Info smart city

T H E

M A G A Z I N E

F O R

FRENCH CHAMBER OF GREAT BRITAIN www.frenchchamber.co.uk

A N G L O - F R E N C H

B U S I N E S S MARCH / APRIL 2018

THE RISE OF THE

SMART CITY

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Five minutes with M. Tamara Box, Managing Partner, Reed Smith; French Embassy: A new plan for French schools; Interviews and analysis with architect Michel Mossessian, London’s Chief Digital Officer Theo Blackwell, and much more…

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EDITORIAL

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

A

s populations grow and public services struggle to keep up with demand, The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has set out his ambition for London to be the world’s ‘smartest’ city. He is appealing to the

London tech and business community to help define the solutions that can help make this a reality.

There are also active smart city initiatives outside the capitol, notably in Bristol, Glasgow and Coventry, among other places. Indeed, Bristol was recently named top of the UK Smart Cities Index, overtaking London by a fine margin.

This issue of INFO will touch upon the various, interconnected elements required to achieve the smart

city of the future. It is no surprise that data and sustainability are key concepts that recur throughout our expert contributions.

Opening with an interview of Theo Blackwell, London’s Chief Digital Officer, further articles question how big data can be exploited within real estate; how buildings and transport infrastructure must be built with smart and sustainable aims; and how new technologies can be deployed to create sustainable solutions.

With examples from specific industries, as well as overarching analysis on how these come together, this issue gives a comprehensive insight into what may be required to move forward together in building smart cities.

You will also find reports of our own activities in this issue, including our range of forums, clubs and events from the past two months. Please circulate these reports in your organisation to share topical insight and to explore how your colleagues could get involved in future events.

I am pleased to note that our activities are ramping up in coming months, notably with a Member 2 Member Cocktail & Exhibition, a Business Stories event, and our annual Cross-Cultural Quiz evening. As always, I encourage you to attend.

Let me conclude by wishing you an enjoyable read. I

info

- march / april 2018 - 5

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THE RISE OF THE

SMART CITY

30 42

36

CONTENTS

25

8 INFO

T H E

M A G A Z I N E

F O R

A N G L O - F R E N C H

FRENCH CHAMBER OF GREAT BRITAIN www.frenchchamber.co.uk

B U S I N E S S MARCH / APRIL 2018

THE RISE OF THE

8

11 12

15 19 23

25 27 29

51 53 54

Five minutes with...

M. Tamara Box, Reed Smith Brexit: Analysis and Key Dates Brexit: Judicial Cooperation Browne Jacobson Snapshot: Franco-British Summit Business News & Analysis SME Profile Stanley Robotics Education: A Plan for French Schools Education: Trends 2018 Reports and research

Culture: What's on Book reviews Wine Story Thibault Lavergne

AT THE CHAMBE R

56 57

58

60

Introduction by Stephen Burgin French Chamber News HR Forum: New co-Chair Brexit Forum Sponsorship ESCP Europe Business School New members

FOCUS | BE HIND THE FRONT DE SK

FORUMS & CLUBS

30 Introduction 32 A Smart City Strategy for London

Theo Blackwell 33 Who Owns Smart City Data?

NESTA 34 Smart City: A Holistic View

SPIE 36 Urban Data and Real Estate Markets CBRE 39 Creating Sustainable Smart Cities

Veolia UK & Ireland 40 What Buildings Can Learn

Distech Controls 41 The Urban Campus

Mossessian Architecture 42 Finance to Support Sustainable Goals

HSBC 44 Keeping Up With the Pace of Growth

Schneider Electric UK & Ireland 46 Autonomous Technology in Smart Cities

Keolis UK 47 Data Making Cities Move Smarter Gett 48 Flexible Working in the Smart Office Majencia

61

62

63

64

65

66

Start-up & SME Club Legal Workshop and Intellectual Property Climate Change & Sustainability Forum Brexit and UK Environmental Law Retail Forum The Future of Customer Experience HR Forum Modern Slavery in the Workforce Digital Transformation & Innovation Forum The Case for Blockchain Women's Business Club Susan Liautaud: Business Ethics

CHAMBER EVENTS

68

69 70

71

Breakfast with...

Guillaume Cerutti, Christie's Seminar with Theodo Past event highlights Galette des Rois; Corporate Cocktail at Home House; RVC Baglioni Hotel Forthcoming events

MARCH / APRIL 2018

CULTUR E AND LIFE S T YLE

THE RISE OF THE SMART CITY

BUSINE S S WOR LD

SMART CITY

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Five minutes with M. Tamara Box, Managing Partner, Reed Smith; French Embassy: A new plan for French schools; Interviews and analysis with architect Michel Mossessian, London’s Chief Digital Officer Theo Blackwell, and much more…

Managing Director: Florence Gomez Editor: Jakob von Baeyer Cover & Graphic Design: Katherine Millet Sales Manager: Suzanne Lycett Contributors: Jennifer Jenkins, Raymond Silverstein, Melanie Stancliffe, Theo Bass, George Adams, Stuart Stock, Chris Irwin, Graham Smith, Mike Hughes, Alistair Gordon, Matteo de Renzi, Thibault Lavergne, Suzanne Lycett Special thanks: Stephen Burgin, Peter Alfandary

Advertise in INFO: Please call our sales team on +44 (0)207 092 6651.

Alternatively, please email: advertising@ccfgb.co.uk INFO is published every two months Printed by: CPI Colour Distribution: French Chamber members, Franco-British decision makers, Business Class lounges of Eurostar, Eurotunnel and Air France in London, Paris and Manchester

INFO is published by: 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

info

- march / april 2018 - 7

Five minutes with...

M. Tamara Box Managing Partner Europe & Middle East, Reed Smith LLP

INFO meets the finance lawyer and founding member of the Steering Committee of the 30% Club Tell us about Reed Smith and its activities?

Peter Rosher’s arrival is an example of enhancing

First and foremost, we are a relationship business. It’s through

our global offering to clients within a key industry group:

the strong relationships that we’ve built with our clients that

energy and natural resources. Peter is a highly regarded

we are able to develop an innate understanding of their

arbitration lawyer and with Paris being such an important

industries and their businesses in order to help them reach

global arbitration centre, his experience has provided critical

the right outcome. Our internal relationships are also key. We

bandwidth to our French clients and multinationals there and

are a single global profit pool and that means we are always

in other francophone jurisdictions.

incentivised to provide a seamless service across practice areas and geographies.

What pressing legal issues concern you?

Our activities cover the full spectrum of commercial law,

Where to start! We certainly live in interesting times… As

from advising a large pharma company on compliance with

I sit here in the UK and travel frequently to our European

global healthcare and data privacy regulations to advising on

offices, it would be impossible not to mention the impacts of

the acquisition of a pool of shipping loans for a private equity

Brexit; though not obviously a ‘legal issue,’ Brexit has been a

client to acting for a large managed care company in 'bet the

significant driver for advice being sought from our lawyers by

company' litigation. While as a global full service law firm, we

our clients in almost every area. GDPR is another hot button

can probably do just about anything, we have specific sector

for our clients at present – and thankfully, we have about the

expertise in five key industries: life sciences and healthcare,

hottest team in the market. Finally, just to pick another “hot

financial services, energy and natural resources, shipping, and

topic” out of many, we are seeing a growing interest from

entertainment and media.

many clients as they begin to understand the implications for them of the Payment Services Directive 2, whether they are

What are the current priorities for the company?

financial services business or not.

As for our main priorities, we continue to grow and adapt to meet client demand. For example, in the past year we have

What motivated you to take up a prominent role in the

significantly increased the breadth and depth of expertise in

30% Club?

our Paris office by welcoming high-profile additions such as

When Helena Morrissey approached me and others in

the energy expert Peter Rosher, an eight lawyer tax team from

2010 with the idea of encouraging Board Chairs to reach

Winston & Strawn, and a 19-strong multi-practice corporate,

a tipping point of cognitive diversity on Boards, I was more

tax and competition team from King & Wood Mallesons.

than enthusiastic. It has been shown that if 30 percent of any

Our expansion in Paris has been focused on enhancing our

group is ‘different,’ the common practice of ‘groupthink’ can

core industry group expertise (our five groups) as well as

be disrupted; for that reason, the figure of 30% was chosen

growing practices to meet client demand. We have focused

as our goal for working toward gender balance on Boards.

in particular on enhancing our transactional capabilities

It was all about making a better economic and commercial

including tax, corporate, M&A, private equity and competition/

environment for businesses to thrive.

antitrust.

8 - info - march / april 2018

F I V E M I N U T E S W I T H . . . M . TA M A R A B OX

The drive toward gender balance that started with the 30% Club is now a movement aimed at gender parity not only in FTSE-listed companies but also in every progressive company globally

How the world has changed in the past few years. Not

What does being a Patron member bring to Reed Smith?

only has the needle shifted from 12.5 percent women on

Reed Smith is proud to be a patron member of the French

FTSE 100 Boards to 27.8 percent, but the Board Chairs who

Chamber of Great Britain. France as a market is of strategic

form the nucleus of the 30% Club have been so pleased with

importance to the firm and we welcome the opportunities

the results that they now want to go further—to encourage

provided by the Chamber to exchange ideas and develop

their CEOs to reach a similar tipping point in the executive

our network with our colleagues from so many Franco-British

ranks of the world’s most successful companies. The drive

businesses.

toward gender balance that started with the 30% Club is now

I am particularly pleased to be involved in initiatives such

a movement aimed at gender parity not only in FTSE-listed

as the Women’s Business Club, where I am able to engage

companies but also in every progressive company globally.

with like-minded individuals to not only share best practice

Not only is it the right thing to do for people, it’s also good for

when it comes to business issues but also further the diversity

business.

and inclusion agenda within global organisations. I Interview by JVB

What is your own career journey?

I’ve come a long way—both literally and figuratively—from Lubbock, Texas in the past thirty years. My studies at the London School of Economics awakened in me an element of intrigue about the world that was fostered further by Georgetown Law Centre in Washington, D.C., where I specialised in international and commercial law. I was able to spread my wings even more by working first in New York, then in Singapore, where I practiced law in the financial sector.

Twenty years ago, I returned to my first love, England, and continued to explore international challenges by working

KEY FIGURES: REED SMITH

in both established markets like France and Germany and emerging markets like Eastern Europe and the Middle East. I’ve been with Reed Smith for six years now, and our opportunities and achievements just keep getting better! As

• Founded: 1877 • Number of attorneys: 1,700

the Managing Partner of Europe and the Middle East, I am

• Revenue: USD 1.23bn (2015)

able to work with clients and Reed Smith teams in all of the

• Global offices: 27

regions, affording me a chance to learn more about their unique issues as well as to capitalise on the ones that unite us

• Most recent office: Miami 2017

as our world becomes more globally integrated.

info

- march / april 2018 - 9

INNOVATION OR

INVASION

Don’t settle for black and white For the full perspective, turn to the FT Visit FT.com 10 - info - march / april 2018

Analysis and look ahead INFO looks at the latest news on Brexit and its impact on the Franco-British community

R

ound two. As negotiations re-commence this month, key

yet, and so some of the wording [of the treaty] will reflect an EU-

issues such as the Irish border, the customs union and the

only position.’ May has stated that ‘no UK prime minister could

length of the transition period are still un-decided.

In the lead up, Theresa May convened a ‘war cabinet’ at Chequers to agree a way forward and build consensus within her party.

ever agree’ to the solutions proposed, primarily concerning a commitment to Northern Ireland remaining in the Customs Union, regardless of Britain’s position.

On the other side of the British aisle, Jeremy Corbyn

According to the FT, a so-called ‘three baskets approach’

announced a shift in Labour policy, saying that he will push

was agreed, whereby Britain ‘binds some of its industries to

for a unique Brexit deal that would entail full access to the EU

single-market rules, commits others to the same spirit if not the

single market. The Labour leader also said that his party would

same letter and frees yet a third cluster to deviate over time.’

immediately announce legislation guaranteeing rights of EU

It will be a hard sell to the EU. Recent slides published by

citizens in Britain.

the European Commission state: ‘UK views on regulatory issues

According to the pro-Remain Conservative MP Anna

in the future relationship including [a] ‘three basket approach’

Soubry, Labour’s proposed single-market policy might force

are not compatible with the principles in the EuCo guidelines.’

the hand of her Leave colleagues who are intent on a ‘hard’

The first draft of the Brexit treaty published by the EU in late

Brexit. ‘If they are not going to change their position they

February reinforces the friction. According to the BBC, ‘there are

are going to lose votes in the House of Commons,’ she said.

some areas where the two sides have not reached agreement

I SL

Key dates Summit of heads of state and

One year to go until Brexit

Formal Negotiations

Government of the EU

(29 March 2018)

(Sping 2018)

(Brussels, 23 March 2018)

As the date that has been set up by the

Formal talks on the outlines of a future

The European council should agree on

British government is the 29th of March

relationship and notably on trade and

orientations and a common position on

2019, the UK will have one year left to

security are expected to begin in early

Brexit. The 27 leaders also hope to be

negotiate the terms of the termination of

April.

able to approve a set of instructions to

the European Union membership.

Barnier to secure a trade pact.

They fear that Brexit could lead to an AngloSaxon race to the bottom. With Britain plunged into a Mad Max-style world borrowed from dystopian fiction. These fears about a race to the bottom are based on nothing, not history, not intention, nor interest

I'm afraid that the UK position today is based on pure illusion DONALD TUSK, President of the European Council, speaking on 24 February

DAVID DAVIS, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, speaking on 20 February info

- march / april 2018 - 11

The question of judicial cooperation Britain may find itself out in the cold when it comes to judicial cooperation with the EU, say Jennifer Jenkins, Trainee Solicitor, and Raymond Silverstein, Partner, Browne Jacobson LLP

O

ne of the numerous issues requiring careful consideration

certain EU laws following Brexit, and the UK government’s

in Brexit negotiations is the policy area of freedom,

policy paper setting out its vision for future partnership

security and justice.

in cross-border judicial cooperation acknowledges that

Policies in this area concern free movement, border control,

continuing cooperation is in the interests of both parties.

data protection and police cooperation. They also govern the

However, the UK government has also made it clear that

principle of judicial cooperation, which is based on the premise

the CJEU will not have jurisdiction in the UK post-Brexit, nor

that EU citizens should not be prevented from exercising their

will the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights apply. In its report

rights as a result of incompatible legal systems across member

on the implications of Brexit for the area of freedom, security

states.

and justice, the European Parliament raised concerns that the

The EU has developed a range of regulations to ensure

disapplication of these fundamental pillars of the EU’s justice

judicial cooperation in both criminal and civil matters. The UK’s

system could present a huge barrier to any future judicial

involvement in the development of these measures began

cooperation.

before its ascension to the EU and has continued to this day.

The risks EU regulations

A failure to ensure that the principle of judicial cooperation

The impact of Brexit on judicial cooperation in civil matters

in civil and commercial matters will survive Brexit could

requires a particular focus on one of the principle regulations

significantly impede access to justice and the availability

in this area: Regulation 1215/2012 on jurisdiction and the

of effective remedies. Those most likely to be affected are

recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and

individuals and all but the largest businesses who will be

commercial matters (otherwise known as the Brussels I

unable to afford the increased cost of uncertain litigation

Regulation recast, or BIR).

which will inevitably follow the loss of BIR.

BIR allows judgments given in the court of one member

A House of Lords report in March 2017 examining the

state to be easily enforced by the courts of other member

potential impact of Brexit on justice for families, individuals

states, and also sets out reciprocal rules on jurisdiction. BIR

and businesses found that the lack of certainty caused by the

therefore allows for a party in one member state to enforce a

disapplication of BIR could present major difficulties for the

judgment against another party in a different member state. It

resolution of cross-border disputes.

also provides clarity on which member state’s courts will have jurisdiction to hear their dispute.

Free movement of people, goods and services means that the subject matter of any dispute could very conceivably involve parties from more than one member state. BIR

In particular, the report found that the loss of BIR would lead to “an inevitable increase in cross-border litigation for UK based citizens and businesses as they continue to trade and interact with the remaining 27 EU member states”.

There are likely to be lengthy disputes over which country’s

ensures that access to justice is not impeded by this, and

courts have jurisdiction to hear the claim, and a judgment

provides certainty about the resolution of disputes involving

given by the court of one country might not be enforceable

parties from different EU jurisdictions. Whilst BIR does apply

in the courts of another, meaning parties may not be able

to large scale commercial disputes, it is also equally applicable

to obtain effective or meaningful remedies. The European

to individuals and smaller businesses involved in claims

Parliament report asserts that the impact of this is likely to be

concerning parties or events in other member states.

felt most strongly by businesses and individuals in the UK.

What will remain?

Transition and solutions

As is the case with almost everything related to Brexit, the

The House of Lords concluded there was “no doubt that legal

future of BIR and judicial cooperation in general is uncertain.

uncertainty, with its inherent costs to litigants, will follow Brexit

The draft EU (Withdrawal Bill) gives the UK the ability to retain

unless there are provisions in a withdrawal or transitional

12 - info - march / april 2018

A failure to ensure that the principle of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters will survive Brexit could significantly impede access to justice and the availability of effective remedies

agreement specifically addressing BIR.” The form any such

regard to the decisions of the CJEU, but would not be directly

provisions might take has yet to be agreed. In its report, the

subject to its jurisdiction. Yet at present, there appears to be

European Parliament stated that “whilst there is no precedent

no clear strategy for preserving judicial cooperation in the

for non-EU countries being party to BIR, this does not mean

area of freedom, security and justice post-Brexit. Amongst

such a thing is impossible.” However, it offers no explanation

the countless issues that need to be decided in the ever

as to how such an arrangement might work.

decreasing time between now and 29 March 2019, serious

Some commentators advocate a return to common law

consideration needs to be given to addressing this subject to

rules on cross-border disputes as a way to plug the gap left by

protect individuals and businesses in both the UK and

BIR. However, the House of Lords found that a return to the

the EU. I

common law would be “a recipe for confusion, expense and uncertainty” and would not provide a viable alternative to BIR. One option could be for the UK to join the Lugano Convention, which governs judicial cooperation between

For more information please refer to the recent research paper by the Policy Department for Citizen’s Rights and Constitutional Affairs: http://bit.ly/2BYxOc8.

the EU and some non-EU states. Under the Convention, participating states are required to pay “due account” to the courts of other participating states. Therefore, if the UK was permitted to join the Convention, it would have to have

info

- march / april 2018 - 13

Business regulations and Brexit Regulations affecting sectors from finance to cosmetics face an uncertain future, heard the latest Brexit Forum

T

he Chamber welcomed Geoff Skingsley, Chairman, L'Oréal UK and Olivier Morel, Partner & Head of International at

Cripps, Vice President of Marcalliance and Vice President of the French Chamber of Great Britain, to speak on the topic: The potential outcome of business regulations within the UK: Convergence or Divergence?

The Forum is co-chaired by Angela Hepworth, Corporate Policy and Regulation Director, EDF Energy, and Neil Sherlock CBE, Partner, Corporate Affairs, PwC. The Forum announced its

‘ Changes from the current regulatory framework would result in significant additional costs and complexity, both for UK companies trading in the EU and EU companies trading in the UK, and would have no benefit to consumers

new sponsor, the ESCP Europe Business School.

The big picture Olivier Morel, Partner at Cripps, provided an overview of the

security and ensure customer safety. They also set compliance

current state of the legislative and political process of the UK

standards on labelling and advertising and promote good

withdrawing from the EU. The future regulatory environment in

practices in development and manufacturing of products.

the UK is an unknown quantity, because the EU and the UK are

Specific to the cosmetics industry, this means standard product

still negotiating the terms of the separation, not the terms of

definitions and safety evaluations, ingredient definitions, post-

our future relationship.

market surveillance and in-market control and enforcement.

As part of that process, Parliament is currently examining

Other global cosmetics markets including UEA/Saudi Arabia/

the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill 2017-19: the objective of

Gulf States, ASEAN countries and MERCOSUR countries

the legislation is to repeal the 1972 European Communities Act,

(including Brazil) use European guidelines as a reference.

which took Britain into the EU.

Skingsley reported that the industry believes that the best way

Once that Bill becomes law, all EU legislation will be

forward would be for the UK to continue to operate to current

transferred across into domestic law in the UK. Afterwards,

EU legislation. However there is uncertainty if this will be

Parliament can alter, cancel and create new legislation

possible, as regulations are subject to the political negotiation

independently of the EU.

process.

If the UK wants access to the Single Market, it will have to

Ideally, the deal should be negotiated which would allow the

abide by the same rules and regulations as the EU, albeit without

UK to have the status of ‘being established in the European

having an influence on the law-making process – it will be a rule-

Community,’ irrespective of the UK’s eventual status as EU/EEA

taker with no say on drafting the legislation. The EU has insisted

member or not.

that access to the SM is inseparable from the 4 freedoms – free

Changes from the current regulatory framework would result

circulation of goods, people, services and capital.

in significant additional costs and complexity, both for UK

The expectation is that the UK and the EU will sign a trade

companies trading in the EU and EU companies trading in

agreement, but there is uncertainty about what form it will take

the UK. Crucially, these additional costs and complexities

and how long negotiations will last.

would have no benefits to consumers, inside the UK or in the remaining EU27 countries.

Case study: cosmetics

The cosmetics industry has lobbied the government to keep

Geoff Skingsley, Chairman of L’Oréal UK, reported that current

EU regulations, as have the chemicals and pharmaceuticals

EU guidelines in the cosmetics industry are seen as setting

industries. I

the world standard for best practice. They guarantee product

14 - info - march / april 2018

Spotlight on the UK-France Summit Brexit was officially off the agenda at the meeting between leaders from France and the UK, but what they did talk about provides a road-map for the relationship between the two countries

B

ritish Prime Minster Theresa May and French President Emanuel Macron, flanked by their senior ministers,

announced a raft of agreements which will define cooperation between France and Britain for the coming years at a summit held at the Sandhurst military academy on 18 January 2018.

