will be showcased during a high level

support developing countries and enable the transition to

meeting, the Action Day, in which I will participate. Business

resilient, low-carbon economies to be funded before and after

leaders, committed CEOs, climate entrepreneurs and low

2020; and the strengthening of commitments from civil society

carbon technology inventors will get a chance to hop on stage

and non-state actors as well as of multi-partner initiatives in the

and demonstrate to the world that action is ongoing, and will

Lima Paris Action Agenda, in order to involve all stakeholders

deliver economic and social improvements, together with

and begin concrete action without waiting for the future

contributing to a resilient world.

30 - info - september / october

I N T E R V I E W wit h S E G O L E N E R OYA L

You have called upon businesses to act quickly to tackle

countries. And in any case, a price on carbon would not be

climate change, but they require policy support and

sufficient to finance the transition towards a decarbonised

regulatory certainty. What regulatory and/or financial

economy: much broader policy measures are necessary. This is

incentives are in place in France to help businesses

why the climate negotiations under COP are so important: each

do this?

country has to define its objectives of green house gas (GHG)

Across all sectors, new measures must provide the impetus

emission reductions in their Intended Nationally Determined

for a form of positive ecology that lifts constraints, unleashes

Contribution: in this context, carbon pricing is one of the policy

initiatives and provides tangible benefits for everyone

measures that a country can choose to reach those objectives,

(individuals, businesses and local authorities). I firmly believe

just as France did.

that this energy transition relies on our territories and the ability of local authorities to get things moving at local level.

For individuals, the act puts in place tax credits, zero interest

You have fought hard for the introduction of the new energy law, passed by the Assembly on 22 July, which you

loans, third party financing and reduced VAT rate for financing

said is ‘the most ambitious in Europe’. Can you explain

energy efficient household renovation works or the installation

what it entails and the effect it will have on France’s

of an electric vehicle charging point. For local authorities, I

energy landscape?

have also put in place key financing tools such as a €5 billion

France has set itself the objective of cutting its greenhouse

loan facility from the Caisse des Dépôts for public projects on

gas emissions by 40% between 1990 and 2030, and fourfold

building energy renovation, development of clean transport, the

between 1990 and 2050. France, including the mainland and

circular economy and renewable energy. For businesses, we

overseas territories, benefits from exceptional assets that will

Companies have a responsibility to adapt their own business models to meet the challenge of ensuring that we keep global temperature rises to no more than 1.5-2ºC also have specialised facilities such as the Renewable Heat Fund

allow it to become a major producer of renewable energy. In

for heat production using renewable energy sources (biomass,

2012, 14% of the energy that we consumed was of renewable

geothermal heat recovery, solar thermal energy, etc.), the Waste

origin. The objective I enshrined in the new law is to increase

Fund to reduce waste production and improve waste recovery

the share of renewable energies to 32% of final energy

(recycling of materials, composting, biogas production), and the

consumption by 2030. At the same time, the proportion of

Energy Transition Financing Fund: this €1.5 billion fund covers

nuclear energy used in the production of electricity will go down

areas such as renewable heat, waste, positive-energy areas,

to 50% in 2025 from 75% currently. There will be a shift in our

energy renovation, combined transport, etc.

energy mix. I have already put into practice these objectives: for instance, regarding solar power, I decided to increase the 2020

What is your view on carbon pricing?

objective originally set at 5400MW in 2009, to 8000MW.

Carbon pricing, in my view, is a fundamental tool for the transition to a decarbonised economy. More and more

Building resilience and technological innovation are key

countries are implementing policy measures to create a price

to mitigating the effects of climate change, but require

on carbon. In France, the newly Energy Transition for Green

financing and investment on a long-term basis. How

Growth Act includes the objective to multiply by four the

does the French government currently or intend to

‘Climate Energy Contribution’, which is a carbon tax, by 2030. I

facilitate resilience efforts/ flow of finance for innovation,

will push for an efficient carbon price at European level which

adaptation and mitigation?

will set the right incentives.

I am determined to put low-carbon technology innovation at

Businesses are increasingly taking position in favour of a

the centre of the Paris Alliance for Climate Action. Scaling up

carbon price. Currently, at least 150 major corporations from

low-carbon technology innovation and speeding up its diffusion

diverse sectors (energy, industry, finance, consumer goods, etc.)

are key to meet the twin challenges of deep decarbonisation

have set internal carbon prices (‘shadow prices’). For many of

and sustainable development. We need to increase public

these businesses, this is used to identify the opportunities of

and private investments in low-carbon and climate-resilient

investing in low-carbon technologies and as part of a strategy

technology research, development and demonstration.

of risk management, evaluating the impact of carbon pricing

We must drive down the costs, improve the efficiency and

on their operations and anticipating a development of carbon

facilitate easier access to key low-carbon and climate-resilient

pricing mechanisms.

technologies. For businesses, as I said, public funds are now

However, a global price is still way ahead of us, since political feasibility, economic structures and fiscal concerns differ across

available for them to invest wisely in renewables. I Interview by KF

info

- september / october - 31

FOCUS - the business of climate change

COP21: what is being negotiated and why ?

Jonathan Grant and Kinga Lodge of PwC’s Sustainability and Climate Change practice explain the history, context and issues around COP21, and what governments will be trying to negotiate when they meet in Paris

T

wenty

the

and change the way we travel, grow our food, heat our homes

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published

five

years

ago,

in

November

1990,

and do business. To achieve this, all countries will need to limit

its first assessment report stating that ‘emissions resulting from

or reduce emissions and so the negotiations will centre on

human activities are substantially increasing the atmospheric

who should make what cuts and who should pay for them. The

concentrations of the greenhouse gases … These increases

two previous attempts at forging a global deal namely in Kyoto

will enhance the greenhouse effect, resulting on average in an

(COP3, in 1997) and Copenhagen (COP15, in 2009), ended in

additional warming of the Earth’s surface.’ 1

failure.

Two years later, governments met in Rio and agreed the

Even though the governments accept the IPCC’s findings

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

and acknowledge the need for global action, coming to an

which aims to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations and

agreement as to what to do, how and by when, is a very different

prevent dangerous interference with the global climate. Today,

matter. Here are the main reasons why.

195 governments are Parties to the Convention and they meet

The 195 countries in the talks form into about a dozen

each year for the annual climate summit or ‘Conference of

negotiating blocs, each with different concerns and expectations.

Parties’.

These blocs include the Least Developed Countries, the Alliance

The summit in Paris at the end of this year is the 21st

of Small Island States and the Umbrella Group (including Japan,

conference, hence its nickname COP21. Governments plan to

US, Canada and other non-EU developed countries). In very

adopt a new global agreement which could limit warming to 2ºC

simple terms:

32 - info - september / octoberfor INFO by PwC Infographic created specially

There is no longer a clear trade-off between cutting emissions and economic growth.

Increasingly, green and profitable go hand in hand whether it’s improving air quality, reducing traffic congestions or having smarter houses and appliances • The rich countries accept the need to take on emissions

are the national mitigation targets, finance, adaptation and

targets. But they represent an ever-decreasing share of

commitments by business, cities and others. The legal form

global emissions and so want the major emerging economies

of the treaty and how it will address the different needs and

to start cutting emissions and report on progress.

responsibilities of developing and developed countries will also

• The poor countries want all major emitters to commit to

be fundamental to the overall success of the agreement.

ambitious reduction targets and a process to ratchet up

There is no longer a clear trade-off between cutting

that ambition over time. They also call for finance to address

emissions and economic growth. Increasingly, green and

the impacts of climate change and support their low carbon

profitable go hand in hand whether it’s improving air quality,

development.

reducing traffic congestion or having smarter houses and

• Many of the emerging economies recognise the need to

appliances. The latest analysis from New Climate Economy

limit or reduce their emissions, but only a few have declared

estimated that businesses are already driving a growing US$5.5

their target so far and many are reluctant to accept a binding

trillion global market for ‘green’ goods and services. There are

reporting and review process.

more and more opportunities for growth, sharing costs and for

In addition, there is the underlying issue of trust. Over the years, rich countries have promised to help poorer countries

collaboration between governments, regions, cities, businesses and investors.

adapt to climate change. This could include upgrading

Perhaps the main purpose of the UN climate negotiations

infrastructure to cope with the rising sea levels or changing

is to build trust that countries are doing what they promised to

agricultural practices so that crops can cope with a drier climate.

do. So a global deal is vital as it enables national politicians to

It was expected that this climate finance would be on top of

implement climate policy at the national level. Unless there is

existing aid budgets. But the finance hasn’t flowed as fast as

trust that other countries are making similar efforts, they will be

poorer countries had hoped and they are now trying to manage

less likely to do this. With a successful deal, politicians may have

the effects of climate change as well as continuing their social

the confidence to ratchet up the ambition in future. I

and economic development.

Despite these sensitivities, there is a real need for COP21 to deliver a comprehensive global agreement. The French Government hosting the COP and working the diplomatic channels, expects the deal to comprise of four ‘pillars’. These

1. Climate Change: The IPCC Scientific Assessment (1990), Executive Summary; (5 August 2015) https://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/far/wg_I/ipcc_ far_wg_I_spm.pdf

info

- september / october - 33

Business perspectives on COP21 and climate change issues Business and climate policy leaders voice their hopes and expectations for a deal to come out of Paris as business confidence, investment, growth and innovation depends on it

Photo library VEOLIA - Christophe Majani d’Inguimbert

Antoine Frérot, Chairman and CEO, Veolia Group

T

• Financial mechanisms covering the risk related to new technologies; • Incentives to develop mitigation and adaptation solutions.

The Group is also in favour of harmonising market-related regulations on the price of carbon and allowing exchanges

he issue of

between geographical areas; and it supports the idea that

greenhouse gas

taxes and proceeds raised by the pricing of carbon should

emissions is a serious and

make a contribution to funding the transition toward a carbon-

urgent problem. Eventually,

free economy.

its consequences may well

In order to incentivise economic players to lower their CO2

be impossible to calculate

emissions, one has to give carbon a robust and predictable

and dramatic: life may

cost. If this is to work, the most efficient solution would

become unsustainable

certainly be a levy on carbon emissions. Its proceeds would

in some regions, extreme events, economic consequences,

be paid to those who invest to ensure their operations are

population displacements, geopolitical instability, and so forth.

‘carbon-free’. Right now, polluting does not cost anything. By

We would like the United Nations Climate Change

contrast, decontaminating is expensive. What is at stake with

Conference in Paris (COP21) to be the ‘conference of

this levy is the attempt to make sure that, one day, polluting

solutions’ that will showcase the ways in which greenhouse

will be more expensive than decontaminating.

gas emissions can be reduced; we would like it to set clear,

Failing a worldwide agreement on this issue, one could

easy to understand and ambitious targets that will allow us to

start in a defined region, large enough to have economic

cap global warming at 2°C. We will not overcome the tough

weight and be attractive for the rest of the world that exports

climate challenge that is taking shape without deploying these

its goods into said region, such as, for instance, the European

promising solutions at a large scale.

Union. And to avoid handicapping European players, I would

We hope that COP21 will massively mobilise civil society players (economic and general public players) around the

suggest a compensatory carbon customs duty on goods entering the EU.

theme of a new way of using resources. Veolia in particular is in favour of a wide-scale deployment of measures promoting the development of a low-carbon and resilient economy: • A robust and predictable carbon price (we have factored in the carbon risk by setting an internal CO2 price) would steer investments into energy efficiency, renewable energies

and on a broader scale would encourage using resources in a circular approach as an alternative to fossil fuels; • A regulatory framework and compulsory measures imposed on greenhouse gas emissions, and in particular methane: said measure would have to be harmonised and included in public calls for tenders;

34 - info - september / october

The Group supports the idea that taxes and proceeds raised by the pricing of carbon should make a contribution to funding the transition toward a carbon-free economy

FOCUS - the business of climate change

Jean-Michel Geffriaud, Vice President CSR and Environment, Health & Security, Alstom Group

A

lstom is an international engineering company and, as such, COP21 goes to the very heart of everything we do.

A large part of our work revolves around making existing fossil

Christine Fedigan, Head of Corporate Climate Policy, ENGIE

F

rom ENGIE’s business perspective the key things we hope to see achieved at COP21 are visibility and stability.

We hope that governments will design a long-term policy

fuel power stations more efficient, so helping reduce carbon

framework against which we can invest and make major

emissions, while we also provide equipment and technology

decisions about shifting today’s approach to business, to a low

for zero carbon methods of power generation. As leaders

carbon, circular, more equitable model. A price on carbon is a

in rail transportation technology too, having political and

significant part of this. It should drive innovation without trying

commercial clarity on emissions is fundamental to the success

to second guess what innovations the market will produce.

of our business. For us, COP21 has to lay out a roadmap that

To design a framework able to drive investment choices in

is ambitious and achievable. That would give our customers a

favour of low carbon solutions, we need price signals that will

framework that allowed them to invest, safe in the knowledge

translate the political will to act against climate change. Energy

that they won’t be left with stranded assets, and it would allow

transition is key in ENGIE’s strategy; pricing carbon would

us to finesse our existing technologies and develop new ones to

change the odds in favour of renewable energies, energy

help attain the eventual goal.

efficiency and ‘green’ technologies.

So, more specifically, what do we as an organisation want

We support carbon pricing because we believe there is a

to see? We would like the Paris agreement to cover all major

need to address risks linked to climate change, and we support

emitters and to aim for an ambitious long-term global emissions

action to address emission reductions cost effectively. We are

reduction goal including a framework for early action. We expect

in favour of market-based approaches and emissions trading;

the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to be

they give business the flexibility to reduce emissions when and

reviewed periodically with a mechanism to ratchet up ambition

where it is most economically viable.

over time to keep the 2°C rise in temperature target in reach.

I believe that what can be agreed is a general framework

There should also be clear rules on the monitoring, reporting

on articulating regular reviews of Intended Nationally

and verification of greenhouse gas emissions at country level. We

Determined Contributions (INDCs) with a global 2°C mitigation

would like Paris and the INDC process to help deliver meaningful

target. Paris can further agree on the need to develop

CO2 prices in different jurisdictions. The Paris agreement should

consistent and transparent measuring and reporting, with

also allow for the UN to support linking of those different pricing

rules that can be subsequently defined, for accountability,

schemes with a view to developing a global carbon market.

compliance and standardised systems for measuring,

Finance is also central to delivering the transition to the

reporting and verification (MRV) of national emissions.

low-carbon economy. Early and substantial capitalisation of the

Finance availability is a key factor to achieving a global deal.

UN Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a key factor. The GCF should

In Paris, it is possible that carbon market instruments can be

channel public and private finance thereby stimulating private

accepted to play a role in leveraging private finance for low

investment through risk-sharing instruments such as loan

carbon and innovative solutions, with modalities to be more

guarantees. Furthermore, we would like to see a strengthening

precisely defined post-Paris.

of innovation and drive for development and deployment of lowcarbon technologies.

A Paris deal would have an impact on our business as the largest private utility in the world. Energy transition is key to

For an engineering company such as Alstom, it is vitally

mitigation issues, and key to ENGIE’s strategy. An agreement

important that the agreement should identify roadmaps for key

consistent with the 2°C target would give confidence about

technologies that include a framework for commercialisation

the speed and direction of the transition towards cleaner

through, for instance, demonstration projects. As part of that,

economies; send strong signals to investors and businesses

the upholding of existing intellectual property rights is an

across the world; and boost the transition.

essential facilitator of technology transfer that will further allow

The business sector is already investing in solutions to

the development and deployment of low carbon technologies,

help fight against climate change. But to date, these types of

giving the private sector a vital role in the whole process.

investments are still a bet for most of the economic actors.

If all of that is achieved – and it remains quite a large ‘if’

My message to the lead negotiators would be that

– then we at Alstom can see very real progress being made by

carbon pricing is not an obstacle for the global economy,

public and private institutions in the fight against climate change.

on the contrary, by stimulating confidence, innovation and

COP21 is another opportunity that we cannot afford to miss.

investments, it is a growth accelerator. I

info

- september / october - 35

Business wants to be a part of the fight against climate change - Paris must give us the gloves Barnaby Wharton, Senior Policy Adviser, Energy and Climate Change at the CBI identifies a clear legal framework, a carbon price and facilitation of finance flow at the top of the wish list

A

ttending the Business Climate Summit in Paris in May, I was struck

by how far the private sector has come since the disappointing climate change negotiations in Copenhagen six years ago. Back then, business was clearly concerned about the costs of going green and what it would mean for them.

But from the mood in the conference room at the UNESCO headquarters, where 2,000 businesses and investors gathered, it was clear that business wants to invest in a low carbon future

Business can, and must, be a part of this fight, but it can only be so if our political leaders provide the confidence and clarity for them to do so

and green economy.

be held to account if they are failing to meet them. Furthermore, achieving the necessary emissions cuts will be costly in some places, so it is important that the obligations are distributed fairly and equitably, and that everyone is open about the progress that they are making.

