The British Chamber of Commerce 2011 Christmas Cocktail in Barcelona took place on Friday 16 December.

The Christmas Cocktail was held in the Burberry store on Passeig de Gràcia, which provided a stunning backdrop to allow us to end our final event of 2011 in style. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to relax and mingle in the sumptious surroundings, and many brought friends or partners to get fully into the festive spirit. A particular highlight of the evening was the Christmas Raffle, where many exciting prizes were up for grabs.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank some of those whose contribution made the Christmas Cocktail such a special evening for all. Firstly we wish to thank Burberry Spain for hosting the event in their beautiful Passeig de Gràcia store. The caterers Farga also provided a delicious array of canapés which were much enjoyed by all attendees.

Special thanks must go to the sponsors who donated a total of 37 wonderful prizes to the Christmas Raffle, which would not have been possible without their generosity.

Finally, we would like to thank our photographer Gareth Lloyd-Evans for attending the event and taking some wonderful photos, a selection of which can be seen in this article. If you wish to see more photos from the event, please contact Gareth at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The British Chamber of Commerce in Spain 2011 Christmas Cocktail in Andalucía was held in the Hotel Beatriz Palace in Fuengirola on 15 December.

Members had the chance to get into the festive spirit with friends and acquaintances both old and new over a delightful array of canapés, cocktails and champagne served in the stunning surroundings of the Imperial boardroom.

Special thanks must go to Macias Legal, Experience Box, Lloyds Bank International, Megacall and deVere Group for kindly sponsoring the event. The staff at the Hotel Beatriz Palace must also be thanked for their contribution to such a special and memorable evening.

The Cocktail was an enormous success and attracted significant attention from local media, including Fuengirola TV and Sur in English. Please click here to read the article published in the December 23 edition of Sur in English.

The BCCS was delighted to support the children's charity ADIMI by all attendees bringing a children's toy to the event to be delivered to ADIMI in time for Christmas (click here for more information). Support was also shown for the Alzheimer's charity AFA.

The BCCS has some exciting events planned for 2012 in Andalucía. Please click here to keep up-to-date with what's coming up.

The annual Christmas Lunch in collaboration with the British Hispanic Foundation took place in the Intercontinental Hotel in Madrid on 14th December.

The guest of honour and speaker was H.E. Mr Giles Paxman LVO, Ambassador of the UK to Spain who must be thanked for his wonderful speech.

Special thanks must also go to the British Hispanic Foundation for their collaboration and organisation of the event.

The 3 course lunch was enjoyed by all, as was the event as a whole. The event was very well attended and much positive feedback was received from many regular guests of this annual tradition.

Granite Consultants Limited, members of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, is pleased to announce the completion of its 65kW Rooftop Solar Installation at Fogars de la Selva, Girona.

This project was privately funded and was completed with the co operation of Granite Solar SL and Solosol Renovables. The build was completed in August 2011, the farm was officially switched on in November 2011 and it is now selling electricity to the national grid. The company is undertaking further projects in 2012 for private and corporate customers.

Granite Solar Projects can offer returns in excess of 10 per cent per annum for companies interested in combining a sound investment strategy with a greener public image. Customers in a position to take advantage of bank financing can see even higher returns. In a time of financial uncertainty Granite Consultants is providing an environmentally friendly and safe harbour for investors.

The Leadership and Strategy Lunch with Luis Antonio Ruiz, President of Jaguar Land Rover Iberia took place recently on 23rd November in the Intercontinental Hotel in Madrid.

We would like to thank Sr. Ruiz for his time and expertise. He proved to be a very eloquent and informative speaker while showing good humour and wit in the Question & Answer session during dessert.

The event was very well attended and enjoyed by all. We would also like to thank the Intercontinental Hotel for their collaboration with this event and for providing the wonderful three-course lunch.

Finally, we would also like to thank our photographer Carlos Estévez for attending the event and producing some wonderful photographs which can been seen with this article.

On October 20^th, the EU's EEN (Europe Enterprise Network) joined the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain at Irwin Mitchell Abogados for a presentation on European funding and help from the EEN for company expansion into Europe. It was a successful first event in Andalucía and attendees made some great contacts with organisations within the region.

If you were unable to attend the event, you still have the oppotunity to see the PowerPoint presentation by clicking here. Or, if you would like more information about the Europe Enterprise Network please click here.

For further information on BCCS events in Andalucía, please contact Sarah Victoria Duppa-Whyte on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

On Thursday 20th October, the European Business Drinks took place in the restaurant Asador del Mar in Barcelona in collaboration with the other European Chambers of Commerce in Spain.

The Drinks were very well attended by over 150 guests, who were keen to make the most of the opportunity to branch out and make new contacts from other European Chambers.

