United Kingdom in Bahrain - May 2023

UK IN

A Special Supplement celebrating the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and the historic relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom

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Congratulate His Majesty King Charles III on the occasion of his coronation

We are proud to have prepared a commemorative media project highlighting the close friendship and association between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Bahrain bahrain this month.com

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Diplomatic Excellence

We sat down with the British Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Roderick Drummond, to discuss the historic coronation of HM King Charles III and the state of his current ambassadorial term which will end later this year.

Crowning Glory

The history between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom has intertwined diplomatically and culturally since the two kingdoms formally began relations more than 200 years ago. With the coronation of HM King Charles III, the two Kingdoms are sure to enjoy a new era of friendship. Here’s a look at the most recent visit of the monarch to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Fostering Trade Relations

As the Chairman of the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), Khalid Al Zayani is one of the most important figures in relations between the Kingdom and the UK. With both the organisation set to become an official Chamber of Commerce and the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III this month, he shares his thoughts about these momentous occasions.

Channeling Her Love for Bahrain

As one of the pioneers of Englishlanguage television programming in the country; writing, producing and presenting for Channel 55 television, Heather Harper recently became Chairman of The Bahrain Society based in the UK. We caught up with her this month on her recent visit with 36 members of the society to discuss her decades old connection with Bahrain.

Generational Ties

Nasser Al Arayedh, the Chairman of Al Arayedh Group Holding reflects on the renowned business family’s close ties with the UK.

Being an Industry Leader

A World-Class Education

With an outstanding global reputation and a 62-year history of being the stepping stone to the world’s top universities, we take a look at why St Christopher’s School Bahrain is the best choice for a successful future.

A Historic Move

Serving the British Community

The British Club of Bahrain is one of the world’s oldest expat clubs and boasts a multicultural membership and family-friendly atmosphere. Club Chairman, Chris Woodrow, shares his thoughts on the coronation and discusses the club’s plans for the historic occasion and his own personal honour bestowed upon him by the new monarch.

From humble beginnings in 1978 with 29 students and four teachers, Nadeen School is about to make the biggest move in the school’s history. Director Pauline Puri and her daughter, Shanee, share their thoughts about the school’s historic transition.

Motoring with the Monarchy

Kristian Harrison takes a look at the storied history of the British monarchy’s love for cars and takes a peek into the many garages of the new sovereign. 34

Exploring the North

If you plan on visiting the UK, you won’t want to miss out on exploring the North. Check out these suggestions for the best attractions and districts up north.

Al-Ansari Group Chairman, Abduljalil A.K. Ahmed Al-Ansari, talks about the company’s success, its portfolio of UK brands and more.

DIPLOMATIC EXCELLENCE

As part of Bahrain This Month’s special ‘UK in Bahrain’ feature to celebrate the coronation of HM King Charles III, we sat down with the British Ambassador to Bahrain, His Excellency Roderick Drummond, to discuss this historic event and the state of his current ambassadorial term which will end later this year.

What are your priorities as the British Ambassador to Bahrain?

I believe that I have three significant baskets in which I gather my goals. The first is prosperity; working together on shared relations between Britain and Bahrain. The others are shared security between the two nations and looking after British nationals and the community here. We have a very diverse collaboration with Bahrain and things really are in a very positive space at the moment.

How do you see the current state of relations between the United Kingdom and Bahrain, and what steps are being taken to enhance these relations further?

We have had some very good high level visits recently, such as the visit of the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, for the Manama Dialogue, with more planned in the next couple of months. Chief of these is His Majesty King Hamad attending the coronation of HM King Charles III in early May, for which we’ll also be holding a big celebration here in Bahrain. So, it's going to be a really positive last few months for me in the Kingdom.

King Charles III has visited Bahrain on a number of occasions and has a strong personal relationship with the Kingdom’s top leadership. How do you think this familiarity can contribute to the relationship between the two Kingdoms, which stretches back 209 years?

It's absolutely at the heart of it. I'm very privileged to be part of some of the exchanges between the royal families. There’s a real deep friendship between both sides and shared interests in so many different fields, whether that's sporting or charitable work or environmental consciousness. There's a lot of private discussion and collaboration, which I think is very positive and forward-looking. It is interwoven with our 209-year relationship, and it helps make it warmer and stronger.