Second, putting a price on carbon will also be critical to success. In the EU we have the emissions trading system, which despite some troubles, has seen emissions fall. There are now dozens of pricing schemes around the world, and our long-term ambition should be for

noted in our report A Climate for Growth,

a global carbon market that can drive

of the CBI recently said, business is

‘a global deal will create the right climate

the most efficient emissions reductions,

not ‘becoming green for the sake of it

for growth and ensure a sustainable

wherever they are. We hope that the

– or for some lofty ideal. They’re doing

future’ and it will contribute to the clarity

Paris agreement will drive this agenda

it because there’s a strong economic

that is needed for business investment.

forward.

case.’ The UK’s low carbon economy

The CBI called for the deal to cover

is worth £122 billion, and whether it is

three elements.

As John Cridland, Director-General

the UK’s leading position in offshore

Firstly, we need a legal framework

Third, we need to get finance and technology flowing to those that need it. Developing countries will require

wind, or in developing carbon capture

that has clarity and longevity. Nations

significant financial and technological

and storage, we are well placed to take

continue to present their commitments

support from the global community

advantage of a global green market that

through their ‘Intended Nationally

– especially the private sector – for low-

is worth over £3 trillion, and is only set

Determined Contributions’ (INDCs),

carbon energy and climate adaptation.

to grow.

setting out their climate ambitions for

Business wants to invest and the Paris

the medium term. While we will not

deal must facilitate this flow of cash.

The reality is that business and industry are part of the solution to the

see these INDCs converted into legally

As President Hollande told the

climate change challenge. Greenhouse

binding targets in the Paris agreement,

Davos conference earlier this year,

gas emissions from power, industry

these commitments are useful for

‘Paris needs to result in a binding global

and transport account for three fifths

business to understand what individual

agreement that will map out an effective

of European emissions, and a similar

nations intend to do, and which policies

fight against climate change.’ Business

amount globally. We therefore cannot

are likely to be put in place to achieve

can, and must, be a part of this fight,

tackle emissions without the efforts

them.

but it can only be so if our political

of industry, but this needs to be done

But for them to carry any weight,

leaders provide the confidence, clarity

in a way that can support and drive

it is important to know that nations

and capacity for them to do so. A deal

economic growth, investment and jobs.

are going to be true to their word and

in Paris is an opportunity not just to

This is why, when nations come

meet their commitments. So the Paris

provide an ambition for a low-carbon

together in Paris in December to

agreement should include some way to

world, but also the foundation for the

hammer out the final details of a global

assess each nation’s progress towards

industrial effort and investment that can

climate change agreement, it is vital for

their ambitions, what this means for

actually secure it. I

business that they succeed. As the CBI

global emissions, and how countries can

36 - info - september / october

FOCUS - the business of climate change

Business vs climate change: the true picture Richard Brown CBE, Chair of the Climate Change Forum, and former Chairman and CEO of Eurostar, reports on a survey of Chamber member companies which shows how seriously most businesses are taking climate change

T

he Chamber has had a Climate Change Forum for four

the solution to tackling climate change by developing and

years now, allowing members to exchange ideas and

deploying new low carbon technologies and products, and

experience in developing low carbon products and services.

being ever more efficient in their use of energy. But it is also

We have also twice surveyed views on climate change across

clear that companies want governments to play a stronger role

the whole of the Chamber’s membership. The results show

– roundly 80% of members said they would welcome clearer

that many businesses are more concerned about climate

and stronger regulation and taxation policies to incentivise

change and doing more to help tackle it than is generally

business – which may be a surprise to many people. The

realised. Fully 96% of those responding to our latest survey

Forum has seen a number of examples of effective policies

earlier this year said they were concerned or very concerned

by governments at both national and European level driving

and 80% said they were taking action in some way, half of

change. A good example is the EU policy to cap the average

them doing more than was legally required of them.

emissions from each car manufacturer’s overall sales in Europe – with fines for any manufacturers who exceed the cap – combined with national governments incentives to purchase electric and hybrid cars, which together have driven the rapid development of a wide range of electric and hybrid vehicles.

UK sales of electric cars rose fourfold last year. Average car emissions have also been falling substantially as a result.

Even more surprising is that more than 60% of companies responding to our surveys said they would favour some form of carbon pricing or carbon tax – the political and media assumption is often that business would be against this.

Perhaps it is the minority of companies which are against it as a result of a vested interest that have had the loudest voice until now. As Lord Stern concluded in his study of the economics of climate change for the UK government a number of years ago, climate change is probably the most extreme example of market failure, with greenhouse gas emissions too often free despite their potentially devastating impact on the

Strikingly, pressure from customers and employees is seen to be the main driver for taking action to reduce emissions, recycle or develop low carbon products and services, together

world’s climate. Pricing or taxing emissions would be the logical response to this.

Overall our surveys of Chamber members paint a positive

with concern to maintain or enhance the company’s reputation

picture of business generally, and show many individual

as part of wider CSR policies. In some cases it was the personal

companies actively working to develop and implement

motivation of a key individual, such as the CEO, but too rarely

solutions to tackle climate change but also wanting to see a

did the drive come from the Board or investors. There are a

more level playing field between fossil fuels and renewable

growing number of investment funds specialising in renewable

energy incentivised by governments. One could say that

energy and sustainability – and we have met with several of

consumers are often ahead of businesses in wanting low

these at the Climate Change Forum – but listed company

carbon products and services, and that business is ahead

investors and bankers are still primarily focused on pure

of government in wanting more effective regulations and

financial performance.

incentives. Let us hope that governments at COP21 in Paris

The business sector generally sees itself as part of

this December rise to the challenge! I

info

- september / october - 37

MobiliSing climate finance: A roadmap to finance a low-carbon economy In February 2015, President Hollande entrusted Pascal Canfin, the former Minister of Development, and Alain Grandjean, co-founder and partner of Carbone 4, with co-chairing an independent commission on how to advance the innovative financing agenda in international forums. The commission handed in its report to the President on 18 June, and here, Pascal Canfin outlines their findings and recommendations

W

hile part of the broader run-up to CoP21, the UN climate

3. Develop

conference to be held in Paris between 30 November and

decarbonisation of the economy. Governments should

national

strategies

to

finance

the

11 December, the commission’s recommendations fall outside

produce national decarbonisation plans covering the needed

of the scope of the climate talks sensu stricto. Yet they serve

financing, both from public and private sources.

to support the ‘Paris Alliance’ for climate, which will include

4. Request that each development bank develop a ‘2°C

the formal international agreement, as well as decisions and

investment roadmap’. This should specify how the bank’s

commitments made by public and private actors.

activity will contribute to keeping global warming below 2°C.

In this regard, the report aims to contribute to making COP21

5. Increase the use by development banks of instruments

a political milestone that signals to economic and financial

and tools with high leverage ratios, such as guarantees,

decision makers the upcoming acceleration in the evolution of

subordinated debt or credit enhancement, to increase climate

the ‘rules of the game’, with a view to ensuring that public and

finance at comparatively low costs.

private investments are compatible with keeping the increase

6. Include in the 2016 G20 work programme the

in global average temperature below 2°C, as agreed by the

forthcoming recommendations of the Financial Stability

international community. This is all the more necessary since

Board (FSB), which was mandated in April 2015 by G20 finance

currently, only 7 to 13% of total investment in infrastructure can

ministers to analyse the potential impacts of climate change on

be considered as ‘green’.

financial stability.

The report acknowledges and proposes to build on the

7. Request that financial regulators define methods to

numerous initiatives taken since the UN Climate Summit in New

include climate risks in stress tests for banks and insurance

York in September 2014, such as the mandate given by the

companies. This should include methodologies to assess the

G20 to the Financial Stability Board to ‘review how the financial

performance of assets held by banks and insurance companies

sector can take account of climate-related issues’, the Bank of

in the +4°C scenario as developed by the International Panel of

England’s decision to investigate the risk of ‘carbon bubble’ in

experts on Climate Change.

financial markets, the work underway at the People’s Bank of

8. Establish a public monitoring system for financial actors’

China on ‘greening the Chinese financial system’, and last but

commitments that have multiplied in recent months, including:

not least, the adoption in France of a new law that requires

the integration of climate risk; measuring greenhouse gas

asset managers to disclose both their exposure to climate risks

emissions induced by their financial activities; and increasing

and their contribution to limiting global warming.

financing for the green economy, in line for instance with the

Against this backdrop, the report outlines a roadmap

new bill passed in France in August on mandatory carbon

to finance a low-carbon economy, based on 10 key

footprinting.

recommendations:

10. Adopt the methodology developed by the OECD in June

1. Establish a carbon price signal. In addition to the necessary

2015 to analyse the alignment of public policies with low-

phasing-out of fossil fuel subsidies, developed and emerging

carbon development. The report proposes that France be

countries should agree to a ‘carbon price corridor’ starting at

one of the first countries to commit to apply this framework

$15-20/ton of CO2 in 2020 and increasing gradually to $60-80/

internally and urge other member countries of the OECD and

ton of CO2 in 2030-2035.

key OECD partners to do so before COP21.

2. Integrate climate in macroeconomic models. The

11. Establish a monitoring process for the low-carbon

integration of a 2°C scenario throughout the macroeconomic

financial roadmap to ensure its longevity beyond COP21.

forecasts and models of international institutions (IMF, OECD,

The IMF and the World Bank could be in charge of the supervision

etc.) and finance ministries would ensure better coherence

and implementation of this roadmap, in coordination with

between short-term decisions and long-term low-carbon

relevant UN institutions. I

objectives.

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FOCUS - the business of climate change

COP21:

Mobilisation of the financial sector The UN Climate Change Conference in Paris will constitute a historical milestone to limit global warming to 1.5/2°C. The mobilisation of the financial sector to reduce financing for a high carbon economy and to encourage green investments is more pressing now than ever.

The French Presidency of COP21 sets out the financing opportunities and option for investors

T

he objective of the French presidency of COP21 is to achieve in

footprint of their investments for instance);

December 2015 a ‘Paris Alliance’ that addresses the challenge

2. greater engagement with companies on their climate change

of climate change and enables us to: contain global warming

performance;

within the limit of 1.5/2°C, above which the impacts would be

3. reallocation of their investments towards low-carbon assets

difficult to control; adapt our societies to impacts already being

(decarbonisation of their portfolios);

felt, and foster low-carbon development. The Paris Alliance also

4. reinforcement of their action to fight climate change (for

promotes an ‘Action agenda’, alongside the agreement that

instance through dedicated investment tools, such as green

will be reached in Paris, and the national commitments, which

bonds).

should contribute to send the signal that non-governmental stakeholders are determined to carry out a transition towards

Investors can either join an existing collaborative initiative

low-carbon economies, by promoting solutions for the reduction

(investorsonclimatechange.org/initiatives/),

of greenhouse gas emissions.

Portfolio Decarbonisation Coalition, the Low Carbon Registry,

such

as

the

A growing number of private financial operators throughout

Collaborative Engagement, the Montreal Pledge, the CDSB

the world are getting involved in order to redirect capital towards

Fiduciary Statement, and the Climate Bond Initiative, or make

a low-carbon and resilient growth. The United Nations Climate

their own commitments (investorsonclimatechange.org/other-

Summit that was held in New York on 23 September 2014

actions).

demonstrated the extent of their commitments. The Climate Finance Day that took place in Paris on 22 May was another key

The

event to take stock of the commitments the financial sector has

(www.unepfi.org/psi/commitments/) which enables actors from

insurance

sector

also

has

a

dedicated

platform

made to support the necessary transition towards a low-carbon

the sector to register four kinds of commitment as well:

economy, and constituted an occasion for further actors to make

1. embed in their decision-making environmental, social and

new commitments.

governance issues; 2. work together with their clients and business partners to raise

There is a wide array of solutions that can be adopted

awareness of environmental, social and governance issues,

to reduce financing for a high carbon economy, and

manage risk and develop solutions;

conversely, to encourage green investments.

3. work together with governments, regulators and other key

Through new methods to develop more accurate assessments

stakeholders to promote widespread action across society on

of the risks and opportunities inherent to the decisions to be

environmental, social and governance issues;

made, new financial instruments, and a transformation of the

4. demonstrate accountability and transparency in regularly and

composition of its portfolios, the financial sector can make a

publicly disclosing progress in implementing these principles.

difference and be part of the global coalition to limit global warming.

In order to maximise the publicity around the commitments made by the financial sector both at the Climate Finance

Alternatively, actors from other parts of the financial sector can register their own commitments on the NAZCA platform which compiles commitments from all non-governmental actors (climateaction.unfccc.int/register.aspx). I

day and after it, and have a comprehensive picture of those commitments, two specific platforms were launched in May 2015 to register all individual commitments made by financial sector actors: one for investors and one for insurers.

Through a standardised template which help companies

The UN Secretary General and the French Presidency of COP21 will give high visibility to the initiatives taken by the

formulate in a simple way their commitments, investors can

international financial community on several occasions

make four kinds of commitment:

until COP21, among others during the annual meetings of

1. greater transparency (through measurement of the carbon

the World Bank and the IMF in October in Lima.

info

- september / october - 39

&

climate change the investment market Jean-Philippe Verdier, Managing Director and Head of French Investment Banking at Jefferies International, and Deputy Chair of the Chamber’s Climate Change Forum, considers how the investment landscape is changing and where it is falling short

Is there a shift of the investment community?

Last May, the $880bn Norwegian Oil Fund announced its

A variety of investment opportunities now available

intention to withdraw investments from companies whose

Today, renewable energy has grown into an asset class of

business relies more than 30% on coal, or has significant

its own and has found a base of investors with a variety of

negative environmental effects. In May also, over 100 heads of

profiles. This is because the offering of investment solutions

institutional investors, including pension giants CalPERS and

is now broader, and products have been structured to meet

CalSTRS, representing $12 trillion assets under management,

investor demands. Below are some of the most commonly

petitioned G7 finance ministers to support a ‘long-term’ goal to

issued ‘green’ securities.

reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stating that they pose ‘one of the biggest systemic risks’ to investors.

Twenty plus years after the start of climate change

On the debt side of the investment spectrum, Green Bonds have been used since 2007 by big utilities and some supranational issuers and banks. These are interest-bearing

negotiations in 1992, these two high profile examples show

bonds that provide investors with the commitment that

a significant change in the investment community’s mindset

the funds will be used to finance green-related projects

towards businesses relying on ‘old dirty energy’, and an

(greenhouse gas mitigation or green energy) and offer a

attraction to investments in green/environmental related

slightly more attractive return than their otherwise issued

companies.

‘standard’ bonds. Approximately $38bn has been raised so

Green economy: investment without risk?

far, with $20bn in 2014 alone, and some are expecting $30bn this year. Whilst a drop in the ocean of financing needs, it is

The dependency on government policies, such as subsidy

encouraging and gaining momentum. Above all, it is reaching

schemes and installed capacity targets, has influenced the

a new stage of maturity as significant banking intermediaries

renewable energy sector. This reliance is justifiable in the initial

are now supporting this market (e.g. Credit Agricole Corporate

stage of development of a fledging green economy to support investment, demand and ultimately foster a rapid catch up along the price curve (e.g. achieve grid parity). This goes hand in hand with the fact that very few pricing mechanisms of externalities (pollution, or greenhouse gas emissions) have been introduced by governments (the example of the price of diesel in France versus unleaded petrol is quite illustrative).

Retroactive cancellation (Spain in 2008) and a reduction of subsidies have put off investors, concerned about the lack of visibility for their investments.

New technologies, new materials, functioning storage options at industrial level (batteries) and increased volumes are all leading to rapidly decreasing break points, meaning that a subsidy-free, economically viable sector may not be far off. Subsidies are meant to be reduced or scrapped at some stage as government budgets are constrained and once the initial objective of kick-starting the industry has been achieved (which was the justification given by the UK government in July).

Investors have now factored that in.

40 - info - september / october

FOCUS - the business of climate change

The fact is that only 7 to 13% of infrastructure investments are directed towards low carbon assets: at this pace we are therefore still wide of the mark to meet the 2˚C target

& Investment Bank, JPMorgan, Citi, Morgan Stanley), and

fair to say that investors remain selective. As an illustration,

new reporting guidelines are being implemented under the

even though the first half of this year saw a solid IPO market,

auspices of the International Capital Market Association to

not all projects find their investor base, or at the desired value

improve standards and overall transparency.

point: Solaire Direct, a developer and operator of photovoltaic

Unit trusts (a type of security issued in the UK) attract

plants overseas, attempted to raise €200m on Euronext Paris

investors who mainly look for yield, whilst still happy to

in the Spring but had to cancel its IPO, and was finally bought

bear higher risk than a typical bond investor, since the

by ENGIE.