A total of thirteen papers were released following the summit, addressing topics such as international migration, security and defence, foreign policy and cultural exchange, among others.

INFO explores some of the detail of what was agreed, from a shared responsibility for Calais migrants to Macron’s offer to exhibit the Bayeux Tapestry in England in 2022.

money will be spent on fencing, CCTV and detection technology at Calais and other ports. This followed calls before the summit

Single market

for Britain to pay more towards the cost of the camps, including

‘I’m here neither to punish nor to reward.’ This was Macron’s

by interior minister Gerard Collomb, as well as accept more

soft warning; if the UK leaves the single market, British firms

refugees and unaccompanied child migrants from France.

will get less access to the EU than they current have. Crucially

However targets in this area were not formalised.

this includes financial services. What could have been a slightly awkward moment at the at the summit’s closing press

Foreign policy

conference was allayed by May’s acknowledgement that if

Several areas of foreign policy were discussed, including an

Britain is no longer a full members of the EU, it will not have full

agreement about closer cooperation on fighting al Qaeda-

access to its trading market. However she manoeuvred to say

linked militants in North Africa. May pledged British helicopters

a good deal for both parties was in everybody’s interest – what

to support the French campaign in the region. Currently 4,000

that looks like is anyone’s guess.

French troops are stationed across Mail, Mauritania, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso. The move signals that cooperation

Defence

between the two countries will survive Brexit, and these joint

In the context of Brexit, there were questions going into the

military efforts are seen as an example of Macron’s interest

summit about the staying power of the Lancaster House treaties,

for the UK to be involved in what he has called a ‘European

signed in 2010. The treaty signalled defence cooperation

intervention initiative.’

between the two countries, outlining shared responsibility in terms of the armed forces and nuclear weapons. May was

Bayeux Tapestry

reported to have lobbied for a commitment from France on the

One of the summit’s more quixotic moments was Macron’s

UK’s continued involvement in European defence and security,

offer to exhibit the 950-year-old Bayeux Tapestry in Britain. The

particularly in respect of the EU’s defence funds, but no specific

artwork depicts the 1066 Norman conquest of Britain, and has

agreement was reached.

not left France for more than 900 years. Some commentators have seen the gesture as provocative, noting that an artwork

Migrants

commemorating a French victory over England is a subtle Brexit

It was announced that Britain will spend £44.5m on extra

message delivered by the French President. The tapestry is due

security measures at Channel ports. Reports said that this

to be exhibited in Britain in 2020. I

One of the summit’s more quixotic moments was Macron’s offer to exhibit the 950-year-old Bayeux Tapestry in Britain info

- march / april 2018 - 15

The Employment of EU citizens post-Brexit Melanie Stancliffe, Employment Partner at Irwin Mitchell LLP answers questions about how the decision to leave the European Union affects EU staff working in UK businesses Are there any current restrictions on the engagement of

right to engage EU staff after Brexit and how can their

staff from the EU?

employees help them?

No. Whilst the UK remains a member of the EU, it is bound by

The first step for employers is to audit their current staff, the

the principles of the freedom of movement, so EU citizens can

number of EU citizens working for them, and what steps they

continue to work here without any restrictions.

have taken to remain in the UK post-Brexit. Businesses can support their staff via:

Will businesses continue to engage their existing EU staff if the UK exits the EU on 29 March 2019 (the ‘Brexit date’)

Sponsorship: Businesses can become a visa sponsor.

without a deal?

This enables them to employ staff who require a visa to

Yes. If there is no agreement between the UK and the EU, the

work in the UK (including those from outside the EU).

UK will no longer be bound by EU law and will be able to set

Eligible employers can apply for a licence online by paying

its own immigration policy.

the requisite fee which varies according to the size of the

In a “cliff edge” Brexit where there is no deal,

business and the type of licence. The licence can either

scaremongers refer to the possibility EU citizens could be

cover skilled workers who will be employed on a long-

treated like citizens from a ‘third country’ and may need a visa

term/ permanent basis, or skilled workers employed on a

to continue to live and work here. The reality is that the UK is

temporary basis, or both.

unlikely to withdraw the rights of three million EU citizens who are living and working here prior to the Brexit date. Moreover,

Facilitating applications to stay: Employers can provide

there would be nothing to prevent a business employing

access to information about concretising their right to live

an individual to work outside of the UK. Many businesses

and work in the UK and offer their employees funding for

are reconsidering their needs. Where an employee is

applications, including:

contemplating returning to France, employers are considering consultancy-like arrangementsto retain staff and skills.

A. Permanent Residency This is available to any EU citizen who has lived and

Will businesses be able to continue to engage EU staff if

worked in the UK for at least 5 continuous years. The

the UK reaches an agreement with the EU?

lengthy application to the Home Office requires detailed

Yes. How they do it will depends on the rights of the staff and

information about any time spent outside of the UK,

when they came to the UK.

confirmation of funds, proof of private medical insurance,

A “common understanding” has been reached for EU

and a fee of £65.

citizens already working in the UK or who arrive prior to the Brexit date. The joint report of the EU and UK negotiators in

B. Naturalisation

December 2017 confirmed EU citizens who reside in the UK

After being permanently resident for 12 months, an EU

on the Brexit date (and their family members) will continue to

citizen can apply to become a British citizen (the spouse

benefit from existing EU freedom to live and work.

of a UK citizen can apply immediately). Naturalisation

EU citizens who arrive during or after the transitional

may require an EU citizen them to renounce any other

period will not enjoy these free movement rights. Currently

nationality.

they will have to satisfy the conditions imposed by the UK

The person must demonstrates to the Home Office that

government, although this may change in the transitional

they: plan to continue to live in the UK, can communicate

period or in the permanent deal.

in English, are over 18 years old, are of sound mind and of good character, have sufficient knowledge about life in

What steps can an employer take now to maximise the

16 - info - march / april 2018

the UK (by passing the ‘Life in the UK’ test) and have lived

Scaremongers refer to the possibility EU citizens could be treated like citizens from a ‘third country’ and may need a visa to continue to live and work here

in the UK for at least 5 years. The process is expedited

minimum of 5 years and have been employed, working, a

if the EU citizen has a connection to the UK through a

student or economically self-sufficient during that time.

spouse, parent, or citizenship in a current or former UK

Their family members who meet this test will also be able to

territory. The fee is £1,282 (as 6 April 2017).

apply for settled status.

A British citizen (or person with dual UK and another EU citizenship) cannot be removed from the UK.

The application must be made within 2 years of the Brexit date. The fee will be roughly £75 and the process is to be simple. Applicants who cannot show 5 years’ continuous

C. Settled Status (see below)

residence in the UK will be given ‘temporary status’ if they prove they lived in the UK before the Brexit date.

D. Training existing staff

These proposals are being negotiated. The final details will only be known when the Withdrawal Agreement and

Many businesses are upskilling their staff and diversifying

Implementation Bill becomes law.

the knowledge and skills needed in anticipation of losing

For EU citizens arriving after the Brexit date, the government

some employees. Many UK employers (with a payroll of

has not published any proposals.

over £3m each year) who pay the apprenticeship levy are not aware they can use funds in the apprenticeship

What checks will employers have to carry out post-Brexit?

service account to cover training and assessment to train

An employer will need to verify the person is allowed to work

their (non-apprentice) staff.

in the UK before agreeing to employ them. They must see the candidate’s original documentation (e.g. passport), check the

Has the government indicated the rights EU citizens will

documents are valid in the candidate’s presence, and ensure

enjoy post-Brexit if a deal is reached?

they show the candidate and the same name and date of

Yes. For EU citizens already living in the UK, the government

birth is on all documents. Employers must retain copies of

will introduce a new concept of ‘settled status’ to enable them

the documents and record the date of the check. Carrying

and their families to continue to live and work here.

out inadequate checks or employing an illegal worker carries

A settled person must show they have lived in the UK for a

serious penalties (unlimited fines, 5 years imprisonment). I

info

- march / april 2018 - 17

A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO HUMAN RESOURCES IN GREAT BRITAIN

New to HR in the UK?

ÂŁ15

Whether you are working within a large HR team, operating as an external advisor or are a business leader with responsibilities for the HR aspects of your organisation, this guide will help you to prepare for the challenges you face when working with employees in the UK. This guide is also much appreciated by the senior management and HR staff of UK subsidiaries of French companies.

Millennials, working conditions, salaries or payroll, the guide provides an overview of all the topics that relate to managing a workforce in Great Britain. It is the reference tool to do HR in the UK! Areas covered include: How to recruit - The legal framework - What salary and benefits? - Payroll, taxation and other charges - Recruitment on the internet - Working conditions

Buy our practical guide on: www.frenchchamber.co.uk

Translated by HL Trad

NEWS

A ND

A N A LY S I S

The boom in cyber security Recent studies show that cyber security spend is on the rise due to the increased risk of digital attacks

T

he recent cyber attack at the Winter Olympics is just one case

demonstrating the increased risk of cyber attacks, currently forcing companies to re-think thier spending on digital security measures.

A recent global survey by professional services firm EY reported that more than 50 percent of companies raised their budgetary spend for cyber security last year.

The report also found that ‘56 percent of respondents

against $3.8bn in 2016, as reported by data analysis

have either made changes to their strategies and plans to

company CB Insights, demonstrating the potential for start

take account of the risks posed by cyber threats, or that they

ups to provide fresh solutions.

are about to review strategy in this context.’

These adjustments are mirrored by the projections of

Regulatory requirements

American research firm Gartner, which predicts that global

Although 76 percent of recipients in the EY survey suggested

security spending will reach $96bn in 2018, an overall growth

that only a damaging security breach would prompt them

of 8 percent.

to allocate further resources in defence of this threat, the

These shifts also come at a time when the General Data

new regulations imposed through the GDPR provide further

Protection Regulation (GDPR) is due to come into force in

impetus to improve and adapt. The regulations mandate

May 2018, standardising corporate best-practice in Europe

companies update their systems in aid of data protection.

for how data is collected and stored.

Business Opportunities

Those who cannot adapt to these new regulations could risk fines (up to 4 percent of annual global turnover or €20m through the GDPR), alongside the current costs associated

The recipients of this hike in spend are reaping the rewards,

with cyber breach ($141 per lost or stolen record in 2017,

with providers Atos and Thales reporting strong sales

according to a survey by IBM).

for their cyber security services (10.9 percent and 27

Although the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

percent increase in revenue vs. 2016 respectively). The big

suggests that up to 90 percent of SMEs remain unprepared

4 consultancy firms, Capgemini, EY, KPMG & PwC, also

for the GDPR conditions, those who can adapt quickly to

reported enhanced sales in the sector last year.

meet these rigorous requirements enhance their chances

According to the Cybsersecurity Almanac, there were 178

of securing contracts. ‘50 percent of SMEs have had cyber

M&A transactions in the security market in 2017 – a $20.4bn

security clauses added to new contracts in the last five

business. Organisations such as Altran and Thales have

years,' according to a survey by CybSafe.

acquired cybertech companies to develop their skills base and meet the growing demand for these services.

These profitable circumstances are not just the remit

Large companies have a key role to play in a global overview of security issues extending to their supply chains.

‘The more enterprise sees cyber security as a value-add,

of established companies. They present an opportunity

the more SMEs will change online practices to become that

for start ups to benefit as well. Global venture capital

trusted vendor’, says Oz Alashe, CEO and founder of CybSafe;

investments in cyber security jumped last year to $7.6bn

a win-win for all involved. I Suzanne Lycett

More than 50 percent of companies raised their spend for cyber security last year info

- march / april 2018 - 19

BUSINE S S WOR LD – NE WS AND ANALYSI S

Veolia helps Scottish Water achieve energy self-sufficiency

Veolia, the global resource management company is now helping Scottish Water to achieve the target of energy self-sufficiency at its Seafield Wastewater Treatment Works, the largest treatment works in the east of Scotland. Since 2015 Veolia have extended

Thales to equip Spanish and German Armed Forces

The Spanish Army Aviation and the German Armed Forces are increasing their capabilities with Thales’s rockets. The two forces have been involved in different UN-peacekeeping missions and are currently deployed in Mali with Tiger helicopters. The Logistic Support Command of the Army (MALE) of Spain and the German Procurement Agency have just awarded Thales for a batch of respectively 1,000 and 10,000 70mm/2.75” rockets to complete the weapon systems of their Tiger HAD-E and their UH Tiger helicopters.

the site’s capability to generate its own energy from 55 percent to around 85 percent in 2017 by boosting the renewable energy derived from a combination anaerobic digestion of sludge and biogas fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Full selfsufficiency has already been achieved at various points during 2017 when Seafield used no electricity from the Grid.

‘Recent estimates indicate that the water industry could be self-sustaining for electricity by harnessing the 11 billion litre annual flow of waste water. Our application of technology to this process demonstrates how we can help deliver greater sustainability for the industry using waste water to energy systems, and also meet water industry carbon reduction targets,’ says John Abraham, Chief Operating Officer, Water. I

DS Virgin Racing Team reveal first Formula E driver FIA Formula 3 runner-up Joel Eriksson has been confirmed as one of DS Virgin Racing’s drivers for the forthcoming Formula E rookie test. Taking place after the Marrakesh E-Prix on 14 January, Eriksson, 19, will take to the wheel of the race-winning DSV-03 for the first time. The Swedish racer finished second in the highly competitive FIA Formula 3 Championship last year, securing seven wins and 14 podiums along the way. He was also recently voted an impressive 27th in Autosport magazine’s top 50 drivers of 2017. I

FMIDecaux wins Yangon City advertising contract

FMIDecaux Co., the new joint venture between JCDecaux S.A., the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide and its partner First Myanmar Investment Co., Ltd., Myanmar’s first listed company, have won an exclusive 20-year contract with Yangon City Development Committe for advertising street furniture in the city of Yangon (pop: 5.2 million). The first contract in Myanmar covers the design, installation, operation and maintenance of five hundred brand new, modern and elegant advertising bus shelters equipped with USB ports and LED screens on the roof. I

20 - info - march / april 2018

LVHM announces of Prize for Young Fashion Designers

The LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers will take place for the 5th year running.

On the occasion of the 2018 edition, new experts and members of the Jury will appraise and choose candidates from all over the world. The semi-final of the Prize will take place in March. The panel of experts will select eight designers for the final among the candidates. The final of the Prize will take place in June, at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. The jury will feature the artistic directors of LVMH Houses and leading figures from LVMH.

NE WS AND ANALYSI S – BUSINE S S WOR LD

Eurostar commits to green power by 2030 Eurostar has this week confirmed its commitment to have complete

replacements for fossil fuels within the next twelve years. The company’s ‘Tread Lightly 10-point plan,’ sets out a range of promises, including completely replacing all vehicles with electrical alternatives by 2020. The programme aims to reduce the carbon footprint of all Eurostar services through a range of measures surrounding the responsible use of energy, reducing waste and plastics, and using sustainable products.

By 2030, the company says it will have introduced 'alternatives to fossil fuel energy' for all the trains it runs, as well as investing in banks of solar panels at its UK depot. In addition to changing the way it produces energy, Eurostar has committed to a 5 percent reduction in train energy and energy meters on board each train by 2020. The company has recently undergone a change at the top, with former CEO Nicolas Petrovic leaving his position, replaced by ex-Yodel boss Mike Cooper. I

Dacia celebrates five years in the UK

Dassault Systèmes wins top sustainability award

Corporate Knights Global 100 index has ranked Dassault Systèmes No. 1 among the top 100 most sustainable companies in the world. This is the seventh consecutive year that Dassault Systèmes has been included. The 2018 ranking is a clear recognition of Dassault Systèmes’ holistic sustainability strategy, from reducing its environmental footprint, to developing the workforce of the future and driving the definition of new business models in today’s 'Industry Renaissance.' I

This year Dacia, by Groupe Renault, is celebrating five amazing years in the UK. Since launching in 2013, Dacia set out with a mission to shake up the UK car market with its no-

L'Occitane launches flagship Regent Street store

Twenty years after opening its first boutique on London’s

nonsense, ‘shockingly affordable’ cars and offer functional,

iconic Regent Street, L’Occitane returns to launch its first

cleverly designed vehicles with proven quality and reliability.

UK flagship store. Now open at 74-76 Regent Street, the

Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK: ‘In just five years the

6,450ft store is the French beauty company’s largest in

Dacia community has built up significantly thanks to the

the world, spread across two floors and offering exclusive

annual Dacia Day, our incredibly passionate Dacia owners’

services including engraving, gift wrapping and personalised

clubs and major brand partnerships like our one with the

messages for more than twenty of its face, body care and

Rugby Football League.’ I

fragrance products. I

Saint-Gobain recognized as one of the 100 most innovative companies in the world For the 7th consecutive year, Saint-Gobain has been named in Clarivate Analytics’ Top Global Innovators ranking, recognised for four patent-related metrics: the total number of patents, the number of patents granted as a ratio of patents filed, the global scope of the portfolio of patents, and the impact of patents measured by the number of references. I

info

- march / april 2018 - 21

BUSINE S S WOR LD – NE WS AND ANALYSI S

Humanity & Inclusion rebrands with new name The NGO Humanity

CXB HUB launches a new consulting model for customer excellence

& Inclusion, formerly

The London-based start-up combines ‘plug-and-play’

Handicap International,

customer experience solutions with strategic consulting.

celebrated its new

With current projects in the UK, Russia and Romania, building

name and 35 years of

up customer excellence programmes for Fortune 500 and

innovation at a reception

medium size fast growing companies, CXB HUB offers a

at the Speaker’s House with Penny Mordaunt MP, Secretary

range of services on the value chain of customer experience,

of State for International Development. The organisation’s

solving business strategic issues, such as customer and

work includes the use of 3D printing technology for

employee centricity. It includes customer data analysis,

prostheses, the use of drones to clear landmines, and the

communications, customer excellence coaching and design

use of innovative software to make education projects

thinking. ‘In eight months, we have built with Claire Bonniol

more inclusive. ‘Our new name, expresses one of our

a strong hub business model which is scalable in many

organisation's core values, humanity, and the ambition that

countries, with many clients and many strategic partners,'

has driven our work for the last 35 years, the inclusion of

says co-founder Alexis Grabar, UK-based Franco-American

people overlooked or ignored by humanitarian response and

serial entrepreneur. I

development programmes, and communities around the world,’ said Aleema Shivji, Director of Humanity & Inclusion UK. I

Doctors of the World UK recruits cyclists for London-Paris ride

Doctors of the World UK (part of the Medecins du Monde network) is looking for a group of keen cyclists to help celebrate their 20th year of working in the UK by taking part in this summer’s London to Paris Cycle Challenge and raise at least £20,000 for their vital work. The event takes place over five days in late July and will be an exciting adventure with roughly 100 other cyclists through the English and French countryside before reaching the French capital in time for the final day of Tour de France 2018. Pete Aldridge, Fundraising Manager at Doctors of the World UK says: “This is going to be an exciting challenge for our team of riders, who we will help to raise as much money as they can for the charity while having a great five-day adventure. I

HL Trad announces recent acquisition of specialist translator

HL TRAD, a major player in the field of legal and financial translation, has completed its second external growth operation by acquiring Sémantis, a translation agency specialising in the fields of communications, marketing and luxury products. The acquisition has enabled the Group and its eighty employees to achieve consolidated revenue in 2017 of €16.5m, making the HL TRAD Group a benchmark player in the European translation market. 'In a market undergoing consolidation, HL TRAD is seeking to continue its strategy of targeted acquisitions by focusing on translation firms of high added value that offer the very highest level of service,' said Eric Le Poole and Emmanuel Hacques, co-founders and directors. I

Arts & Métiers Acceleration launches partnership with Caisse d’Epargne

Located at Station F in Paris, the world’s biggest start-up campus, Arts et Métiers Acceleration is currently hosting a finely selected group of 12 hardware start-ups. In addition to dedicating their expertise and giving access to the 34,000 alumni of Arts et Métiers ParisTech, the new partnership with Caisse d’Epargne will leverage over 200 million euros in loans and the support of 50 Neo-Business experts across the country. Arts et Métiers Acceleration aims to accompany about 20 start-ups per year to foster industrial innovation and create a vibrant community addressing tomorrow’s greatest industrial challenges. I 22 - info - march / april 2018

S TART- UP PROFILE – BUSINE S S WOR LD

Park and Go Stanley Robotics aims to revolutionise the parking experience through state-of-the-art robots that park your car for you, says Clément Boussard, CEO and co-founder of Stanley Robotics

For users, the experience is simple and pleasant. For operators, it improves the efficiency of their car park by more than 50 percent How did you become interested in

wheels. The robot then carries your car

de Gaulle airport last March, we signed

automated parking?

to a free space.

a partnership contract with Lyon airport

Three

founders,

Cord,

The parking lot is not open to the

in July to work on the exterior long-term

Stéphane Evanno and myself, created

public – only robots can move in it –

car park. It’s a project with an objective

Stanley

after

limiting the risk of damage or break-in.

of transforming an 8,000-space car park

discovering the existence of car movers

For users, the experience is simple and

into a 12,000-space car park. It is a huge

– platforms which allow you to move

pleasant. For operators, it improves the

technological challenge. For the first

vehicles without starting them. We

efficiency of their car park by more than

time in the world, an autonomous robot

were working on different autonomous

50 percent.

will park cars outdoors.

opportunity to install software into this

You tested your product in Paris

to deploy a hundred robots worldwide,

kind of platform. Instead of equipping

Charles de Gaulle last year. What

then multiply their number by two every

cars with autonomous software, we

were the results?

year. The challenges will be huge from a

equipped a robot which spends its time

Our first project was to automate a

production perspective, but we are very

parking cars, simplifying the parking

100-space car park in Roissy Charles

excited about deploying our projects

experience and making parking lots

de Gaulle Airport. The test lasted three

everywhere in the world.

much more efficient.

months. The objective for the airport

Robotics

Aurélien in

2015,

vehicle projects at the time and saw an

In a three years time, our objective is

was to evaluate the ability of Stanley

When will we see this technology in

How does automated parking work?