Do you have a message for our readers on the occasion of the historic coronation of King Charles III?

The transfer of office has happened already, automatically upon the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. However, the symbolism of a coronation is important in the life of any nation because it then enables the monarch to show the values and the causes that are

important to them. Many of the events which will unfold over the weekend of the coronation will highlight areas that His Majesty is engaged in, such as the environment, small island developing states and the Commonwealth. I think it may surprise people with how modern and 21st Century-focused it is rather than just pageantry.

How many British nationals are currently residing in Bahrain? What are some of the key industries that they are involved in?

There are approximately four to five thousand, which is a mixture of those who are here permanently and those who are semi-permanent working across the Eastern Province. They are employed in most professional fields you can imagine, whether that’s education, accountancy, law, medicine, engineering, architecture and more.

What are the current trade figures between Bahrain and the UK? How do you believe these figures can further be enhanced?

We’re in a really positive trajectory. In my time here alone, trade in terms of goods and services in both directions has doubled to a value of GBP2.6 billion. That exemplifies the shared prosperity goals that we have with Bahrain. Britain has interest in the huge infrastructure projects that are due to happen soon, such as the Bahrain Metro and the future Causeway, whilst education links are expanding rapidly with new schools and university associations. Furthermore, science and technology is going to be a major area of growth as Bahrain embraces its net zero goals and starts work on decarbonisation and transitioning to greener energy use in Bahrain over the coming decades, an area in which British firms have strong expertise.

How has Brexit impacted the UK's relationship with Bahrain and the wider Gulf region?

It has actually been a net benefit here in Bahrain. It has enabled us to just push on with our bilateral collaboration and we are pressing ahead with a free trade agreement. Bahrain is playing a very positive role in that and recently facilitated three rounds of negotiations with the GCC over the last six months, which are making real progress. A progressive deal will open up even more avenues for trade and investment in both directions, particularly

opportunities for Bahraini businesses in the UK and vice-versa.

What initiatives have been undertaken to promote cultural exchange between the two countries?

I have witnessed numerous British orchestras, jazz bands and theatre groups coming here, whilst Bahrainis have performed in the UK too. One of the real joys for me here is that Bahrain is a very cultural place. It's somewhere that really appreciates other cultures whilst maintaining a very rich culture itself.

How do you view the UK’s role in regional security and stability?

We have a very strong security partnership with Bahrain, most obviously in areas including the Royal Navy support facility here, which is fantastic and enables us to work with partners and covert operations across this whole region. Of course, we do this in partnership with all of the Gulf navies and our American cousins. Every time you see a shipment of narcotics seized on the high seas, or a merchant ship is supported, that is part of the working together that comes through Bahrain. We also work very closely on cybersecurity and helping improve the resilience of the IT infrastructure in Bahrain, which is constantly under threat. Both countries trust each other, and with this security partnership we are able to then move forward in areas such as Visa arrangements.

Your tenure in Bahrain will end later this year. Could you summarise your experience in Bahrain for us?

Both my wife, Yasmin, and I have really enjoyed our time here, which was blighted only by the wretched COVID-19 virus, which curtailed things for a period. Nonetheless, it has been an absolute joy to be here as ambassador. It's a place that really takes you to its heart very quickly and we felt at home almost instantly. We have made a lot of friends who I hope will be friends for life and have never felt any barriers. People have been so kind and helped us through any difficulties and answered all questions we may have had. I commend the lucky man who is going to take over from me because I am sure he will have a lot of fun and contribute a lot to this important role. It is truly one of the best jobs I can imagine, so thank you Bahrain for having us!

CROWNING GLORY

The history between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom has intertwined diplomatically and culturally since the two kingdoms formally began relations more than 200 years ago. With the coronation of HM King Charles III, the two Kingdoms are sure to enjoy a new era of friendship.

In 1816, Bahrain and the United Kingdom reached a preliminary agreement to strengthen their alliance and protect their joint interests. The agreement became official in 1820, when the two sides signed the General Maritime Treaty. Since then, bilateral relations have gone from strength to strength.