Drinks and an abundant selection of canapés were provided by our friendly hosts at Asador del Mar, whom we would like to thank for all their help in bringing the event to fruition.

For more information on the Chamber and the benefits of membership please visit our website,

www.britishchamberspain.com

The Welcome Back from the Summer Cocktail in Madrid took place recently on 5th October. The location was provided by new members Karen Millen in their stunning shop in the city centre. The event was very well attended and enjoyed by all. We would like to thank Karen Millen for their collaboration with this event and for providing the wonderful canapés and drinks.

The Leadership and Strategy Lunch in Barcelona with Lluís Bassat was held on Tuesday 11th October in the NH Hotel Calderón.

The event took place in collaboration with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Spain, which meant that guests had the chance to make many new contacts. Mingling began during a champagne reception upon arrival and continued throughout the event.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the NH Hotel Calderón for providing a delicious three-course lunch and a splendid setting for what was both a highly enjoyable and informative event.

Furthermore, we were delighted to have Lluís Bassat as our speaker for the afternoon and wish to thank him for his time and expertise. Guests found his speech "Inteligencia Comercial" a thoroughly illuminating and amusing insight into the business world and enjoyed an opportunity to take part in a Question & Answer session over coffee after the lunch.

Finally, we would like to thank our photographer Gareth Lloyd-Evans for attending the event and taking some lovely photos, a selection of which can be seen in this article.

For more information on the Chamber and the benefits of membership please visit our website,

www.britishchamberspain.com


Annika Tingström, National Director of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Spain, and Charlotte Fraser-Prynne, National Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain

On Thursday 29th September, the Welcome Back from the Summer Cocktail in Barcelona took place in the elegant interior of Artchimboldi, The Alternative Workspace.

The cocktail was extremely well-attended and gave guests the opportunity to re-connect with familiar acquaintances after the summer break, as well as expanding their network of contacts by mingling with attendees from a wide variety of businesses from Britain and Spain.

Drinks and a beautiful selection of canapés were provided by Artchimboldi, whom we wish to thank for hosting what was a truly splendid event to mark the start of a new working year.

We at the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain are delighted to get back into the swing of things after the long summer break, and we have an exciting agenda of events planned for the coming months, including speakers, seminars and of course our well-renowned Christmas lunches and cocktails. We do hope to see you at these events!

For more information on the Chamber and the benefits of membership please visit our website,

www.britishchamberspain.com

BARCELONA - 3 Y 4 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2011



Objetivo

Contactos a muy alto nivel con la realidad de Barcelona y de Cataluña a nivel institucional, económico y cultural.
 
Nivel institucional

• Encuentro con el Presidente de la Generalitat, Artur Mas, en el Palau de la Generalitat.

• Encuentro con el Alcalde de la ciudad condal, Xavier Trias, en el Ajuntament de Barcelona.

• El puerto de Barcelona es una infraestructura clave en el desarrollo de Barcelona, de Cataluña y del conjunto de España. Visita de sus instalaciones, explicación de sus proyectos y contacto con su Presidente y principales responsables.

• Cataluña apuesta de forma inequívoca por la investigación (I+d). El Sincrotón -único acelerador de partículas del territorio español- es un proyecto financiado por el estado español y la Generalitat de Cataluña que muestra esta línea de acción. Visita de sus instalaciones en Cerdanyola del Vallès y contacto con sus directivos y con los máximos responsables de la materia en Cataluña.

• CaixaForum Barcelona cumple 10 años. Su visita permitirá entender como se transformó la antigua fábrica Casaramona -joya del modernismo industrial- en centro cultural. El viejo edificio de ladrillo, meticulosamente restaurado y rehabilitado, se ha convertido en uno de los pilares del tejido cultural barcelonés.
  

• 120 euros + IVA (a confirmar)

• Cada participante se encargará de reservar su alojamiento en Barcelona.

• Las Cámaras de la UE en Barcelona propondrán una lista de varios hoteles con precios negociados para esos días.

• Cada Cámara asume la divulgación de las jornadas entre sus asociados.

• Cada Cámara recoge las inscripciones de sus asociados y las transmite a la Cámara de Comercio Francesa de Barcelona quién centralizará la organización de las jornadas.

• Información necesaria para las inscripciones: Nombre y Apellidos / DNI o NIE (imprescindible para poder tener acceso al Palau de la Generalitat) / Cargo / Empresa / Dirección / Código Postal / Ciudad / Email / Teléfono o móvil de contacto

• Fecha límite de inscripción: viernes 28 de octubre

In association with London City Airport and several other business partners, COBCOE is pleased to announce a two-day business mission to London on 28th - 29th November 2011. The aim of the mission is to showcase and explore the East London Development Programme, which has generated a wealth of trade and investment opportunities in London for businesses across Europe and the rest of the world.

