Christmas 2014
NEWSLETTER
A BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS • Brookfield Renewable • Dublin Airport Authority • NSI Technology • Keelings • Auxilion • Bookbuzz • Cliffs Of Moher • Geo Environmental • Lightsource Renewable Energy • Goldman Sachs • Rezidor Carlson • Future Foundation BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As we approach the Christmas period, the
unveiled at the Chamber’s Smart Cities event
Rugby match, we expect to kick off a great few
Chamber can reflect on a very successful year.
at Imperial College during President Michael D
days of networking for our members and friends
The huge turnout for our Christmas reception in
Higgins’ visit to Great Britain earlier in the year.
on both islands.
the Chamber in Britain. The Chamber’s Christmas
Our SME committee within the Chamber has
If any of our members have any questions in
Drinks Reception took place in London, Thursday
been very active, with a full calendar of events
relation to the work of our Policy Committees,
11th December, hosted by Lloyds of London and
delivered. The SME Breakfast series has been a
please
sponsored by William Fry Solicitors, Robertson
great success and has included guest speakers
Tel: +353 (0) 1 400 4317 or Email: emily.glen@
Low Insurances, CityJet and Goodbody. Coming
such as Sonya Lennon – Co-Founder of Lennon
britishirishchamber.com
hot on the heels of the President’s dinner in
Courtney, Grace Binchy – Consumer Insights
Dublin, the gathering in Lloyd’s of London allowed
Specialist from Bord Bia and Noel Davidson from
the Chamber to reach out to a new audience that
QED on How to Use Your Website to Grow Your
Finally, as many of you know, Steve Aiken recently
is vital to the Chamber’s future.
Business.
left the Chamber to take up a new position as CEO
London last week attests to the growing interest in
It’s fair to say
that the President’s Dinner is fast becoming an
get
in
contact
with
Emily
Glen
of the Dublin City University Educational Trust.
important date in the business diary and the
We also held a successful Business Leader’s series,
Steve led the Chamber during its first three years
attendance by both the British Ambassador
which included a compelling address by Sir John
and did a great job serving our membership and
to Ireland, H.E. Dominick Chilcott and the Irish
Major, held in association with PwC. We arranged
putting us firmly on the radar with Government
Ambassador to Great Britain, H.E. Dan Mulhall, as
‘in camera’ events with Minister Grant Shapps MP,
on both sides of the Irish Sea. On behalf of the
well as the Secretary General at the Department
Conservative Party Chairman in association with
Board and the wider Chamber membership, we
of Foreign Affairs, Niall Burgess, illustrates the
our ICT, Energy and International Committees
wish Steve all the best in his new role and we
growing stature of the Chamber.
and with Arlene Foster MLA, Northern Ireland
thank him for his service to the Chamber.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in
an interim measure, Chamber Vice President
The Chamber has been busy on many fronts in
November. We also supported President Higgins’
John McGrane is acting as Coordinator of the
recent months, most notably the work that was
visit to Wales last month. The Chamber’s Energy
Chamber’s activities as we prepare our plans
carried out in relation to the British-Irish Visa
Committee held an important RES Export Event
for 2015. It promises to be an exciting year for
Waiver Scheme, signed in October at the Irish
in London in early November supported by JLT.
our members and, as we wish you all a peaceful
Embassy in London by Minister for Justice, Frances
Christmas, we thank you for your business and
Fitzgerald, TD and British Home Secretary, Teresa
The calendar looks equally busy for next year.
May, MP. The British-Irish Visa Waiver Scheme will
Plans are well under way for our third Annual
facilitate non-nationals requiring a short-stay visa
Conference to be held in The Clyde Court Hotel,
to travel freely within the Common Travel Area
Ballsbridge, Dublin on February 27th, 2015. The
using a single visa issued by either Ireland or the
conference will focus heavily on Britain and
UK. This will mean that tourists, business visitors
Ireland in Europe and will assess the important
and other eligible visitors will be able, for the first
trade impacts of a potential UK exit from the
time, to visit both the UK and Ireland, including
EU. With speakers from across the business and
moving freely between the north and south of the
political spectrum in Britain, Ireland and the EU,
island of Ireland, on a single visa. The ambition is
the conference will make a vital contribution to
to broaden the scheme to other countries post-
a key issue for all businesses. And, as it’s the
2015.
weekend of the Ireland v England Six Nations
The initial concept for the scheme was
As
look forward to seeing you at our future events.