The special status of the long-standing Bahraini-British ties is reflected in the depth of distinguished relations of friendship and respect between the two Royal Families. In fact, HM King Hamad is set to attend HM King Charles III’s coronation this month, continuing a strong relationship which began when the late Queen Elizabeth II paid her first official visit to Bahrain in 1979 during the era of HRH the late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

In 2016, the then Prince Charles along with the Duchess of Cornwall, now Camilla, Queen Consort, visited Bahrain to

celebrate the 200th anniversary of its relations with the UK. Meanwhile, King Hamad frequently visits Britain, as recently as 2022, where he attended the international Royal Windsor Horse Show and meetings to strengthen bilateral relations.

The kindred spirit between the two nations is not just shared diplomatically, but in many other ways. From education and healthcare to culture and business, it is a partnership that will continue to nurture and grow for many years to follow.

Bahrain This Month is proud to present its UK in Bahrain supplement, featuring numerous photographs detailing the history between the two kingdoms, interviews from important figures with a presence in both countries, and a look ahead to the historic coronation this month. Cheers!

Fostering Trade Relations

As the Chairman of the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), Khalid Al Zayani is one of the most important figures in relations between the Kingdom and the UK. With the organisation set to become an official Chamber of Commerce as well as the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III this month, he shares his thoughts about these momentous occasions.

Alongside accumulating more than 50 years of international business acumen in fields such as banking, motoring, manufacturing and more, one of Mr. Zayani’s crowning achievements is growing the BBBF from its beginnings as a social club of 16 members in 1995 to a fully-recognised Chamber of Commerce encompassing around 500 members.

“Previously, the BBBF was regulated by the rules of the Ministry of Social Affairs as a social club,” he explains. “In reality, it was so much more than that, conducting high-level meetings with people in government, both in Bahrain and the UK. Becoming an official branch of The British Chamber will give us access to all its activities in the UK, introduce us to its members, partners and associates, while opening its business database to us. This, in turn, will benefit business in both Bahrain and the UK.”

“The UK’s recent exit from the European Commission has substantially boosted trade relations between Britain and Bahrain, by removing EC levies on Bahraini aluminium and petrochemical exports to the UK. We can now cash in freely on an existing goodwill between our two kingdoms.”

It is a timely reminder of the excellent relations between the two countries just as His

Majesty King Hamad prepares to attend the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey this month.

Mr. Zayani has met the new monarch on numerous occasions, both socially and on business, in the UK and in Bahrain when he was the Prince of Wales.

“It is an absolute honour to have made acquaintances with HM King Charles III. I regularly reminisce having dinners with him at St. James’s Palace, Windsor Castle and other locations and hold such events as my most cherished memories.”

“I found him a very knowledgeable and wellread person, in business, Arab culture and Islam. I was amazed!

“My favourite anecdote with him was over an intimate dinner in London, just four of us, at the private residence of Nemir Kirdar, CEO of Investcorp Bank. He queried me on why Arab architecture and calligraphy has not developed in centuries since Andalusian Arab rule in Spain. He believed that it needed revising. He

asked us if we would be willing to co-invest with his Prince’s Foundation into a college, teaching postgraduate studies in these fields and promising to match every pound we deliver. We did and that was how the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts started and very successfully runs to this day, generating numerous graduates from the UK, the Arab world and far beyond, amongst whom is my niece, who finished her Master’s there!

“I wish to congratulate His Majesty King Charles III on this truly momentous occasion. I strongly believe that he will be a great successor to Queen Elizabeth II, especially as he has had so long to learn!”

CHANNELING HER LOVE FOR BAHRAIN

Mrs. Harper first came to Bahrain in 1980 with her husband, an innovator in the early days of solar power, to attend an energy exhibition. Two years later, she saw an article in a local newspaper mentioning that Bahrain Television was going to open an Englishspeaking station, called Channel 55. “I contacted them because my background was in advertising, producing television commercials,” she remembers. “They welcomed me with open arms and it was an amazing beginning. Then I started writing, producing and presenting a magazine programme whereby I interviewed hundreds of people on the island.

“When I left Bahrain in the early 1990s, I had heard about The Bahrain Society, which was set up as a friendship society to promote relations between the UK and Bahrain for British expats who had lived or worked here.

“It’s a purely social society, with no political aims or ambitions, and has a particularly close relationship with the Bahrain Embassy in London. Membership currently stands at approximately 250 members and my aim is to grow this higher, boost ties between former Bahrain residents, and enable opportunities to reconnect as much as I can. Furthermore, we have supported a number of cultural and charitable events that have taken place in London supporting Bahraini students studying at British academic institutions.”