Robotics to take over the car park and

the UK?

You drop your car off in a bright and

manage the service with clients. They

The UK is a key market for us because

spacious box at the entrance of a

wanted to see how this innovation

the air transport infrastructure is highly-

parking lot, leaving it parked. In the

would impact travellers.

developed, ahead of many European

case of an airport car park (where we

That first project was a huge success,

countries. We already have a client in the

have tested our technology) after you

and we succeeded in welcoming more

country, and many prospective clients

validate your reservation, a terminal

than 300 travellers during this period.

as well. We give a lot of importance

allows you to verify the information of

They appreciated the simplicity and

to the UK because the market offers

your flight and confirm the parking in

ease of our service. We have since

a great challenge. We feel can offer a

just a few clicks. Once confirmed, the

extended discussions with the airport.

lot to this market, and learn from their

box secures your car and the valet

experience. I

robot then slides underneath and uses

What are your priorities in the future?

its arms to delicately lift the car by the

With a first success at the Roissy Charles

info

- march / april 2018 - 23

BUSINE S S WOR LD – SME NE WS

Les Bougies de Charroux open London store

L

aunched by Jean-Paul Corgnet in 2007 and joined by his son Pierre this year, Les

Bougies de Charroux is a family business.

The company’s success is the result of handcrafted skill and flawless quality. All of their scented candles are made by hand in their Charroux atelier. Their perfumes are from the town of Grasse, famous for perfumes and flowers, and all have IFRA international quality and security certification. The store is located at 33 Smiths Court, W1D 7DP. I

Verdier & Co. named by Telegraph in boutique banking boom

French Fairs announce conference date

T

he Telegraph newspaper has reported on Jean-Philippe Verdier, who ran investment banking for Jefferies in France until 2016, and his London boutique Verdier & Co. Verdier started out as a one-man shop after being approached by contacts who wanted independent advice on a flexible retainer.

He now has a board and four members of staff. ‘You really eat what you kill - clients retain you and your capabilities, not the fancy office or the corporate name,’ Verdier was quoted as saying. ‘I recall the thrill of getting a Friday evening call from a client appointing us to start on first thing Monday.’ I

F

rench Fairs Ltd. will host a day of debate, discussions, and talks around the future of Europeans in the UK on

19 March at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. The free-of-charge event is designed to give as much information as possible to Europeans currently in the UK to help them decide whether or not to stay in the UK post Brexit, and will feature panels of politicians, experts and activists. I

Business O Feminin launch prize for young entrepreneurs

French Radio London join French Morning group

T

he

French

Morning

T

group

he 2018 edition of the Business

announces the launch of French

of Feminin Awards will launch

Morning London, in partnership

a prize for a new generation of

with French Radio London. After

female entrepreneurs between

the launch of Maudits Français in

the ages of 12 and 25. The Young

Montreal, it is the second site of

Business O Feminin award is

French Morning outside the US

open to candidates who launched

and the first in Europe. The French

an independent or collaborative

speaking community will find a variety of information on the

start-up, and who can supply an

website: news, business, politics, arts & culture, events, tips,

executive summary of their project. The deadline to apply is

videos, and practical advice for settling into London life. I

31 March. I

24 - info - march / april 2018

FE ATUR E - E DUC ATION

A new plan for French

schools

in London The development of new schools as well as fewer French pupils arriving in the UK is leading to a strategy to internationalise the city’s existing schools, say Claudine Ripert-Landler, Cultural Counsellor, and Lorène Lemor, Deputy Cultural Counsellor of the French Embassy in Great Britain Does the Embassy have concerns

stabilise enrolment and attract a more

years (‘la maternelle’) don’t really exist

about student intake in London?

international student body.

as such in the English system. More

In September 2017, at the start of the

parents are aware that a bicultural

school year, we did not record more

How will the schools adapt to the

and bilingual education is an asset for

departures than in the previous years.

international demand?

the young generation with regard to

However, the number of arrivals in

Many of the schools already offer a

higher education, labour market, and

London is a little lower than it used

bilingual programme (50 percent in

international careers – e.g. diplomats or

to be.

French, 50 percent in English). The

businessmen.

Lycée français Charles de Gaulle also What effect will Brexit have on this

has a British section, offering the

What is the cultural dimension of a

situation?

British curriculum and British exams

French education?

Although we do not anticipate any new

such as GSCEs and A Levels. As of

Studying in a French school either in

drop in the short term, things may

September 2018, students at the Lycée

the United Kingdom or elsewhere is to

change if more staff relocate to Europe

international de Londres Winston

be part of a worldwide network (492

once Brexit takes effect in March 2019,

Churchill will sit the IB (International

schools in 137 countries), which is very

depending on the outcome of the

Baccalaureate) from Year 7 onward.

interesting for an internationally mobile

current negotiations between the UK

These adjustments help our students

population. This network has also

and the EU.

to be better prepared to join worldwide

recently launched an online platform for

universities.

the Alumni of French high schools in the

Where does the current intake come

world. Furthermore, the new ADN-AEFE

from?

What are the strengths of a French

programme aims at giving students

London is special, in that it comprises

education in London?

the opportunity to spend a term in

a large French population (approx.

French high schools are a gateway

another school in order to discover a

300,000 people). Our schools

to universities around the world.

new country. This type of education

welcome roughly 80 percent native

Each year, students join prestigious

in French fosters the development of

French-speaking students. However,

universities in the UK, the United

closer links with the Francophone world,

the creation of four new schools in

States, Canada, France, and many other

including developing African countries.

recent years (including the CFBL and

countries. Some specific aspects of the

The number of French speakers in the

the Lycée Churchill), representing an

French educational model also appeal

world is estimated to reach 700 million

additional 2,500 places, has helped to

to families. For instance its pre-school

by 2050. I

These adjustments help our students to be better prepared to join worldwide universities info

- march / april 2018 - 25

E DUC ATION – NE WS

Turenne Consulting advise on creation of Collège Français d’Amsterdam

Toulouse School of Economics train future environmental experts

The education specialist continues to expand in Europe

Faced with today’s global

with a new school project in Amsterdam. The economic

climate challenge, companies

capital of the Netherlands was recently selected to

and public powers need new

welcome the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and

professional

is now ranked second worldwide in the number of

preparing just those skills,

foreign direct investment projects attracted in 2017.

via its innovative Masters in

Nearly 6,000 French citizens are officially registered

environmental

in Amsterdam but the lack of a secondary school is

The course's future graduates

creating a huge recruitment challenge for the 136 French

are trained to both assess

skills.

TSE

is

economics.

companies located in the city. Turenne Consulting is

and recommend economic

advising private stakeholders for the opening of ‘Collège

policies and also guide industry strategies across the major

Français d’Amsterdam’ next year. I

environmental issues taking into account regulation: energy, air and water pollution, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. I

INSEEC U. London Campus launch new programmes in tech and political science INSEEC London Bachelor and Master programmes are extending into new fields of technological expertise, namely Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Financial Innovation; as well as new programmes in International Relations and Political Communications. We continue to have considerable success with our Masters in Finance and Business Innovation. The multidisciplinary approach of the developing programmes extends to many of our new schools: EBS, Crea Genève, ESCE, ECE Engineers, HEIP, with the goal is to achieve a congruence of schools on one campus. I

London Languages launch new English Pronunciation Programme

Le Conversation Club offer real-life language learning

The long-standing language training

Let all the Chief Happiness Officers

provider introduces a new English

know: there is a fun and useful way to

Pronunciation Programme to suit even

improve your language skills in town.

the busiest professionals, offering an

Le Conversation Club is a language

innovative approach to pronunciation

school where you will work on your

training, with bite-sized sessions to

language skills through conversations

fit around work commitments. The

led by a professional. The expertise of

new programme offers techniques for accent reduction by working on voice projection, and body

our teachers covers everything from grammar to everyday situations.

posture. ‘We find that clients want a realistic approach to

Our courses also use authentic audio/video sources. Once

communication skills which focuses on the overall impression

a month all our students get together to use what they’ve

of their delivery. This leads to a boost in confidence and

learned in class in real-life situations with native speakers of

overall fluency, so important when delivering a work

the language they are learning and gauge how much progress

presentation to an international audience’, says Sarah Hobbs,

they have made. I

Head of English. I 26 - info - march / april 2018

FE ATUR E - E DUC ATION

EDUCATION

trends

OUTLOOK 2018 Benjamin Vedrenne-Cloquet, co-founder of the fast-growing EdTech forum and IBIS Capital investment advisory, outlines the key trends in education for 2018

Digitisation

Alternative solutions will need to be found. Current

Music has Spotify, publishing has Amazon, and television has

examples include scripted and remotely administered teaching,

Netlfix. Now the education sector is experiencing its own

such as those being trialled with some of the poorest children

platform-led disruption with the launch of new services like

in the world in Africa and Latin America by Bridge International

iTutorGroup, which uses algorithms and big data to personalise

Academies, a multi-national for-profit company, which charges

one-on-one tutoring on their digital platform. Another example

$6 per month for access to courses.

is Coursera, a Silicon Valley-based provider of online courses

Alternative investment models are also being discussed. The

with 28 million registered users.

American investor Warren Buffett made headlines by offering

Google has targeted the classroom as well with the launch of its low cost laptops and free apps. The New York Times recently reported on a Chicago classroom where each pupil worked

a group of business graduates from Columbia University to ‘pay $100,000 for 10 percent of the future earnings of any of you.’

on a thirty dollar Chromebook, accessing their coursework via

Automation

Google Docs and a new app called Google Classroom, which

With a 72 percent increase in the use of industrial robots and

enables teachers to set assignments.

a 16 percent decrease in industrial jobs in American in the

Personalisation

past ten years, automation is posing serious questions to the working world. Academics from Oxford University predict that

When the traditionally high-ranking country of Finland fell

45 percent of all US jobs will be replaced by robots within the

behind on international tables for literacy and numeracy, they

next 20 years.

took radical action. A new curriculum was devised that reduced

In 2016, Ashok Goel, from the Georgia Institute of

subject content and instead encouraged teachers to adopt a

Technology, used an artificial intelligence programme to

‘project-based learning’ approach, teaching ‘competencies’

respond to student questions. He told them that it was a real

rather than disciplines.

person. The AI responded to students queries 24/7 – incredibly

The approach is beginning to catch on elsewhere. A free school in Doncaster has implemented a similar design for its teaching. The XP School teaches through ‘expeditions’ or

the students did not notice that the AI named ‘Jill Watson’ was not real, signalling a potential for future initiatives.

projects, and often with involvement external to the school

Globalisation

itself. A recent project involved working with English Heritage on

Traditional educational establishments have diversified into

a poster campaign for Conisbrough Castle.

new markets, such as those in Asia and the Middle East, where

Privatisation

demand is growing. St Albans School will open an international school in Dubai, while Eton will launch online lesson for Chinese

There are concerns that state education will not be able to cope

students.

with increased numbers of students in the coming years. By

Currently, China is the biggest market for education, and the

203, there is expected to be 1bn new entrants into education

sector is highly valued within society. In 2016, it was already an

and 1bn workers to retain worldwide. Current forecasts by the

$8bn digital education market and had more than 9,500 Edtech

National Audit Office and others estimate that an additional

companies operating in the country – 2.5 times more than

25.8m teachers will need to be found – foreshadowing a global

operate in Europe. Currently, the Chinese market accounts for

teacher shortage.

thirty to forty percent of global Edtech venture investments. I

info

- march / april 2018 - 27

E DUC ATION – NE WS

Smart cities come to higher education Sciences Po has announced a new chair aimed at challenging the current thinking about the digital transformation of cities

A

new research and teaching chair devoted to the transformation

‘From the IT company point of

the public debate and to help citizens,

view, it was a great success. they

governments and companies to better

of cities in relation to the digital

demonstrated their technical skills.

understand what is at stake with digital

revolution has been founded by a

However, the city administration was

cities,’ says Courmont.

leading French university.

not able to use the data to reshape their

The Cities and Digital Technology chair, launched by Sciences Po’s Urban

urban planning project,’ says Courmont.

According to him, the research unit

Changing cities

School and the Centre for European

has established a unique methodology

Sciences Po, which is known as an

Studies and Comparative Politics, aims

to investigate projects in a more holistic

incubator for the political class in

to take a fresh perspective on growing

way – a specific approach to interrogate

France, including the majority of

smart cities activity, in both public and

digital technologies and urban

its recent Presidents, is a leader in

private sectors.

governance.

education in public administration.

According to the school, original

‘We do this by developing empirical

The new chair signals an evolution in

research in this area is needed, as

studies to analyze to what extent these

establishment thinking on the issue of

current smart city thinking can be

technologies impact urban governance

smart cities, which can struggle to keep

polarised as either too utopian or too

and public policies,’ says Courmont.

up with the pace of adoption of new

resistant.

They aim to take a macro approach

‘Most research on digital cities

to studying smart cities, with the goal

services offered by the private sector.

‘The fast development of digital

can still be categorised in two ways,’

to help public and private institutions

platforms such as Uber or Airbnb

says Antoine Courmont, its scientific

achieve greater results.

highlights the impact of these digital

director. 'It is either highly optimistic, welcoming new opportunities to improve urban services, or it is

‘Our research aims to contribute to

services on urban life against public policies,’ says Courmont.

‘Above all, we think that digital

pessimistic, strongly attuned to the risk

cities must not be reduced to projects

of privatization of urban government

implemented by governments or IT

and panoptic surveillance.’

companies.’

‘Both perspectives are based

This means making greater room

on a similar assumption that digital

for the citizen and social concerns in

technologies do something. But we've

the process, as digital technologies

also noticed that lots of smart cities

transform urban practices, in the first

initiatives have failed, mainly because

instance.

of a lack of understanding of urban governance,’ says Courmont.

A new methodology

‘We think that highlighting the sociopolitical issues of digital technologies is crucial to shape the city of tomorrow.’

In addition to their research

Among current projects, the research

projects, the unit will hold regular

unit is looking into Cisco’s project

meetings, including an upcoming

in Place de la Nation, the busy Paris

conference on the relationships

roundabout. The telecoms and

between territories and new actors in

tech giant, partnering with the local

the digital economy. ‘Digital platforms

municipality, used big data analytics to

and territories’ will be held at their Paris

identify environmental and quality of life

campus on 3 May 2018. I

ameliorations with mixed results.

We've noticed that lots of smart cities initiatives have failed, mainly because of a lack of understanding of urban governance 28 - info - march / april 2018

R E PORT S & R E SE ARCH – BUSINE S S WOR LD

A selection of research papers and reports produced by Chamber member companies and partners

EY: Future Cities: Is the path to future growth through smart infrastructure?

Whilst many of the technologies that will power future UK cities and infrastructure are still emerging, disruption is increasing the pressure on cities to become smart and resilient. New ideas and providers are accelerating the pace of change, challenging traditional business models and demanding new approaches.

This report explores the different challenges UK cities face, whether legacy cities dealing with aging infrastructure, new cities planning for the future, or transitioning cities buckling under the pressure of urbanisation and growth.

EY Future Cities: Is the path to future growth through smart infrastructure? – 2017 Available at: https://go.ey.com/2FDvnec

Deloitte: Real Estate Predictions Technology has been incorporated by cities for many years. However, the pace at which this adoption takes place is increasing rapidly as disruptive digital technologies have the potential to solve major metropolitan challenges. As a consequence, urban areas transform into ‘smart cities.'

A city is smart when investments in (i) human and social capital, (ii) traditional infrastructure and (iii) disruptive technologies fuel sustainable economic growth and a high quality of life, combined with thoughtful management of natural resources, through participatory governance.

Deloitte Real Estate Predictions – 2017 Available at: http://bit.ly/2F3dXGX

Huawei: UK Smart Cities Index Huawei is proud to commission the 2nd UK Smart Cities Index from Navigant Consulting. In just 18 months since the last report, we have seen significant technology advancements in the way we get around, care for our citizens, communicate and fuel our towns and cities.

These advancements have reinforced the role that Smart City technology must play in tackling the biggest challenges facing the UK. This report builds on and expands last year’s Index, looking at 20 cities each deploying Smart City technology to tackle urban challenges.

Huawei: UK Smart Cities Index – 2017 Available at: http://bit.ly/2F9u88O

info

- march / april 2018 - 29

THE RISE OF THE

SMART CITY

30 - info - march / april 2018

W

hat is a smart city? Is it a city with driverless-buses and trains, with smart buildings that automatically regulate their environment and air quality? Is it a city with mobile internet connectivity accessible anywhere? Is it a city with lamp-posts that generate their own power supply using photovoltaic panels?

A smart city is all of these things – and much more. Smart cities have smart governments that make use of data to improve the efficiency and provision of services and utilities. They create smarter and more efficient energy grids, and make greater use of renewable energy.

Smart cities link citizens in real time, through the Internet of Things (IoT) and open and shared data. Above all, they aim to create more liveable places.

Seen as a response to the growing urbanisation around the world – for the first time in history more people now live in urban than rural areas – smart cities also present a huge challenge.

Doubly-so if one takes into consideration concerns about climate change, sustainability and democracy.

Indeed these stresses will be most acutely felt in the developing world – in Africa, Asia and South America, where booming populations will add more than 2.5 billion people to the world’s urban population by 2050, according to the UN. In the FOCUS, we hear from a cross section of our members working on smart city initiatives, as well as policy-makers and industry associations. Here the future is bright – but not without its challenges.

What is clear is that the smart city is very much on the rise – top of mind for lawmakers, the business community and citizens. A recent study estimated that the global smart cities market size will reach $2.57tr by 2025. What is less certain is what our cities will look like in even five years time.

We hope you enjoy a glimpse of what is in store. I

info

- march / april 2018 - 31

A SMART CITY strategy for London

Newly-appointed Chief Digital Officer for London, Theo Blackwell explains how a smart city plan must put its citizens first

L

ondon is set to be the smartest city in the world. The Mayor

As the Mayor’s office is responsible for the delivery of

Sadiq Khan set out his agenda in a speech at London Tech

services, such as the police, transportation, waste collection,

Week last year, quickly followed by appointing the city’s

social care, and libraries, the changing nature of delivery within

first ever Chief Digital Officer to oversee the ambitious plan.

Theo Blackwell, working alongside the new Smart London

a smart city context will be at the heart of the new plan.

Board, will develop the plan and seek to implement wide-

New data economy

ranging digital innovations and transformations, including

Although Blackwell’s primary role is to improve public services,

standardising data collection and usage across London’s thirty-

many of the innovations that will deliver smart city products and

three boroughs and preparing for fibre-optic connectivity on

services will come from the private tech sector. Blackwell sees

the underground network.

part of his role is ensuring that the right foundation is laid for

Other examples of forthcoming tech innovations include the

innovation to flourish.

smarter use of data to plan bus routes by tracking the changing

‘We need smart city thinking that takes on the transformative

way people move around London, as well as crowd sourcing

power of the tech sector, but that also expresses citizens’ needs

pollution data and using this to update Londoners about their

in a way that the sector can most appropriately respond.’

local air quality in real time.

Infrastructure first

Smart or Smarter Blackwell points out that London was one of the first cities to

Blackwell’s appointment points to the priority given to an

adopt a smart city plan back in 2013. The renewed call from

overarching smart city trategy, over strictly product or service-

the Mayor is part of a ‘refresh' which seeks to ‘learn from the

driven solutions. ‘When we talk about smart cities, a lot of people

experience of other cites.’

dive right into talking about products and services, rather than

Londoners

may

already

be

accustomed

to

recent

laying the foundations for these types of solutions to work,’ says

innovations, such as apps which provide real-time information

Blackwell.

about events, road works and other disruptions; police

‘We need to get the data infrastructure right first, and this

equipped with body-worn cameras which gather real-time

includes a plan that supports our data economy, both in public

evidence and provide accountability; and air quality sensors to

and private sectors.’

monitor atmospheric pollution (developed with the Alan Turing

According to Blackwell, achieving this in London has its own

Institute).

particular challenges, as currently the digital strategies across

Perhaps the most ubiquitous smart city application in the

the city differ between boroughs, resulting in ‘highly fragmented’

city is the TfL’s Oyster and contactless ticketing system, which is

data collection and analysis.

used by more than five million journeys every day. The system

‘Our first challenge is to promote common standards in a city where the average population of the boroughs is 250,000; Croyden is roughly the same size as New Orleans,’ says Blackwell.

32 - info - march / april 2018

has inspired similar systems worldwide.

Watch this space to see if London will continue to set smart city standards across the globe. I

THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

Who 'owns' SMART CITY data?

Collecting data on unprecedented scales requires a citizen-led approach says Theo Bass, Government Innovation Researcher at NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

M

ore than half the world’s

a

population

sovereignty’

now

live

in

‘roadmap

towards which

digital

includes

a

urban areas, and, according

commitment to promote openness

to the UN, this is expected to grow

in public procurement. Contracts

to more than two thirds by 2050.

with technology companies must

Increased scale and density brings

include clauses that explicitly state

acute challenges: how to move

that personal data collected in the

around people and things; how to

city is owned by citizens.

provide energy, how to keep people safe.