‘promised’ return is provided via a dividend, and therefore not guaranteed. These have been in demand in the currently low

Where do we stand?

yield environment, all the more so as they can benefit from tax

Today, investors have a wider choice to finance and gain

wrappers (e.g. ISA [Individual Savings Account] in the UK).

exposure to renewable energy, or climate change mitigating

YieldCos are equally dividend-growth listed companies, often subsidiaries of bigger utilities, which house renewable

assets, meeting a variety of investing objectives whether yield or capital growth.

energy operating assets with long-term power purchase

Having said that, in his

contracts and therefore generate predictable cash flows. They

report ‘Better Growth,

are a good way for utilities to raise much needed financing

Better Climate’, UK

and for yield-hungry investors to gain exposure to cash-flow-

economist Nicolas Stern

generating renewable assets. They have proven increasingly

estimates financing

popular, and the number of IPOs in 2013 and 2014 grew

needs to mitigate

significantly, particularly in solar in the USA. The market

worldwide climate

capitalisation of the YieldCos in early 2015 was estimated at

change represent close

about $12bn.

to $90 trillion. The

On the equity side, investors can chose between a variety

fact is that only 7 to

of instruments depending on their investment horizon,

13% of infrastructure

liquidity profile, risk appetite or tax situation. For instance,

investments are

private equity firms have long raised dedicated funds to

directed towards low

invest in infrastructure like renewable energy projects in

carbon assets: at this

developed or developing countries (e.g. KKR, HgCapital) or

pace we are therefore still wide of the mark to meet the

in small to mid-sized cleantech companies (e.g. Greencoat).

2°C target. Whilst growing, in the grand scheme of things, too

Insurance companies, pension funds, wealthy individuals or

little is redirected which must mean that many investors don’t

family offices are the most common investors.

quite find the risk-return profile sufficiently attractive. Many say

For private individuals, tax efficient schemes such as

that the solution is to unlock the pot of money managed by

Venture Capital Trusts in the UK (e.g. Foresight) provide

pension funds. If that is the case, confidence in the long-term

the opportunity to gain exposure to small-sized projects/

cash flow generating capabilities of the business model of the

companies in the green field whilst benefiting from significant

sector is critical. Government needs to show leadership and

upfront and future tax breaks.

consistence for investors to trust their Excel models. I

Finally, some mid-sized green energy companies (developers, operators or cleantech) are listed (e.g. Voltalia) and offer the opportunity to invest at various points in the value chain, and enjoy the liquidity of a traded security. It is

info

- september / october - 41

A route for renewable energy deployment Dr Andrea Masini, Associate Professor at HEC Paris, looks at the policymaking issues at stake at COP21, the challenges posed by grid integration and the role played by business and government alike in facilitating investment, as well as opportunities for entrepreneurs in the renewable space

Renewable energies under the spotlight

One central question that concerns both policy makers and

With COP21 approaching, renewable energy sources (RES)

entrepreneurs is whether or not renewable energies should

are once again under the spotlight. They are one of the most

be supported through public subsidies and, if yes, what are

effective instruments to curb CO2 emissions and play a central

the most appropriate instruments to deploy such support. Our

role in virtually every future low-carbon energy scenario. They

research shows that RE support policies should be carefully

are also considered with growing interest due to their multiple

balanced, they should remain consistent over time and, most

expected social and economic benefits: energy security

importantly, they should be coupled with other measures

enhancement, poverty reduction and employment creation.

aimed at stimulating economic growth.

Even countries rich in conventional resources are considering

Policies aimed at stimulating R&D have a stronger

RES as a viable alternative to fossil fuels to meet their growing

and more immediate impact on innovation creation than

domestic demand. Not surprisingly, to increase penetration,

diffusion, signalling that public R&D expenditures may be

advanced economies have deployed a range of dedicated

needed to facilitate technological breakthroughs, but they

policies supporting renewables.

are less effective in supporting short-term RE deployment.

However, despite this support and recent progress, the

Demand-pull policies such as feed-in-tariffs stimulate both

share of RES in the global energy mix remains below the level

innovation creation and diffusion in the RE industry. However,

deemed necessary to curb or even stabilise CO2 emissions.

their contribution to RE deployment is less important than

Thus the question of whether and how public policies can

that of economic growth. Thus, for RE diffusion to increase,

accelerate their market diffusion remains at the centre of

government action should be directed not only at shielding

the policy agenda. Several recent examples demonstrate

renewables from competition with fossil fuel technologies but

that supporting renewables is not simple; implementing the

also at stimulating aggregated demand. However, incentives

wrong type of incentives or granting generous support and

aimed at stimulating demand such as the feed-in-tariff

then interrupting it too abruptly may hamper the industry

schemes widely popular in Europe, lead investors to pick

and stifle technological progress. The heterogeneity of the

mature RE technologies at the expense of radical innovations.

policies deployed so far and their mixed results also reflect an

Thus, only a balanced combination of technology-push policies

incomplete understanding of the effects of the mechanisms

(aimed at stimulating fundamental R&D) and demand-pull

supporting low carbon innovation in the energy sector.

measures (aimed at creating competitive niche markets in the

Should renewables be supported, and how?

To address these questions and support policy initiatives, the

short term) can help renewables play a major role in future energy scenarios.

Our research also shows that strategic need for

research group on renewable energies at HEC Paris is engaged

renewable electricity in a portfolio of electricity generating

in a number of projects to identify strategies to accelerate

technologies calls for an increase in the degree of

the market diffusion of sustainable energy technologies. This

competition in the technology provider market. Thus, recent

research, which is part of a broader initiative on sustainability

RE investments made by several players worldwide to

led by my colleague Rodolphe Durand via the Centre for Society

develop renewable manufacturing capacity in various regions

and Organisations (SnO), examines several questions related to

should be welcomed by the RE industry as a whole. By

both the supply and the demand side of the renewable industry:

stimulating competition, such initiatives are likely to further

from how to stimulate technology innovation and promote

decrease technology cost, thereby making the RE industry

competition, to how to sustain end-user demand.

stronger and more competitive at a global level.

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FOCUS - the business of climate change

Most of the activities associated with decentralised energy systems are IT intensive and service oriented... thus opening the door to a variety of new players: tomorrow’s energy companies will resemble Google more than the utilities we know today

The challenges of grid integration

angels will most likely prefer to aim for black swans and radical innovations. Institutional investors will want to direct

As appealing as it is from an environmental standpoint, large

their resources towards more traditional technologies such

scale deployment of renewables requires the redesign of an

as crystalline silicon manufacturers. Second, similar to what

entire industrial ecosystem and important investments in

was observed in Germany, this ongoing energy revolution

the electricity grid. Policy makers and business leaders have

will see the emergence of new services, new competitors

a fundamental role to play in this process. By shaping the

and new business models at the local level. Most of the

competitive, organisational and social environments, they have

activities associated with decentralised energy systems are IT

the ability to facilitate or hamper investments and to orient the

intensive and service oriented. This implies that there will be

choices of industry players.

a dramatic reduction in the traditionally high entry barriers to

Furthermore, the much debated challenge of the

the industry, thus opening the door to a variety of new players:

intermittency of RE power can be addressed by increasing

tomorrow’s energy companies will resemble Google more

interconnections in the electricity grid and by implementing

than the utilities we know today. The energy ecosystem of

grid management models such as demand response

tomorrow will be composed of small independent producers;

initiatives. Our research suggests avenues for optimising

it will thus require smartgrid operators capable of connecting

such a process. It also indicates that developing countries

users and producers seamlessly and of integrating electric

and fast-growing cities that are quickly redesigning their

vehicles into the electricity network. It will also need energy

infrastructure have the opportunity to be at the forefront of

service companies capable of providing specialised energy

this transformation. On one hand, the rapid development of

efficiency and integration services to business and households.

their infrastructure makes these places a fertile ground for

All these niches offer entry points into the industry and

promoting the integration of renewables into sophisticated

represent options for entrepreneurs.

smartgrids. On the other hand, with investments estimated at several hundreds of billions of dollars within the next few years, the industry offers appealing opportunities to investors.

Renewables offer opportunities for entrepreneurs

In sum, to increase the share of renewables in the global energy mix, improved policy frameworks for renewable energies are required, which correct externalities and ensure a more level playing field. Cooperation between public and private actors needs to be strengthened too. Both groups

Besides being of obvious interest to policy makers, renewables

play a key role. Policy makers should create incentives to

offer a number of appealing opportunities to entrepreneurs

ensure that the necessary investments are undertaken. In

in a variety of sectors. First and foremost, renewable energy

turn, the private sector can play a crucial role in raising the

firms and technology manufacturers worldwide offer profitable

required financial resources to facilitate the transition towards

investment opportunities for both venture capitalists and

a low-carbon economy. The upcoming COP21 offers a unique

institutional investors alike. Venture capitalists and business

opportunity to make significant progress towards this end. I

info

- september / october - 43

CLIMATE CHANGE:

winning the challenge of consumer sentiment Peter Stephenson-Wright, Affiliate Professor at ESCP Europe Business School, and Programme Director for the MSc in Marketing & Creativity, looks at the importance of consumer sentiment for bringing about change

B

So what are the barriers and what needs to change?

movement first

The starting point is the difficulty in perceiving climate change.

gained critical mass

After all, the symptoms are, for the most part, a slow creep

amongst consumers,

of statistics. NASA may have announced in July that the last

I was involved in the

six months have been the warmest mid-year sequence since

development of an

1880 – but what does that really mean? The inherent nature

advertising campaign

of climate change is a slow, imperceptible drift punctuated by

in the UK and

extreme and disruptive weather events. It’s the events that

Germany. The TV spot

usually grab the headlines, with causal links difficult to make.

ack in 1990, as the green

did not show any glossy product shots, but simply a sequence

A second barrier is that consumers may feel that the low-

of beautiful natural and animal scenes against a soundtrack

hanging fruit is all gone and from now on the environmental

of Louis Armstrong singing ‘What a Wonderful World’. At the

trade-offs will get more complex and more expensive. Not

end, a voice-over informed viewers that cars from Vauxhall

entirely true. Despite successful campaigns promoting such

and Opel would be fitted with catalytic converters at no extra

things as home insulation, low-energy bulbs and solar panels,

cost (rivals were charging extra for these).The campaign was

there is much more to be done; the real challenge lies in

an enormous success, winning a Gold EFFIE Award that year

changing behaviours.

for marketing effectiveness. Vauxhall and Opel’s brand image

This brings us to society’s pre-occupation with ‘newness’.

improved dramatically and the public bought their cars in

Consumers have been conditioned to want the latest in

record numbers.

everything, and to pay a profits-friendly premium for it. But

Since then, it has become rather less straightforward to influence consumer attitudes and behaviour.

A mixture of general apathy, changing government priorities and frustration over ‘greenwash’ has left the public

making things new every time is superbly wasteful. It’s not just about encouraging consumers to recycle, it’s about building a culture that equates new with wastefulness, not the leading edge.

confused and uncertain about their personal roles in limiting climate change. Moreover, surely as long as the US keeps

A small example of the challenge ahead: it has been

guzzling gas and China keeps burning coal, there’s little an

some years since manufacturers successfully developed

individual citizen can do?

furnace-friendly paint to enable old building materials to

Despite this, however, for any agreements made at

be recycled, but buyers missed the ‘new paint’ smell and

the forthcoming COP21 Climate Change Conference to be

shunned the option. Clearly there is psychology as well as

effective, consumers are undoubtedly going to have to be on

chemistry to overcome.

board. With BP predicting a rise in global energy consumption

It is certainly true that trends amongst the Facebook

of 41% between 2012 and 2035, public sentiment and action

Generation show a different balance between ownership

will need to change if the world is to pursue a sustainable path.

and usage. Why own things when you can rent, share or

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FOCUS - the business of climate change

Some 12% of the energy currently consumed in the UK is devoted to running the internet, and this will only rise. A future sustainable world is going to have to find energy-efficient ways of ‘doing digital’ too

borrow them? For this group, possessions are out and

delivery of Circular systems, Bolloré with its Autolib’ electric car

experiences are in. However, with this attitude comes a certain

sharing service or Alstom’s new energy recovery system for the

disengagement from the hard facts of the world around. The

London Underground.

TwentySomethingLondon.com guide to independent London

At the domestic and small business level, studies around

captured the zeitgeist of a generation when it announced

the world have shown that simply making energy usage visible

an app to make going out with your mates ‘as easy as doing

through the introduction of ‘Smart Meters’ can lead to a

quantum physics’. So much for science, let’s get on with the

reduction of 9% in personal energy consumption; switching to

important things in life!

these would more than deliver the UK Government’s current

But even virtual consumption has a real affect on the environment. Some 12% of the energy currently consumed in the UK is devoted to running the internet, and this will only rise. A future sustainable world is going to have to find energy-efficient ways of ‘doing digital’ too – as Google has pioneered, using solar energy to power its latest data centres.

target of a 2% saving.

According to Peter Franklin of energy consultancy Enstra, the next generation of these systems will use this information both to reduce overall consumption and to educate consumers about switching their energy usage outside peak periods of demand. Public behaviour in the future is likely to be shaped by a mixture of rewards and

Leading organisations are

penalties. As Bill Bernbach famously

already adopting so-called ‘Circular

said, ‘It’s not a principle until it costs

Economy’ models to become more

you money’.

sustainable and gain competitive advantage. Research by Accenture recently identified five drivers of the so-called ‘Circular Economy’, identifying production and consumption systems that combine traditional renewable and recycling strategies with newer ideas such as

The Swiss authorities realised this many years ago and instituted a mandatory system for rubbish collection, giving bags for waste to be recycled for free, but charging SFr20 for bags used for unsorted rubbish.

product life extension, sharing platforms and product-asa-service strategies. All of them represent a fundamental

As well as encouraging recycling by consumers, Germany

consumption shift from volume to performance that will

took the issue one step up the distribution chain, forcing

need to be reflected in the ways in which governments

retailers to pay for the ‘Green Dot’ scheme on all packaging:

and businesses communicate with their citizens and

the more there is, the higher the fee. The response, simpler

customers.

packaging, has alone resulted in a drop of 1 million tons per

Consumer education and information will have important roles to play

year in the country’s annual waste of 30 million tons.

There is more to do worldwide at all levels in society. The challenges will be tough, but both government and industry

In many countries, businesses are beginning to recognise their

must grasp the opportunities to shape public opinion – and,

part in building public momentum versus the ups and downs

like Vauxhall and Opel, reap the potential benefits in image

of government policy. French companies, with their leading

and sales. We would all be winners from this. How about a

positions in energy markets in the UK and elsewhere, are likely

new awards ceremony for those companies doing the most to

to play a leading part in shaping public take-up of the energy-

change public perceptions and behaviours? I

efficient products and services in the future, whether EDF Energy and Areva in the nuclear industry, Veolia leading the

info

- september / october - 45

The hidden environmental impact of the Internet James Robey, Capgemini Group’s Director of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, reflects on the significant environmental impact of the Internet and reveals how the IT industry is responding

I

t is estimated that, today, up to 12% of the UK’s total

carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle.4

electricity is used just to power the Internet. To put this

The technology industry acknowledged its contribution

into context, Yorkshire’s Drax power station, the largest in the

to the growing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

UK, supplies around 7% of the country’s electricity demand1

several years ago and since then some of the world’s most

(equivalent to meeting the needs of 4.5 million people). So

famous technology firms have been leading the way in

the UK needs one and a half Draxs just to keep the Internet

tackling the problem head on. In 2010, Google purchased two

running.

wind farms in North Dakota, and has since spent significant

As more and more people join the digital revolution, and as broadband speeds continue to get faster, more and more energy is being needed to keep up

sums of money on several solar and geothermal projects to feed its ever-hungry servers.

This

year,

Apple

invested

in

the pace. According to one academic,

Ahead of COP21, renewable energyyou for its data centres

Andrew Ellis, Professor of Optical

have in Ireland said and thatDenmark, in terms and expanded

Communications at Aston University,

ofrenewable a ‘ecological energy transition’, project in China.

Internet demand is rising so fast that

France The tech must giant be an also announced that

it could consume the nation’s entire

example it aims to in order powertoall its operations

power supply by around 2035.2

convince and lead.renewable How worldwide with energy. do you intend Amazon Web Services to do made the same

All this electricity comes with a impact.

this? last year, funding large wind pledge

Generally speaking, the greater the

I felt thatprojects in order for turbine in Indiana and North

significant

environmental

to live up to its role as hostenergy of CoP21, it had toby setthese an projects will be energy used, the more carbon dioxide is released France into the Carolina.

Surplus generated atmosphere.

example. The Energy fed back Transition into thefor energy Greengrids.

Growth Act, which

However, the relationship between Internet Iuse defended and in Parliament Capgemini and which is playing is now inits effect, partsets too. Data centres – energy used is complex. Take, for example, online shopping out ambitious warehouse-like objectives, in line buildings with the European filled with Union’s IT servers – are our commitments, and beyond.

It lays down the – one van delivering groceries can take 15 cars off the road, biggest single consumer of regulatory electricity. In 2010, Capgemini companies, territories and local authoritiesUK, to that was billed as saving fuel and carbon emissions; however, the framework Internet foropened Merlin, a data centre in Swindon, makes it easy to order products from all over the embark world inon a true the energy world’stransition. most sustainable with many revolutionary design a way that was never previously feasible, leading to I want rapidly the environme. featuresI – particularly around air-conditioning which can Interview increasing levels of international freight. The popularity of by KF often consume as much power as the equipment it is cooling.