Mrs. Harper holds many fond memories of her time in Bahrain. With such a significant career, it was difficult to pick her favourite, but she did settle on one factor immediately, the weather!

“Being back in the UK, you do miss it. Waking up in the morning to those blue skies, it’s easy to take it for granted when it’s every day! In all seriousness, it’s the way of life and the friendships that I really miss. I don›t think it›s so easy to make friendships and keep them over a long period, but Bahrain makes it so much easier. It›s a very open society, a very cosmopolitan mix of cultures, and everybody knows everybody. In the UK, unlike Bahrain, you could live on a street and never interact with any of your neighbours.

“When I worked for Channel 55 it was really interesting because I was open to all sorts of

In the early nineties Heather Harper was one of the most prominent members of Bahrain’s media. As one of the pioneers of English-language television programming in the country; writing, producing and presenting for Channel 55 television, she recently became Chairman of The Bahrain Society based in the UK. We caught up with her this month on her recent visit with 36 members of The Bahrain Society to discuss her decades old connection with Bahrain.

different nationalities and cultures. We celebrated everybody›s national days, bouncing between receptions and meeting totally different types of people, often on the same day. It really broadened my horizons.”

The Bahrain Society prides itself on providing Bahraini hospitality to members, with a number of different functions throughout the year. There is a gala dinner and summer party and many Speaker events every year, with the main aim of spreading the word of Bahrain and its way of life.

“It’s a way of networking, but more like social networking rather than business,” Ms. Harper explains. “Of course, we do emphasise how easy it is to run businesses in the Kingdom, and occasionally deconstructing misconceptions and answering questions about what it’s like to live and work in the Middle East.

“One of the main goals I›d like to achieve in my role is to branch out a little bit further from London as our members come from all over. For instance, there are a lot of ‘Bahraini’ British expats who live in Spain and retired to other parts of Europe. Ultimately, we are all what I like to call ‘global citizens’, with one shared of love of this beautiful island and its people,” she concludes.

To find out more about the Bahrain Society visit bahrainsociety.uk.

GENERATIONAL TIES

The Kingdom of Bahrain is home to several families that are engaged in various business sectors. Among them is the Al Arayedh family, which is known for their enterprising efforts across generations that have made a lasting impact. Over time, the family has grown and diversified their activities with investments in countries across borders, including the UK.

“Our history with the UK goes a long way with members of our family not only investing and trading with businesses based in the UK, but pursuing their education in the Kingdom too. In fact, it started with my grandfather, the honourable Mansoor Al Arayedh, who used to deal with jewellers in the UK. He would be entrusted with providing them with pearls and dealt with them for diamonds and other precious stones settings for high-end jewellery,” narrates Chairman of Al Arayedh Group Holding, Nasser Al Arayedh.

His father, Mohamed Jameel Al Arayedh, pursued his education at Millfield School in the UK in 1948. “Given his pioneering nature and business roots, he then imported materials from the UK and established in Bahrain what would be the first fresh dairy factory in the Arabian Gulf region,” he says.

As for Mr. Nasser Al Arayedh, who also did his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the UK, his business started with the import of cleaning chemicals for commercial and industrial use, followed by the establishment of a training centre with UK-certified courses. “Currently our connection with the UK is through investments for which we have representatives in London who are responsible for long-term strategies,” he says.

The family’s various businesses have now been merged under the banner of Al Arayedh Group Holding (AAGH), which was officially formed in 2008. “We operate in several sectors including trade and investments, real estate and travel and tourism. Hence, it took us five years to structure all these family assets under this wing which manages them collectively,” he explains. “By doing so, we have been able to examine our assets in order to diversify and increase our investments.”

The company’s board consists of Mr. Al Arayedh, Deputy Chairman Maryam Al Arayedh and Director Jehan Al Arayedh, in addition to three other executives who are selected on a periodical basis. “Our primary areas of business are now real estate and investment, both local and international,” he states.

Sharing his thoughts on the UK’s business sector, he concludes: “The United Kingdom has long been known for their products, which may have changed over time but are known for

their exceptional quality – a key reason for which they have maintained their global position. Furthermore, there’s no denying that the country is also a leader in the education sector. It is a rule of law for us to invest in countries where there is not only investment protection, but unique and sought-after brands. As our business continues to grow in the years to come, I look forward to continuing our dealings with the Kingdom and wish them the very best under the rule of King Charles III.”