‘Smart cities’ offer technology and

data

as

a

solution.

Governments are partnering with private technology firms to install and manage wi-fi enabled sensor networks on street corners, lamp posts and buildings. Individuals are producers of valuable data too.

Most smart city deals happen with little scrutiny or public knowledge, despite the fact that these technologies are now becoming woven into the fabric of public spaces

Cities are working with technology

Case studies: Barcelona and Amsterdam Barcelona is also part of a project called

(DEcentralised

which is coordinated by Barcelona’s Chief Technology and Innovation Officer and has fourteen partners across

the

European

Union,

including Nesta.

DECODE aims to develop open

companies like Uber, Strava, Google and Mastercard to gain access to user data.

DECODE

Citizen Owned Data Ecosystem),

technologies which give people more control over how their

The aim of a smart city is to exploit these valuable new

information is collected, shared and used. An important part of

sources of information for better local policymaking: to

this project will be in running practical pilots with Barcelona City

measure crowds, manage traffic and pollution, inform planning

Council, to see what kind of value is generated when people are

and monitor crime.

given these new means to control their data.

But there’s an important question in the smart city debate

One pilot will work with communities in Barcelona to use

which is often left unanswered, namely who ‘owns’ smart city

noise sensors (noise pollution is a big issue in the city), providing

data? Most smart city deals happen with little scrutiny or public

an accurate record of their experiences, and a means to share

knowledge, despite the fact that these technologies are now

information while maintaining control over who has access to it.

becoming woven into the fabric of public spaces.

By taking a citizen-led approach, residents will be able to collect

Responsible data collection

accurate data and help the council identify problem areas and identify suitable resolutions.

Access to large amounts of user data gives companies and

In Amsterdam DECODE is running a pilot with GebiedOnline

governments power that can be easily abused. Last year, Uber's

(GO). GO is a co-operative digital platform that enables local

license to operate in London was rescinded, partly due to

people, groups and organisations to view events taking place

'Greyball' - a method the company uses to track people, mining

in their neighbourhood, share news, and petition the local

personal details from credit cards to target local regulators and

government with ideas to improve the neighbourhood. This

prevent them from accessing the service.

provides an opportunity for DECODE to test a more privacy-

In China, we see a trend towards city governments pulling

preserving local social network, with granular controls so

data from third party credit agencies to build ‘social credit

that residents can decide what information they share, or

scores’, which can be used to refuse access to certain services

authenticate themselves anonymously.

like buying a vacation or boarding a train.

DECODE is just a start, but we hope it will lead to practical

If we really want smart cities to benefit people, then city

tools that other cities can deploy, as well as greater awareness

governments need to create more inclusive alternatives for how

of the need for more democratic alternatives for how data is

data is collected and exchanged.

used to deliver public benefit. I

Barcelona is one city leading the way. They have published

info

- march / april 2018 - 33

SMART CITIES: A Holistic View Smart cities require collaborative and collective thinking says George Adams, UK Engineering Director, SPIE

T

he numbers are staggering. In 1800, 2 percent of

plug and play solar panel with built-in battery, an LED light and

humanity lived in urban areas. In 2017, 60 percent of

a mobile phone charger can be provided as an autonomous

people do, and the number is rising to more than 66

technology to individual dwellings, and avoid the need for

percent by 2050, according to the UN. In the last 210 years, city

new power infrastructure. Emerging technologies for rural

inhabitants have risen from 20m to roughly 4.6bn.

farmers to control their crop production and distribution more

The expansion of global cities brings many challenges from poverty to richness, from lack of drainage and water to an abundance of shops and commercial centres. It has led

efficiently are becoming more common, as the burden to feed cities becomes an ever more pressing concern.

to the continual drive for technology and efficient solutions

The smart solution

for distributing and producing the resources humanity is

Smart cities are much more about the needs of the future; they

consuming.

have to be in order to cope with challenges of human density,

Technology now offers accessible ways to bring resources

global warming and the degradation of the Earth’s natural

to the poorer sectors of city communities. Solutions such as a

resources. It is about balancing global financial wealth with the

It is about balancing global financial wealth with the environment for the benefit of society, where progress involves moving away from past social constraints

34 - info - march / april 2018

THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

environment for the benefit of society, where progress involves

for humanity. Cities will develop a stronger emphasis on green

moving away from past social constraints.

infrastructure, which will make for liveable spaces, assist in the

By focusing our efforts to achieve sustainable change,

reduction of pollution, the diminishing of crime (yes, research

the Earth can replenish its natural resources. The balance is

even shows that) and progress the new concept of city farms.

about green initiatives being implemented within a sustainable

(These farms can be developed from waste ground, unused

economic structure. The definition of smart cities is not a fixed

tunnels and derelict tower blocks.)

parameter; in fact it never will be, especially as people are consuming more and technology is advancing.

Data capture and analytics will continue to grow, enabling better community-based decisions; technological solutions

New technology is evolving and being used for these solutions to become very efficient, such as new full-spectrum lamps, providing a balance of cool and warm light replicating natural solar spectrum.

will allow more and more data to be harvested. An example

Technologies are changing and improving in most areas of

of this is emerging intelligent streetlights, whereby the lamp

city dwelling. The smart bus, with high-density battery packs that

post becomes an intelligent multi-purpose solution to monitor

can be rapidly re-charged at a bus stop, is already being trialled

street pollution, provide street security surveillance, points for

for use. Imagine the removal of the combustion engine from our

electric vehicles, and even lighting for pedestrians - all powered

cities to reduce pollution, which is now a matter of legislation.

by integral high efficiency solar panels. Technical products

The European objective is to ban all combustion engines by 2050 – in the UK and France the target is 2040. Even some of

Cities will develop a stronger emphasis on green infrastructure, which will make for liveable spaces, assist in the reduction of pollution, the diminishing of crime, and progress the new concept of city farms

the big car producers have announced plans to convert to fully electric vehicles in the coming years. This change will encourage enormous opportunities for more integrated transport policies and the technologies to support them.

The growth in data collection, and the devices and networks that facilitate this, has already been significant; but the future holds even greater opportunity. Overall, the goal is to develop intelligent cities. We are finding solutions for our cities and buildings that are smart, technological and social, and that cater

are rapidly reducing in cost and increasing in efficiency, but

to the health and wellbeing of sustainable communities. .

fundamentally, by being linked to the city communications

Cities are without doubt at the forefront of humanity’s

network, the data is becoming available to manage traffic flows

development. The challenge however is not just about growth.

better, help to reduce crime and reduce energy consumption.

It is also about the importance of health, ecology, environment,

Research and learning groups focused on cities, such as the

people and greater global fairness. The smart systems and

CIBSE Resilient Cities Group, which SPIE supports, are realising

technologies being developed will have a big role to play in our

that our cities will drive the emergence of sustainable solutions

shared future. I

info

- march / april 2018 - 35

Urban Big Data and A period of extraordinarily rapid technological change is transforming our cities and the ways we work, live, and travel, says Marc Reboux, Senior Director, CBRE

J

ust as important as the physical

amenity. Everyone is as happy as they

be neither too “expensive” nor too

changes in our cities, are the

can be, where they are. Real cities are

“cheap” in terms of its overall package.

vastly improved collection and

never like this—not because spatial

Glaeser, Kolko and Saiz express

use of ‘big data.’ The aggregation of

equilibrium does not exist, but because

this idea in an equation. In a city in

digital information collected by sensors,

it changes over time in response to

equilibrium, the availability of high-

internet-enabled devices and the

changing prices, such as a decrease

wage, high-status jobs (known as the

computerisation of administrative and

in the cost of travel, and it takes time

‘productivity premium’) plus the local

business data is improving the standard

for people to move to their new best

effect of quality of life (the ‘amenity

of urban life in many ways. These

location. Cities are always moving

premium’) will be equal to local real

include more efficient transportation

towards a new spatial equilibrium.

estate values or rents (‘rent premium’).

systems, lower energy usage and waste,

There is much evidence showing

among a host of other services and

that people move to high-wage

Implications for real estate

spaces that adapt to users in real time.

cities and, increasingly, toward their

The big data revolution is already

greater availability of amenities. This

affecting our daily lives. Some of the

is the live, work, play phenomenon.

most significant opportunities lie at

Economists sometimes view cities

However, as cities grow, they also get

the municipal level. Urban information

in terms of ‘spatial equilibrium.’

more expensive to live and work in.

technologies can make our cities

Theoretically, a city is in spatial

In equilibrium, living costs—a high

`smart.’ Siemens’ MindSphere, for

equilibrium when no citizen is motivated

proportion of which are housing costs—

instance, is a cloud-based open IoT

to move from one location to another

would exactly balance out the city’s

platform that supports combination

in search of higher wages or greater

wage and amenity offer. The city would

and analysis of data from a wide variety

The economics of city data

36 - info - march / april 2018

THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

real estate markets HIGHER WAGES

JOB AVAILABILITY

BETTER AMENITIES

HIGHER RENT PER SQUARE FOOT

PRODUCTIVITY PREMIUM + AMENITY PREMIUM = RENT PREMIUM

of sources. Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs

smart city technologies reinforce the

is investing in the development of a

dominance of the most successful

the urban system will end up adopting

waterfront community in Toronto,

global metropolises. These cities have

successful and cost-effective smart

Canada on smart city principles, with

the IT know-how, human capital base,

city initiatives, eventually diluting the

a strong emphasis on environmental

and experimental attitude required, and

leaders’ first-mover advantage. And

sustainability and quality of life.

often more progressive leaderships as

smaller-scale interventions are likely

well. As technologies develop, improving

to crop up everywhere, even in the

destruction and the disappearance

quality of life and local productivity,

short term. These programs are more

of non-viable approaches—should

these cities will be better positioned

likely to improve conditions in blighted

leave us with many feasible smart city

to reap the benefits. This means

or relatively deprived neighborhoods,

technologies. We expect innovations

that real estate values in these areas

which would produce gentrification and

that substantially reduce businesses’

will continue to grow—especially in

higher values there. Those who can best

operating and capital costs to be the

metropolitan areas with inelastic supply

understand and anticipate these micro-

first to be widely adopted. Technologies

caused by barriers to new development.

location impacts will profit.

The next phase—creative

with clear immediate benefits to quality

However, the more advanced

In the longer term, all cities across

In addition to a wide range of urban-

of life—however measured—will follow.

technology-oriented emerging countries

level initiatives that affect real estate

Finally, technologies that improve quality

may also leverage these technologies

values, there are also potential big data

of life and the productivity of cities over

to leapfrog others in the provision of

applications that could more directly

the long run will progressively expand

local public services. Many of the most

transform how real estate is appraised,

as the benefits of earlier projects

impressive examples of the application

traded and taxed.

become apparent.

of big data techniques are in Asia—

Data-driven tools

Nevertheless, there are already

China in particular, but also Korea. In

numerous examples of big data

these countries, concerns about privacy

products, existing or in development,

In real estate consultancy and services,

are often secondary to the push for

that can be adapted or applied at the

CBRE has developed a number of data-

broader social and economic progress.

urban level. I

driven tools. The Calibrate platform uses proprietary technology to analyse the digital footprints of millions of mobile phone users—this gives occupiers and landlords access to consumer profiling and spending data to inform locationselection and investment decisions.

Portfolio Optimizer combines occupier portfolio data with market benchmark data and forecasts to identify operational efficiencies and support occupiers’ decision-making around leases and occupancy. Sequentra is an industry-leading lease administration software system designed to identify savings and risk-mitigation actions across occupier portfolios.

Initially at least, it may be that

info

- march / april 2018 - 37

Urban Big Data and Real Estate markets

WHAT IS BIG DATA? The three V’s are a useful way of defining big data: 1. Volume: Big data is large—often measured in petabytes

or more. ’Simply put, big data is too big to sit on your hard drive,’ says Eric Scharnhorst, a data scientist at Redfin.

Examples include user-data from Facebook, transport systems’ passenger-flow data, transactions data, etc.

2. Velocity: Big data is often generated continuously, in or near real time. Twitter posts, cell phone location data, and information from weather and air quality sensors are examples.

3. Volume: Big data can comprise any or all types of data—numbers, text, images, video, audio and other kinds of data. Its analysis needs to be flexible enough to deal with any type or mix of types.

We would add that big data requires collection and analytical efforts, and must be socially or commercially useful.

BIG DATA AND CITY MANAGEMENT: THE PRESENT Urban big data is comparatively new, so the scope of initiatives pursued in different parts of the world varies widely. Here are some specific big data projects that are underway around the world right now:

City Examples NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA: The Health and Human Services Connect initiative allows clients to walk into different agencies without duplicating paperwork. It allows the city to save costs, provide better

Impact on City & Real Estate Values IMPROVED EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC SERVICES

POTENTIAL FOR LOWER PROPERTY TAXES

REMOVE INEFFICIENT AMENITIES AND SAVE MONEY

AVOID LONG-TERM DECLINE IN VALUES

BETTER TRANSIT FLOW

MAY RAISE VALUES ON CITY PERIPHERY

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY IN CITY

MAKE CITY MORE ATTRACIVE AND SPUR RESIDENTIAL DEMAND

IMPROVED PUBLIC SERVICES AND SAFETY NET

LONG-TERM POSITIVE IMPACT ON POOR NEIGHBORHOODS

MORE EFFICIENT MUNICIPAL TAXATION

BETTER LOCAL SERVICES

services and even detect fraud.

SANTA CLARA, CA, USA: The drought in California prompted Santa Clara to retrofit its municipal irrigation system with sensors to more efficiently manage limited water supplies. The system is expected to save 180 million gallons of water.

LONDON, UK: Transport for London (TFL) uses ticketing data to build travel patterns across its rail and bus networks. This information helps in improving the network and assessing the impact of closures and diversions.

YINCHUAN, CHINA: Yinchuan is a smart city pilot project in China, with features such as facial recognition on buses, grocery delivery via apps and an online portal connecting doctors with patients.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: IBM has designed for the city an operations center that integrates data from 30 different agencies. These provide a foundation for valuable public safety services, including an early warning and evacuation system for Rio’s favelas.

SPAIN: Spain’s tax agency analyzed data from unmanned drones surveying 4,000 municipalities.

It discovered 1.69 million properties paying insufficient taxes on new construction, expansion and pools. The initiative brought in €1.2bn in additional taxes.

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THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

Creating Sustainable SMART CITIES Smart cities need to introduce technological solutions to issue of energy and resources, says Stuart Stock, Chief Information Officer, Veolia UK & Ireland

B

y 2050, it is estimated that 66 percent of the world’s population will live in cities. It’s a daunting thought and one that makes

the debate about ensuring future cities are both smart and sustainable increasingly urgent. At a time when the global population trend is ever upward, we need to ensure cities of the future will have streets that are clean and free of waste, there is enough energy to power our homes and access to clean drinking water.

A major change in thinking is needed, but by combining a circular approach based on reusing resources and creating green products and energy with the latest technological developments in waste, energy and water, the carbon impact of

By combining a circular approach based on reusing resources and creating green products and energy with the latest technological developments in waste, energy and water, the carbon impact of urban living can be reduced

urban living can be reduced.

Plastics This switch in mindset is happening already. In mid-2017, when

the water sector. Since 2015 we have helped Scottish Water

we opened Dagenham Plastics, it was pre-‘Blue Planet 2’ and

to extend the capability of Seafield WasteWater Treatment

plastics recycling was yet to penetrate the public consciousness

Works near Edinburgh which at times achieved full energy self-

in such a big way. Capable of recycling all the milk containers

sufficiency in 2017. This has been achieved by boosting the

in London, the facility exemplifies the opportunities to increase

renewable energy derived from a combination of anaerobic

our domestic reprocessing capacity and boost the green

digestion of sludge and biogas fired Combined Heat and Power

economy.

(CHP) plants.

Energy Cities will account for 80 percent of the increase in energy demand by 2030 and whilst substantial

Internet of Things Looking further ahead, new technology in the form of IoT (Internet of Things) is pushing the boundaries

improvements in commercial building energy

of operational performance and efficiency. In

efficiency will help counteract this, it is increasingly

cities the use of smart sensors to collect real-time

apparent that smart cities will need smart heat and

data that could not be accessed before means

power grids.

consumption patterns can now be forecast via

Every year Veolia recovers energy from waste and generates 1.1TWh of electricity – enough to power over 300,000 homes. These energy recovery facilities are

machine learning (e.g waste produced, energy used or even water usage and potential leakage).

The beauty of IoT is that you can test and learn fast in

based in cities like Leeds, Birmingham and London, and can be

order to scale. We can now monitor an entire treatment plant

the catalyst for district heating and private wire networks.

and identify equipment that is or isn’t working efficiently. At the

In Southwark, residents’ black bag waste is sorted to remove

other end of the scale sensors that help forecast how quickly

recyclates at the Integrated Waste Management Facility on the

individual bins on commercial or industrial premises fill up will

Old Kent Road, before being taken to the SELCHP (South East

allow collection efficiency to be optimised.

London Combined Heat & Power) facility. As well as generating

While there are more than 8bn devices connected globally

energy for the Grid, the new district heating network powered

today, it is estimated that by 2025, there will be ten times more

by SELCHP is creating hot water for 2,700 properties in local

connected things than people. We are just at the beginning of

housing estates and reducing CO2 emissions by 7,700tpa.

the journey, but taken in conjunction with a transition towards a

Water

circular economy the IoT will have a big role to play in the smart, sustainable cities of the future. I

Major improvements in sustainability are also happening in

info

- march / april 2018 - 39

What buildings can learn Building management systems hold a vast amount of information about their occupants, which can lead to improved wellbeing and efficiency, says Chris Irwin, VP of Sales Europe and Africa, Distech Controls

T

ypically, buildings are equipped

with real time room booking and

integrate control of HVAC, lighting and

with a range of devices that will

dedicated building mobile apps.

sunblinds, so that the user has only one

control heating, ventilation, air

user interface to learn.

conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security,

Wellbeing

energy management and other systems.

Adapting to a new focus on well-being

integrate with the various applications

All of these devices are controlled via

requires a shift in mind-set for building

used for meeting room booking,

a Building Management System (BMS),

operators who have historically been

concierge service, catering, car-pooling,

which traditionally adapts the settings

strongly focussed on operational and

etc. so that all data can be shared on

of each device to suit the environmental

energy cost reduction measures.

only one app. Building developers and

The BMS should seamlessly

There are many factors that

occupiers of large office towers are now

Now the BMS and its connected

collectively make a big difference to

requiring an app for the building, which

devices are becoming smarter. There is

an employee’s attitude towards and

provides all employees direct access to

so much more they can do, all helped by

experience of the office where he or she

a wide range of services in and around

the revolution that is the IoT (Internet of

works. These include the air quality, the

the buildings.

Things).

visual ambience, the lighting levels and

conditions.

Efficiency A smart BMS will also allow users to operate their buildings in a far more effective manner. For example, if building owners have access to real-time data on the occupancy of the office, they can open and close entire floor areas where no presence is detected as well as manage supplementary services such as cleaning and security more effectively. It means facilities managers

HVAC and lighting equipment within a commercial building can account for roughly 60 percent of total energy consumption

can easily check whether a room or floor has been used and adjust cleaning rotas accordingly saving time and money.

Similarly, traditional energy efficiency is dwarfed by the potential of the data

quality, the seating quality, the catering

a BMS can collect. Especially since

operation of a building and the actions

facilities, the availability and quality of

HVAC and lighting equipment within

of the occupants within the building:

exercise and showering facilities, and

a commercial building can account

their presence, movement patterns,

the ease of access to the building.

for roughly 60 percent of total energy

A BMS can provide data about the

and typical behaviour. This data can

The BMS can provide a comfortable

consumption. Ensuring the building

provide insights into the actual usage of

working environment by maintaining

services equipment is working at peak

a building and in turn empower users to

an appropriate temperature, humidity

performance can dramatically reduce

make further cost efficiencies.

and air quality. From a well-being

costs and save energy.

Collected data allows building

perspective, the provision of a high

Commercial buildings are becoming

owners and operators to offer occupant

quality, easy to use interface that

smarter and this has major benefits

services and help improve their well-

enables occupants to understand what

for building owners and occupants. It’s

being with personalised comfort.

the current conditions are and how

time we future-proofed all commercial

Furthermore, analytics applications

to adjust them is important, whether

buildings to improve occupancy comfort,

can help optimise space utilisation and

it be wall-mounted or via an app on

ensure operational efficiencies and

improve the building’s cost-effectiveness

their smartphone. The BMS should also

reduce energy consumption. I

40 - info - march / april 2018

THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

The Urban Campus Smart cities must develop in natural and organic ways, and the campus offers just such a model of development, says Michel Mossessian, Creative Director and CEO of Mossessian Architecture

T

he idea of an urban ‘campus’ seems foreign to the often

primarily a medium for conversations around people, life and

illogical and mismatched streets of London. But the

places with a long term sustainable future,’ says Mossessian.

development of once underused industrial wasteland

The tradition of urban campuses in Britain mainly encompasses

in London’s King’s Cross represents a new approach to city

provincial universities in the model of Oxford or Cambridge.

planning in the capital.

Campuses are also a model for the working environments in

There are now more than fifty new buildings on the 67-acre plot, including Google’s new headquarters, and the rumoured

Silicon Valley, whose companies are now occupying offices in King’s Cross.

new Facebook headquarters. The site boasts more than 19,000 flats, plus 26 acres of public space – and crucially a university.

According

to

the

architect

Michel

Mossessian, the King’s Cross approach to city planning and building should be central to smart city development.