Internet shopping continues to grow rapidly – in the UK last

Compared with a similar-sized conventional data centre, in

year online retail sales rose 14% compared to the previous

its first year of operations Merlin recorded a 92% reduction

year, going above £100 billion for the first time.3 The Web

in energy used for cooling by replacing air-conditioning units

has undoubtedly improved the lives of millions of people

with free, fresh air cooling. Since Capgemini raised the bar

around the world, but simply surfing it for the best deals

five years ago, the IT industry has developed and built even

burns carbon too; according to Harvard University’s Dr Alex

more efficient servers and data centres, but Merlin is still

Wissner-Gross, two searches on the web produce as much

considered one of the most sustainable.5 I

1 2

3 4 5

www.drax.com www.independent.co.uk/news/science/britain-may-be-forced-to-ration-the-internet-expert-warns-as-web-use-could-consume-100-of-nations power-supply-by-2035-10222638.html www.uk.capgemini.com/news/uk-news/uk-online-sales-exceed-ps100-billion-in-2014 www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/4217055/Two-Google-searches-produce-same-CO2-as-boiling-a-kettle.html www.uk.capgemini.com/resources/merlin-the-worlds-most-sustainable-data-centre

46 - info - september / october

FOCUS - the business of climate change

Building a resilient organisation: why context & materiality really matters Simon Pringle, Head of Sustainability and Innovation at BDO, considers what sustainability really means for businesses today and how becoming a truly resilient organisation is much more than putting in some technical innovations

T

he sustainability agenda has become a mainstream

harvest food losses and contribute to improvements in urban

business concern for organisations of all shapes and sizes.

air quality.

Despite some current uncertainty surrounding proposed policy

However, for an organisation to become truly resilient

changes, sustainability, energy security and the ‘green’ agenda

normally requires more than just a technical fix. A resilient

remain a high level priority for Governments across Europe.

organisation truly understands the context in which it operates,

The days of simply ticking a box in the CSR column of a supply chain questionnaire have disappeared into history.

recognises which issues are potentially material and has effective strategies in place to respond to that assessment.

For many businesses, sustainability means the capacity for

The evolution of company reporting towards a more

organisations to become more resilient and ‘future proof’.

integrated style gives a clue as to the changing commercial, social

This can be achieved by the creation of short term efficiencies

and environmental context in which businesses are operating.

alongside strategies to ensure the delivery of shareholder value

We know from direct experience that investor demands are

into the medium and longer term.

increasingly reaching beyond financial governance to other

Many issues that were previously seen as mid-term sustainability concerns are impacting upon the here and now.

issues that have a material influence on the ability of a business to deliver enduring shareholder value.

This change is partly being driven by corporate minds that

As the materiality of certain non-financial business issues

are focused on the risks and opportunities associated with

is better understood, there is recognition that not every scrap

commodity and energy prices, regulatory changes, supply chain

of financial data is necessarily critical to a business’s ability

management and brand reputation.

to deliver enduring value. Conversely, some things that are

At the same time, a highly creative and innovative low carbon ‘green’ sector has started to mature. Combining government

non-financial can have a fundamental bearing on a business’s potential to create value for a wide group of stakeholders.

policy with corporate demand and genuine innovation brings

Perhaps the starkest illustration of this is offered by the

real momentum to a market that has confounded the broader

extent to which intangible assets such as intellectual property,

economic backdrop and enjoyed a period of growth and

people, brand equity and reputation now make up the majority

cautious optimism. This means that many companies have been

of corporate value. The following figure takes the example of

working hard to satisfy the emerging demands of consumer and

businesses on the Dow Jones Index and shows the trend over a

corporate hunger for clean technologies and energy efficient

35 year period from 1975 onward.

products.

Take, for example, a range of innovations operating at different scales: • Resilience through energy security:

the RidgeBlade is

a wind turbine designed to lie along the ridge of a roof and combine with solar to provide a low cost integrated energy solution.

• Resilience through resource efficiency: Thermitech takes non-recyclable waste streams from factories and other manufacturing sites and converts them in situ into heat and power. This closed loop approach saves money and reduces resource intensity.

• Resilience

though

system

level

change:

Dearman

Technology Company has produced an emission free engine

The integrity of an organisation’s operations and supply chain

that runs on liquid nitrogen and that has the potential to

are absolutely critical to maintain trust, brand value and market

dramatically improve the global cold chain, reduce post-

position. Take, for example, the Food and Drink sector, which

info

- september / october - 47

FOCUS - the business of climate change

sits as a major part of the retail supply chain and is subject to

Given the diversity of contexts in which businesses operate

greater levels of corporate and consumer scrutiny than almost

it is impossible to produce a comprehensive overview in a short

any other group of suppliers. This drive for quality and resource

article. However, here are some practical tips that may help in

efficiency combines with the role of delivering food security and

building a resilient organisation:

social wellbeing to place the sector in a unique position.

• Have you appropriately assessed your risks?

For many UK food and drink businesses, 2013 will

• Does this assessment extend beyond pure compliance?

be remembered as the year of the horsemeat scandal. A

• Have you understood the non-regulatory risks in your supply

considerable number of products identified as containing

chain and/or product design?

lamb or beef were found to contain horse meat instead. The

• Does your strategy for sustainability align with the core

vulnerability to illegal behaviour within the supply chain exposed

business?

by investigations into the scandal also shines a light onto other

• Are the risks identified in the risk register?

provenance issues such as ethical standards, resource usage

• Do you have an appropriate system of assessment, control,

and biodiversity impacts.

assurance and governance?

What this shows is that there is a huge amount of damage

• Do you fully understand your competitive landscape and/or

that can be inflicted on the equity of a trusted brand if its supply

the behaviour of their customer or clients?

chain, often made up of SMEs, fails to deliver on the promises

• Are you effectively using this insight to gain competitive

made by the ultimate retailer or branded product at the top of

advantage? I

the value chain.

building resilience into supply and customer chains

Reducing the environmental impact of clients, suppliers and employees

I

t’s

all

of carbon savings in the company’s

emissions within its supply network.

businesses have a responsibility for

generally

accepted

that

ecosystem – this is equivalent to 30% of

For example, Capgemini’s IT hardware

reducing their carbon footprints. While

Guernsey’s emissions2, or 121,000 return

suppliers ensure that every purchase

some are taking small steps to minimise

commercial

from

improves environmental performance.

their own impacts, others are now being

London to New York. This is an ambitious

In addition, Capgemini UK is investing

more ambitious.

target.

in energy-efficient technologies and

passenger

flights

Last year, French-based Capgemini,

processes such as photovoltaic in Aston, How will this be achieved?

rainwater harvesting, smart metering and

consulting company, collaborated in a

Capgemini UK is using its technology

in-depth energy assessments.

cross-industry group with Forum for the

and business process expertise to help

Employees are supported too. They

Future, the Climate Group and WWF to

clients cut carbon emissions. Significant

have access to a range of communication

explore ‘Net Positive’, the concept that

carbon savings can be made by moving

tools enabling them to work remotely,

organisations need to look beyond their

client IT infrastructure from traditional

thereby reducing the need to travel. They

own environmental impact and consider

data centres to highly efficient, low-

are encouraged to use public transport or

that of their clients, suppliers and

environmental-impact ones, such as

car-share, whether they are making their

employees too.

Capgemini’s Merlin data centre near

regular commute to the office, attending

Now, Capgemini UK has decided to

Swindon. Another example is iBabs, a

training sessions, or visiting clients or

implement Net Positive in its ecosystem

multilingual app that over 150 clients

business partners. Employees who are

(with clients, suppliers and employees)

use to simplify meeting planning and

eligible for company cars have the option

to reduce by three times its own carbon

preparation via tablets and laptops.

of low-emission electric cars. I

emissions by 2017. To put this into

The solution enables meetings to be

perspective, with a current footprint

paperless.

Europe’s

largest

IT

services

and

James Robey, Group Director

of 50,000 tonnes of CO2e1 per annum,

The company is also collaborating with

of Corporate Responsibility &

this will involve finding 150,000 tonnes

suppliers and business partners to reduce

Sustainability, Capgemini UK

1. CO2e: carbon dioxide equivalent, a standard unit for measuring carbon footprints.

2. http://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=94358&p=0

48 - info - september / october

AREVA: environmental management on a group scale

A

s a supplier of high-added value

consumption of the group’s Tricastin

the results are published in the group’s

products and services for the nuclear

site in France by a factor of 50, the

annual report. At the end of the financial

fleet worldwide, AREVA is helping to

ambitious action plan has involved all the

year 2014, a 10-year report presented

bring low-carbon energy to the greatest

industrial branches of the group and has

results which speak for themselves: a

number of people. The group has always

been transformed into a powerful tool

reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

endeavoured

internal

for mobilising the efforts of everyone

of 66% at constant revenue, a reduction

practices that are in line with this

concerned on a daily basis. This process

in

mission, and to be proactive in reducing

of assuming greater responsibility was

reduction in energy consumption of

its environmental footprint. AREVA has

even fostered over a five-year period

89% and a reduction in the production

thus established an internal system of

by setting up an internal market for

of conventional final waste of 48% over

environmental performance indicators

the offsetting of CO2 emissions, with

the past decade.

to measure the results produced by

operational entities being financially

the evolution of individual behaviour

encouraged

the

are not yet persuaded of the benefits of

as well as the optimisation of existing

‘eco-design’ of cleaner technological

the system: this reduction in the group’s

installations and the implementation of

solutions.

environmental

to

establish

major technological breakthroughs.

to

move

towards

water

consumption

of

94%,

a

One final detail to convince those who

footprint

represents

From the start, AREVA has made the

a saving of €40 million on operating

Ranging from consumption of the

management indicators of this initiative

expenses annually, this excluding the

most basic resources such as paper and

available for audit to ensure that the

very significant savings achieved thanks

the installation of loops for recycling

results obtained are not open to question.

to the new enrichment process. I

cooling water in plants, through to

Since

Patrick

the adoption of a uranium enrichment

reporting’ system has thus been audited

Development & Environment Vice

process which has cut the electricity

every year by its statutory auditors and

President, AREVA Group

2004,

AREVA’s

‘non-financial

Cazaubon,

Sustainable

warning: energy fines ahead Up to 10,000 unsuspecting UK companies could be heading for total fines of over £900m if they fail to comply with the new Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS). Pat Gilroy, COO of Industrial Customers for Veolia UK outlines a positive approach to ESOS that can help reduce emissions and save businesses money

Y

our company could need an energy audit by 5 December this

large capital outlay. This need not be the case, as approaching

year – and without it your business could face up to £90,000

necessary building improvements with energy use in mind can

of fines. ESOS is the Government’s response to implementing

reap significant CO2 reductions which translate to savings on the

Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and requires large

bottom line. Indeed, quick wins will often be available for little or

organisations employing either 250 people or over, and/or with

no outlay. For example, heating systems are often badly controlled

an annual turnover and balance sheet in excess of €50m (£38.9m)

or the lights left on all day for no reason and this can be solved by

and €43 (£33.5m), respectively.

effective re-setting or replacing timers and controls. Medium cost

The scheme is designed to help businesses with an expert

solutions can include new controls, solar shades, loft insulation,

energy management assessment that can deliver significant

low energy lights and the use of new technology such as power

savings to their energy bills and aims to reduce the UK’s carbon

regulation and variable speed fan controls.

footprint. ESOS audits thus represent a real opportunity for

Major cost items that may be worthwhile as part of a major

organisations to find out how they are performing, and more

refurbishment include window replacements, new roof, building

importantly can give practical measures for increasing energy

fabric upgrades, to provide energy savings through improved

efficiency and sustainability. These cover a wide range of activities

thermal performance. Replacing obsolete heating, ventilation

from behavioural change through energy awareness campaigns,

and air-conditioning systems provides an opportunity to invest

operational control and optimisation measures, to investment in a

in low carbon energy technology such as condensing boilers or

new energy efficient plant. Such investments in infrastructure can

combined heat and power (CHP).

be self-funding through energy cost savings and often have short

With an ESOS audit and implemention of measures,

payback periods. Many plant investment arrangement schemes

organisations not only become compliant with the legislation and

involve no capital cost and some can be eligible for grant funding.

avoid the financial penalties, but can also benefit from innovative

There is a common perception that to reduce carbon

energy saving measures which are able to reduce energy bills by

emissions through lowering energy consumption requires a

as much as 10-15%, as well as cutting carbon emissions. I

info

- september / october - 49

business INNOVATION out of climate change While established business and industry are investing in resilience and technical innovation to deal with the impacts of climate change, there are many startups whose existence and offerings have come about because of and as a response to climate change.

Companies such as ENGIE with its Big Pitch 2015 competition are encouraging and nurturing this new wave of innovation (openinnovation-engie.com) to find the next big idea in the technology revolution that is needed to achieve that 2ÂşC cap on global warming

Climpact-Metnext helping businesses weather the impact of climate change

E

very board is now well aware of their duties to

Inventory management is a key factor once the

weatherproof their businesses. A start-up called

distribution channel has been sorted out, and that is

Climpact-Metnext has tapped into that new knowledge demand

by

providing

customised

where forecast confidence matters.

This has proved to be a compelling

weather forecasts, based on a new

argument

model which takes advantage of the

NextStage and BPI France. They are

newly

available

30-year

for

their

shareholders

detailed

also hoping that the general public will

weather databases. Graduating from the

start paying more detailed attention to

usual energy companies, their clients

the tracking of air pollutants and their

are increasingly coming from the retail

local concentration, which can vary

sector and other weather dependant

significantly over time and place‌ but

producers.

According to Climpact-Metnext, 60% of fast moving goods categories are significantly weather dependent.

50 - info - september / october

that is the next story. I www.climpact.com/fr Jean-Michel Sylvestre, CEO, Charmont Investments

FOCUS - the business of climate change

Ineris tracking emissions to their source

T

he ‘polluter pays’ principle is well established, which

combustion (levoglucosan, carbon black). They can also

means that environmental liabilities can be pinned

model the impact of sea salt in the nitrogen components

on companies long after the polluting has occurred.

and adjust road traffic restriction measures to more

Climate change science has helped to identify the sources

targeted areas. That ability to attribute emissions to

of pollutants, which were previously amalgamated, with

private parties is a game changer that will quickly ripple

liability ultimately resting on government.

into behavioural changes.

As a Government sponsored agency, the Nancy

A few years ago, Addison Lee founder’s John Griffin

(Lorraine)-based INERIS is developing and selling

installed air quality stations across London to help

solutions to identify and track air born pollutants. With

assert the better footprint of his fleet against old fashion

their roots in mining and chemical industry safety, they

black cabs. Now that pollution tracking is getting even

are now using mass spectrometers to tag the molecules

sharper, Zac Goldsmith MP (a potential Tory canditate

of pollutants. Combined with higher altitude wind

for London Mayor) may be taken seriously on his

information, collected thanks to LIDARs scanners, they

air

can, for example, segregate the carbon components

Chemical%20substances I

emitted from wood from those derived from fossil fuel

Jean-Michel Sylvestre, CEO, Charmont Investments

clean

up

platform!

www.ineris.fr/en/services/

Eco exercise: people-powered gyms

T

he Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGOGC)’s

the gym was piloted, fed surplus energy into its buildings

energy-generating outdoor gym was given a special

and sold it to the grid, making money for scholarships.

award in ENGIE’s Big Pitch UK competition for its

‘One thing we have learnt from this process is how hard

community benefits and contribution to

it really is to generate energy,’ Georgie

the drive towards a greener economy.

says, ‘It makes you appreciate it! ’

Now it is headed to Paris for COP21

So far 11 Green Energy Gyms have

where it will be on display outside the

been installed around the UK and two

Economic, Social and Environmental

have been piloted in Hungary and

Council (CESE) building.

Malaysia. ‘It’s been a learning curve,’

Georgie

and

Georgie admits. ‘Since the first one

family

we’ve developed it quite a bit, and now

business, says that they came up with

that we are happy with the systems,

the idea when thinking of ways to

we are ready to launch it properly and

make their new range of outdoor gyms

the Paris Climate Change Conference

more robust. ‘When we got down to

seemed the ideal place to do that.’

the nitty-gritty of what it was all about

TGOGC was invited to do so by French

– dissipating the energy – we thought,

eco NGO Shamengo, which has also

why not harness and recycle it instead?’

been promoting its green energy

The energy generated by exercisers –

gym as a ‘pioneer’, and it certainly is

Creative

Delaney,

Director

of

Founder this

50-100 watts each depending on fitness

a world first, which even featured on

– can be used for mobile device charging on the spot, or

CNN World News. They may not become mainstream

is stored by an Energy Display Unit, which shows the

sources of energy generation, but these innovative

energy being generated as you work out, and then used

gyms do raise energy consciousness at a personal and

to light up the installation in the evening, extending the

community level, while promoting health and wellbeing

hours of use and saving on electricity costs. Power can

and contributing in a small way to the green economy.

also go back into the grid – a sixth form college where

www.tgogc.com I KF

info

- september / october - 51

ICI

LONDRES

Le site des Français à Londres

magazine

Plus de 400 points de distribution à Londres

Le magazine

des Français à Londres

n° 198 – 10-12 Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2HF, 020 7581 1588 – © Dimitri Coste

Magazine

Septembre 2015 Gratuit

Où manger le meilleur éclair ?