On the occasion of the coronation of King Charles III, Nasser Al Arayedh, the Chairman of Al Arayedh Group Holding reflects on the renowned business family’s close ties with the UK.

Al Ansari Group has had a storied history of over 100 years having been established in the year 1904 when the late Abdul Karim Ahmed Al-Ansari established his family business with a small shop in the old town of Muharraq in Bahrain.

At the time, the business sold products ranging from groceries to hardware, laying a sound foundation for a business that was to grow and diversify. Al-Ansari Industries, formerly known as The Bahrain Bedding Factory, was set up with the know-how shared by the famous Silentnight Mattresses, UK – a company that was owned by Tom and Joan Clarke which started in 1946 as Clarke’s Mattresses Ltd. The group now trades in lighting fittings, accessories, switches, sockets, branded fashion goods (partner of Gucci in Bahrain), and has a significant presence in the real estate sector.

In 1970, Al-Ansari Lighting Company was established in Bahrain. “We consider ourselves the pioneer in the lighting field, having served the local market, GCC and beyond for over 50 years. It has always been our objective to not only be the undisputed leader in the field of lighting, but also to establish an unmatched reputation for reliability and friendly service,” explains Al-Ansari Group Chairman, Abduljalil A.K. Ahmed Al-Ansari.

Today, Al-Ansari Lighting Company offers several outstanding products with innovative designs from renowned brands. This includes German brands - Bega, Glashutte Limburg and Staff Zumtobel, Italian brands - Targetti Spa, Duralamp and Surya Srl, and UK brands - R.Hamilton Ltd., IBL, ACDC, Orbik and Chelsom Lighting.

BEING AN INDUSTRY LEADER

With palatial chandeliers, contemporary lamps and everything in between, Al Ansari Lighting has been the prime choice in Bahrain’s lighting industry for over 50 years. Farah Baig speaks to Al-Ansari Group Chairman, Abduljalil A.K. Ahmed Al-Ansari, about the company’s success, its portfolio of UK brands and more.

Al Ansari Group is a long-time member of the Bahrain British Business Forum and also partakes in activities at the British Club. “We first established an agreement to distribute British products in Bahrain in 1964 following the signing of an agreement in Cardiff, Wales. British products are known for their durability and reliability, and meet required safety standards. Furthermore, these products are interesting to our customers in terms of latest designs and colours, and are always upgraded to suit market requirements,” he says.

“McIntosh Furniture located in Kirkcaldy, Scotland was another collaborative company which was famous for its teak dining and living room furniture designed by Tom Robertson in 1970. The company always used the best Scottish craftsmanship to create beautiful designs,” he adds.

This was in addition to Stanley Wire Ltd., a Yorkshire-based company specialising in the manufacture of all forms of bright and black annealed wire. “They used the highest quality steel, which was manufactured into a flawless, high-quality wire product which

we then used at our local mattress factory in Bahrain,” he explains. “Last but not the least, we collaborated with Mikel Carpet Factory in Edinburgh, Scotland.”

Notably, Al-Ansari Lighting Company has signed agreements to handle major projects for the Royal Court, palaces, mosques, hotels and private villas too. The company has undeniably grown to be renowned for importing top-quality products that are capable of bringing clients’ designs to life.

“The quality of our products, aftersales support and service, and representation of brands as their local agent has led Al-Ansari Lighting Company to be a leader in the industry. We have a fully dedicated team which is committed to serve our clientele, and will always ensure to go the extra mile to make our customers happy,” he concludes.

Al-Ansari Group Chairman, Abduljalil A.K. Ahmed Al-Ansari (centre), with Richard Bird (left) and Keith Evans (right) of Evans Contract Furnishers Ltd., in Wales, UK.

LUXURY AT ITS FINEST

Founded by Laurence Graff OBE in 1960, Graff remains a family business with Francois Graff (son of Laurence) as CEO and two further family members directing design, merchandising and production. With over 60 stores worldwide, Graff has ambitiously grown from its foundation in the UK to achieve a global presence.

Throughout its rich history, Graff has become the world leader for diamonds of rarity, magnitude and distinction. Their unique high jewels are designed and manufactured at their London atelier, where their master craftsmen employ stone-led design techniques to emphasise the beauty of each individual stone.