‘There are two paradigms when it comes to retrofitting cities like London for the future. Either you build up, or you build out,’ says Mossessian, whose firm Mossessian Architecture designed two buildings for the site, including the ‘S2’, the 190,000 sq ft offices of Deepmind, Google’s recent AI acquisition.

‘My priority, when asked to contribute two new buildings, was to develop spaces that

The new development at King's Cross clusters buildings like a campus

both convey a strong sense of their own identity and express

‘The model of the university campus works on many levels, and

a relevance to, and continuum with, the public realm,’ says

it fosters interaction creatively and socially,’ says Mossessian.

Mossessian.

‘Universities are incubators for culture and innovation.’

‘Too often, public space is merely regarded as an absence,’

According to Mossessian, it was a stroke or genius (or possibly

he says. ‘I like to view public space as an entity in itself, and more

luck) that the plans for King’s Cross included a university at the

importantly, as an opportunity for presence.’

heart of the new development – an unusual step in a city where

The campus model

developers are often more attached to their margins than they are to civic or cultural institutions.

While isolated tall buildings are often the norm in London

The pride of place of the new University of the Arts London – and

developments, Mossessian notes the campus model offers

its public square and fountains – signals a departure from the

greater potential to smart cities that need to prioritise health

norm. According to Argent, the company that manages the site,

and wellbeing, as much as infrastructure, service and energy

establishing a university on the site defined a creative and lively

efficiencies.

tone, and was instrumental in attracting Google as tenants.

‘The solution for many of the issues facing cities is to create

Mossessian agrees: ‘It represents a paradigm of happiness

clusters where we can concentrate people in liveable and

and knowledge coming together. It also creates a paradigm for

workable areas,’ says Mossessian. ‘You multiply the uses of the

research and a start-up economy, which can come from the

public space in a natural way.’

concentration of happy people living and learning together in

It is a notion that forms a large part of the architect’s design

these scenarios.’

philosophy, which he describes as ‘architecture that adds value

It seems clear that there is an appetite for new models of city

and benefits society “beyond buildings.”’

planning – we will have to monitor the evolution of King’s Cross

‘Whether large- or small-scale, my view is that architecture is

to see how these new ideas play out. I

The solution for many of the issues facing cities is to create clusters where we can concentrate people in liveable and workable areas info

- march / april 2018 - 41

Finance to support A shift towards a low-carbon economy requires an estimated hundred trillion dollar investment until 2030, says Graham Smith, Director of the Sustainable Finance Unit, HSBC

H

SBC’s vision of the smart city combines technology-lead

to-machine technology (M2M) uses wireless sensors, cloud

infrastructure upgrades and, importantly, a focus on

computing and analytics software to effectively manage

sustainability.

everything in the building, from its lighting, HVAC, and even

While companies, institutions and investors are increasingly

incorporating climate change and other sustainability goals in

toilet paper use. By providing real-time monitoring, buildings can generate building savings by upwards of 15 percent.

decision-making, the financial sector has an important role to

Our new UAE Head Office in Dubai is an example of HSBC’s

play in matching investor appetite and global financing needs,

continued commitment to the principles of sustainability, and

in what is still an immature market.

features are designed to achieve a LEED gold rating. These

Actively

engaging

corporates

to

demonstrate

how

include; a high-performance façade and glazing; solar power for

sustainable finance and investment vehicles could suit their

hot water; AC and lighting controlled by occupancy; fresh air

strategies and developing specific products to meet transition

control by CO2 sensors; bicycle racks, showers and proximity

challenges will reduce the risks inherent in the transition away

to metro to encourage use of alternative transport, and others.

from carbon.

The following case studies detail some of our recent activities and insight gathering in key smart city areas.

Smart mobility Smarter mobility is not just about commuter convenience.

Transportation is responsible for 23 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions. And, unless policies change, that figure is expected to almost double by 2030. More efficient public transportation solutions – including trains, trams and buses – will not only reduce commute times, they can also cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce air pollution. For too long, urban data streams have been siloed, preventing intelligent transportation solutions from realising their potential. But new innovations are liberating transport data like never before. In New York, for example, the Drive Smart project uses an in-vehicle device to record GPS and vehicle telemetric data, route selection, driver behaviour and other information.

In Bogota, the centrepiece of the city’s transportation system is a new Korean smartcard ticketing system that makes mobility so much more seamless and efficient. Thanks to HSBC financing, the system now covers the entire city and includes new passenger information systems.

Smart Energy As the cost of energy storage continues to decrease and the

Smart buildings

need to incorporate renewable energy increases by the day, countries across the globe will funnel funds and resources into

The building and construction sector is responsible for around

the burgeoning market, which is estimated to exceed $250bn

30 percent of global energy consumption, according to the

globally by 2030.

World Green Building Council (WorldGBC). While there are

How much energy is 314 megawatts? Enough to power

500 net zero energy commercial buildings and 2,000 net zero

over 50,000 homes for 12 hours in South Africa, where HSBC

energy housing units worldwide, the WorldGBC estimates that

supported the financing of four photovoltaic power projects.

all new buildings must operate at net zero carbon by 2030 in

This important step toward providing a clean, renewable energy

order to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change

source will also help bring a bit of diversity to the country’s

to ensure the global temperature stays below 2 degrees.

energy supply.

Outfitting ‘smart technology’ in buildings will lead to

Other product-lead innovations include smart lamp posts.

significant reductions in energy use. For instance, machine-

As wireless sensors grow smaller and smaller, their capabilities

42 - info - march / april 2018

THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

sustainable goals will extend to ordinary infrastructure around cities. Lamp posts

population will live in cities, placing significant strain on existing

will be able to monitor activity around them and will turn on

infrastructure and energy use. All told, some say nearly USD57

only when people are passing by, reducing the overall energy

trillion is needed by 2030 to transform city infrastructure so it is

demand.

as intelligent, resilient and sustainable as it can be.

Innovations in building windows are also at the forefront of

Unprecedented cities need unexpected partnerships.

innovation. While solar panels have become less expensive and

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) allow multiple stakeholders

more efficient over the past few years, they still have trouble

– from local government officials and residents to IT services

generating energy in cities, as buildings are typically too tall

and internet companies – to jointly contribute to infrastructure

and narrow to maximise their potential to gather sunlight

upgrades. They share risk across different parties to unlock

from their roofs. Instead, researchers are creating transparent

opportunity, investment and innovation.

solar windows that will capture the sun’s light while still letting sunshine in.

One example: The Mexico City International Airport is embarking on an ambitious goal to become the world’s LEED Platinum-certified airport and be entirely carbon-neutral.

Smart Technology

When it is completed, the airport will operate with 100 percent

As the Internet of Things—the ever-growing online

renewable energy and reduce water and energy consumption

connection of devices, sensors and machines for example

by 30 and 40 percent, respectively. The new terminal will have

connected fridges that keep track of your food supplies—

the capacity to receive 57 million passengers annually, thus

becomes more prevalent, smart technology will reach more people across the globe.

Currently, there are approximately 1.84 IoT connected devices per person. By 2020, it’s estimated that that number could rise to 6.6 devices per person, or higher. As the IoT continues to expand and engulf traditionally unconnected appliances, technology and financial analysts forecast the added economic value of these devices could reach $15tr by the decade’s end.

Intelligent

transportation

systems,

which

encompass

everything from traffic management systems to smart signage, will change the way we interact with our surroundings. Today, the GPS smartphone app that directs you to bypass a major accident uses intelligent transportation systems. Tomorrow, these systems will be the tool that allows self-driving cars to dominate the roads.

Device-to-device communications opens the door to allowing a new set of smart technology to be achieved. If a light is always turned off just before a specific door is closed, this branch of smart technology will allow the light to remember this action, creating a self-generated behaviour to help reduce

reaching its ambition to be the most important transportation

energy usage.

hub in Latin America.

Smart infrastructure

District, sensors and digital controls are embedded throughout

As the cost of energy storage continues to decrease. Armed

the city’s infrastructure to monitor temperature, energy

with the right infrastructure, different systems within the city

consumption and traffic. It also boasts a waste system that

can communicate, enabling greater efficiency, sustainability and

doesn’t require trucks. A pneumatic tube system sucks up and

convenience. With sensors serving as eyes and ears, a city can

directs rubbish from residential buildings to a central sorting

be transformed into a dynamic organism.

facility, where it is either turned into energy or recycled. I

Another example: In the Songdo International Business

By 2050, an estimated 66 percent of the world’s

info

- march / april 2018 - 43

Keeping up with the Hosting half the world’s population on two percent of the planet’s surface poses a unique set of challenges says Mike Hughes, Regional President, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland

F

uture-proofing today’s cities, in the face of rapid population

cities at this scale require multi-level governance, expert

growth, aging infrastructure and the pace of technological

consultants, technology firms and vendors to make the concept

change has never been more important. Cities make up

a reality.

two percent of the world’s surface but house more than half

Most developed cities considering going ‘smart’ don’t have

of the world’s population and consume 75 per cent of energy

the time or expertise to rebuild from the ground up. They select

resources. By 2030, urban areas are projected to host 60

projects which make parts of their cities more efficient and

percent of people globally. Very soon, one in every three people

connected (such as their water systems, local or regional energy

will live in cities with at least half a million inhabitants, as the

grids or buildings) and work their way up to larger projects over

world’s population is expected to grow by over 1bn people over

time. These precincts or district-scale developments are not

the next thirteen years, reaching 8.6bn in 2030.

city-scale, but they are large enough to form multiple smart city

Is this pace of growth sustainable for urban centres and

domains and become a visible and useful reference point to

megacities like London or Paris? It can be, but only if we make

encourage future investment. Indeed, by working collaboratively

our cities ‘smarter.' Modern technologies and services can

with both public and private sectors, Schneider Electric has

and must help to improve cities’ efficiency, sustainability, and

successfully delivered smart city project applications to more

resilience.

than 250 cities worldwide.

‘EcoStruxure’ The key to our success is our EcoStruxure platform, a digital backbone connecting best-in-class Operations Technology (OT) solutions with the latest in Information Technology (IT). In addition to our operational aims, our projects unlock trapped value and tap into the true potential of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Taken literally, the IoT starts with the best ‘things’, like our IoT-enabled best-in-class connected products which include breakers, drives, UPSs, relays, sensors, and more.

We believe that devices with embedded intelligence drive better decision-making throughout operations.

Our

EcoStruxure

architecture

and

Infrastructure challenges

interoperable technology platform opens up the digital world by

For major cities, going ‘smart’ can be difficult. Aging city

bringing together energy, automation, and software to enhance

infrastructures pose connectivity and network management

a city’s existing legacy systems. It also provides enhanced value

challenges. At the same time, a 24/7 society and a wide array

around a host of challenges for large organisations, including

of IoT-enabled devices and electric vehicles (EV) are fuelling

safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity.

greater energy demand. While cities are tasked with improving

For a Smart City’s infrastructure, mission-critical scenarios

operational efficiencies, they do so with tightening budgets.

can be unpredictable, so control of devices at the edge of the

Critical infrastructure – such as hospitals, airports, schools and

IoT network is a must. This essential capability provides real-time

office buildings – must be reliable, sustainable and efficient

solutions that enable local control at the edge, protecting safety

whilst easily integrating with existing systems.

and uptime. Put simply, edge control is a way to streamline the

The sheer size and complexity of a truly integrated and

flow of data from IoT-connected devices, processing it closer

sustainable smart city, like the Naya Raipur project Schneider

to where it is created, and provide real-time local data analysis.

Electric is helping to build in India, requires a level of funding,

A range of apps, analytics and services such as Resource

expertise, organisation and planning that is hard to find. Smart

Advisor for sustainability management, Facility Advisor for

44 - info - march / april 2018

THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

pace of growth Making our cities ‘smarter’ is possible when we pursue incremental changes, surround ourselves with the best experts and partners, and follow best-practices from across the world building

Wonderware

oldest and largest centre for ophthalmic care, modernise its

integration software, complete the EcoStruxure platform,

performance

and

operation,

and

systems and infrastructure with our EcoStruxure for Healthcare

enabling the connection between many parts of a city’s

solution. By unifying hospital systems under a single platform

operational management technology in real-time.

and through real- time location systems technology, we helped

Cities can and should learn from each other and adopt

the hospital track staff and assets across its facilities. This

solutions that have proven successful elsewhere. For instance,

increased efficiency, reliability, and patient safety, while driving

the UK, with its pioneering renewable energy generation, can

considerable operational cost savings and helping the hospital

emulate the privately developed EUREF Innovation Centre in

meet its sustainability targets.

Berlin, where Schneider Electric has implemented AI-enabled

We see many opportunities for further ‘smart city’

microgrid, smart buildings, and EV charging technologies. The

investment in the UK, fuelled by a new generation of better-

campus has already met Germany’s 2050 climate targets.

trained talent entering the industry. Research centres, like the

Success at a district level can then be used to expand

Stroud and South Gloucester College, which boast state-of-the-

implementation at a wider city level.

art training facilities and an onsite renewables research hub will serve as a catalyst for UK success in low-carbon and renewable

British operations

technologies.

In the UK, Schneider Electric is working on several smart infrastructure

improvement

projects.

One

example

Sustainable power infrastructures, more efficient supply

is

chains and the survival of crucial services depend on smart

the Electricity North West project to install a Distribution

technologies. Making our cities ‘smarter’ is possible when we

Management System (DMS), designed to facilitate advances in

pursue incremental changes, surround ourselves with the best

power systems management and smart-grid automation. This

experts and partners, and follow best-practices from across the

will allow the region to digitally manage grid usage, and to react

world. For Schneider Electric, our smart cities projects embody

to local demand spikes in real-time.

our corporate mission to ensure Life Is On everywhere and for

We recently helped Moorfields Eye Hospital, Britain’s

everyone. I

Source: Schneider Electric, The secret to sustainable success report, 2017

info

- march / april 2018 - 45

Autonomous transport in SMART CITIES Autonomous technology is set to revolutionise the way we travel, says Alistair Gordon, chief executive of transport operator Keolis UK

T

ransport operators are currently faced

with

balancing

the

challenge

rising

of

passenger

numbers with demand for smarter, more accessible travel options. Coupled with the need to provide a seamless customer

experience

and

meet

sustainability targets, many are looking towards digital developments to provide a solution.

Autonomous

vehicles

are

being

hailed as the answer. They offer the potential

for

continuous

24-hour

transport, as well as improved safety by almost eliminating the risk of accidents through

human

error

–

[Autonomous vehicles] offer the potential for continuous 24hour transport, as well as improved safety by almost eliminating the risk of accidents through human error

currently

accounting for 90 percent of all road

and, as a result of our partnership, has

to see this technology incorporated

accidents.

been trialled all over the world to great

into public transport. Many operators

success.

are keen to replicate this and we’re

This doesn’t mean automation is compatible with every situation of course

In September 2016, we launched

beginning to see more tech companies

– it must complement, rather than

a year-long trial of the shuttle in Lyon -

demonstrate their own developments.

conflict with existing modes. But when

where Keolis is already responsible for

Mercedes-Benz for example, has begun

incorporated correctly, this technology

running the city’s integrated transport

to

has the potential to create an innovative

network - to operate a continuous

Bus to link the 20km stretch between

and integrated public transport network

service along a popular 1.35km stretch

Amsterdam-Schipol airport and Haarlem

for the future. It can provide a safe,

of designated road. The NAVLY trial,

in North Holland.

sustainable and consistent transport

as it was known, represented the first-

Signs that transport providers are

link to areas of a city which may be

time autonomous technology had been

finding ways to incorporate automation

infrequently served, or for the first and

actively used for public transport in a

into existing networks are extremely

last mile of a passenger’s journey – such

large city. The results were outstanding,

promising. But first, we need legislation

as airport terminals, universities or large

with

the

to catch up with this demand. Currently,

tourist attractions.

100,000-passenger target for the year

only a few countries in the world – France

and with positive feedback from locals

being one – allow autonomous vehicles

and stakeholders alike.

to operate along public roads. Without

Automated shuttles Keolis has always strived to be at the

ridership

far

exceeding

trial

its

semi-automated

Future

legal encouragement, development of

forefront of transport innovation and our

Worldwide roll-out

attitude towards autonomous vehicles is

The success of the NAVLY trial led us

no different – we already operate the

to take it worldwide, with the shuttles

We firmly believe that automation

UK’s only fully-automated network, the

used in cities such as Las Vegas, Paris,

will help create smarter, cleaner, safer,

Docklands Light Railway.

automated transport can only travel so far.

Sydney, Singapore and recently, London.

more integrated cities. As with any

a

In September 2017, Keolis and Navya

radical innovation, a concerted effort will

French

brought the shuttles to London Olympic

be needed from passengers, operators

company specialising in autonomous

Park – the first time the technology had

and local government alike, to help

systems, to help promote the NAVYA

been freely available to the British public,

integrate such a change and this is

ARMA shuttle for use within public

with hundreds using the service to ride

unlikely to happen overnight. But once

transport. Able to reach speeds of 28

around the park over the three-week

made, the opportunities to create a truly

mph and carry up to 15 people, this

period.

modern public transport network that

In

early

partnership

2016, with

we

Navya,

formed a

fully-autonomous, electric vehicle has

The popularity of these trials has

represented a significant leap forward

proven that passengers are excited

46 - info - march / april 2018

will support the cities of the future are endless. I

THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

Data making cities MOVE SMARTER Matteo de Renzi, Managing Director of Gett in the UK explains how ground transportation is undergoing a revolution

T

he last time you hailed a taxi, did you stick your hand out

Taxi sharing

at a passing vehicle? Or did you put your hand in your

Price elasticity and corporate account data are only two ways

pocket, reach for your smartphone and start tapping on

we’re making cities smarter. Taxi sharing is another – and

an app?

There has been a seismic shift towards hailing taxis and

has the potential to be truly transformative. The taxi market has traditionally been limited to single passengers or those

other vehicles via apps. London’s famous licensed black cabs

who self-coordinate – families or groups of friends agreeing

– or indeed the Taxis Parisien in Paris – can now be e-hailed via

to share. But we can now pool users into vehicles if they are

apps. My company, Gett, is exactly such a service.

travelling to the same or similar destinations.

On one level, this is nothing more than the electronic

Our Gett Together service does exactly that – running

equivalent of hailing; a

licensed taxis in London and

technological leap forward.

Manchester on fixed routes

What might this have to do

with passengers hopping on

with smart cities?

and off the ‘line’. Other tech companies in the space have

The simple answer is data

attempted dynamic routing - where the route isn’t fixed

Data is at the heart of the

but flexes to the cohort of

smart city revolution. Without

riders’ needs. This didn’t

it, we’re dumb, not smart. But

get traction with drivers or

the moment we move taxis

passengers but it shows how

onto an app we start to see

the industry is beginning to

valuable data. Who takes a

attempt real change with

taxi, and when? Where do the

smart technology.

journeys start and end? Where

This can reduce the

are the traffic hot spots? Where

number of vehicles on

is more supply (the taxis)

the roads – taking existing

needed to meet the demand

resources and improve

(the passengers)?

their utilisation. But this

Every day I see this live

kind of Demand Response

on a dashboard of the city

Transportation (DRT) is only

of London. The data set isn’t

possible with data. Once we

total – I see a view of Gett’s passengers and drivers – but the

have it, we can reduce congestion, tackle pollution, improve

insights are there. For the first time, it allows us to flex the

journey times and cut costs.

service. We adjust fares to reflect supply and demand – for the first time true supply and demand fare flexibility has come to a

Scalability

city’s taxi fares. The traditional taxi meter can’t deliver this. We

The future offers even more – DRT replacing low volume, loss

also flex incentives for both passengers and drivers to ensure

making bus routes or delivering the final miles of a journey

that supply and demand balance.

where it is inefficient to run a 100-seater bus. Hospital

This is all done in the interests of keeping the city flowing

transportation – a huge cost burden for health services around

– taxis are at the heart of a city’s transport network. Data also

the world – is another area where technology and data can

benefits our corporate clients – one of the biggest challenges

deliver.

for corporate travel account managers is employees using

When it comes to ground transportation, cities are getting

apps outside of an account and then expensing the receipt. It

smarter – and it’s thanks to the data that technology provides.

means there is virtually no data available at all. Gett solves that

Data is everything – it tells you what your city needs to know. I

and helps to modernise corporate travel.

If you’d like to try Gett, download the app from your app store; use coupon code GettInfo for £5 off your first three rides (new customers only) in 2018.

info

- march / april 2018 - 47

Flexible Working in the SMART OFFICE Majencia, a French leader in office furniture and workplace design, is evolving the physical workplace

W

hat social changes do businesses need to adapt

the number of areas dedicated to well-defined activities. Staff

to? How do you improve the motivation of each

members can choose the space best suited to their task at a

employee? What conditions are required to

given moment, whether they are having a meeting, having a

stimulate innovation? These questions have become vital for

coffee, looking for a quiet place to work, relaxing or making a

any business looking for lasting improvements to performance

phone call.

and productivity.

Workplace design must be able to offer solutions for social and technological changes and new work practices, putting

Multi-space also enables different types of work to coexist together in the same office.

Another aim of this new type of design is to promote

people back at the heart of it all and helping businesses meet

mobility and interactions. Three out of five employees work on

their strategy.

the move, making it essential to take this method of working

Studies have shown the inextricable link between the

into account. Along with other solutions, multi-space makes it

design of tertiary spaces in the workplace and well-being at

possible to change positions regularly. Employees can switch

work. Although this primarily depends on human relationships,

between standing in conference rooms, sitting or even lying on

other important factors include the workspace being used,

a sofa.

effective acoustic design and the quality of common areas at work.