DOSSIER

La rentrée scolaire

HOLLYSIZ

Dynamite le dancefloor

www.ici-londres.com 020 7581 1588

LIFESTYLE - e xhibitions

© Bowness

Compiled by Melissa Hat tabi

Barbara Hepworth with the plaster of Single Form 1961-4 at the Morris Singer foundry, London, May 1963.

Photograph by Morgan-Wells

tat e b ri ta i n, lo n d o n Barbara Hepworth: Sculpture for a Modern World Tate Britain presents ‘Barbara Hepworth: Sculpture

from Jacob Epstein to Henry Moore. Uniquely,

for a Modern World’, the first large-scale exhibition

the show includes an impressive reconstruction

devoted to the artist in London for more than 50

of a modernist structure to showcase Hepworth’s

years. This retrospective of one of Britain’s greatest

‘ideal’ environment. Among the highlights are four

and leading artists of the 1930s features many of

large sculptures in sumptuous African hardwood

her most significant and beautiful sculptures in

reunited in one room. I Until 25 October / Open

wood, stone and bronze alongside lesser-known

daily 10am to 6pm / Full price £18

drawings, textiles and collages as well as film and selected works by her peers and predecessors

Barbara Hepworth in the Palais studio at work on the wood carving Hollow Form with White Interior 1963 Photo by Val Wilmer info

- september / october - 53

LIFE S T YLE - E XHIBITION S

© Iwan Baan

SERPENTINE GALLERIES, LONDON Serpentine Pavilion 2015 by SelgasCano The Serpentine Gallery’s iconic annual programme showcases the ‘Serpentine Pavilion 2015’ designed by Spanish architects SelgasCano who are making their first foray into UK architecture with the construct.

The 15th Serpentine Gallery Pavilion consists of a doublelayered plastic skin in a variety of colours, wrapped around a series of metal arches. The aim is that the design should be for a flexible, multi-purpose social space where visitors can relax.

The structure is in line with previous designs from SelgasCano which include light-filled harbourside structures, playful floating shapes and even the subterranean Office in the Woods, all of which display their approach to architecture as part of the natural landscape. I Until 18 October / Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm / Free admission

Serpentine Pavilion 2015 designed by SelgasCano

VI C TORIA & AL B ERT M US EU M , LONDON

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Shoes: Pleasure and Pain

Wedding toe-knob paduka, silver and gold over wood, India, 1800s

From opulent royal foot apparel to hard-to-wear stilettos, this exhibition at London’s V&A museum explores the ‘human obsession with shoes’ over 2,000 years. Split over two levels at the centre of the museum’s fashion gallery, ‘Shoes: Pleasure and Pain’ is divided thematically to present the way many different cultures have used footwear as a form of personal expression, to announce status and aid seduction but also how it can alter or enhance their wearer.

Sponsored by the British shoe retailer and manufacturer Clarks, the exhibition was curated by Helen Persson, who specialises in textiles and dress in the V&A’s Asian department. It features designs from the museum’s archives, along with loans from individuals and institutions. I Until 31 January 2016 / Open daily from 10am to 5.30pm and until 9.30pm on Fridays / Full Price £12

T H E Q U EEN ’S GALLERY AT BU C K IN G H A M PALAC E, LONDON Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

Painting Paradise – The Art of the Garden The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace plays host to ‘Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden’ which reveals the way in which gardens have been celebrated in art across four centuries.

With over 150 displays bringing together paintings, botanical studies, drawings, books, manuscripts and decorative arts, the exhibition explores the garden from the 16th to the early 20th century. It includes works by da Vinci, Maria Sibylla Merian and Carl Fabergé as well as some of the earliest depictions of gardens such as a Rembrandt illustrating the Biblical account of how Mary Magdalene mistook the Risen Christ for a gardener on Easter morning. I Until 11 October / Open daily from 10am to 5.30pm / Full price £10 54 - info - september / october

Marco Ricci, A View of the Cascade, Bushy Park Water Gardens, c.1715

LIFE S T YLE - E XHIBITION S

T H E BARB I C AN, LONDON The Barbican Exhibition: Building a Landmark Opened by the Queen in 1982, who declared it was ‘one of the modern wonders of the world’, the Barbican was seen as a landmark in terms of its scale, cohesion and ambition. This second exhibition in the Barbican series explores almost three decades of the estate’s construction from the mid-1950s to the official inauguration of the arts centre in 1982.

Taking place in the main foyer, the display includes rarely seen photographs of the construction illustrating the vast progress that took place to convert a bomb site wrought by the Blitz into a significant example of architecture with international renown. I Until 29 November / Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 11pm – Sundays from 11am / Free admission

Tooling of the conservatory’s concrete - 6 November 1979 Photo by Peter Bloomfield

GALLERY ELENA SH CH U K INA , LONDON

© Xawery Wolski

The course of infinity: space, time and light Since leaving Poland, Xawery

Chamber member Gallery Elena Shchkuina exposes Wolski’s

Wolski began sculpting in

first solo show within the UK and displays the wonderful mix

1983 and quickly established

of the simplest form, allowing for traditional techniques from a

an artistic language based on

classical training and contemporary ideas. In this exhibition every

an aesthetic of minimalism.

objects relate one to another, linking the past to the present and

His work is executed in

the future and creating a dialogue between the works. I Until

natural materials such as

28 October / Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm

earth, fired clay, and stone.

Saturdays by appointment only / Free admission

ROYAL AC ADE MY O F ARTS, LONDON Ai Weiwei One of China’s major artists and a cultural phenomenon, Ai Weiwei became widely known in Britain after his sunflower seeds installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in 2010, but this will be the first major institutional survey of his work ever held in the UK. The Royal Academy of Arts offered its main galleries for a presentation of Ai’s brave, provocative and visionary works. Curated in collaboration with the artist from his studio in Beijing, the exhibition displays some of his most important works from 1993, when he left the US to return to China, to the present day. The artist, who works with a diverse range of materials from marble and steel to tea and glass, also created new works specifically for this show. I

© Ai Weiwei

Until 13 December / Open Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm, until 10pm on Fridays / Full price £16

Xawery Wolski, Little Chain 3 Links, 2007 Terracotta white patina 44 x 16 x 12 cm

Ai Weiwei, Straight, 2008-12 Steel reinforcing bars, 600 x 1200 cm Lisson Gallery, London

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- september / october - 55

LIFE S T YLE - AUC TION

Ch ri s t i e’s So u t h K ens i n gto n First Open LDN On 23 September, Christie’s South Kensington presents First Open LDN, an auction of Post-war and Contemporary Art of both established names and the best cutting-edge or emerging artists at accessible price points. Aimed at first-time buyers, seasoned collectors looking to add interesting pieces to their collections, and those looking to decorate their homes, estimates range from £800 to £150,000. This season, First Open LDN will also introduce Double Vision, a single owner grouping from an Italian collection that captures the diverse currents of the international art scene during the late 1970s and 1980s. This selection will be offered in an evening time session beginning at 7pm. Join us on the night of the sale for refreshments, specialist talks and advice on how to bid. I 23 September, 7pm/Free admission www.christies.com

LIFE S T YLE - BOOK S

The Violette project

V

iolette et la tasse de thé is the brainchild of Anne-Sophie Ravix, who moved with her family to London in 2007. Encouraged by her children to write down some of the

stories she told them and inspired by the ‘curious, sweet-tooth’ character of one of her daughters as well as her own experiences of living in London, she wrote the story one day on a train journey to Normandy.

In her search for an illustrator to bring her story to life, Anne-Sophie turned to social media and found Florence Dambre, who was taking a maternity break from her BA Design at Goldsmiths College. The two forged an immediate partnership which led to the creation of a company called Violette et Cetera Ltd. Initially they sought a publisher in France, but found the children’s book market not only tough to get into but also saturated. ‘Two publishers were potentially interested in the picture book but they were asking for so many changes that we thought our book would lose its soul,’ comments Anne-Sophie. ‘So we decided to self-publish in the first instance.’

They published the French version in November 2014 and managed to sell 500 copies within the first four months, mainly online through Amazon.fr and other websites, but also in independent bookshops. Positive feedback from friends, family, schoolteachers and bookshops led to the release of the English version – Violette and the cup of tea – five months later. ‘This has been the best decision ever!’ says AnneSophie. ‘We now have a few projects coming up with schools and reading clubs. A bilingual school in Kentish Town studied both versions and is considering using our book as an educational tool for the next academic year.’ The bilingual element has also caught the attention of Waterstones bookshop in the UK, which has agreed to place it on their shelves.

Plans are afoot to send Violette on more adventures, but, says Florence, ‘she might need to embark on a stronger boat…’. The pair is currently approaching UK literary agents to get their book officially published, which would take the onerous job of promotion and distribution out of their hands. Thereafter, the world will be Violette’s oyster… I KF 56 - info - september / october

info

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La Cave à Fromage named one of the world’s most amazing cheese shops

L

a Cave à Fromage has been ranked as the third most amazing cheese shop in the world

by The Telegraph because of its offer of ‘the very best of French and English cheeses, curated after years of working with the UK’s top artisanal cheese producers and restaurants, such as Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons’.

Much more than a cheese retailer, La Cave à Fromage is imbued with the passion of its founders Eric Charriaux and Amnon Paldi.

‘We opened our first outlet in South Kensington in November 2007 with passion, common sense and excitement,’ says Eric. ‘I believe we have kept these values throughout these years and carried them to our other two shops in Brighton and Notting Hill.’

These shops have made a real experience of cheese with seating areas where customers can relax while having cheese, bread and wine after work, as well as monthly cheese events.

From a business point of view, it proves once again that creativity and consistency are key factors Speaking about their new world ranking, Eric adds: ‘When I read about this accolade, my initial feeling of extreme pride quickly changed to gratitude towards our loyal customers, who, week after week, have pushed opened the doors and endorsed our values. Gratitude also towards our suppliers who work so hard to remain consistent, and commited to creating beautiful and delicious cheese. From a business point of view, it proves once again that creativity and consistency are key factors, and that motivated and well-trained staff – we have set up our own Cheese Academy – is essential as far as customers are concerned.’

Eric writes the regular cheese column in INFO (see page 58), and his Notting Hill shop hosts the Chamber’s ever popular ‘Say Cheese... and Wine’ events in partnership with Wine Story. I KF

Photos by Mike Carter Media

www.la-cave.co.uk Top: Eric Charriaux and Amnon Paldi have a nose for the best cheese Bottom: La Cave à Fromage in South Kensington, London, was singled out as third best cheese shop worldwide

58 - info - september / october

LIFE S T YLE - E AT, DR INK , S TAY - briefs

London Jam Factory scores three Great Taste Awards

The London Jam Factory (LJF) has just added to its accolades with three Great Taste awards.

Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, is the acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink. It has been described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’. LJF won 2 gold stars for its Raspberry & Geranium preserve, with the judges saying: ‘We do love the geranium bursting through this loose coulis and setting off the raspberry to good effect. Great fun and a good idea.’

Its Raspberry & Rose and Apricot, Orange & Grand Marnier earned a gold star each. ‘All the flavours in a beautifully balanced rainbow that just goes on and on’ the judges said of the latter, but having tasted Pierre-Louis Phelipot’s glorious jams we think it could apply to them all!. I KF

Courtesy of The Dorchester

To order Pierre-Louis’ jams visit www.thelondonjamfactory.com

The Grill Counter wine evenings at The Dorchester A series of fun monthly wine and canapé evenings have been introduced at The Grill Counter in The Dorchester’s recently re-launched restaurant, The Grill at The Dorchester. Hosted by double act head chef Christophe Marleix and head sommelier Ruben Desport, this wine and canapé journey for a total of seven guests will cover six pairings from a different region or theme each month. Designed to offer an alternative night out to sitting down for dinner, Ruben and Christophe will tailor their tips, stories and anecdotes to the varying levels of wine and food knowledge shared amongst guests. I www.dorchestercollection.com

‘A Night at the Opera’ at The Landmark London The Landmark London will be providing the backdrop for an autumnal operatic evening on 2 October. Unlike a performance in an opera house, this Night at the Opera dinner promises to be a unique experience as the four singers will weave their way among the tables during the performance, serenading guests.

A ticketed event, the opera will take place in the atmospheric surrounds of The Landmark London’s Winter Garden restaurant underneath the eight-storey glass-roofed atrium set to ensure a spectacular atmosphere, superb acoustics for the operatic performances and a memorable evening of good music and fine dining. I www.landmarklondon.co.uk

Big Fernand gears up for the Rugby World Cup French burger joint Big Fernand, is gearing up for the Rugby

lovers to enjoy all the XV de France games while enjoying their

World Cup by introducing draught beer to its London

hamburgés! I

‘workshop’. A giant screen is also being installed for rugby

www.bigfernand.co.uk

info

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LIFE S T YLE - cheese & wine press

AppenzelleR

by la Cave à Fromage

Among European countries, the small state of Switzerland is well known for preserving its traditions and thus its unique identity.

With a rich multicultural heritage that has German, Italian and French influences, Switzerland has always valued welfare and peace.

These intrinsic values are celebrated in the incredible Appenzeller cheese, which is produced in only 58 local cheese dairies of the Appenzell region of northeast Switzerland. A semihard to hard cow’s-milk cheese, with a gorgeous ivory to yellow paste, Appenzeller is slowly matured for over six months, giving it a hard, golden rind.

Tradition requires that the recipe for the herbal brine used to wash the cheese remains a closely guarded secret, known by only two people at a time and passed from generation to generation, perpetuating the cheese’s pleasures over time.

Appenzeller can be characterised as a very rich cheese, with a tangy, zingy touch. I by Eric Charriaux E: eric@cheese.biz T: +44 (0)845 108 8222 W: www.la-cave.co.uk

you r wi n e with AppenzelleR

by Wine Story

The earliest influences on viticulture in Switzerland are Roman, which is testimony to the long tradition of Swiss wines. Produced from nearly 15,000 hectares, mainly in the West and South regions, these wines are rarely exported and therefore not easy to find on the French or British markets. There are some exceptions, however, such as the light, dry white Fendant from the Valais, famous in Alpine ski resorts.

Most of the dry, white wines in Switzerland are produced from the aromatic Chasselas grape such as the iconic Dézaley Grand Cru from Lavaux in the Canton de Vaud (the 53.6 hectares of the appellation are shared between 133 wine growers). With the Appenzeller cheese, I recommend wines from the Riesling grape. For a French alternative, the Alsace Grand Cru Bruderthal from the Domaine Gerard Neumeyer would be a good choice. I by Thibault Lavergne E: thibault@winestory.co.uk T: +44 (0)7921 770 691 W: www.wine-story.co.uk

60 - info - september / october

ARTISTIC FANTASY IN JAPAN I

n one day, the people of Japan

art become one. With the aim of

can attend a Shinto religious

injecting life back into the island,

service,

avant-garde

Soichiro Fukutake took the project

contemporary art installation and

one step further by transforming

take part in a good old-fashioned

traditional 19th century houses

karaoke. In Japan, paradoxes can

into contemporary art installations.

be turned into all kinds of audacity.

Naoshima’s pioneering work has

As a result, the most improbable

become a model for neighboring

artistic designs featuring traditional

islands

symbols of the utmost purity can

unique museum, built inside an

be found in the middle of even the

ancient refinery, is dedicated to the

most rural of regions.

author Yukio Mishima and exhibits

Our

visit

an

journey

through

this

including

Inujima.

Its

the elements of his Tokyo house

artistic fantasy begins in the

with a strong ecological touch.

historic neighborhood of Kurashiki in the Okayama region, where

It is just as strange to roam around this island of fishermen,

ancient warehouses dating from the 17th century stand side by

whose 50 inhabitants have agreed to share their land with art

side with old leather lampposts of the Meiji era, pretty cafes and

installations, each more troubling than the next. It is on a wild

scenic canals. After 15 hours of travel, this is the perfect place

beach of the island of Teshima, that Christian Boltanski set up

to wander around! The private Ohara museum, created in 1930

the compilation of his ‘Archives du cœurs’. Finally, the museum

in honour of the painter Kojima Torajiro, is tucked away in the

in Teshima, founded by the architect Ryuei Nishizawa and the

heart of this enchanting landscape and reveals an impressive

sculptor Rei Naito, is possibly the most disconcerting creation

collection of paintings from Europe, inspired by the various

of them all. Within a giant elliptical capsule, carved into the

artistic movements of the era led by the likes of El Greco,

concrete and without a single supporting pillar, small drops

Gauguin, Monet, Matisse and Picasso. As dusk falls, the lights of

of water slowly drip onto the ground as the wind blows in an

Kurashiki can be seen from the window of our Ryokan.