Bold and Vibrant Bands

LAURENCE GRAFF SIGNATURE COLLECTION

This collection features a striking array of everyday jewels that celebrate the hypnotic beauty of a diamond’s facets and Laurence Graff’s legacy for cutting and polishing the world’s most beautiful stones.

Named after the founder of the House, the collection is inspired by Mr. Graff’s dedication to seeking out the rarest and finest diamonds over the last 60 years, by showcasing the sculptural silhouette of the diamond itself.

Featuring a range of scintillating band-style rings, delicate necklaces and bracelets, stud earrings and contemporary bangles, each design showcases a graphic and modern faceted edge.

Stylish rings crafted in two widths are available in white, yellow or rose gold, designed to be worn together in graphic combinations of contrasting tones. Sleek, all-metal versions are complemented by pavé diamond-set designs, adorning each facet with exceptional brilliance.

The bands are also available in versions set with vibrant pink and yellow diamonds – rarified jewels celebrated for their precious scarcity. Each band is engraved with the GRAFF logo upon the interior of the shank, a discreet reminder of the rings’ exceptional provenance and a signature touch.

For over half a century, the British brand Graff has operated at the very pinnacle of the high jewellery industry. At Bahrain Jewellery Centre, we discover what makes Graff special, and its latest collections.

Contemporary Classics

These signature motifs are suspended on delicate white gold chains for necklace and bracelet designs, and make for bold and eye-catching stud earrings. A semiflexible bangle set with two scintillating solitaires showcases Graff’s diamond setting expertise, as a delicate stream of diamonds leads the eye towards the hero stones, each embraced by their faceted halo.

GRAFF MASTERS THE ART OF JEWELLERY LAYERING

Graff’s new yellow and rose gold jewels offer more ways to wear two of their much-loved motifs. In this new age of layering and stacking, where mixing and matching styles and combining metals is encouraged, Graff is expanding two of its collections with designs in yellow and rose gold.

Previously available in diamonds and white gold only, the new pendants and earrings present new ways to wear two iconic design motifs for the house.

An enduring influence on Graff, the butterfly has inspired a whole universe of jewels, including the Butterfly Silhouette collection. Capturing the perfect symmetry of a butterfly as it flits elegantly through the air upon

fluttering wings, the collection is infused with an uplifting energy and delicate beauty.

New additions to the collection trace the butterfly’s iconic spread-wing silhouette in 18 carat yellow and rose gold. True to nature, each wing is delicately angled for a beautiful sense of three-dimensionality. Upon the largest of the two gold pendants, the wings are outlined in pavé diamonds, breathing fresh life into this signature.

Graff motif Floral silhouettes, too, have long inspired Graff’s designers, who closely study the petals and forms of different blooms to create elegant interpretations of nature. A joyful tribute to the English Garden, the Wild Flower collection revisits this theme with

Sculptural Allure

Each piece showcases a sculptural bezel setting, handcrafted with angular, architectural facets, and elegantly encases a scintillating solitaire diamond. Stones range up to 1.5 carats and are each framed by the Laurence Graff Signature setting – a modern companion to the timeless and classic round diamond.

carefree charm and contemporary spirit. Distinct yet complementary, new Wild Flower pendants and earrings in 18 carat yellow and rose gold bloom along the collarbone and upon the ears. Each golden petal is uniquely handcrafted to burst with life, with the petals edged in diamonds on the larger pendant. Floral silhouettes, too, have long inspired Graff’s designers, who closely study the petals and forms of different blooms to create elegant interpretations of nature. A joyful tribute to the English Garden, the Wild Flower collection revisits this theme with carefree charm and a contemporary spirit.

With an outstanding global reputation and a 62-year history of being the stepping stone to the world’s top universities, we take a look at why St Christopher’s School Bahrain is the best choice for a successful future.

A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION

Led by a team of nearly 400 world-class teachers, faculty and staff, the school is a vibrant educational institution that strives to provide a highquality education that not only equips its students to achieve their academic goals, but also to comprehend and foster outstanding humanitarian values that connect us all.

Since its foundation in 1961, St Christopher’s School has come a long way and currently serves more than 2,300 children and young adults aged three to 18, representing a diverse 70 nations, making it one of the most multinational schools in the country. St Chris has placed an immense emphasis on the school’s family community and is thriving through the PTO as well as the large-scale community and cultural events it hosts.