Indeed, 92 percent of employees state that design has an

Design ethos We believe that design adapts to meet the needs of teams –

impact on their well-being, according to the Actineo Barometer

not the other way around. Offices are a living and breathing

index.

environment that must reflect creativity and movement,

Multi-space working

promote collective intelligence, and create synergy between the different talents in the business.

Flexible workspaces offer a new way to structure office

Of course, multi-space working can impose a challenge on

environments and work, while meeting new expectations.

employees who are unprepared for changes in their work. As

We call these new office environments ‘multi-space,’

for any new organisational method, employees need to be

and feel that they best meet the requirements of new

supported through the change in order for the design project

collaborative and smart work practices, while avoiding

to be a success.

some of the inconveniences of open spaces (noise, lack of

To this end, Majencia has developed a programme designed to

workstation privacy, increased stress, etc.). They can also offer

support its clients in understanding organisational and human

a financial benefit, as they reduce the real estate costs for each

challenges. The ‘Mobilité Sociale Connectée’ (Connected

employee.

People's Mobility) programme is based on four themes: Health,

In traditional offices, open office space is limited to benches and meeting/conference areas. Multi-space increases

Freedom, Community and Synergy.

We then translate these four themes into design principles. The importance given to each theme varies from one organisation to another. By identifying the most relevant levers, businesses can move towards an optimised performance ecosystem.

This programme is combined with an auditing tool that helps Majencia support its clients prior to any design considerations in order to jointly draw up a made-to-measure and sustainable workplace design project in line with the corporate culture and values of the business.

The end goal is creating a work environment where quality

©Majencia / Sanofi HQ

of life, wellbeing and performance come together. I

Ninety-two percent of employees state that design has an impact on their well-being 48 - info - march / april 2018

THE R I SE OF THE SMART CIT Y – FOCUS

Making sense of the Smart City requires exploring beyond the ever-changing daily press. INFO presents the best longreads and long-listens, which help shape the conversation

READ Edward Glaeser: Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier (2011) Glaeser, a Harvard professor of economics, has spent several decades investigating the role cities play in fostering human achievement. Glaeser’s contention is that cities spur innovation by facilitating face-to-face interaction, they attract talent and sharpen it through competition, they encourage entrepreneurship, and they allow for social and economic mobility.

James S. Russel: The Agile City: Building Well-Being and Wealth in an Era of Climate Change (2011) Russell’s book is a powerful analysis of the development forces and environmental impacts that today affect and control the growth of cities. It offers a great overview of the field and describes well the roles played by many leading thinkers in the world of urban development and environmental design.

Anthony M. Townsend: Smart Cities: Big Data, Civic Hackers, and the Quest for a New Utopia (2013) In Smart Cities, urbanist and technology expert Townsend takes a broad historical look at the forces that have shaped the planning and design of cities and information technologies from the rise of the great industrial cities of the nineteenth century to the present, and looks to the future of the city as it becomes ‘smarter’ than every before.

Caspar Herzberg: Smart Cities, Digital Nations: Building Smart Cities in Emerging Countries and Beyond (2017) Herzberg is President of Schneider Electric Middle East and Africa, and has spent the best part of the last decade pioneering digital solutions for cities and countries across China, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Here he explains how ambitious new city plans across the world are moving from the drawing board into reality.

PODCASTS

CityCast: The smart cities podcast from CityVerve In twelve instalments, host Ian Kennedy, who serves as VP for the EMEAR region at Cisco, tackles topical subjects and issues around smart cities.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/2HcTReI

TED TALKS

Peter Calthorpe: TedTalk: ‘7 principles for building better cities’ (2017) Calthorpe advocates for community design that is focused on human interaction, and shares seven universal principles for solving sprawl and building smarter, more sustainable cities.

Watch here: http://bit.ly/2fPJC6S

CLASSIC READ Jane Jacobs: The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961) This 1961 book by Jane Jacobs turned the world of city planning on its head. The author, who possessed no formal training in architecture or city planning, relied on personal observations of her surroundings in Greenwich Village in New York City to supply ammunition for her charges against the mainstream of the architectural profession.

info

- march / april 2018 - 49

It’s all about connections W ho we are

W hat we offer

> The largest foreign Chamber

> The strength of a network

of Commerce in the UK

> The ideal platform to exchange

> 134 years of experience

with decision makers

> 600 members ranging from

> A wealth of information and

SMEs to Blue Chip companies

experience

in all sectors > Half of our members are non French

> Bespoke solutions to develop your business > Access to the right people

www.frenchchamber.co.uk For more information, please contact Justine Kaouane Membership Department e:jkaouane@ccfgb.co.uk t: +44 (0) 207 092 6638

CULTURE – WHAT'S ON A SELECTION OF RECOMMENDED CULTURAL EVENTS

N AT I O N A L GA L L ERY, LO N D O N

In a landmark show at the National Gallery– the first purely Monet exhibition to be staged in London for more than twenty years – there is a unique and surprising opportunity to discover the artist as we have never seen him before.

We typically think of Claude Monet as a painter of landscape, of the sea, and in his later years, of gardens – but until now there has never been an exhibition considering his work in terms of architecture.

Featuring more than seventy-five paintings

by Monet, this innovative exhibition spans his long career from its beginnings in the mid-1860s to the public display of his Venice paintings in 1912. As a daring young artist, he exhibited in the Impressionist shows and displayed canvases of the bridges and buildings of Paris and its suburbs. Much later as an elderly man, he depicted the renowned architecture of Claude Monet, The Grand Canal (Le Grand Canal), 1908. Oil on canvas Venice and London, reflecting them back to us through his exceptional vision. More than a quarter of the paintings in 'The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Monet & Architecture' come from private collections around the world; works little-known and rarely exhibited. I From 9 April to 29 July 2018 / Open daily from 10am to 6pm, until 9pm on Friday / Tickets available from £10

TAT E B RI TA I N, LO N D O N The EY Exhibition: Picasso 1932 – Love, Fame, Tragedy This is the first ever solo Pablo Picasso exhibition at Tate Modern. It will bring you face-to-face with more than 100 paintings, sculptures and drawings, mixed with family photographs and rare glimpses into his personal life.

Three of his extraordinary paintings featuring his lover MarieThérèse Walter are shown together for the first time since they were created over a period of just five days in March 1932.

The myths around Picasso will be stripped away to reveal the man and the artist in his full complexity and richness. You will see him as never before. I From 8 March until 9 September 2018 / Open daily from 10am to 6pm, until 10pm on Friday and Saturday / Tickets available from £20

© Succession Picasso/DACS London, 2018

© Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Gift of Osgood Hooker 1960.29

The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Monet & Architecture

Pablo Picasso, Le Rêve (The Dream), 1932.

Private collection

info

- march / april 2018 - 51

CULTUR E – WHAT ' S ON

M USEU M O F LO N D O N London Visions: Exaggerated realities for possible futures

© SURE Architecture Limited

The future has never felt closer than it does today and speculation about London’s future is once again at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Where once the visions of tomorrow’s world would involve intergalactic invasions or holidays on Mars, today’s contemporary narratives focus more on a future based on issues we currently face.

London Visions depicts fantastical realities seen through the eyes of artists, architects and designers, each expressing their own unique scenarios on tomorrow’s world. They project exaggerated scenarios based on climate change, the future of work, the everyday life, politics and hypothetical cityscapes.

Through a series of video installations, architectural narratives and video games, the display visualises deconstructed worlds and abstract models of theoretical scenarios for London. I Until 15 April 2018 / Open daily from 10am to 6pm / Free

Left: Endless City

ROYA L AC A D E MY, LO N D O N

King Charles I amassed one of the most extraordinary art collections of his age, acquiring works by some of the finest artists of the past – Titian, Mantegna, Holbein, Dürer – and commissioning leading contemporary artists such as Van Dyck and Rubens.

Yet, following the king’s execution in 1649, his collection was sold off and scattered across Europe. While many works were retrieved by Charles II during the Restoration, others now form the core of museums such as the Louvre and the Prado.

Charles I: King and Collector reunites the greatest masterpieces of this magnificent collection for the first time. Celebrating its breadth and grandeur, it includes over 100 works of art, ranging from classical sculptures to Baroque paintings, and from exquisite miniatures to monumental tapestries. I Until 15 April 2018 / Open daily from 10am to 6pm, until 10pm on Friday / Tickets available from £18

© Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018 Exhibition organised in partnership with Royal Collection Trust

Charles I: King and Collector

Anthony van Dyck (1599–1641), ), Charles I in Three Positions, 1635–36, Oil on canvas.

VI C TO RI A A N D A L B ERT M USEU M , LO N D O N

© Victoria & Albert Museum

Ocean Liners: Speed and Style review

Normandie in New York (1935-39), Collection French Lines 52 - info - march / april 2018

Re-imagine the golden age of ocean travel with the major new exhibition, Ocean Liners: Speed & Style, sponsored by Viking Cruises. Co-organised by the V&A in London and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, it is the first ever exhibition to explore the design and cultural impact of the ocean liner on an international scale.

Ocean Liners: Speed & Style will showcase over 250 objects, including paintings, sculpture, and ship models, alongside objects from shipyards, wall panels, furniture, fashion, textiles, photographs, posters and film. It will display objects never-before-seen in Europe, and reunite objects not seen together since on-board these spectacular vessels, which revolutionised ocean travel from the mid-19th century to the late 20th century. I Until 10 June 2018 / Open daily from 10am to 5.45pm; until 10pm on Friday / Tickets available from £18

THESE BOOKS, RECENTLY PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH, WERE SELECTED BY THE FRENCH INSTITUTE IN THE UK

LULLABY

LIVE BETTER AND LONGER

by Leïla

by Michel

Slimani Published by Faber&Faber Translated by Sam Taylor Original title: Chanson douce

Cymes

Published by Quercus Original title: Vivez

mieux et plus

longtemps

When Myriam, a French-Moroccan lawyer, decides to return

France's favourite and most celebrated doctor gives the most

to work after having children, she and her husband look for

up-to-date and easy-to-follow advice on living a healthier life, for

the perfect caretaker for their two young children. They never

longer, in this huge bestseller that has taken the country by storm.

dreamed they would find Louise: a quiet, polite and devoted

Did you know that pomegranates help reduce dental plaque? That

woman who sings to their children, cleans the family’s chic

fridges are germ factories? That those little everyday movements

apartment in Paris’s upscale tenth arrondissement, stays late

can wreck your back? This French mega-bestseller reveals the

without complaint and is able to host enviable birthday parties.

truth about healthy living, and why it's never too late. I

The couple and nanny become more dependent on each other.

But as jealousy, resentment and suspicions increase, Myriam and Paul's idyllic tableau is shattered. I

A WALK THROUGH PARIS

by Eric

Hazan Published by Verso Books Translated by David Fernbach Original title: Une traversée de Paris

WOMAN AT SEA

by Catherine

Poulain Cape Translated by Adriana Hunter Original title: Le grand Marin Published by Jonathan

Eric Hazan, author of the acclaimed The Invention of Paris, leads

Lili is a runaway. She’s left behind her native France to go in

us by the hand in this walk from Ivry to Saint-Denis, roughly

search of freedom, adventure and life. Her search takes her to

following the meridian that divides Paris into east and west, and

Kodiak, Alaska, home to a ragtag community of fishermen, army

passing such familiar landmarks as the Luxembourg Gardens, the

vets and drifters who man the island’s fishing fleet. Despite her

Pompidou Centre, the Gare du Nord and Montmartre, as well as

tiny frame, faltering English and lack of experience, Lili lands

little-known alleyways and arcades. Filled with historical anecdotes,

a job on board the Rebel, the only woman on the boat. Out

geographical observations and literary references, Hazan’s walk

on the open sea, everything is heightened: colours are more

guides us through an unknown Paris. He shows us how, through

vivid, sounds are louder and the work is harder than anything

planning and modernisation, the city’s revolutionary past has been

she's ever known. The terrifying intensity of the ocean is

erased in order to enforce a reactionary future; but by walking and

addictive to the point of danger. But Lili is not alone: in her

observation, he shows us how we can regain our knowledge of

fellow crewmembers she finds kindred spirits – men living on

the radical past of the city of Robespierre, the Commune, Sartre

the edge, drawn to extremes. Based on Catherine Poulain’s own

and the May ’68 uprising. And by drawing on his own life story,

experiences, and written in taut, muscular prose, Woman at Sea

as surgeon, publisher and social critic, Hazan vividly illustrates a

cuts through the noise of life and straight to the heart of our

radical life lived in the city of revolution. I

innermost longings. I

info

- march / april 2018 - 53

LIFE S T YLE – WINE

THE Wine Story OF GI GONDAS Thibault Lavergne, founder of the distributor Wine Story, explores the rich history of this Rhône Valley wine

O

ne can find the wines of Gigondas in the southern part of the Rhône Valley, 15 kilometres east of the former Roman colonial city of Orange. Yet despite

their Roman and medieval roots, wines of the Gigondas gained popularity in the mid-19th century, thanks to the investment and the dedication of the politician and

natural scientist Eugène Raspail.

Having returned from Italy, where he was living in exile for holding republican views, Raspail set to making wine on inherited and acquired land throughout the 1860s, and began to produce excellent results. However an outbreak of phylloxera insects in 1870 all but devastated his crops. Without it, Raspail may have succeeded to put Gigondas in the cellar of every wine connoisseur in his life time.

ROYAL CONNECTIONS The Gigondas we know today – with its deep, subtle and silky tannins – was resurrected in the 1950s by a collective of winemakers under the name Cave de vignerons de Gigondas, becoming the first wine from the region to obtain protected status.

This isn’t the wine’s only honour. It has links to the monarchies of both England and Holland, through Catharina-Amalia, heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the King of England William III (1650-1702). Both the Dutch princess and the late English king hold the title of Prince of Orange – the Gigondas bottle traditionally bears the coat of arms of their title.

A bit more history: The principality of Orange, which became French in 1713, gave its name to the reigning Protestant Dutch family, the Orange-Nassau. Nearby, the bottle of the famous other local Cru, the Chateauneuf-du-Pape situated in an area owned by the Popes until the French Revolution bear the Papal Mitre.

EU REGULATION Going farther back in time, the land which now produces the Gigondas was once a Dutch enclave on papal land (itself an enclave in the French Kingdom.) As 16th century Europe was enflamed by religious wars, the local trade and agriculture suffered under the conflicts, and the local wine production was at risk.

To counter the uncertainty, locals created a rural code for good practice in farming and trading in 1592. These communal statues, which were enforced until the French Revolution, give a unique insight into how the Gigondas evolved into the wine we know today – mainly red, with some rosé. The statue forbade producers and merchants to sell the wine in bulk to foreign buyers (encompassing other French regions) at a lesser cost.

Incidentally, the details of the eighty-three rules are so exhaustive that they would put the current Brexit attitude toward EU regulation to shame.

CONTEMPORARY FLAVOURS Today, local producers can export their wines at a good price to the world. One such producer, the domaine de La Roubine so in, produce a blend of 70 percent Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grape varieties on five hectares of certified organic vineyard. Their wine is aromatic and powerful, yet smooth.

Its balance is favourable for storage, but still offers a fruity and fresh taste. Gigondas would be ideally paired with local Lamb and venison. I Thibault Lavergne

TO ORDER THE ABOVE-MENTIONED WINES AND OTHERS, CONTACT: E: thibault@winestory.co.uk T: +44 (0)7921 770 691 W: www.winestory.co.uk

54 - info - march / april 2018

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE FRENCH AND BRITISH IN BUSINESS

“Fascinating bilingual guide... full of shrewd insights into both sides’ codes.”

- The Financial Times

£6

Meetings may not start until the most senior person arrives.

Meetings start on time.

A meeting is a debate.

A meeting is a process.

Latecomers enter, shake hands with everyone present, and then sit down.

“Non c’est impossible” – often means “start convincing me”.

• ••

Latecomers slip in quietly, apologise and sit in the nearest available seat.

“No, I’m afraid that it really is impossible” usually means just that. Non-negotiable.

•••

AT THE CHAMBER

A

s

annual

Reaching out and connecting to our

Forums and Clubs (see page 67).

activities report for last year,

we

prepare

our

network of French companies and

Looking ahead, we will host a Member to

due out soon, we are pleased to

stakeholders throughout the country in

Member event (see opposite) on 24 April.

announce another successful fiscal year

innovative and inspiring ways is a top

It is a premier networking opportunity

at the Chamber. Despite a challenging

priority. We are excited to inform you

for up to 250 participants with the

and uncertain economic climate, we

that we are now putting the finishing

chance to discover up to twenty-five

achieved a strong set of financial results,

touches

newly-designed

exhibitors – a highlight in the Chamber’s

which were very much supported by

website – more details soon – and have

busy calendar. This will be followed by a

the growing demand for our Business

recently

Support Services. A recent expansion in

informative

on

our

monthly

Business Stories event, featuring talks

The

re-

by two leading entrepreneurs, who will

the department has now increased the

designed format enhances the visibility

reflect on successes and challenges in

visibility and reputation of the service

of all our Patron, Corporate and Active

their careers. The event will be held at

to already attract a wide range of new

members, while continuing to promote

the Microsoft Reactor London on 26

clients.

the great Chamber activities that you

April.

Indeed, demand for all of our services

need to know about.

And of course, not to be missed, is our

remains strong. The continued success

Our Membership Department is as

annual Franco-British Conference on

of our Business Centre – a twenty-desk

busy as ever, with new members joining

16 May. This year the conference will be

rental service now at full occupancy –

the Chamber from a variety of industries

on the theme of Retail, and will feature

is also indicative that French interest

and sectors. One notable development

a day of keynotes and panel discussions

to develop business in Britain remains

is a growing interest from a range of

addressing the key issues confronted

Service

Fintech companies and start-ups, thanks

by retailers in Britain. Organised by

continues to expand with new offers,

to a changing business climate and also

our Events Team with the valued

including CV and LinkedIn workshops

the potential we can see from a referral

sponsorship of HSBC and Econocom,

for job seekers. These one-day sessions

relationship with London & Partners,

we will return to the contemporary

focus on the key ways to find, and

the promotional company for the capital.

Havas LuxHub venue for this exciting

secure, the right job – and introduces

These exciting developments will bolster

potential applicants to the many job

our activity as we continue to grow our

event. We look forward to welcome you there. I SB

roles identified and made available

membership in 2018 – and, in parallel

through our recruitment team each year.

offer new and innovative themes for our

strong.

Our

Recruitment

56 - info - march / april 2018

re-launched

our

newsletter.

NE WS – AT THE CHAMBE R

Chamber welcomes new co - chair of the HR Forum

T

he Chamber is pleased to announce the appointment of Melanie Stancliffe, Employment Partner at Irwin Mitchell, as co-chair of the HR Forum, alongside Pia Dekkers, Human Resources Director at Chanel. Stancliffe replaces Jean-Baptiste Aloy, Executive Director- Employee Research at Ipsos MORI. Melanie, who is Joint Head of the Irwin Mitchell French Group, specialises in providing practical employment advice to businesses, directors, partner/members and employees, particularly to clients in the financial services and technology sectors. She has 18 years’ experience in this area and has expertise in negotiating contracts and settlement agreements. She advises boards on their business structures and throughout reorganisation proceedings. She also assists businesses on making their acquisitions and Melanie Stancliffe sales.

Employment Partner, Melanie’s priorities for the HR Forum include aiding fellow members to share their experience and Irwin Mitchell knowledge as they tackle the new challenges of Brexit, AI, employee engagement and the increasing demands on employers. She is thrilled to be working more closely with Pia and the Chamber in the next stage of the Forum’s journey. ‘I am honoured to co-chair the Forum. As a long-term member of the Chamber, I wish to continue the excellent work done already and assist its members going forward,’ she said.

Chamber announces New Advisor y Councillors

T

he Advisory Council consists of up to 66 members – including the Directors of the Board – and hosts three sessions a year with a view to advising the management of the Chamber on strategic decisions. The role of the Advisory Council is to increase the effectiveness of the Chamber by actively participating in and leading its activities as well as recruiting new members.

Robert Carey Strategy and Network Director, easyJet

Jean-François Cécillon Managing Director & Senior Advisor, Waddington Custot Galleries Ltd

All the best for Manon Chauvin!

A

fter six years at the Chamber, Manon Chauvin will be leavening to pursue exciting new opportunities abroad. We wish her every success on her journey! She will be succeeded in her role of Accounts Assistant

by Valene de Nardo.

Take part in our Member 2 Member Offers Programme 2018!

MEMBER

MEMBER

OFFER A DISCOUNT TO FELLOW MEMBERS

I

ncentivise your fellow members to utilise your products and services by featuring an exclusive offer or discount on our Member 2 Member Offers site for a full year! Free as well as premium options are available. For further information, please contact Justine Kaouane, jkaouane@ccfgb.co.uk Communication will be launched for these offers at the Member 2 Member Cocktail & Exhibition on 24 April from 18.00-20.30, at Bush House. There are still spaces remaining to exhibit. For further information, please contact Suzanne Lycett, slycett@ccfgb.co.uk

info

- march / april 2018 - 57

NEW SPONSOR OF THE BREXIT FORUM:

ESCP EUROPE BUSINESS SCHOOL The Chamber is pleased to announce that ESCP Europe Business School (London) is now sponsoring the regular meetings of the Chamber’s Brexit Forum. Here INFO speaks to its Dean, Simon Mercado Why is ESCP Europe interested to sponsor a forum on the topic of Brexit?

Like any effective business school, we focus on the hottest issues for business and industry. The more international the issue, the more able we are to make positive contribution and to support debate and discussion.