Key sector presentations and visits will include IT, retail, infrastructure and urban development, financial services and creative industries, as well as a visit to the Olympic Village viewing and marketing platform.

Participation is open to companies that are members of COBCOE’s member chambers across Europe, and associates across the globe.


For further information regarding this event and to find out how you can support it, please contact Anne-Marie Martin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The British Embassy in Madrid has published the latest version of "The UK in Spain" Fact Sheet, which outlines details of investment and exports between the two countries. Please click here to read the full document in pdf format.

IESE’s Short Focused Program Portfolio 2011 - 2012 is now available.
 
IESE’s Short Focused Programs address today’s most relevant business issues in a very attractive program format, short and intense. IESE’s world renowned faculty help business leaders to zero in on managerial excellence by employing the most effective and unique teaching methodologies in state-of-the-art learning facilities. The SFP portfolio is continuously updated to reflect the latest management advances, and is based on three main pillars:


Immersion
The SFP portfolio is specifically designed to give participants an edge on how to best address today’s business challenges. Each program focuses on a single business challenge through a fresh and practical learning approach.

Concentration
In a privileged learning environment and convenient program format, participants gain invaluable insights from world class faculty, thought leaders and peer participants, and learn how to apply them to their own situations.

Transformation
Designed to fit the demanding schedules of results-oriented managers, each program delivers immediate impact by offering conceptual frameworks and practical tools that drive effective and meaningful change for both the individual and the organization.


The programs are offered in both English and Spanish and cover a wide range of the latest hot business topics, including Strategic Management, Leadership and People Management, Finance and Operations and IT, as well as Industry Specific programs.

The next programme to take place is Developing Leadership Competencies from November 8-11 2011 in Barcelona.


For more information, please click here.

On a beautiful calm sunny evening, the last event of the BCCS Andalucia took place, in the stunning surroundings of the Guey Restauarant on June 16th .

Kindly sponsored and supported by Currencies Direct, the event was not just the chance to invite other organisations and Clubs to participate, but also to present Sarah Rogers from ACASA with a cheque for the charity.

Jennie Thompson, Vice President for the BCCS Andalucia, said "This event is a fun event and a chance to get out the Ascot hats, or the Henley boaters, before we close down for the summer. We thank Currencies Direct for sponsoring the event and we also appreciate Sarah being here to receive the cheque for funds raised during our Golf Event.”

The BCCS supports not just business here in Spain, but charities also; the Raffle which took place during the evening was in aid of L.I.V.E., a charity which supports local charities.

Guests were able to network whilst enjoying drinks and a beautiful array of canapés . The BCCS events commence again in September with speakers , seminars and also the Christmas cocktail party all on the menu to benefit members and business in Andalucia

For more information on the Chamber and the benefits of membership please visit our website,
 
www.britishchamberspain.com









 

On Thursday the 19th May, the European Chambers in Madrid collaborated with the Office of European Parliament in Spain, and the European Commission representation in Spain, in creating the European Enterprise Forum in Madrid.

The Forum aimed to discuss to promotion and the role of production sectors in Spain, in light of the Lisbon Treaty. There were various speakers and topics throughout the day.

The British Chamber of Commerce in Spain held their Annual Golf tournament on May 6th 2011, at El Paraiso Golf Club.

Blacktower Financial Management were the main sponsors. Thanks also goes to other sponsors; Megacall, Talk Radio Europe, Sovereign Trust, Aer Lingus, Marriott's Vacation Club, and Mundo Fitness, as well as Golf the Costa for helping to organise the event.

Dinner was held at Da Brunos Sul Mare Restaurant and over 160 people attended and watched the prize giving. Awards were presented by Jennie Thompson (BCC), David Rogers (Blacktower) and Ronan McGuire (Golf the Costa).

The Vice Consul for Malaga attended the event, and the dinner, entertainment, prize giving. The BCCS raised over 1400 Euros for Age Concern, many thanks go to those generous people who contributed.

El Tema de los Temas, a spanish online magazine about current affairs in Spain has published an inteview with Charlotte Fraser-Prynne, the National Director of the British Chamber of Commerce which names the U.K as the second top foreign investor in Spain. To view the article online, please click here.

Tasneem Gallery presents Non Site the first solo show in Barcelona by the Cuban artist Luis Gómez. Taking as its starting point the concept of Robert Smithson's “non site”, which proposes a dimensional metaphor that one site can represent another site which does not resemble it, Goméz  reflects  on facets of human behaviour and its context, interpreting them as events that are built from experience. Composed of three series of drawings on paper and two video works, Non Site explores concepts related to the history of development, time, space, consumption and decoding of knowledge.

