BCCT Chairman Chris Gaunt Awarded OBE

Christopher William James Gaunt, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey (BCCT), was awarded an OBE in HM the Queen’s 2020 New Year’s Honours list. His appointment to the most Excellent Order of the British Empire was made in recognition of his services to international trade, investment and exporting.

The British Chamber of Commerce Turkey (BCCT) Chairman Chris Gaunt awarded OBE for Services to International Trade, Investment and Exporting.

The British Chamber of Commerce Turkey (BCCT) known for developing projects to enhance commercial relations and new business collaboration between UK and Turkey since its establishment over 133 years ago.

HM the Queen’s 2020 New Year’s Honours List recognised exporting entrepreneurs and industry leaders, as total UK exports stand at record high, rising to £675 billion in the year to October 2019. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss congratulated the recipients, saying: “I am proud to see that so many successful exporters and inspiring business leaders who have championed exports have been recognised for their work contributing to local and global prosperity. This illustrates the strength of our British business people, and I am delighted that the nation is championing their excellent work.” Born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, Chris Gaunt is a highly accomplished businessman with invaluable global experience across several business sectors. He held Senior Management/CEO positions in Eastern Europe, directed start-up operations in Central Asia, and was ultimately responsible for Coca-Cola Bottling operations in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and Middle East. In 2013, Chris Gaunt was elected Chairman of BCCT where he led a restructuring of the organisation and started a successful strategic cooperation with UK’s Department for International Trade.

Commenting on the award, Chris Gaunt said: “This award recognizes the contribution BCCT has made over the past seven years to the UK’s total export trade and more specifically our trade with Turkey. This, in no small measure, has been achieved by the support and contribution of our Board Members and the BCCT team, together with our Department for International Trade (DIT) colleagues based in the British Consulate in Istanbul and the Embassy in Ankara. I wish to thank all our stakeholders and BCCT members for their participation and commitment in our journey, and although this award is in my name, it also represents BCCT’s success, which I firmly believe will continue to build in 2020.”

Chris Gaunt’s guiding principles for successful conclusions and outcomes are: • Be committed and self-motivated to achieve your goals in your personal life and your career. • Endeavour to make a difference, do not stand still, be open to new ideas and never stop learning. Live by your values and practice emotional intelligence. • Share your experience and knowledge for the benefit of others. • Accept that we are not perfect and learn from your mistakes, and don’t take yourself too seriously.” His favourite quote is: “Grant me the peace of mind to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

What is OBE? OBE is the second rank of the “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire,” a British order of chivalry created in 1917 by King George V that rewards contributions individuals in the public sphere or who have made great local contributions, whether in business or media or as part of a major non-profit organisation.