It is absolutely fitting that ESCP Europe, which has had a strong voice on Brexit, associates itself as sponsor and works with the Chamber to advance its work and agenda in this area

Through a little patronage and practical support, we want to help the member organisations of the Chamber - our

European Parliament President, Nicole Fontaine, on a ground-

friends, clients and partners - to deal with Brexit strategically

breaking book assessing the potential for Brexit to open a new

and proactively. Through the forum and its wider activities, the

phase in EU development.

Chamber is providing our sectors and organisations with great insight and reportage on this major development.

It is absolutely fitting that ESCP Europe, which has had a

The School also has an outstanding European & International Institute (based in Paris) that acts as a think tank on major international issues including Brexit. Personally, I've

strong voice on Brexit, associates itself as sponsor and works

been lucky enough to write for INFO magazine on the subject

with the Chamber to advance its work and agenda in this area.

and to plug Brexit related commentary into corporate training modules for the likes of Saint-Gobain and our international

What kinds of activities does ESCP Europe undertake in

client group.

respect to Brexit?

The School in London has launched a ‘Rethinking Europe’

What does membership in the Chamber mean to ESCP

Series to look at the major developments effecting business

Europe?

and business markets on our continent. Brexit has been

The School is a long-standing member and an active one. We

the natural focus and we have run successful seminars in

enjoy the friendship and expertise of our peers from all sectors

Westminster and on campus in NW London working co-

and the opportunity to stay abreast of the latest developments

operatively with Delville Management Consulting and other

in government, industry and finance. Through its various

parties.

programmes and mechanisms, the Chamber offers us so

Our student societies have been active on the subject and

much of what we need as an engaged and connected business

many of our faculty have offered their views on the subject

school. I

from customs unions to labour law. Our students have been

For coverage of the latest Brexit Forum, please see page 14

at the heart of a unique project too, working with former

in this issue.

58 - info - march / april 2018

NE WS – AT THE CHAMBE R

THE BUSINESS CENTRE: A SPRINGBOARD INTO THE UK Aimed at French start-ups, entrepreneurs and SMEs that are developing their business in the UK, the French Chamber’s 20-desk Business Centre is currently home to 11 companies. Meet Crystal Finance, the wealth and estate advisory firm

Stanislas Steadman, Consultant UK & Ireland, CRYSTAL FINANCE What does Crystal Finance do?

Crystal Finance is a French Wealth and Estate Advisor (Cabinet de Conseil en Gestion de Patrimoine Indépendant) that assists and advises their French clients on the architecture of their wealth and estate in general.

Ever since its creation in 1992, the Montpellier-based company has focused on advising French people working outside of France, starting with Central Africa and the Middle East.

Twenty-five years later, the company has expanded all over the world and now has hubs in five continents with 35,000 clients in 60 different countries; making it the largest French estate advisor for non-residents.

The concept of the founders is simple: Help French expatriates with the organisation of their wealth in France, to facilitate a future return to their home country, or to simply invest there.

Only after analysing their clients’ estate and identifying their goals (short to long term) can consultants at Crystal Finance advise their client on the allocation of their global wealth (whether it involves investing in Real Estate, in the Financial Markets or in protected interest-linked products). From there, finding the best economically viable product given the country of residence, the applicable law and the client’s personal objectives is where the expertise of Crystal Finance is key.

The company’s other particularity is that, despite its substantial size, it remains independent in their advice and choices of product providers, focusing primarily on finding the best solution for their non-resident clients.

Why did the company decide to come to the UK? After developing more hubs far from France (Tahiti, Reunion island, the Caribbean, Japan, Hong Kong etc), the company started expanding in European countries. We realised that, despite being closer to France, French nationals still need advice and assistance in understanding the impact of their country of residence on their global estate. And French UK-residents are no exception. Whether it is to prepare for retirement, invest in France, prepare for inheritance, understand the applicable law of their wedding contracts or understand bilateral taxes and agreements, finding the right company and the right person to get advice from is difficult.

The French consulate in London estimates between 300,000 and 400,000 French citizens live in London. Many of these people are in need of objective and independent advice on their wealth and estate; especially since the Brexit vote.

What would be your top tip for French companies entering the UK market?

Understanding the need and the specifics of the UK market is necessary, especially as competition is tough in this particular market. Getting help and information from organisations such as the French Chamber of Commerce in GB can be a good way to succeed in entering the market. People living in London are generally used to a very high level of products and services, and adapting the company’s offer to this demanding community is important to a successful start in the UK market.

The find out more about the Chamber’s Business Centre, please contact Sophie Bosc, Account Manager, sbosc@ccfgb.ac.ukm or 0207 092 6628

info

- march / april 2018 - 59

NEW MEMBERS 3 NEW CORPORATE MEMBERS ALSTOM TRANSPORT UK & IRELAND Alstom Builds Trains, Infrastructure and Signalling Represented by Nick Crossfield, Managing Director UK & Ireland Alstom has been part of the rail industry in the UK for over a century. We provide the widest range of solutions in the market, from high-speed trains, metros and tramways to maintenance, infrastructure and signalling. From Pendolinos on the West Coast Main Line to London tube trains. We recently opened a new technology centre and training academy in Widnes. alstom.com/uk ARKADIN UK Cloud Communications Expert Represented by Alexis Cornu Thenard, Managing Director – Online Business Arkadin provides businesses with online collaboration solutions using audio, web and unified communication tools. arkadin.co.uk EMPEROR DESIGN CONSULTANT Leading Uk Corporate Communications agency Represented by Valentin Ramousse, Account Director Emperor is one of the UK's leading Corporate Communication agencies, with a network of five UK offices, one in Dubai and a presence in Moscow. With over 20 years of experience, our services include Corporate Reporting, Investor Relations Communications, Branding, Digital, Employee Engagement and Sustainability Reporting. www.emperor.works

11 NEW ACTIVE MEMBERS 1001 Remedies – Wellbeing remedies: glamorous experience & active ingredients - www.1001remedies.com Represented by Sofia Belcadi, Co-Founder & CEO Baglioni Hotel London – Luxury, Italian Boutique Hotel in Kensington - www.baglionihotels.com Represented by Valentine Semeria, Sales Manager KellyDeli – European Leader for Fully-Serviced Sushi Bars - www.kellydeli.com Represented by Olivier Mougin, Group Finance Director Les Bougies de Charroux LTD – Handmade Scented Candles - boisetbougies.com Represented by Jean-Paul Corgnet, CEO Lifeline Language Services Ltd – Written Translation, Spoken Interpreting, Media - www.lifelinelanguageservices.co.uk Represented by Lynn Everson, Managing Director OPUS-4 LOGISITICS LTD – Design, Manage and Fit-Out Offices - www.opus-4.com Represented by Nicolas Sablier, Fit-Out Consultant Overseas Business & Development – HR, Educational & Strategic Consultancy Represented by Vincent Martin, President PSG Networks – Voice & Data Solutions for Business - www.psgnetworks.com Represented by Thomas Murphy, Operations Director SMD+ – Consultancy practice for constractors, property developer, architects and technology sectors - www.smdplus.co.uk Represented by Sylvie Milosevic, Founder & Director TWID Design – Brand Designers - www.twid-design.com Represented by Nicolas Benistan, Founder Vanessa Seward – Women's Ready-to-Wear - www.vanessaseward.com Represented by Michelle Urvall-Nyrén, Brand Manager 60 - info - march / april 2018

START-UP & SME CLUB

LEGAL WORKSHOP:

Business Structure and Intellectual Property Legal and IP advice should be prioritised in any business, heard the Start-up & SME Club

T

he latest Start-up & SME Club

informal advice, for

welcomed two guest speakers,

example the London

Jon Snade, Partner, Browne

Open Coffee meet ups.

Jacobson and Andrew Hilton, UK and

For some legal

European Patent Attorney, Haseltine

services, there

Lake LLP, to speak about legal

are free template

issues and support available to small

documents available

businesses and entrepreneurs.

online, including

The session was co-chaired by

founders agreements,

Sébastien Goldenberg, CEO and Co-

advisor agreements,

Founder, TheHouseShop.com, and

IP assignments and

Jeanne Monchovet, Founder and

fundraising term sheets.

Principal Consultant of Olystix.

Two such providers are

The legal overview

seedsummit.org and lawdepot.co.uk.

Browne Jacobson’s ‘Grow’

a result of its contours, colours, shapes, materials or its ornamentation. Designs

Jon Snade, Partner at Browne Jacobson,

programme is tailored to helping small

cover a broad range of products, and

outlined some of the key areas where

businesses in the development. They

can be used to protect the appearance

new and small businesses may benefit

offer an advisor, use of client meeting

of a vehicle, the design of packaging,

– or indeed require –legal input and

rooms, and training to potential clients.

the layout of a webpage, or the cut of a

support. They include shareholder

They also offer fixed fees, which can

garment, for example.

agreements and articles of associations,

help small businesses effectively budget

Trademarks are signs used in trade to

official company records (Company

for their legal spend.

identify products. Trademarks serve to

House), and hiring and firing staff. They

distinguish goods and services within

also include customer and supplier

Intellectual Property

contracts, website terms and conditions,

Andrew Hilton, patent attorney at

and can include words, logos, colours

and selling your business or raising

Haseltine Lake, gave an overview of

and sounds.

investment.

intellectual property (IP) and how it

Unregistered rights include: ‘copyright’

can be used to protect innovation and

of material, such as literature, art,

creativity within a business.

music or film; ‘database rights’, such

Snade advised that legal help is important to consider for any business, as it can potentially save costs, decrease

In basic terms, intellectual property

a marketplace to define brand identity,

as the content and structure of

risks and limit distractions from running

can protect technical inventions,

databases; ‘know how,’ such as the

your business.

aesthetic creations and brand identity.

value of technical knowledge and skills;

Intellectual property can be a significant

and ‘trade secrets,’ such as business

many barriers to legal help including

asset to any business, as it provides

practices/ideas that would have value.

being able to prioritising or budget for

exclusive rights to the holder and allows

legal spend, knowing when to call a

you to own the things you create, similar

Hilton advised businesses that are

lawyer, and knowing where to go for

to owning physical property.

interested in protecting their innovation

However small businesses face

help. Many businesses also face strict

to consult a patent attorney as early

time pressures in terms of need legal

IP falls into four main categories:

as possible, to help understand the

advice or assistance.

Patents protect technical innovations

IP process, and the associated time

and the way something works. For

and cost constraints. Moreover, Hilton

considering initial help, businesses

example, patents can protect physical

strongly advised businesses to seek

should consider asking lawyers or law

devices, from jet engines to bottle

protection for their intellectual property

firms if they do free initial consultations,

openers, as well as processes, such

before public disclosure of the product

where issues could be discussed before

as assembly methods and control

or concept, since this can lead to

they require immediate intervention.

strategies.

problems down the line in obtaining

Furthermore there are many other

Designs protect the appearance of a

valid IP. I

forums in which businesses can seek

product, i.e. the way something looks as

Snade advised the Club that when

info

- march / april 2018 - 61

CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY + BREXIT FORUMS

Brexit and UK Environmental Law In a joint session of the Climate Change & Sustainability and Brexit Forums, members heard about environmental frameworks once the UK leaves the EU

T

he Climate Change and Sustainability Forum organised a

use international, European or national guidelines such as

joint session with the Brexit Forum, welcoming Professor

UNGC, the OECD guidelines, or ISO standards to produce their

Charlotte Burns, Professorial Fellow in Sustainable Growth

statements.

at the University of Sheffield and Martina Macpherson, Partner, SI Partners - President, Network for Sustainable Financial Markets and Visiting Fellow, Henley Business School.

The session was co-chaired by Richard Brown CBE, Chairman of the Franchise Advisory Panel for the Department for Transport and former CEO and Chairman of Eurostar, and Jean-Philippe Verdier, Founding Partner, Verdier & Co. Corporate Advisory; and Brexit co-chairs Angela Hepworth, Corporate Policy and Regulation Director, EDF Energy, and Neil Sherlock CBE, Partner, Corporate Affairs, PwC.

Disclosure: challenges and opportunities Martina Macpherson, Partner, at SI Partners - Sustineri, reported that there is an increasing attention on the way companies, policy makers and investors, identify, evaluate and integrate environmental, social and governance factors

The Climate Change Act commits the UK government to an 80 percent reduction in Green house gases by 2050, which will be delivered via a set of 5 year carbon budgets

(ESG) into decision-making. ESG issues have moved from the

Environmental impacts of Brexit

niche to the core and generally speaking, there is a move from

Professor Charlotte Burns of the University of Sheffield reported

voluntary ESG disclosure and reporting towards Governance /

that as the environment is a devolved issue, it therefore raises

Stewardship Codes and mandatory disclosure of extra-financial

questions about relations between the devolved nations.

information around ESG factors and taxonomies.

Scotland has said it will not consent to the EUWB, which points

Sustainability is also becoming integrated into business and investment strategies: more than 90 percent of the

to an imminent constitutional crisis over the relationship between the devolved nations and the UK government.

world’s largest companies report through the Global Reporting

There is also on-going concern that government will water

Initiative (GRI). A total of almost 1,7k financial services firms have

down standards despite Michael Gove’s commitment to a

signed the Principles for Responsible investing, and more than

green Brexit. Key issue here will be the nature of the trade deal

9k companies have signed the UN’s Global Compact (UNGC),

struck with EU and other states. There is also concern about

a normative ESG framework for corporate compliance with

the governance gap: what will replace the role of monitoring

environmental protection, human and labour rights and anti-

and enforcement currently performed by the Commission and

bribery and corruption policies and practices. Meanwhile,

the CJEU.

AUMs in sustainable investment strategies have grown to $23tr

Defra is the second most affected government department

according to the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (2016).

by Brexit, but it has also seen its number shrink in recent

Historically, the UK has been at the forefront of developing

years. There are moves to recruit more staff but expertise and

and implementing a series of mandatory company governance and reporting (transparency) laws, most notably the UK

resources will be an on-going problem.

Companies Act (2006) which mandates companies listed on the

Implications for Climate Change

stock exchange in the UK to disclose ESG considerations; the

Burns noted that the Climate Change Act commits the UK

UK Bribery Act (2010), and the Modern Slavery Act (2015).

government to an 80 percent reduction in Greenhouse gases

France has tightened its disclosure rules and implemented

by 2050, which will be delivered via a set of 5 year carbon

Article 173 French Energy Transition Law (2016) which mandates

budgets. The process is supported by an independent Climate

climate-change related reporting for companies and investors.

Change Committee (CCC).

Meanwhile, policy makers and regulators in and across the EU

There is already a ‘policy gap’ – meaning insufficient

are stepping up. For example, EU Directive 2014/95 will regulate

measures in place to achieve the goals of fourth and fifth

disclosure of non-financial corporate information and diversity

carbon budgets according to Climate Change Committee and

in EU member states. By next year, this reporting framework

Client Earth. And interviews with key stakeholders have revealed

gives companies to the means to disclose relevant information

concerns that Brexit may further endanger the achievement

in the way they consider most useful and companies may

of goals. I

62 - info - march / april 2018

RETAIL FORUM

The Future of the customer experience The latest Retail Forum heard how behaviour, knowledge, psychology and loyalty are redefining the customer experience

H

osted in the

points.

elegant dining

Unilever

room of Les 110

mustard brand

de Taillevent in

Maille offers its

Marylebone, the

product in the

latest Retail Forum

traditional glass

session welcomed

jar for routine

three speakers:

shoppers, but also

Megan Higgins,

offers a similar

Leader, Customer

product with high

& Retail Analytics,

end packaging

PwC; Catriona

to entice the

Ferris, Consumer

more experiential

Insight Director,

shopper. ‘It’s

Unilever; and

an example of

Gareth Pope,

designing two

General Manager EMEA, Lululemon; on

programmes rewarded spending; new

experiences under one brand – this is

the topic of new customer journeys and

loyalty models should reward spending

the challenge,’ says Ferris.

experiences.

and engage customers. This can

The session was Co-chaired by

Customer experience is also top of

mean access to special ‘bonus’ events,

the agenda at Lululemon, as reported

Alain Harfouche, General Manager,

faster or free delivery, early access to

by its General Manager, Gareth Pope.

L’Occitane, and Catherine Palmer,

products, free samples and tutorials.

Legal & Administrative Director, Joseph.

Understanding the customer

The shopping mission

He outlined three broad categories of customer shopping missions, ranging from a customer with no pre-conceived

‘At Unilever, we look at shopping

plan to purchase to one that is actively

Megan Higgins, PwC, spoke about

missions not at shoppers,’ said Catriona

considering a purchase to one that has

general changes in customer behaviour,

Ferris of Unilever. This means mapping

already decided.

as they are becoming more connected,

customer intentions when entering a

savvier and more experiential.

shop – what are people looking for and

best-in-class service for each of these

what are their priorities.

missions.

Businesses now need to consider how to become more customer-

She provided an example involving

A brand should strive to provide

According to Pope, the next step is

centric in order to meet the new

three food-buying missions: the

to know yourself as a brand. Who are

expectations that these changes

routine low pressure and highly-regular

you here to be? What do you provide to

entail. This involves leveraging big

shopper; the pressurised buyer looking

your customers? And where typically do

data to form ideas of customers and

for something for today; and the

your customers interact with you?

their behaviour irrespective of touch

experiential shopping, who is all about

points. It also means forming holistic

browsing.

insights about customer attitudes,

While these three shoppers are

Pope said that Lululemon also approaches these questions not only in terms of customer experience at

values and engagement. And it involves

converging in one store, they have

retail touch points, but also within

personalising customer experiences

highly different priorities and attitudes

local communities. Their ‘ambassador’

based on these findings.

towards the products that they will

programmes support local athletes and

purchase. Retailers can then cater to

help build real-life social networks in

can innovate is in their customer

each of these markets with different

and around their stores. I

loyalty programmes. Traditional loyalty

product ranges, services or touch

One valuable area where businesses

Businesses now need to consider how to become more customer-centric in order to meet the new expectations info

- march / april 2018 - 63

HR FORUM

Modern Slavery within the Workforce The latest HR Forum heard what companies need to do to comply with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015

E

nsuring that modern slavery is not taking place in its UK workforce or supply chains is a critical issue for many

Organisations that must comply meet the following criteria: 1. They are a body corporate (or partnership) wherever that

organisations who supply goods or services in the UK, whether

organisation was incorporated (or formed); and 2. They supply

they are based in the UK or overseas. The latest HR Forum

goods or services in the UK; and 3. They have a total annual

welcomed guest speakers Raymond Silverstein, Partner,

turnover of not less than £36m (of the organisation and all

Browne Jacobson LLP, and Samantha Brunton, HR Director

subsidiaries wherever located).

at Christian Dior Couture, to speak on the issue.

The session was co-chaired by Pia Dekkers, Human

As there is no template, organisations can choose the layout and specific content of the statement. The government

Resources Director, Chanel and Melanie Stancliffe, Partner –

guidance was revised last year, stating that the statement

Employment, Irwin Mitchell LLP.

should include: the organisation’s structure, business and

The overview

supply chains; its policies on modern slavery; its due diligence process in relation to modern slavery in its business and

Raymond Silverstein of Browne Jacobson presented some

supply chains; the parts of its business and supply chains

basic facts about the forms of modern slavery. It encapsulates

where there is a risk of modern slavery taking place; and the

the crimes of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour

steps it has taken to manage that risk.

and human trafficking.

In 2017, the National Crime Agency reported that there were probably tens of thousands of modern slaves in the

The statement must be approved by the board and signed by a director, and a link to the statement should be in a prominent place on the organisation’s website. I

UK. The number is believed to be much higher by many commentators. Modern slavery is the world’s fastest growing organised crime, with more than 40 million modern slaves worldwide (including 10 million children).

Reporting The Modern Slavery Act 2015 compels some organisations to publish a Modern Slavery Act (MSA) statement for each financial year. The statement must show the steps the organisation has taken during the financial year to prevent modern slavery in its own business and in any of its supply chains.

In 2017, the National Crime Agency reported that there were thought to be tens of thousands of modern slaves in the UK

CAS E ST UDY: CHRISTI A N D I O R Samantha Brunton of Christian Dior reported on their internal processes to create, approve and publish the MSA statement.

An important first step was forging links and working priorities between her department (HR) and the finance and legal teams of the organisation. She reflected that she worked more closely with members of legal and finance than with her own colleagues in her team, as these departments are often better placed within organisations to address issues of this kind.

The project received initial resistance; there were questions to the extent that a French company needed to comply with British laws. Getting people on board with the project needed to be prioritised, including subsidiaries.

Information and codes of conduct were obtained from their operations internationally, and Browne Jacobson supported them in crafting the statement. Additionally, there were clear benefits in sharing documents between the LVMH Group.

The finished statement needed approval and signature by directors, who initially wanted changes, and explanation on why it should be published on the corporate website. In all, the project took four months of work.

64 - info - march / april 2018

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND INNOVATION FORUM

The case for Blockchain The latest DT&I Forum heard about the impact of blockchain technologies on businesses

T

he latest Digital Transformation and

and

Innovation Forum welcomed guest

Some large corporates, like J.P. Morgan

speakers Sohail Raja, Head of Execution

and Goldman Sachs, have invested in

Platforms, Société Générale CIB, and

start ups in the area.

Australian

Securities

Exchange.

Joseph Wreford, Strategy Consultant,

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Accenture. The session was co-chaired

has developed a blockchian proof-of-

by Christophe Chazot, Group Head of

concept for trade finance in partnership

Innovation, HSBC, and Lucien Boyer,

with industry, while the London Stock

Chief Marketing Officer, Vivendi.

Exchange Group is testing blockchains for private share companies.

Blockchain primer

Continued

uptake

will

involve

Sohail Raja, Head of Execution Platforms

overcoming

at

establishing governance and regulation,

Société

Générale,

provided

an

introduction to blockchain technology.