Two of the selected series debates power-relations. Through the watercolours of the series Lote, Luis Gomez refers to how the value of art is constructed and legitimised. He locates on the same plane copies of Western paintings, specifically the European abstraction, and makes them coexist with representations of African tribal artefact and Japanese paintings. In this way he invites us to see them in the same field - to recognize their differences, but at the same time understand them to be equal. He outlines the stereotypes that have guided our view of cultural practices that are not generated from established power systems. The series Errors is related to the same debate, but this time, similar to a coin, he expresses himself on both sides of the paper. The artist chooses different techniques and materials, creating fine line drawings made with crayon and ink on folded rice paper, where he suggests the fragility and delicacy of our existence, alluding also to an inner anguish where we confront our own limits and loneliness.

With the series Untitled, Luis Gomez formulates his perception of objects in space. The series consists of charcoal drawings on cardboard where the dark and flat figures lose their detail and contrasts starkly with the background that supports them. These pieces are the first notes of an installation, are the sketches that allow him to study the structure of an idea that is not yet fully defined, a bank of ideas, a part in his creative process.

From a very personal perspective the video-projection Rosario, which references Fritz Lang's film Metropolis, represents the coming of death. That moment before death is announced and the attempt to push it away. Can we delay this moment, to reflect on what we missed, what we failed to do, what we might have achieved?

The men who never existed is a video that plays with the idea of names as representations of identity. The names in the video are of personalities who influenced and shaped the progress of mankind, but who over time are largely forgotten. The work is an expression of how collective action can have the effect of erasing detail and individuality. It points to how we make constant use of knowledge, restructuring and adapting it - but in all this perhaps there is something that remains constant.

For this artist, art is a process that occurs during the encounter between the viewer's experience and the artwork, which is understood as an open instance with a multitude of possible interpretations. Hence the creation of environments through installations and space is a constant in his work. The use of various media such as photography, drawing, painting and video is a hallmark of his work, in which these media are also used as research tools.

For further information please contact us by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by phone +34 93 252 3578.  You can also visit our website: www.tasneemgallery.com or Follow us on Facebook.

The UK government have released the Growth Paper which outlines a strategic plan to improve economic growth in the European Union. Please click here to read the document in pdf format.

On the 14th April, the BCCS held a roundtable on "How to work with the British Press". The event was in collaboration with DIRCOM and the British Embassy, held in the Embassy in Madrid. We were very fortunate in having some fantastic guest speakers including correspondents from Reuturs News, The Economist and Expansión and Simon Montague from the Embassy. There were 50 people in attendance. Please see below for pictures.

We are delighted to announce that the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain is the proud winner of the COBCOE award for Effective Events Management for the year 2011.

Competing against 32 other participating chambers, we won the award based on our wide range of events that are tailored to fit the requirements of our members. The Chamber held over 80 different events over the past year including business luncheons, cocktails and high profile events. One event which we are particularly proud of is the Government/Business roundtable in 2010 held at the Palace of Westminster. The event attracted over 250 people including leading politicians and top business leaders from the UK and Spain.

The COBCOE award was presented by Barbara Jamison, Head of Business Development Europe, London & Partners. The National Director of the BCCS, Charlotte Fraser-Prynne, received the award at the award ceremony which took place at the COBCOE gala dinner at the Royal Automobile Club in London on the 5th April.

The Chamber is persistently improving its events to allow for our members to promote their business to their fullest potential.

Following our Annual General Meeting , the BCCS would like to share some of the photos from the day. The meeting was held in the La CaixaForum Madrid  on Friday the 8th April with over 50 people in attendance. These included the BCCS President, Karen Stock and Martyn Warr, Director of Trade and Investment. This is the first time we have held the AGM in Madrid and we are proud to say that it was a very informative event both for us and our members. Please see below for photos.

The BCCS would like to share some photos from the Leadership and Strategy Lunch which took place on the 9th March at the Hotel ME in Plaza de Santa Ana. This was the first event in a series which will address business related topics. The guest speaker was Javier Rodríguez Zapatero who was addressing the topic of the Technological Revolution.

The BCCS held an event in Marbella for its members entitled "Reap the Benefits of the BCCS". The event took place on the 10th February in the Alanda Club. It was an enjoyable evening which offered members the opportunity to express their opinions about the Chamber and to partake in discussions. To see some photos from the event, please see below.

To read about the recent reforms made to Spain´s banking sector , please click here.

UKTI have published a press release about the White paper document. To view, please click here.

The BCCS celebrated a New year Cocktail at the Hesperia hotel in Madrid on the 27th January. It was a lovely evening with a raffle and prizes to be won inlcuding return flights kindly donated by Iberia. To see photos from the event, please see below.

The BCCS Christmas Charity Cocktail in Marbella which took place on the 16th December 2010 was a great success. We would like to share some photos from the event and to thank everyone for their kind donations.

To view the Bilateral Trade Statistics for 2009-2010 in the UK-Spain region, please click here.