The school has a rich history in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is synonymous with world-class education – a beacon for innovation and excellence in the region.

St Christopher’s School has been recognised as one of the World’s Top 100 Private Schools by Spear’s School Index and Carfax Education for two consecutive years. Its students have consistently earned top marks in exams and are attending some of the top universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, University of London, Harvard, Yale, Stanford and MIT.

The school has also achieved the coveted ‘Gold Standard’ – the highest possible ratings in all their school inspections. With a commitment to the positive mental health and wellbeing of the school community, St Christopher’s was delighted to have recently been awarded the highest entry award in the School Mental Health Awards from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health. Furthermore, St Christopher’s School is recognised as being one of the top international schools in the region.

Multinational organisations are able to attract their best executives to Bahrain because St Christopher’s is able to provide a first-class education for their children. Furthermore, the school’s outreach to the community has benefited both local and expatriate communities over the last 62 years.

Service to others is a key part of life for St Christopher’s students and staff, following the

realisation of the mission for ‘An Education for a Shared Humanity’; all students are engaged in service activities and fundraising for local and global charities. In the past few years, St Christopher’s has built schools in Thailand, Nepal and Cambodia and is committed to funding the yearly running costs of these facilities as well as funding the education for several needy students, both locally and abroad.

The school has developed a bespoke curriculum, the Future Ready Curriculum (FRC) – a one-of-a-kind holistic framework that goes beyond just academic preparation. The FRC prepares and equips students with contemporary skills, knowledge, and understanding to ensure success in further education and future careers.

In addition to providing pupils with a worldclass education, the school has a rich extracurricular programme giving students the opportunity to engage in a diverse curriculum of sports, music and drama. The successful development of the school’s extensive extracurricular programme led to the formation of the St Chris SPARTA Academy, providing the highest quality sports coaching to children of all ages, not just for St Chris children.

It is certainly exciting times for St Christopher’s as its Senior School’s new state-of-the-art campus is currently under construction, which is sure to allow the school to reach even greater heights.

A HISTORIC MOVE

From humble beginnings in 1978 with 29 students and four teachers, Nadeen School is about to make the biggest move in the school’s history. Director Pauline Puri and her daughter, Shanee, share their thoughts about the school’s historic transition.

Pauline joined Nadeen School as a teacher in 1982 and, when the original owner left Bahrain in 1984, was entrusted with keeping the school’s holistic, childcentred and family-focused ethos going. Shanee joined Nadeen School in 1998 due to her passion for the school’s vision and a desire to help create an inspiring place for children to thrive.

Under Pauline’s guidance and Shanee’s care over the years, Nadeen School has remained dedicated to fostering and nurturing each child’s individuality, unique passions, abilities, gifts and interests.

“As the school celebrates its 45th anniversary, I think of all of the people who have walked through our doors,” Pauline reminisces. “I have seen numerous changes, both at the school and in Bahrain, and marvel at how many dear children, parents and families we have had on our journey.

“Throughout the years, one thing has remained constant – our dedication to maintaining a safe, happy, inspiring and exciting environment where all children can learn, develop and achieve with confidence and personality.”

Both Pauline and Shanee have also ensured a sincere dedication towards personal development, social responsibility and service learning, and care for the environment.

“We consider these to be our three guiding principles which continue to be embedded in everything we do,” Pauline explains. “None of this would be achievable without the caring and dedicated teaching and support teams; our supportive parents who are our partners in education; our community who have always believed in what we do; and mostly our students. They continue to inspire us each day.”

They both keenly remember stories and anecdotes about the children and families who have passed through the school.

“It is such an honour and delight to reconnect with our former students and their families” Shanee said delightedly. “Just last week we welcomed back a family who was with us over 19 years ago and it felt like no time had passed. I love to hear about what our former students are doing and am so proud and amazed by the wonderful things they are doing now: from award-winning designers and journalists, to doctors, musicians, social justice campaigners, pilots, engineers, entrepreneurs and so much more. We are so humbled to be a part of our students’ stories and we also have alumni who have children of their own at Nadeen, and it is so wonderful to see generations of the same family come through our doors. It really is a special connection.”