Olympian silence. It’s enough to take your breath away! I

Our quest for art takes us to the islands of the inland sea.

In Naoshima we encounter the hotel-museum Benesse House,

E: info@exclusifvoyages.co.uk

made famous by Yayoi Kusama’s giant pumpkin, the crazy

T: +44 (0) 7931 099 269

brainchild of the billionaire Soichiro Fukutake and that genius

W: www.exclusifvoyages.co.uk

of Japanese architecture, Tadao Ando. Together, they have reinvented a paradise of contemplation where nature and

Il Vento café on Teshima Island, Japan

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- september / october - 61

Ireland – Castles of the South

A Route du Bonheur from Relais & Chateaux by Francis Brennan, owner of Park Hotel Kenmare

I

was born in Dublin and for as long

Stage 1 (165 km) 1 day, 1 night

as I can remember I always wanted

Marlfield House, Gorey This has to be one of the finest country houses in Ireland.

Marlfield House has been a peaceful haven for its very loyal guests for nearly 40 years now. You only have to take a stroll through the 35 acres of landscaped gardens to understand the owners’ sophistication and attention to detail. There are classical music concerts and recitals held on some weekends. www.marlfieldhouse.com

to work in hospitality. Was it because my parents dreamt of building a hotel in the west of the country but never managed to do it? Or because of the suit my grandfather wore that I wanted

1

in a child’s size so I could wear it wandering the corridors of my place.

After living overseas, I returned to Cork

Along the way .. House of Waterford Crystal,

to work as a hotel manager and then

Waterford

I settled for good in Kenmare, in the south of the country. I got to travel a lot

They have been working with crystal here for over 200 years.

Based in the heart of the city, Waterford Crystal marries traditional know-how and modern techniques. The public

around Ireland when I was presenting

can view every stage of the manufacturing, from the creation

‘At Your Service’, a hit TV show here

of the moulds to the almost magical, meticulous work of

in this country. The South I would like to show you has immense treasures.

the blowers. Close to 45,000 pieces are produced here annually. www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com

Roam the length of its crests, play golf on the finest courses in the world, and enter century-old castles that recount the very particular history of a country quite unlike any other...

House of Waterford Crystal 62 - info - september / october

Lismore Castle

Stage 2 (180 km) 1 day, 1 night

2

Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore This incredible hotel looks like a cruise ship about to set sail. Located close to the little fishing village of Ardmore, this contemporary establishment faces the sea directly. Its Michelin star restaurant is one of the best in the country. Adriaan Bartels, the general manager, will tell you where to go to see dolphins and whales, and to look at the changing colours on the horizon when the wind picks up. When you exit the Spa, you can try out your tee shot direct from your balcony. A proper Irish jaunt... www.thecliffhousehotel.com

Stage 3 (260 km) 2 days, 2 nights

Along the way... Lismore Castle Built in the late 16th century, this fortress with crenellated towers and façades underwent many alterations until the arrival of the Duke of Devonshire. In the early 19th century, he transformed it into a spectacular gothic castle using hewn stones sourced from Derbyshire. These days there is a lovely contemporary art gallery in the West wing. The outer walls overlook a river teaming with salmon... www.lismorecastle.com

3

Park Hotel Kenmare, Kenmare Our hotel is located in the pretty little town of Kenmare and dates back to 1897. The old fashioned residence bears a special witness to our regional skills and architectural heritage. The hotel is next to an 18 hole golf course and has a renowned spa. Magazines Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure voted Kenmare Ireland’s best hotel in 2012. Recognition for the entire team working there... www.parkkenmare.com

Along the way... Kiss the Blarney Stone, Cork Some people believe that the stone was brought back from the Crusades and others claim it was struck by Moses, or blessed by a witch saved from drowning, or it could have been a part of the throne of the Irish kings. All we do know is that men and women have been lining up to kiss this stone for over 200 years. According to the deep-rooted legend, doing so will bring the gift of eloquence. In the past, visitors had to be held by the ankles as they leaned their head forward over the ramparts. These days all you have to do is lie on your back and place your lips on it, while gripping onto an iron railing. www.blarneycastle.ie Blarney Castle

Stage 4 (160 km) 1 day, 1 night

4

Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin In the midst of 600 acres of landscaped gardens, Ballyfin Demesne is a splendid Regency style building. A unique setting that has just 15 rooms, painstakingly restored for 8 years and only reopened to the public in the spring of 2011. A spirit of romance prevails in this stone house in the midst of walled gardens, woods and vegetable gardens. Decorated in neoclassical style, the grandeur of the rooms is matched only by the privacy to be found there. www.ballyfin.com

Along the way...

King John’s Castle, Limerick Built over the foundations of an ancient Viking fortification, King John’s Castle dates back to the early 13th century.

Its impressive round towers and high wall in the AngloNorman fortress architectural style still dominate Limerick’s old medieval quarter. www.shannonheritage.com/KingJohnsCastle

info

- september / october - 63

CHAMBER HAPPENINGS

W

hile the Chamber was quiet in August, we had a backlog of events to cover from

before the summer break, so this issue provides a reminder of all the happenings, from the glamorous Gala Dinner to the fascinating conversation with former British Prime Minister Sir John Major, as well as a couple of illuminating Forum & Club sessions on the wide-ranging topis of CSR and digital marketing.

Our members have recently added 13 to their number: two Patrons – Havas and Christie’s – one Corporate and 10 Actives.

As always, La Rentrée heralds the return to a busy programme of Chamber events and activities, including the Trade Delegation to Manchester and Dîner de la Rentrée in September, and three big ones – Women, Inspiration & Leadership, the Franco-British Digital Conference and the FrancoBritish Business Awards – in November. Forum & Club sessions are also back in full swing, with experts weighing in on some topical issues, and our business services are as busy as ever with recruitment, accountancy and consultancy.

We have two new additions to the team with Anne Bioche becoming the Forums & Clubs Project Manager and Noémie du Chatelier the Executive Assistant to the Managing Director.

Welcome to all and welcome back! I KF

Discover the French Chamber We organised

64 - info - september / october

57

networking events in 2014

CH AMBE R HAPPE NINGS - SHORTIE S

New speakers for the Franco-British Digital Conference: Small Meets Big The latest line-up of speakers confirmed for the first FrancoBritish Digital Conference includes Axelle Lemaire, Secretary of State for Digital Affairs; Ed Vaizey, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy; Pierre Peladeau, Vice President & Partner, Strategy& Digital, PwC; Karine Bidart, Deputy Managing Director, Paris&Co; and Gerard Grech CEO of Tech City UK. More than 200 leaders and experts are expected to attend the conference, which takes place on Thursday 12 November at One Great George Street. www.thefrancobritishdigitalconference2015.co.uk

The Franco-British

small meets big CONFERENCE 2015

Call for applications for the Franco-British Business Awards 2015 The applications for the 2015 edition of the Franco-British Business Awards are now open. If your company has grown significantly over the past few years, created jobs, developed innovative services, products or campaigns, engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility, encouraged diversity or been proactive in terms of climate change and sustainability, it could be a contender for either the SME/Entrepreneur Award or Large Corporate Award. The deadline for applications is 9 October 2015. For further information, contact AnneClaire Lo Bianco at +44 (0)207 092 6644

Innovation Award for The HR Guide The French Chamber of Great Britain was singled out of the 113 Chambers in the CCI France International network to receive the 2015 Innovation Award for its publication The HR Guide: a practical approach to Human Resources in Great Britain. The Award was presented to Florence Gomez at the CCI France International Managing Directors’ Annual Seminar, which took place in Berlin. Charles Maridor, Network Director of CCI France International, said it was for ‘the quality of the HR Guide’s content, its practical approach, the innovative aspect of this project as well as the possibility of it being duplicated in many countries’.

New staff at the Chamber Noémie Du Chatelier, EA to the Managing Director

Anne Bioche, Forums & Clubs Project Manager

Noémie has joined the team as Executive Assistant to our Managing Director, Florence Gomez.

A London resident for over 10 years, Noémie gained her office management and administration experience working in different sized organisations ranging from fine arts to the travel industry and finance. Prior to joining the Chamber, she worked for Enko Capital Management, an asset management company investing in opportunities across Africa.

She holds a Masters degree in Archaeology and Ethnology from Paris.

She will be replacing Carla Coutinho, who has been promoted to Office Manager and who will support Noémie in some administrative tasks. Carla has been with the Chamber for 12 years and remains one of its most valuable assets!

Anne has joined the Chamber as Project Manager of Forums and Clubs. She has been living in London for more than 10 years and prior to that, had lived abroad for 20 years.

Anne has strong experience as a Project and Communications Manager in both start-ups and larger groups. She began her career in 2000 as a Communications Strategy Manager at EDF’s Distribution Network in France, before moving to London in 2007.

In 2009, Anne joined the team that launched Avenuedesecoles.com, an informative website specialised in educational issues, which immersed her in the Anglo/ French community in London.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Montreal and a Master of Political Science from the University of Assas in France. info

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CH AMBE R HAPPE NINGS - SHORTIE S

Four New tenants at the Chamber’s Incubator

Present your company details in our Franco-British Trade Directory 2016

Since June, the Chamber’s Incubator has welcomed four new tenants: SMCP (Sandro, Maje, and Claudie Pierlot) an elegant and creative fashion group, Efinor specialised in metal industry project management, Charmont Investments which is an energy company focused on renewable heat and Ikos Consulting, a railway consulting company. Like the 11 other co-tenants, these four companies will benefit from the ‘all inclusive package’ which, in addition to a dedicated desk and phone line, offers access to the Chamber’s network and support from the Business Consultancy department.

The Franco-British Trade Directory compiles the details of all members of the French Chamber. In addition to this comprehensive list, it includes many other useful contacts in both the UK and France, such as foreign Chambers in the UK, French official services and Foreign Trade Advisors as well as Press Correspondents – more than 2000 contacts in total. With over 300 pages, this information is classified by sector, company name or representative’s name. The Directory is also a great opportunity to advertise and maximise your visibility on both sides of the Channel. Please contact us for more information about our opportunities and rates.

Hello / Goodbye Adrian Gregory has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer for Atos UK and Ireland. Adrian is an Engineer by trade and started his IT career in ICL following a period as a Marine Engineer with Esso Petroleum. Adrian joined Atos in 2007 and has a 20 year blue-chip background with experience of a wide range of technology solutions and multiple client sectors. Most recently he was Senior Vice President for Public Sector, Health & BBC with responsibility for all aspects of client business and future strategy. Adrian is a member of the Atos Executive Committee. Adrian takes over from URSULA MORGENSTERN who has been appointed Global Head of Consulting & Systems Integration and Global Executive Vice President, Cloud and Enterprise Software, for Atos. Ursula is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the business and managing the operations to ensure high quality service delivery and continued business growth. Ursula is a member of the Atos Executive Committee, which reports to the Atos main board. She is also an Advisory Councillor at the French Chamber. www.atos.net

New Main Representatives Gavin Chapman, joined Sopra Steria in January 2010 as Chief Operating Officer with 25 years’ experience within the IT and Business Process Industry. His main responsibilities include driving growth and the delivery of Sopra Steria’s IT and BPO services to a wide selection of blue-chip clients across a variety of business sectors.

He also has a particular skill for ensuring operational excellence, global delivery transformation and cost control, enabling him to maximise profit margins, as well as client and employee satisfaction. www.soprasteria.co.uk

Daniel McMillen has been appointed Store Manager of the Chaumet New Bond Street boutique taking over from Shohreh Haghayeghi. Daniel made the transition into luxury jewellery as assistant manager of Cartier Dublin and brings with him expertise gained from 10 years experience in prestigious Maisons such as Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and more recently Chanel Fine Jewellery. www.chaumet.com

66 - info - september / october

CH AMBE R HA PPE NINGS - NE W ME MBE R S

New members 2 new Patron members

Christie’s - Auction house

Represented by Edmond Francey, Head, Post-War & Contemporary Art, London | wwww.christies.com Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries, providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. With a global presence of 54 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world, Christie’s offers around 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine and more, with prices ranging from $200 to over $100 million.

Havas - Global advertising, media & communications agency Represented by Yannick Bolloré, Chairman & CEO | www.havas.com

Havas is one of the world’s largest global communications groups. Founded in 1835 in Paris, the Group now employs 16,000 people in over 100 countries. Havas is committed to being the world’s best company at creating meaningful connections between people and brands through creativity, media and innovation. Havas is also the most integrated Group in its sector, with most of its creative and media teams sharing the same premises, the Havas Villages, designed to increase synergies and creativity for all its clients and agencies. Havas is organised into two divisions: Havas Creative Group and Havas Media Group.

1 NEW CORPORATE member Dial-Once - Innovative visual customer care solutions | Represented by Charles Dunston, CEO | www.dial-once.com Dial-Once works with organisations operating across the telecom, financial, insurance, energy and logistic industries. They have large volume of inbound calls and three core issues: (1) They struggle to bring their users onto a digital journey in a non-disruptive manner; (2) They are worried by the detrimental impact IVR have on their brand (press1, press 2… is never well received); (3) There is no correlation between the cost of an incoming call and the value these calls. We help these organisations digitalise their traditional customer calls and achieve branding, financial and digital enablement objectives.

10 NEW ACTIVE members Baloise Luxembourg - Insurance www.baloise.lu Represented by Nicolas Palmitessa, Country Manager France Doctors of the World UK - International humanitarian organisation www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk Represented by Ruth Baker, Head of Fundraising Kidzania - The UK’s first educational entertainment experience www.kidzania.co.uk Represented by Isobel Finlayson, Industry Partners Account Manager RFR Property Limited - Property Private Office www.rfrproperty.com Represented by Tram Ahn Nguyen, Consultant Rosenblatt - Law firm rosenblatt-law.co.uk Represented by Bruno Fatier, Partner

Science Ethic Limited - Specialists in the development and choice of educational materials for science www.sciencethic.com - Represented by Zahed Bahna, Director Slimpay - Financial service support: a payment solution linked to banks between countries www.slimpay.com Represented by Jérôme Traisnel, CEO The Exhibitionist Hotel - 5-star boutique hotel www.theexhibitionisthotel.com Represented by Xavier Ors, Sales Manager Wassa - Design of mobile innovative solutions www.wassa.fr Represented by Sébastien Szymkowiak, Business Manager Wisembly - Collaboration software for meetings wisembly.com - Represented by Andrei Vestemeanu, Founder

info

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CH AMBE R H A PPE NINGS - R ECE NT E VE NTS

Annual Gala Dinner - 2 July

One of this year’s high points, the 2015 Gala Dinner was celebrated by over 350 guests at the Landmark London Hotel, with Carolyn McCall OBE, CEO of easyJet as guest of honour

Ain’t no stopping us now...

A

fter the customary Champagne reception, the Chamber’s

silent auction of luxury items generously donated by member

132 gala dinner began with a welcome from Estelle

companies, which they did, raising £18,500 on the evening.

nd

Brachlianoff, the new President of the French Chamber. She

HE Ms Sylvie Bermann, French Ambassador to the UK,

thanked the French Ambassador and the French Embassy

then took to the stage. She expressed delight at being at her

for their strong and longstanding support for the Chamber,

first Chamber gala dinner, an ‘important event for the Franco-

and welcomed guest of honour Carolyn McCall OBE. ‘As a

British business community’, welcomed new President Estelle

distinguished Director of our Board since 2012, please think

Brachlianoff and paid tribute to the work of her predecessors

of tonight as a dinner party among friends – 350 friends!’ she

Richard Brown and Arnaud Bamberger. ‘I am pleased to

said. She also thanked the sponsors and partners that had

be speaking alongside one of the UK’s most dynamic and

made the evening possible – main sponsors EY, HSBC and

influential women,’ she said of Carolyn McCall. ‘You’ve taken

Safran, supporting sponsors Accor Hotels, Colas Rail, EDF

up so many challenges, including that of showing the role

Energy and PSA Peugeot Citroën, and wine and Champagne

women leaders can play as heads of major businesses.’

partners Perrier Jouët Champagne, Le Conseil des Vins de

Noting the business easyJet does in France and its stake in

Saint-Emilion, Les Vins de Graves and Les Vins de Pessac

Airbus with the world’s largest fleet of Airbus planes, the

Léognan, and Chanel, which for the 21st year running had

Ambassador highlighted France’s increasing attractiveness for

presented a gift of perfume to each and every guest.

strategic investment, particularly in the areas of innovation,

A charity partner had been chosen as a beneficiary of the 25 auctioned lots, kindly donated by Chamber member companies, and Leigh Daynes, Executive Director of Doctors of the World, said a few words on behalf of the charity that is part of the Médecins du Monde global network.

He spoke about the work the humanitarian organisation does to provide medical care and build sustainable, accessible healthcare systems in over 70 countries affected by conflict, natural disaster, disease and poverty, and encouraged guests to donate and bid generously in the 68 - info - september / october

creativity and technology. ‘The future of Europe and France is innovation,’ she said.