Aidan Lynch BICC President
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Aidan Lynch, General Manager GSK and BICC President, welcomes Dominick Chilcott, British Ambassador to Ireland, former British and Irish Lions rugby legend Keith Wood and Dan Mulhall, Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain
THE PRESIDENT’S
ANNUAL GALA DINNER IN PICT UR ES
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // THE PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL GALA DINNER
Yve O’Driscoll with Jack Golden (CRH) and Linda Golden
Eamonn Egan (Lloyd’s of London, BICC Gala Dinner Chairman)
Rhona Blake (MD of Fleishman Hillard) with Ronan Harbison (BICC) and Sonya Lennon (Lennon Courtney) BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // THE PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL GALA DINNER
RES TRADING EVENT Speakers at the Renewable Energy Trading Event held in London with the support of JLT included Lord Deben, Chairperson UK Government Committee on Climate Change, Brendan Devlin, DG Energy, European Commission and Pat Cox, Former President of the European Parliament. Feedback obtained from attendees is that the comments of all participants were relevant, but sobering, in the context of the renewable energy trading opportunities which exist between the UK and Ireland. There is a lot of work yet to be done in the area of Cross Border Integration and Cooperation on Energy between our two islands. The core message appears to be that “Renewable energy trading between our two countries makes Economic, Environmental, Employment and Energy Security sense”.
Those who attended the event are being
encouraged to lobby both of our Governments with a view to reopening dialogue again and requesting them to show the ambition, leadership and commitment which our event highlighted is needed.
Left: Lord Deben, Chairperson UK Government Committee on Climate Change, with Event Chairman, Mark Varian, Eversheds Right: Brendan Devlin, DG Energy European Commission: Jean Pascal Boutin, Eversheds: Mark Varian, BICC Energy Committee: Pat Cox, Former President of the European Parliament: Brian Britton, Oriel Windfarm Limited: Edmund Philips, Baringa
“
RENEWABLE ENERGY TRADING BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES MAKES ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, EMPLOYMENT AND ENERGY SECURITY SENSE.
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // RES TRADING EVENT
SEAMUS HEANEY LUNCH WITH MINISTER SIMON HARRIS IN ASSOCIATION WITH MASON HAYES & CURRAN Our UK members appreciated Minister Simon Harris taking time out of a busy London visit to tell us about his new Review of the IFSC. The Chamber is working with members and other participants to help inform a strong outcome to this important work. The upcoming visit to Dublin by Lord Mayor of London Alan Yarrow will also be an opportunity for our members to input into the future links between the City of London and the IFSC.
John McGrane (BICC) with Minister Simon Harris
Matt Cole (Mason Hayes and Curran) with Minister Simon Harris
UKTI & BICC BRITISH FOOD PRODUCERS MEETS IRISH BUYERS On the 24th and 25th November we had a very successful joint inaugural food event between UKTI and the BICC which was held in the British Embassy. There were a number of key speakers including John McGrane, BICC VP, Birgitta Hedin-Curtin from the Burren Smokehouse representing the Chamber as well as Shirley McCay, Head of UKTI in Ireland.
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // SEAMUS HEANY LUNCH - SIMON HARRIS // UKTI & BICC
PRESIDENT MICHAEL D. HIGGINS’ RECENT VISIT TO WALES We were honoured to play our part during President Michael D. Higgins’ recent visit to Wales. After taking part in the celebrations to mark the centenary of Dylan Thomas at Swansea (which he often referred to as Little Dublin), we joined in the President’s salute to Irish trade in Wales at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. It was wonderful to see many familiar members and also welcome some new ones too.
CBI CONFERENCE
HOUSE OF COMMONS DINNER
Your Chamber was involved at the Confederation
The Chamber recently met with a cross-party
of British Industry’s Annual Conference in
group of Parliamentarians at the House of
London last month. It’s a setpiece of the British
Commons with interests in British-Irish affairs.
conference season and a good forum to air
We took the opportunity to discuss Britain
our views. CBI Chief Executive John Cridland
in Europe, Northern Ireland Corporation Tax,
is speaking at our Annual Conference on 27
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
February so be sure to book early for what will
and
be an important and influential event.
are planning a similar engagement with Irish
the
Decade
of
Commemorations.