Put simply, blockchain allows the secure transfer and recording of transactions.

Crucially, the technology does not rely on intermediaries or third parties, as traditional financial transactions do –

The benefits of blockchain include increased

efficiencies

in

financial

such

as

while maintain scalability, security and

Blockchain uptake in the financial sector has been incremental, but building in momentum

simplicity, among other issues including countering public perceptions.

Digital Transformation Through Blockchain Joe Wreford, Strategy Consultant at

instead, transactions are confirmed by network consensus.

challenges

introducing new reforms in the financial

Accenture, presented a cross-industry

markets. MiFID II is an extensive piece of

graph

legislation, which updates the Markets

blockchain adoption, like payments,

showing

areas

of

advanced

are

in Financial Instruments Directive, with

direct ecommerce and cross border

encrypted, they are secure and private

the aim to offer greater protection for

money transfers, and areas where

– their immutability ensures that a

investors and inject more transparency

development is focused, like public

permanent record is kept intact and

into all asset classes, including equities

services (census data, refugee tracking,

unchanged. Many watchers of the

and foreign exchange.

e-voting, etc.), customer data, fixed asset

transactions.

As

transactions

technology also see immense potential

This follows the broad trend in many

in the scalability and stability of the

asset classes of ‘electronification’, as

network, as it is distributed and not

they move their activities into digital and

potential

centralised.

networked environments.

financial markets. Wreford’s company

Another

Currently there are two models:

change

affecting

the

makes

a

many

areas,

business

case

including for

the

Banking.

development and testing of blockchain

which is an open network that anybody

This new banking model allows for

solutions in a variety of business and

can access, like the bitcoin model. The

third parties to develop products and

public contexts. In some instances

digital ledger of transactions is shared,

services through APIs (or application

blockchain can offer greater security to

transparent and run by all participants;

programme interface) and other FinTech

supply chains, with companies migrating

and

services.

aspects of the business into a digital

2. A private (permissioned) blockchain,

such as improved service, security and

which is a closed system checking all

compliance as a result of APIs.

and

controlling

access

via

Open

in

financial

Banks

is

Blockchain technology offers great

1. A public (permission-less) blockchain,

details

sector

management and utilities.

anticipate

benefits

space.

These

include

smart

contracts

and purchasing orders, and smart

invitation. The private model is the

Banking and blockchain

preferred option of most banks.

Blockchain uptake in the financial sector

anonymity,

has been incremental, but building in

encrypted security. The result can be

Market evolution

trading platforms offering easy access, real

time

trades,

and

momentum. 2016 saw the first advances

the establishment of trust in business

The rise of blockchain technology comes

toward

dealings in unprecedented ways. I

at a time when European regulators are

capital markets, including the NASDAQ

blockchain

adoption

across

info

- march / april 2018 - 65

WOMEN'S BUSINESS CLUB

A question of ETHICS The latest Women’s Business Club heard from an expert in the field of ethics, who spoke about how to implement ethical thinking into businesses and organisations

T

he Women’s Business Club welcomed Dr Susan Liautaud, Vice Chair of Court of Governors and Chair

of the Ethics Policy Committee of the London School

of Economics and Political Science and Founder and Managing Director of Susan Liautaud & Associates as its guest speaker.

The session was hosted in the elegant premises of the House of Dior in London’s Mayfair, described by British Vogue as a ‘retail temple,’ featuring sculptures by Tony Cragg and Rado Kirov, a collaboration with artist, Mark Quinn, three private VIP shopping areas, and a dedicated shoe gallery.

The session was chaired by Estelle Brachlianoff, President of the French Chamber of Great Britain and Senior Executive Vice-President UK & Ireland at Veolia.

Held to Chatham House rules, specific reporting on the conversation was not allowed. Liautaud’s speech featured three of her approaches to the field of ethics.

Here, she outlines aspects of her approach to ethics

All organisations can improve their cultures, risk profile, and resilience by reinforcing the preventive ethics mechanisms and attitudes

and some of the ways that business and individuals can think differently about utilising ethics in their strategy,

humanitarian norms.

operations and overall decision-making:

2. Ethics is not about perfection. No organisation or

1. Effective ethical decision-making is about problem-

leadership team can prevent intentional wrong-doing.

solving. It is about making the decisions we will like in

But all organisations can improve their cultures, risk

the short-, medium-, and long-term—the decisions that

profile, and resilience by reinforcing the preventive ethics

define leaders and institutions—irrespective of how much

mechanisms and decision-making and by positioning

we like the outcomes of the decisions. It is pro-business

themselves to respond swiftly, thoroughly, and fairly when

and pro- positive innovation. It is every leader’s and

unwanted behaviour occurs.

organisation’s greatest strategic opportunity in my view,

3. I see too many organisations missing the opportunity

but left unheeded it becomes the greatest risk. And it

to integrate ethics into recruiting and performance

navigates the grey in today’s world, whether how to classify

evaluation—effectively, efficiently and in line with the

sharing economy offerings or how to navigate collapsing

organisation’s values. I

BIO GR APHY: D R. SUSA N L I AU TAU D Liautaud is a leading international expert in ethics known for her solution-focused approach.

She is Founder & Managing Director of Susan Liautaud & Associates Limited, a consultancy advising corporate, governmental, non-profit and academic institution leaders on ethics matters. She teaches cutting edge ethics courses at Stanford University called Ethics on the Edge and the Ethics of a Post-Truth World.

She serves as Vice Chair of Court of Governors of the London School of Economics and Political Science and as Chair of LSE’s Ethics Policy Committee. Susan has been appointed to the UK Cabinet Office’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACoBA). She also serves on a number of other boards, including Care International global Supervisory Board, Pasteur Institute, past Chair and member of Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres US National Board of Advisors, and others.

66 - info - march / april 2018

FORTHCOMING FORUMS & CLUBS By application only

29 March

08.30 - 10.30

BREXIT FORUM Impact of Brexit on investment decisions: a case study from the automotive industry Guest speakers: Ian Henry, Director, AutoAnalysis and second speaker to be

confirmed Co-chairs: Angela Hepworth, Corporate Policy and Regulation Director, EDF Energy and Neil Sherlock, Partner, Corporate Affairs, PwC

17

START-UP & SME CLUB

Cross-Cultural Challenges: Experiences April and Linguistic Nuances Guest speakers: To be confirmed 08.30 - 10.00 Co-chairs: Sébastien Goldenberg, CEO & Co-Founder, TheHouseShop.com and Jeanne Monchovet, Founder, Olystix

19

DIGITAL TR ANSFORMATION & INNOVATION FORUM

April

Artificial Intelligence: new revenue stream and product services 08.30 - 10.30 Guest speakers: Philippe Lerique, Partner, Talan Consulting UK and Alessandro Recino, Cloud Solution Architect Data & AI, Microsoft Co-chairs: Christophe Chazot, Group Head of Innovation, HSBC and Lucien Boyer, Chief Marketing Officer, Vivendi

20

10

RETAIL FORUM

10

WOMEN’S BUSINESS CLUB

At Les 110 de Taillevent The disposal of old stock Guest speaker: Jamie Crummie, co-founder of 08.30 - 10.00 Too Good To Go Co-chairs: Alain Harfouche, General Manager, L’Occitane, and Catherine Palmer, Legal & Administrative Director, Joseph April

May

12.30 - 14.00

At Chanel’s Flagship Store Chair: Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive Vice-President UK & Ireland, Veolia and President of the French Chamber of Great Britain

All sessions, excluding the Luxury Club, the Retail Forum and the Women's Business Club, take place at the French Chamber.

For more information, please contact Ophélie Martinel at omartinel@ccfgb.co.uk or 0207 092 6634

FINANCE FORUM

The Financial World: How to Attract & Retain Talent (employees’ skills, performances, training, incentives, 8.30 - 10.00 vision, etc.

Guest speaker: Angela Paul, Research Lead, Willis Towers Watson Chair: John Peachey, Chief Financial Officer, Global Markets, HSBC Bank Plc June

info

- march / april 2018 - 67

PAST EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS BREAKFAST WITH… 5 DECEMBER

GUILLAUME CERUTTI The CEO of Christie’s auction house spoke about emerging trends in the global art market at this Patron event

C

hristie’s auction house welcomed a small delegation of Patron members at an exclusive breakfast and guided tour

New markets

Also driving change in the art market is a shift to buyers from

of their current collections.

the Middle East and Asia. Cerutti is overseeing a strategy to

The event was moderated by our Senior Vice President, Peter

‘invest in the global picture,’ on the back of major purchasing

Alfandary, who led a discussion on new trends in digitisation

form new markets. This includes the da Vinci sale, which

and shifting markets to Asia and the Middle East. An audience

reportedly was linked to a little-known Saudi prince, and where

Q&A followed the talk, and then the delegation was invited to

bids came in from ‘all five continents.’

tour current auction sales collections in the Antiquities and Old

Prior to his role in London, Cerutti was as Christie’s president

Masters departments, guided by Christie’s curators.

of Europe, Middle East, Russia and India. His role to invest

Christie’s is enjoying a time of exceptional results. The auction

in these area and others is borne out by the figures. Asia

house has posted profits of £5.1bn last year, a 26 percent

represented 31 percent of global spend, while European and

increase on 2016. Auction sales made up £4.6bn of that total

Middle Eastern clients represented 37 percent.

and represented a 38 percent rise over the same period. This includes a record breaking sale of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Salvator Mundi’, which sold for $450.3m last November.

Current trends

Private tour

Chamber members were taken to an exhibition of sales of antiquities. Christie’s sales of antiquities offer works of art from across the ancient Mediterranean world, including Greece,

Cerutti underlined the importance of online sales, a steadily

Italy, Egypt and the Near East, dating from the Neolithic period

increasing way that Sotheby’s engages with its customers.

through to 1000 A.D. As market leaders in this field, Christie’s

Sales collections of minor works are increasingly viewed,

biannual auctions in London and New York offer exceptional

bought and sold this way, and the technology that underpins

examples of statuary, jewellery and ceramics, and attract a

these customer touch points will become increasingly

wide range of collectors.

sophisticated, and important to the business model of any

Members were also invited to view a painting by Eugène

successful auction house.

Delacroix for sale in their Old Masters, a department which has

New buyers of art no longer had the profile of the stereotypical

been at the core of Christie’s auctions since James Christie’s

aristocratic family; rather they are now hedge fund managers

first sale in 1766. The category, along with 19th Century and

or tech CEOs who have particular expectations about

Russian art, more than doubled in 2017, with record profits of

technology. Christie’s has invested tens of millions of pounds

more than $700m globally.

in a digital transformation strategy, aimed to attract these new

The Delacroix was a study of his famous ‘Liberty Leading the

art buyers, and with the goal to create value and exceptional

People’ (La Liberté Guidant le people), commemorating the

experience in an online environment.

French revolution, and offered an extraordinary insight into the artist’s process. I

68 - info - march / april 2018

E VE NT S – AT THE CHAMBE R

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION:

A START-UP’S PERSPECTIVE An informative evening in the offices of Theodo, the fast-growing tech company, explored how start ups can successfully collaborate with large corporate in the digital space

I

It’s a buzzword bounced around offices across the globe: digital transformation.

A by-product of Theodo’s core

services – website and mobile app development – is a keen insight into how companies can tackle their own transformation in the digital space.

Co-founder and CTO Fabrice Bernhard, has overseen digital projects with a host of blue-chip clients, and has recently opened an office of the Paris-based company near East London’s tech corridor.

Thirty-five participants gathered in their new offices, where the evening

Above: Peter Alfandary, Senior Vice-President of the Chamber, and Fabrice Bernard, co-Founder and CTO of Theodo

kicked off with Peter Alfandary, Senior Vice-President of the French Chamber, questioning Bernhard on how digital

Bernhard believes that ‘it’s more about

transformation can be defined.

people and communication, than about

‘A lot of people think it is about technology. My opinion is that it’s very

tools and processes.’

Within this context, the question of

Artificial intelligence

And for the future; can we as humans no longer keep up with our technology?

Bernhard gives an optimistic view of

much about speed […] New companies

attracting talent is intrinsically linked

AI, which utilises new data rather than

are able to use the internet to go so

with how a company works, as Bernhard

new algorithms, meaning it is ‘not a

much faster than the organisations from

speculates that ‘talent is attracted

new way of thinking, just mathematical

before, who are still working in the real

by new ways of working, and not to

optimisation plus scales we have never

world,’ says Bernhard.’

traditional brands anymore.’

seen before […] The power is data, and

AGILE working

A case study

Commenting on a piece of work they did

will kill us, but the changes that are

structure. In an ‘agile’ way of working,

with a large bank, Bernhard suggested

happening might be challenging’.

decentralised teams can make their own

that it was this agile and flexible attitude,

decisions, with fewer hierarchical layers,

coupled with their specific expertise

provoking perspective on where digital

and therefore processes move more

in mobile apps, which encouraged the

transformation may lead. I

quickly.

bank to choose Theodo to create a

Suzanne Lycett

This also applies to company

Bernhard also extolled the ‘Scrum’

Or, rather, ‘I don’t believe that robots

A diplomatic and thought

secondary type of IT system for new

IT management methodology favoured

projects, while maintaining the legacy IT

by Theodo, which connects small

systems for current projects.

tech teams with business functions to

data is not a sentient thing.’

Security presented a hindrance to

ensure more direct communication

innovation and a delay of 17 months

awnd regular sharing of ideas. With this

to the completion of the project but,

concept, mindsets must change as the

with 2 month dates set by which to

traditional means of committing on the

measure progress and the continuous

creation of set features with a flexible

improvements through collaboration,

date is flipped, whereby the date is set

this visibility on the process meant that

but the features pushed back where

the two companies worked well together

necessary.

to completion.

It’s more about people and communication, than about tools and processes

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E VE NT S – AT THE CHAMBE R

RENDEZ-VOUS CHEZ... PAUL

RENDEZ-VOUS CHEZ… BAGLIONI HOTEL

A Crowning Glory

Mondo Italiano

E

O

scaping the chill of a January evening, French Chamber members and their guests came in force – more than 65 representatives from Active, Corporate and Patron companies – to ring in the new year at our annual Galette des Rois event.

Hosted by Paul UK for the fourth consecutive year, and twice in their flagship restaurant in London’s iconic Tower 42, the event featured KY Proco champagne, an assortment of fine wines, and delectable canapés by Paul UK – and of course, the famous Galette, whose sweet perfume of butter and almonds wafted through the room. Kathryn Pretzel-Shiels, Marketing Director for Paul UK and USA, gave a short address, noting the uniqueness of the space and the range of new pastry and bread making course on offer at Paul UK, then conducted a prize draw for a free course. As the guests enjoyed easygoing conversation in an informal atmosphere, a few lucky members found a charm in their Galette – and became the wise kings and queens of the night. I

CORPORATE COCKTAIL AT HOME HOUSE

A home away from home

C

orporate members of the Chamber enjoyed an entertaining evening of conversation and delicious cocktails at the private club Home House. The second instalment of the annual event was hosted in the Georgian townhouse’s opulent rooms, former residence of the Countess of Home and once the site of the Courtauld Institute of Art. In an address to the assembled guests, Managing Director Andrew Robinson spoke about the impressive history of the building and offered private tours of the facility throughout the evening.

The event was conceived last year to offer a networking

70 - info - march / april 2018

verlooking the iconic Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the Baglioni Hotel brought an Italian flare to an otherwise Franco-British event at the ‘Rendez-vous Chez Baglioni Hotel London’ on 7 February. Italian wines complemented delicious Italian themed canapés from the in-house Brunello Bar and Restaurant, the perfect accompaniment to an evening of networking amongst the 30 attendees.

The close-knit and warm nature of the team shone through in the brief welcome speech given by Valentine Semeria, Sales Manager, proving that the attractiveness of the hotel lies in its welcoming atmosphere as well as its luxurious facilities.

Participants were later treated to a tour of this contemporary boutique hotel to experience these facilities themselves, which demonstrated the chic and glamorous variety of the spacious suites and rooms available, as well as the flexible event and meeting spaces, such as the hidden ‘Clubino’.

Fantastic prizes for two lucky winners (vouchers for a signature Italian aperitivo and a night’s stay at the Baglioni Hotel Carlton) as well as a generous discount for all attendees were the cherry on the cake of this memorable evening. I SL

opportunity to corporate members – a dynamic and steadily growing segment of the Chamber’s membership. Stephen Burgin, Deputy President of the Chamber, was on hand to thank the event’s partner, Ladurée, Les Bougis de Charroux and Devialet, in addition to the hospitality of Home House. I

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

20 March

18.30 - 20.30

AMBASSADOR'S BRIEF At the French Residence, 11 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QP Host: HE Mr Jean-Pierre Jouyet, French Ambassador to the United Kingdom Theme: The future of the Franco-British relationship in the aftermath of the bilateral summit Open to Patron & Corporate members (main representatives only) as well as the Chamber's Advisory Councillors. By invitation only The French Chamber is pleased to announce the first Ambassador’s Brief of 2018 and the very first edition hosted by HE Mr Jean-Pierre Jouyet, new French Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Come and hear the Ambassador’s insights for the year ahead.

For more information, please contact Anne-Claire Lo Bianco at: alobianco@ccfgb.co.uk or on 0207 092 6641

22 March

08.00 - 10.00

BREAKFAST WITH KATHERINE BENNETT OBE At Bulgari Hotel, 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW Sponsored by PAUL UK £40+VAT per person; £60+VAT Special price for 2 Katherine is a Senior Vice President of Airbus and has been with the company for 13 years. She leads the company’s external engagement and strategy in the UK and reports directly to the Global CEO, Tom Enders. Katherine has held roles in communications and spent several years based at Airbus HQ in Toulouse, France running the global public affairs function.

Katherine’s previous employment was with General Motors UK where she headed up their government affairs function and prior to that worked for Hill and Knowlton Public Relations in London. Katherine was awarded the Order of the British Empire in June 2004 for services to industry and charity. She has served on various boards of public/private enterprises focused on economic development in UK regions including the West of England LEP and has just become Vice President, Aerospace on the Council of ADS (the UK aerospace trade association) and of ASD (European aero association).

Do not miss your chance to hear about Airbus’s strategy, and meet with more than 70 representatives from within the FrancoBritish business community.

For more information, please contact Wassime Haouari at: whaouari@ccfgb.co.uk or on 0207 092 6642

18 April

From 19.30

LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PATRON EVENT At the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX Conductor: Vladimir Jurowski - Piano: Leif Ove Andsnes piano Organised exclusively for Patron members & their spouses (Main representative). By invitation only Join us at the London Philharmonic Orchestra to enjoy an evening of Masterpieces from Stravinsky, Debussy & Shostakovich.

info

- march / april 2018 - 71

24 April

MEMBER 2 MEMBER COCKTAIL AND EXHIBITION At Bush House (King's College), 30 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BG £40+VAT per person; £60+VAT special price for 2

MEMBER

MEMBER

18.00 - 20.30

With networking opportunities for up to 250 participants, and the chance to discover up to 25 exhibitors, this evening exhibition is one of the highlights in the Chamber’s busy calendar. Including prizes to be won, canapés and drinks, and a beautiful view over London from the eighth floor Bush House, there is a reason that this event has been running for 18 consecutive years. Don’t miss the 19 th edition!

For more information, please contact Suzanne Lycett at: slycett@ccfgb. co.uk or on 0207 092 6651

Member 2 Member Cockatil and Exhibition 2017

26 April

17.30 - 20.30

BUSINESS STORIES: THE ENTREPRENEUR’S JOURNEY At Microsoft Reactor, 70 Wilson St, London EC2A 2DB Speakers: Alexandre Mars, Founder & CEO, Epic, Bernadine Bröcker, Founder & CEO, Vastari, Sasha Wilkins, Founder of LLG & Co Moderated by: Warwick Hill, CEO-in-Residence, Microsoft Host Partner: Microsoft Reactor £35+VAT per person; £60+VAT special price for 2 Alexandre Mars, Bernadine Bröcker and Sasha Wilkins are set to share their experiences and career trajectory during an inspirational debate at our ‘Business Stories: The Entrepreneur’s Journey’ event. Join us to hear three visionaries tell their stories of success, while also networking and enjoying a cocktail & canapés.

For further information, contact Wassime Haouari at whaouari@ccfgb.co.uk or on 020 7092 6642

30 April

18.00 - 21.00

SEMINAR WITH BAKER & MCKENZIE At Baker & McKenzie offices, 100 New Bridge St, London EC4V 6JA Speakers: Susan Mann, Data Protection Counsel, Chanel UK Eve-Christie Vermynck, Senior Associate, IT/Commercial, Baker & McKenzie

Baker & McKenzie and the French Chamber are pleased to invite you to join what promises to be a very interesting and topical debate on GDPR & data protection. It will be followed by a cocktail reception where you will have the opportunity to network with new business contacts. For further information, contact Wassime Haouari at whaouari@ccfgb.co.uk or on 020 7092 6642

7

June 19.00 - 22.30

DÎNER DES CHEFS WITH MICHEL ROUX JR At Roux at The Landau, Langham Hotel, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, GB W1B 1JA £120+VAT per person; £1,110+VAT table of 10

Do not miss the opportunity to meet Michel Roux Jr, owner and Chef of the prestigious Roux at the Landau and to be inspired by his creativity and legendary culinary expertise.

A special thank you to: Pernod Ricard for offering the champagne and cognac, and to l’Union des Crus Classés de Graves for the wines.

For further information, contact Wassime Haouari at whaouari@ccfgb.co.uk or on 020 7092 6642 72 - info - march / april 2018

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