Guest of honour Carolyn McCall OBE began her speech by observing that as a low cost airline, easyJet does not join many things that charge it to be a member. ‘Whatever we join has to really add value to what we do and I have to say that the French Chamber under the very energetic, brilliant leadership of Florence Gomez delivers real added value and it’s been a pleasure sitting on the board as well. It is probably one of the best Chambers in the world – a dynamic and vibrant organisation and I think there is an awful lot more that’s to come.

It’s been a real privilege being part of that.’

On the broad subject of ‘the issues facing business today’, Carolyn said that although her observations were made through the lens of CEO of easyJet, being a CEO requires the same skills and qualities wherever you are. ‘Leaders have to absorb a high degree of uncertainty because the pace of social and technological change is so accelerated, and yet still provide vision, clarity and direction,’ she said. ‘All the old certainties, norms and truths that companies had been led by for many decades no longer apply, and any company that does not recognise this becomes obsolete very quickly. ’ She spoke of the importance of getting people to believe in your vision, getting the right people into the right jobs and developing resilience. ‘Some of the things we’ve tried to do at easyJet could be applied to

All the old certainties, norms and truths that companies had been led by for many decades no longer apply, and any company that does not recognise this becomes obsolete very quickly

lots of businesses,’ she went on. The first is ‘getting the basics right’ – doing what you are there to deliver rather than trying to do clever things, second, clear brand positioning and third, innovation, which should not be confined to one area of the business, and should not be done for innovation’s sake.

Touching on France, she said it was easyJet’s second largest market after the UK, with a higher percentage of business travellers than its network average, and over 50% of its French corporate sales deals made with CAC40 companies, 15 million passengers and five bases. Observing that none of this would have been possible without deregulation and the opening of the skies in Europe, she stated that it was very important for Britain to stay in Europe. ‘Aviation is a very good example of the benefits of the EU, which I don’t think many consumers understand,’ she said. ‘Because of the EU, people can travel and businesses can trade very freely across Europe in a way that was unthinkable for previous generations, cities and regions have links they have never had before, which stimulates trade and tourism and provides platforms for economic growth. It allows businesses to

Top right: HE Ms Sylvie Bermann, French Ambassador to the UK addressing Dinner guests Top far right: Carolyn McCall OBE chats with the Chamber’s President Estelle Brachlianoff Bottom left: Revelation Avenue rocks the room

access an economy worth $18 trillion, and outside of Europe, Britain could not access that in the same way. There can be no complacency from businesses and government about the issue of Europe.’ She concluded with some observations on partnerships, which, she said, are hard to work at with other companies or countries, but could be successful if, like any relationship, there was mutual understanding and an agreement on shared goals.

The entertainment of the evening came from Revelation Avenue, a gospel choir that was a semi-finalist in Britain’s Got Talent, whose joyous, energetic singing of Halo, Hear Me Roar and Ain’t No Stopping Us Now had people clapping, swaying and then standing up and dancing – a first for any gala dinner! By the time they finished with Happy, the ballroom was on its feet and the evening ended on an exuberant note. I KF

Gold sponsors

silver sponsors

info

- september / october - 69

CH AMBE R H A PPE NINGS - R ECE NT E VE NTS

Breakfast with Nicolas Petrovic - 19 June

Running the living bridge between three cities

New destinations are being added too... within two years, trains will be running twice a day to Amsterdam and Rotterdam

I

’m sure you are all customers of Eurostar in one way or

are catching up, high speed rail is coming into its own and even

another,’ Nicolas Petrovic began, ‘and you know the service at

car-sharing is taking off, at least in France. It has never been

least as well as I do, maybe better!’ CEO of Eurostar since 2010,

so good for the consumer. In response, Eurostar is positioning

Nicolas acknowledged his former boss, Richard Brown CBE,

itself as the best quality short haul operator in Europe. However,

then President of the French Chamber, who had introduced

it faces the challenge of increasing volume while retaining its

him. ‘Everything I do well today, Richard taught me. The rest is

personal touch. As Nicolas put it, ‘at the end of the day this is

unfortunately my own style!’ he joked, setting the tone for an

a service business, it is all about human contact.’ Twitter is one

amusing and engaging talk about Eurostar – its achievements

of its tools, as customers like the idea of there being a human

in the 20 years of its existence, the issues it currently faces and

behind the tweets, and Eurostar’s Twitter team is all under 25.

its ambitions.

But this is just one piece of ‘the jigsaw’, as Nicolas put it, to make

Twenty years ago, people were sceptical that Eurostar

its service more individualised at every touch point.

would work,’ he reflected. ‘Trains were considered to be for

Over and above that is the £1 billion investment Eurostar is

losers, and not cool for business travellers.’ How wrong they

making in its fleet, digital channels and stations within the next

were! Eurostar has since conveyed 150 million passengers, and

18 months. ‘Customers will notice the difference with our bigger,

has kept growing every year despite the financial crisis. ‘We are

wider trains that have wi-fi, but what is important to us is that

a living bridge between three cities,’ he quipped, ‘and we have

there are more seats per train, giving us 20% more capacity by

become part of your life!’

2016,’ he said. New destinations are being added too – a service

Eurostar’s success, Nicolas observed, was because right

to the South of France has just been launched and within two

from the start key decisions were taken to be customer focused,

years, trains will be running twice a day to Amsterdam and

and to segment the market with a wide range of services and

Rotterdam.

pricing. ‘We have been able to modify these over the years

Eurostar is also investing in sustainability and people: it has

to reflect the changes to the market,’ he said, noting that by

made huge efforts to reduce its CO2 emissions by 35% and

doing so, Eurostar had not only gained market share from the

works with local communities in both London and Paris bringing

airlines but had also created a new market, allowing people to

educational programmes to children and young people that will

do what they would never have dreamed of 20 years ago, such

help nurture the talents of the future. As for where Eurostar will

as popping over to Paris for the opera of an evening.

What is important now for Eurostar, is the next 20 years and

be in 2035, Nicolas’s vision is of people living interchangeably in different cities, able to travel seamlessly between each thanks

Nicolas outlined what it is doing to meet, as he put it, ‘the pent-

to transport providers such as Eurostar that allow people to

up demand for integration between our two countries’. Despite

‘enjoy the best that Europe can give’.

this, the market is the most competitive it has ever been: low cost airlines are more efficient than ever, the flagship carriers 70 - info - september / october

The breakfast, for which PAUL provided delectable pastries, was held at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. I KF

CH AMBE R HA PPE NINGS - R ECE NT E VE NTS

Annual Legal Lunch- 24 June

The significance of the Magna Carta to our present age

2015 marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the historic document that underpins democracy, human rights and the rule of law. But how did this ancient charter, signed by a medieval king under duress from his rebellious barons, come to be so significant in the modern age? This was the question that the Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, Attorney General from May 2010 to July 2014, chose to tackle as guest speaker at the third Annual Legal Lunch.

T

he significance of the charter is not so much its history as

States Bill of Rights and parts of it travelled back to France

its role in creating a degree of national myth,’ Dominic said

in the Declaration of Human Rights. ‘This is a very different

as he sketched out the historical circumstances that gave rise

document from Magna Carta, rooted in humanist and abstract

to it. He observed that quite a few historians and lawyers were

principles rather than the pragmatic realities of 1215, but there

sceptical about the charter’s significance, but asserted that the

is a clear overlap when it comes to principles underpinning

charter and its legacy were key to understanding the limits of

justice.’

government and our rights as the Queen’s subjects today.

Firstly, it was really effective in reducing the monarch’s

However, he cautioned that although many in the UK believe that the combination of the Magna Carta, the Habeas

ability to raise money from arbitrary fines or levies, and

Corpus Act of 1679, the Bill of Rights of 1689, the Common

this aspect of the charter has influenced every bit of our

Law and the Sovereign Parliament were sufficient to protect

constitutional history ever since, and could be described as the

our liberties, there had been many violations, and that citizens

seed of our parliamentary democracy.’

were more likely to turn to the Human Rights Act and the

Secondly, the charter expresses an insistence on limiting

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Having given

the power of the king to control and dispense justice and to

a detailed analysis of the history and work of the ECHR, he

enforce law only for the benefit of his narrow self interest.

asserted: ‘The ECHR, which has a straight parentage back to

He noted how these tenets had been preserved in the coronation oath, and those taken by ministers, public

Magna Carta, is probably the single most effective tool for the promotion of human rights on our planet.’

officials, police officers and judges. ‘In the absence of a written

He concluded that the Magna Carta was not redundant.

constitution this is the only equitable foundation of the British

‘We have to be grateful to those who drew on their vision of

state that exists,’ he said.

what they saw as the law of the land. Not only did they initiate

Dominic refuted the argument that the charter was a

a process which has created this discernible line of beneficial

reinvention of the 17th century, citing evidence it was never

rights and liberties carried down in various forms to the

forgotten or ignored, but acknowledged that it was readily

present day, but it also offers us a mirror in which we can see

taken up then in the dispute between king and parliament,

today that the challenges we face promoting the rule of law are

giving rise to the 1689 Bill of Rights. ‘Since then the charter has

not new.’

been invoked on many occasions in connection with demands

In his role as Chair of the Legal Forum, Olivier Morel,

for legal and political rights, for example the Great Reform Act

Partner at Cripps, presided over the introduction, led the

of 1832, the Chartist Movement which was associated with

Q&A session and brought the lunch to a close. Our thanks to

demands for universal male suffrage, equal constituencies,

Dominic Grieve QC MP for his time, the Connaught for once

paid MPs and annual parliaments, and by the Suffragettes.’

again hosting the lunch, Vranken Pommery for the Champagne

The charter also went abroad, forming part of Maryland’s

and Crus Classés de Graves for the wines. I KF

founding statute in 1638 and was the inspiration for the United

info

- september / october - 71

CH AMBE R H A PPE NINGS - R ECE NT E VE NTS

Conversation with Sir John Major - 23 June

The General Election explained and what the future holds

A

t an exceptional Patron & Corporate event at the Connaught, sponsored by Credit Suisse for whom he is a

senior advisor, former British Prime Minister Sir John Major KG CH gave some thought-provoking insights into the UK General Election results and the political landscape it had left in its wake,

as well as the UK’s current and future position within the EU. Responding to questions put to him by Gaël de Boissard, CEO EMEA at Credit Suisse, Sir John, with wit, clarity and incredible wisdom, dissected the misreading of the polls, the harsh price paid by the Liberal Democrats and the collapse in the Labour vote that led to the unexpected Conservative victory. He predicted an evolution rather than about-turn in government policy, with EU negotiations taking centre stage in the lead up to the referendum.

Sir John said he expected Britain would vote to stay in the EU. A decisive yes vote would be better for Britain’s influence in Europe, and motivating young voters, with their outlook and understanding of the world, would be key to getting this.

Speaking on a wide range of topics put to him, from Greece and the Scottish referendum to terrorism and even Putin, Sir John demonstrated a formidable breadth of knowledge and grasp of the political machinations in all corners of the world stage. For all those present, it was a privileged opportunity to hear from a political master who once acted on it. I KF

7 July

Summer Champagne Reception

72 - info - september / october

CH AMBE R HA PPE NINGS - R ECE NT E VE NTS

Dîner des Chefs at Club Gascon - 22 June

Eating the Entente Cordiale

F

or the second time, the summer edition of the Dîner des Chefs took place at Club Gascon hosted by Chef Pascal Aussignac. The Michelin-starred

restaurateur designed a unique five-course menu which he called ‘Entente

Cordiale’, celebrating the particular Franco-British bond. This explosion of sensational colours and flavours was paired with delightful Champagne and cocktails offered by our sponsor Pernod Ricard UK. Pascal Aussignac‘s vision is that gastronomy should bring together regional ingredients and traditional recipes from different terroirs and cultures. Guests enjoyed examples of his provocative association of flavours such as the ‘Roquefort Macaron’ and ‘Chocolate Millionaire, Olive, Lemon Thyme and HP Sauce’.

The refined gastronomy was complemented by the cosy, welcoming and convivial atmosphere of the venue provided by Chef Aussignac and his restaurant manager – Aurore Lagadec – who organised and hosted the event along with their fantastic team.

Pascal Aussignac’s flagship restaurant, Club Gascon, was awarded a Michelin star in 2002 which it has retained ever since. In 2007, it was awarded the ultimate peer group accolade of Restaurant of the Year by The Caterer Magazine. Pascal still cooks at Club Gascon every day, looks after the floral arrangements in all his restaurants (which include Comptoir Gascon, Le Cercle, Cigalon, and Chip + Fish, as well as bars Cellar Gascon and Baranis) and keeps surprising the London foodie scene. I MH

V

ranken Pommery Champagne abounded but clichés about English summers were scarce as Chamber

members gathered at the Hurlingham Club in Southwest London on a balmy summer evening for the annual Summer

Champagne Reception, sponsored this year by Banque Transatlantique, Berkeley Law and Frenger.

Epitomising the English tradition of private member’s clubs, the exclusive sports and social club with a waiting list of more than a decade, is set in 42 acres of beautifully manicured grounds bordering the Thames. The reception took place in the Quadrangle Room of the main clubhouse, a neoclassical mansion built in the early 1800s. A variety of sensual treats were on offer for guests – paintings by MarcAntoine Goulard arrayed along the walls, Ligne Roset’s iconic seating and a table of sweet and savoury temptations from PAUL, but the good weather drew most of the 220 guests out of the French doors to the terrace, where Vranken Pommery Champagne and conversations flowed well into the long, light evening. I KF

info

- september / october - 73

FORUMS & CLUBS - LUXURY CLUB

Luxury Club Breakfast - 18 June

The Internet of luxury things

The Royal Albert Hall’s Coda Restaurant is usually only open in the evenings, so it was a rare privilege for members of the Luxury Club to take breakfast there.

T

possible,’ he said. ‘As the French philosopher Paul Valery would have said, “the future is not what it used to be”’. He explained how his company, set up by

melt, ozone hole enlargement and such like, so that viewers can get a real time sense of how the climate is changing.

As exciting and groundbreaking

four people with backgrounds in the

as projects like these are, Jonathan

luxury industry, had set out to explore

did offer a word of warning about the

the role of technology in luxury, which

limits of digital. ‘Digital can be a barrier

at that time was not really interested in

between brands and consumers,’ he

digital.

said. Consumers will back away if the

Jonathan picked out ‘wearables’ as

user experience is not simple or the

he gathering took place in an

an example of a disruptive technology

elegantly appointed dining room

making inroads in the world of fashion

benefit not apparent. Another issue is that a lot of the technology is very new

with views over the Albert Memorial

and luxury. ‘It’s all about trying to

and therefore not quite good enough yet for luxury brands. For example,

in Kensington Gardens, hosted by

communicate bigger ideas, it’s not about

Philip Marshall, Director of Business

the technologies,’ he said. He related

virtual fitting rooms for trying on clothes

Development at the Royal Albert Hall,

how one French luxury brand has

fall well short of the real life experience.

‘If technology does not hit this level

who gave guests an overview of the

developed clothing that measures and

Hall’s history and activities. On this

maps pollution by changing colour. He

it is more of a solution looking for a

occasion, Tom Meggle, Managing

spoke about a London Fashion Week

problem rather than a solution for a

Director of Louis Vuitton UK, Ireland

project they had done in collaboration

particular problem,’ he said. He also

and South Africa, was standing in for

with a fashion student which produced

decried the use of too many screens

the Chair of the Luxury Club, Bertrand

a brain-scanning cape that changes

in store, which can lead to a loss of

Michaud, Managing Director of Hermès.

colour and pattern to reflect the mood

brand personality. ‘This new immersive

of its wearer. This year, Holition has

world is forcing people to look at the

the intriguing theme presented by

‘The Internet of Luxury Things’ was

been approached by the United Nations

world through a tiny screen, rather

Jonathan Chippingdale, CEO of Holition,

to produce a Big Data fashion item

than experience reality around them.

a digital creative studio specialising

for COP21 in December, which will

Technology can get in the way.’

in emerging technologies, which

communicate the important messages

The breakfast event concluded with

works with pioneering digital luxury

about climate change to the general

organisations. ‘Technology is breaking

public in an attention-grabbing way.

guests a glimpse of some of the rarely

through existing barriers of geography,

The idea is to have a fashion show with

seen areas of a building that was aptly

religion, race, age, and joining together

clothing that streams live feeds from

intended for the continued promotion

the world in a way that previous

the internet of data such as surface

of the applied arts and sciences. I KF

generations would not have believed

temperature, population shifts, polar ice

74 - info - september / october

a tour of the Royal Albert Hall, giving

FORUMS & CLUBS - hr forum

The role of HR in CSR Richard Karmel, Partner and Global Head of Business and Human Rights at Mazars UK, gave a presentation on the importance of Human Resources for promoting CSR within the wider corporate strategy

What is CSR?

a severe negative impact. Once respect for human rights is

Corporate social responsibility should be a business practice

translated into every day business terminology, it is important

whereby companies integrate social and environmental

that companies manage and implement appropriate human

concerns into their business models. The problem is that

rights policies into a wider business strategy and monitor their

many companies do not fully understand how by meeting

effectiveness. Helping companies understand the importance

their responsibilities to society they will also be benefiting

of respecting human rights is key not only for society but also

themselves through increased profitability and reputation

for their own benefit.

enhancement. CSR is sometimes viewed by companies as

Richard Karmel and his team at Mazars worked in

making sure they do no harm. But to do this it should be

collaboration with Shift on the creation of the United

embedded within corporate strategies. It is not about a one-

Nations Guiding Principles Reporting Framework (www.

hit philanthropic action of ‘doing good’ in the community.