We
Parliamentarians in early 2015.
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // PRESIDENT MICHAEL D. HIGGINGS GOES TO WALES // CBI CONFERENCE // HOUSE OF COMMONS DINNER
Joanne Hession (QED Training), Brian Corish (Vodafone) & Annette O’Donoghue (AIB)
SME BREAKFAST “A MOBILE STATE OF MIND” - WITH VODAFONE Thanks to Vodafone for hosting our SME Group at their amazing Sandyford offices! We got a fascinating presentation of just what technology is going to do for us next and our members appreciated the opportunity for a nice bit of networking afterwards.
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // VODAFONE SME BREAKFEAST
BRITISH IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS RECEPTION We had a great turnout last week at our Annual Christmas
Guest of Honour, Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall highlighted
Reception in Lloyd’s of London. We are grateful for our
the diversity of the interconnectedness between Britain
sponsors CityJet, Goodbody, Robertson Low Insurances
and Ireland and looked back at the historic state visit of
and William Fry Solicitors who made the night possible.
President Michael D Higgins to Britain.
Aidan Lynch, General Manager GSK, BICC President with Eamonn Egan, Lloyd’s of London.
Ambassador Dan Mulhall addressing the room.
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // THE BICC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS RECEPTION
PRINTS We have a very limited edition of fine Prints by honoured artist James Hanley RHA commemorating the Founding Members of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce. If you have yet to secure your own Print, please let Deborah Daly know at Deborah.Daly@britishirishchamber.com and she can organise the delivery of it.
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // PRINTS
THE YEAR AHEAD “SHOULDER TO SHOULDERWINNING TACTICS FOR THE GLOBAL PITCH”
We are looking forward to a prosperous, busy and event-filled new year. Be sure to safe the date in your diaries for our Annual Conference and Gala Dinner. In recent weeks we have been meeting with many of our members and look forward to meeting all others in the coming months. We’ve been listening carefully to what is important to your business; to what concerns you about your market place and to the opportunities that we can help deliver with you in 2015. You have shared your views on the UK and Ireland economies; the consequences of BREXIT were it to happen, on IFSC and TTIP and much more. The Chamber provides a unique space in which to have these vital conversations and also a platform to work through issues that will impact trade in goods and services across these islands. Fast forward to our 2015 Conference on Friday 27th February, the weekend of the Six Nations Rugby match between England and Ireland, and appropriately titled “Shoulder to Shoulder – Winning Tactics for the Global Pitch”! The conference will examine from business, commercial and political perspectives, the importance of Europe to both nations and is expected to draw in excess of 300 delegates, many of them flying in from the UK. Many of you will have attended our previous conferences which were addressed by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, First Minister of Wales, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Secretaries of State and Senior Cabinet Ministers from across the UK and Ireland. In 2015 we will once again host relevant senior politicians including Fiona Hyslop MSP and Brian Hayes MEP.
We have also extended an invitation to an Taoiseach to address the Conference once more. Business will have a broad reaching representation and voice. Confirmed speakers currently include GSK’s President of Global Manufacturing and Supply, Roger Connor; Gary McGann, Group CEO at Smurfit Kappa; Alderman Peter Hewitt, City of London; Glanbia Ingredients CEO Jim Bergin; Larry Murrin CEO of Dawn Farm Foods and John Cridland of CBI along with Cathriona Hallahan, MD at Microsoft Ireland and Aongus Hegarty, President, EMEA, at Dell. We strongly recommend attendance at this important event and remind you of the opportunity to network later on at the pre-match dinner. SPONSORSHIP We are most grateful for the support of our sponsors for this Conference and all other events. If you’d like to find out more, please speak with Yve O’Driscoll on +353 86 041 1831 or Michael Keaveney on +44 756 814 2698 Some further projects we are engaging in early next year is the revamp of our website, the redesign of our membership forms, as part of our process improvements goals we are aiming to update all our membership files with as much accuracy and detail as possible. For further details on our upcoming events, our process improvements or event engagement, please reach out to Deborah via: Deborah.Daly@ britishirishchamber.com. We really appreciate all the work and commitment from our members as well as your ideas and input into the Chamber and look forward to more of the same in 2015.
BRITISH AND IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE // 2014 NEWSLETTER // THE YEAR AHEAD