UNGPReporting.org), launched in February 2015. The

Thus, CSR should not be viewed as how a company spends

framework provides advice and guidance on how a company

its profits; it is more about how they are earned. One current

can report on its human rights performance in line with

issue is that businesses are able to define what they believe is

the United Nations Guiding Principles on Human Rights. At

good CSR. However, they tend to look at this through the lens

one level, the Reporting Framework is exactly what it says: a

of what is most convenient to the business rather than what is

framework to help companies report on their human rights

most beneficial to society and the people who are impacted by

performance. But more than that, it helps companies improve

their activities.

their management systems which will foster more effective management of human rights risks and impacts.

The benefits of CSR for the company If companies understand and define what CSR means for

The key role of Human Resources

their business then it is possible to define the benefits. The

In the past, CSR was often given to marketing and

reality is that through wider engagement with the company’s

communication departments. However, those companies that

‘stakeholders’ (workers, communities, suppliers, etc.) the

have begun to understand its importance to its mainstream

company achieves a greater understanding of their needs

business models have moved it to a more central function.

and concerns. This enables greater trust to be built up with

One function that already has that overarching position is

the company; and studies show that where stakeholders

that of Human Resources. Indeed, HR can be compared to

demonstrate greater trust there is greater profitability. Further

an octopus as it is the main transcendent department with

positive impacts of a well-implemented CSR strategy are

a privileged position of oversight of the whole company.

not only an enhanced reputation and positive corporate

Some of the core human rights can be tackled by HR such

culture but also greater productivity, lower staff turnover and

as health and safety, discrimination, fair treatment, working

a reduction in the potential for value destruction through

conditions and remuneration; however, the greater challenge

enhanced reputation risk management. The principle of CSR

for HR teams is to take employees’ personal values and

is that it works as a virtuous circle as good practice impacts

converge them with the employer values. When employee

positively on companies as well as on society.

and employer values are fully aligned the benefits are immeasurable.

The importance of human rights

Respect for human rights is fundamental to implementing

Central to any good CSR strategy is demonstrable respect for

a beneficial CSR strategy. The Human Resources departments

human rights. Companies need to understand their salient

could be fundamental for greater business-wide value

human rights issues; i.e. those human rights most at risk of

generation. I

info

- september / october - 75

FORUMS & CLUBS - SME & e ntre pre neurs CLUB

Social media for SMEs: challenges and opportunities

Charles Van Overmeire, Head of International Development at Pictawall offers four digital marketing tricks to blow your competitors out of the water

W

e hear all the time about the way to promote businesses

telling your story by using videos and pictures. Be authentic

online via search engine optimisation and online

and don’t exaggerate when talking about your company and

advertising, but all too often people forget that promotion

services. Better to focus on your unique selling point than to

is only a first step in the customer acquisition journey. You

give 100 qualities of your product.

still need to convince your potential customers to buy your

Avoid broadcasting the same old-fashioned promotion about

product. The thing is, consumers don’t trust brands anymore.

your product again and again. Be creative, display relevant

We are exposed to an average of 600 ads per day and in this

information about your industry. Demonstrate that you are an

kind of environment, who still believes in a brand claiming

expert in your field by creating and posting relevant and useful

that they have the best product on the market? In my opinion,

content.

building trust in your online strategy is the real challenge and will allow you to stand out from your competition. Here are

3. Be social, make the most of web 2.0

four tips that can help you to achieve this goal.

Don’t display, but interact with your audience. Answer questions on blogs and forums, comment on relevant

1. Stop talking about you. Let your customers do it for you

content, give your opinion, thank others for giving theirs. Such

Don’t tell your brand story, let your customers share their

and you care about your audience opinion. A good online

experiences with your brand. The opinion of others about your

service support will also highly increase your reputation and

brand and products will undoubtedly strengthen your sales

demonstrate that you are a reliable business.

interactions act as proof that your business is trustworthy

pitch. There are multiple ways to activate your community to • Create a #hashtag linked to your brand that you can use

4. Your website, the foundation of your online reputation

during your marketing campaign. Your customers or advocates

Invest in your website, build a modern and user friendly

will use it when sharing thoughts, experiences related to you.

platform that leads visitors to explore further. Whatever the

The hashtag will allow you to find the content shared on social

quality of your content, if your website takes us back to the

networks more easily and use it on your website and other

nineties, potential customers will question the legitimacy of

communication channels.

your company. Be concise, use images rather than heavy

• Allow your customers to review your company or products

text. Keep your website up to date. Who trusts a company

after a purchase. Send them an email 2-4 weeks after the

highlighting outdated content on their website such as their

purchase asking for review of the product.

participation in an exhibition in 2012?

share content online.

• Organise an online competition and ask your community to share pictures linked to their brand experience.

Next time you think about your online strategy, keep in mind people do business with companies they know, like

2. Use the right tone when communicating online Humanise your online communication. Show emotion when 76 - info - september / october

and trust. I

Interview

Jean-Philippe Verdier Deputy Chair of the Climate Change Forum How did you come to be Deputy Chair of the Climate

Coming from the financial world, you bring a different

Change Forum?

perspective to the Climate Change debate. Can you

It is all down to the Chamber’s Managing Director, Florence

explain what this is?

Gomez, as always! Some four years ago, I shared with Florence

The Forum benefits from the diversity of its members, senior

my strong interest for the field of sustainability and climate

executives of big and smaller businesses, energy companies,

change, which I studied as part of my Sloan masters in Strategy

consultants as well as representatives of institutions and the

at the London Business School. I also had stints as consultant in

French Embassy. My input inevitably has a strong financial taint,

a couple of renewable energy businesses. Florence and Richard

notably sharing the perspective of investors and markets.

Brown, the Forum’s Chair, invited me to join the Forum from its inception, and I have enjoyed contributing ever since.

What do you consider to be the most pressing issues that the Forum should address?

How do you view your role within the Forum?

The Forum is about sharing best practice, ideas, knowledge,

The Forum is very cohesive and collegial by nature, and

contacts and opportunities across businesses and sectors with

has greatly benefited from the involvement of every single

a view to promote business engagement on the topic of Climate

participant, all of whom are eager to give and receive. My

Change. Based on the feedback from the survey we conducted

contribution is facilitated by this dynamic, supporting Richard,

amongst members of the Chamber, unlocking the financial and

proposing topics for the year ahead, rallying guest speakers

business case of climate change for their Boards is at the centre

amongst my connections and promoting the Forum, all of this

of our priorities. I KF

in concert with the Chamber.

FORTHCOMING FORUMS & CLUBS

SME & Entrepreneurs Club - By application only

Legal Forum - By application only

Chair: Arnaud de Montille, Co-Founder of Merci Maman

Chair: Olivier Morel, Partner, Cripps

Personalised Gifts

Deputy Chair: Ken Morrison, Legal Director, Eurotunnel

When: 22 September, 8.30am - 10.00am

When: 30 September, 9.00am - 11.00am

Theme: Changes in the labour laws

Theme: Director’s Duties

Speaker: Gary Freer, Partner, Bryan Cave

Speakers: Olivier Morel, Head of International Corporate

HR Forum - By application only

Investment, Cripps LLP and a Partner from Ayache Salama TBC

Guest chair: Michael Whitlow, Human Resources Director,

Climate Change Forum - By application only

Europe Region, International SOS

Chair: Richard Brown, CBE, former Chairman and CEO of

Aimed at: HR Directors and HR professionals

Eurostar, Vice-President of the French Chamber

When: 23 September, 8.30am - 10.00am

Deputy Chair: Jean-Philippe Verdier, Managing Director,

Theme: Diversity in the workplace

Jefferies International.

Speakers: Edouard de Broglie, CEO, Dans le Noir Ltd - Trade

When: 20 October, 10.00am - 12.00pm

Connection and Vinay Kapoor, UK Head of Diversity &

Theme: Tidal Lagoon Power, a new landscape of energy in the UK

Inclusion, BNP Paribas

Speaker: Mark Shorrock, CEO, Tidal Lagoon Power

These sessions will all take place at the French Chamber info

- september / october - 77

CH AMBE R HA PPE NINGS - forthcoming eve nts

08 Oct

18.00 - 20.00

Rendez-vous chez Armorial Where: Armorial, 19 South Audley Street, London W1K 2BN Cost: £20+VAT per person Dress code: Lounge Suit Contact Sonia Olsen at solsen@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6644

09 Oct

08.00 - 10.00

Breakfast with Wilfrid Petrie Where: Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane, Hamilton Place, London W1J 7DR Cost: £30+VAT per person; £50+VAT – special price for two Dress code: Business casual Wilfrid Petrie is the CEO of Cofely in the UK and supervises all International Facility Management Businesses within ENGIE. He is also a member of the Executive Board and Executive Vice President of ENGIE’s Energy Services business line. A graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique of France, Wilfrid had various management positions in France, the US and the UK prior to his present position. He joined the Group in 1999.

ENGIE is 8th largest overseas employer in the UK and has a significant established presence across the entire energy and services landscape, currently employing around 20,000 people.

Contact Sonia Olsen at solsen@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6644

13 Oct

18.00 - 21.00

Business Club Cocktail – S.T.Dupont Speaker: Alain Crevet, Chief Executive Officer, S.T.Dupont Where: The French Residence, W8 Cost: £30+VAT per person; £50+VAT – special price for two Dress code: Business casual An opportunity to learn about S.T.Dupont and how it has remained at the forefront of the luxury sector through continuous innovation from Alain Crevet, CEO of S.T.Dupont.

S.T.Dupont was founded 143 years ago by Simon Tissot Dupont. His luxury leather goods and travel cases became renowned for their high quality, attracting the patronage of Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. In subsequent decades, his customers included the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe to name a few. S.T.Dupont’s link with royalty have continued, as the French government presented a contemporary travel case to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge as a wedding gift. The heritage of the brand remains strong today with iconic collections and unique partnerships that produce exclusive limited editions such as those with The Rolling Stones and McLaren. A very special collaboration with James Bond is set to be launched in the coming weeks.

Contact Sonia Olsen at solsen@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6644

21 Oct

18.00 - 20.00

Rendez-vous chez PAUL Where: Le Restaurant de PAUL, Tower 42, London, EC2N 1HQ Cost: £20+VAT per person A chance to experience PAUL’s brand new restaurant with a difference...

Contact Sonia Olsen at solsen@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6644

22 Oct

09.00 - 13.00

Training: Public Speaking & Media Interviews Trainers: Olivia Penichou, Founder & CEO of O2P and Etienne Duval, Director and Founder of NewTownVision Where: The French Chamber , London WC1V 7JH Cost: £290+VAT per person

LiveSpeech

After the success of the first training session in April, LiveSpeech (see article on p.20) is returning for another interactive session.

Participants will learn how to improve their public-speaking and presentational skills whether for presentations, conferences, media interviews or corporate videos. Who should attend: business leaders, entrepreneurs, communication directors / spokespeople.

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Women, Inspiration & Leadership Guest speakers: Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive Vice-President UK & Ireland, Veolia and President of the French Chamber in Great Britain; Helena Morrissey, Founder of The 30% Club and Chief Executive Officer, Nov Newton Investment Management 18.30 - 21.00 Where: The May Fair Hotel, Stratton Street, London W1J 8LT Cost: £40+VAT; £70+VAT special price for two Dress code: Lounge suit Sponsored by: CHANEL, which will be providing each participant with a bottle of perfume Join us to hear from two exceptional women with extraordinary career paths, speaking about their experiences and routes to success. This inspirational evening will be followed by a cocktail reception.

Contact Sonia Olsen at solsen@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6644 Estelle joined the Veolia group in 2005 as Special Advisor to the CEO of Waste Management. Prior to becoming Veolia Senior Executive Vice-President - UK & Ireland in 2012, she was in charge of Waste Management in the Greater Paris area and also the Facility Management and Cleaning Services branch. She started her career heading a team managing major infrastructure projects and constructing highways and tramways within the Val D’Oise region of Greater Paris. She was then appointed as Advisor to the regional government in Greater Paris responsible for transport and development. Estelle also sits on the Veolia Executive Committee.

Estelle is involved in the work of many influential organisations such as Business in the Community (BITC) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). She heads up the Environment Leadership Team for the BITC and sits on the Infrastructure Board and President’s Committee for the CBI. Estelle was elected President of the French Chamber in Great Britain in June.

05 Nov

12.00 - 14.00

Helena joined Newton in 1994 as a fixed income fund manager and was appointed CEO in 2001. Newton manages over £50bn for pension funds, charities and through funds available to individuals.

In 2010, Helena founded the 30% Club, a cross-business initiative aimed at achieving 30% women on UK corporate boards through voluntary, business-led change. There are now 30% Clubs in the US, Hong Kong, Ireland, Southern Africa, Australia and Malaysia.

In June 2014 Helena was appointed Chair of The IA, the UK’s industry trade body whose members manage £5trn.

Recently, Helena has been named one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders. In 2013 and 2014 she was voted one of the 50 Most Influential People in Finance globally by Bloomberg Markets. She was appointed CBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours list.

A Cambridge philosophy graduate, she began her career with Schroders in New York.

Annual Financial Lunch Where: The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL Guest speaker: Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Chairman of the Board of Société Générale Cost: £100+VAT per person; £1,140+VAT for a table of 12 Contact Sonia Olsen at solsen@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6644

09

Cross Cultural Debate Where: The French Residence, London W8 Guest speakers: Tanuja Randery, Zone President UK & Ireland of Schneider Electric, Nov Warner Rootliep, General Manager UK & Ireland, AirFrance KLM 18.30 - 20.30 Moderator: Peter Alfandary, Chairman of the Cross Cultural Forum Cost: £40 + VAT per person and £70 + VAT for two Join us to hear two business leaders with successful and internationally-oriented career paths, approaching cross-cultural issues at stake in the UK and in Europe, and participate in this exciting debate. It will also be a great opportunity to network with senior executives of member companies, ranging from SMEs to blue-chip companies.

Contact Matthieu Alibert at malibert@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6634

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CH AMBE R HA PPE NINGS - forthcoming eve nts

12 Nov

08.00 - 17.00

Franco-British Digital Conference: ‘small meets big’ Where: One Great George Street, 1 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA Members / non-members: £120+VAT pp / £190+VAT pp Dress code: Business attire

The third Franco-British Conference organised by the French Chamber of Great Britain in partnership with the French Embassy in the UK and the Franco-British Council aims to bring together blue chip companies as well as innovative start-ups in the digital sector to discuss digital transformation and the challenges of ‘making digital happen’. With the participation of HE Ms Sylvie Bermann, French Ambassador to the UK; Axelle Lemaire, French Secretary of State for Digital Affairs; and Ed Vaizey MP, Secretary of State for Culture and the Digital Economy.

Contact Anne-Claire Lo Bianco at alobianco@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6643 Main sponsors:

19 Nov

18.00 - 20.00

Supporting sponsors:

PA Club at Vranken Pommery Where: Vranken Pommery, 128 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SA Dress code: Business attire Organised exclusively for Personal Assistants - By invitation only – free of charge Indulge in Vranken Pommery Champagne and network with your professional counterparts Contact Anne-Claire Lo Bianco at alobianco@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6643

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The Franco-British Business Awards 2015 Where: The May Fair Hotel, Stratton Street, London W1J 8LT Cost for members: £100+VAT per person; £900+VAT – for a table of 10 Nov Cost for non-members: £160+VAT per person 19.00 - 23.00 Champagne partner: Vranken Pommery Wine partners: Le Conseil des Vins du Médoc, Les Vins de Graves and Les Vins de Pessac-Légnon Dress code: Black tie The Franco-British Business Awards, organised by the French Chamber of Great Britain under the high patronage of the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the British Ambassador to France, were launched in 2000 to celebrate the bilateral trade and economic links between France and the UK. They acknowledge the accomplishments of French and British companies of all sizes, from start-ups to blue chip companies on both sides of the Channel, in two categories: SME/Entrepreneur Award and Large Corporate Award.

The awards will be presented during a black-tie dinner taking place on Thursday 26 November at the May Fair Hotel in London, which will bring together French and British businesses of all sizes and across all sectors.

Contact Anne-Claire Lo Bianco at alobianco@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6643 To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Cécilia Gonzalez: cgonzalez@ccfgb.co.uk Main sponsors so far:

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Supporting sponsors:

Press Partner:

Patron Members of the French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain

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