In 2017, the school was informed that it had to leave its current campus in Um Al Hassam and relocate to a purpose-built facility. A project of the heart six years in the making, Nadeen School is about to move into a new state-of the-art campus in Dilmunia.

Shanee explained: “We are delighted that Principal, Dr Paul Walton, will be leading the school into its exciting future. Our new location in Dilmunia is perfect in so many ways; we are truly in the centre of a community and our students will be able to experience so much both inside and beyond our campus walls. Our students will have wonderful facilities to pursue different interests and passions, and we look forward to welcoming the next generation into our collective family!”

“To move from converted villas to a purpose-built campus, which will allow us to expand all the way up to Year 13, is a dream come true,” Shanee posits. “All the while, we will be keeping our dear students, our core principles and our ethos at the heart of what we do.”

What makes our school unique

1. our holistic approach to education since 1978

Nadeen School has a holistic approach to education. This means that we focus on and develop all aspects of the child and treat each aspect with equal importance.

develop all aspects of the child and tr aspect with equal importance.

2. our caring and supportive commun

2. our caring and supportive community

4. our extensive English provision

We offer a high-quality provision for English across our entire school in class and through our EAL programme. Students make rapid progress in their acquisition and application of English.

2. our caring and supportive community

2. our caring and supportive commun

We take pride in offering a caring and community by the way we support, en help one another.

We take pride in offering a caring and supportive community by the way we support, encourage and help one another.

We take pride in offering a caring and supportive community by the way we support, encourage and help one another.

5 our progressive and innovative learning opportunities for all

5. our progressive and innovative learning opportunities for all

We take pride in offering a caring and community by the way we support, en help one another

3. our enriching international experie

3. our enriching international experience

3. our enriching international experience

3. our enriching international experience

With over 50 nationalities and a range of events, celebrations and key days making this a true international experience Our students have many opportunities of a range of cultures, countries and languages from around the world.

With over 50 nationalities and a range of events, celebrations and key days making this a true international experience Our students have many opportunities of a range of cultures, countries and languages from around the world.

With over 50 nationalities and a range of events, celebrations and key days making this a true international experience Our students have many opportunities of a range of cultures, countries and

With over 50 nationalities and a range of events, celebrations and key days making this a true international experience. Our students have many opportunities of a range of cultures, countries and languages from around the world.

Our qualified, dedicated and committed staff members model our philosophy each day. Our students enjoy ‘hands on’ learning, collaboration and enquiry through an inclusive and positive learning environment.

Our qualified, dedicated and committed staff members model our philosophy each day. Our students enjoy ‘hands on’ learning, collaboration and enquiry through an inclusive and positive learning environment.

an inclusive and positive learning environment.

6. our nurturing and personalised approach

6. our nurturing and personalised approach

model our philosophy each day. Our students enjoy ‘hands on’ learning, collaboration and enquiry through an inclusive and positive learning environment.

6. our nurturing and personalised approach

Knowing every individual, what they enjoy, their passions and how they learn best.

Knowing every individual, what they enjoy, their passions and how they learn best.

Knowing every individual, what they enjoy, their passions and how they learn best.

6. our nurturing and personalised approach

Knowing every individual, what they enjoy, their passions and how they learn best.

Rated 'outstanding' by the Bahrain Quality Authority and British Schools Overseas

Respect - Unity - Compassion - Growth

Respect - Unity - Compassion - Growth

Rated 'outstanding' by the Bahrain Quality Authority and British Schools Overseas info@nadeenschool com

Rated 'outstanding' by the Bahrain Quality Authority and British Schools Overseas info@nadeenschool.com @nadeenschool

Join us as we move to our new state of the art campus in the heart of Dilmunia in 2023, where we will continue to offer an outstanding British education to students from Nursery to Year 13.

+973 17728886

If you are a parent looking for a high-quality education for your child in Bahrain, the British Preparatory School (BPS) in Saar is an exceptional option. Not only does BPS offer a top-tier British curriculum, it also has a special connection with the British Embassy.

Since its establishment in 2008, BPS has nurtured a special bond with the British Embassy, becoming a hub for cultural celebrations and charity fundraisers. The school was inaugurated by the then British Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Jamie Bowden, and has since marked important milestones with the presence of British Ambassadors. This year, as BPS celebrated its 15th anniversary, the British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Roddy Drummond, joined Principal Jasmine Smith. “15 years of the British Preparatory School Bahrain. Amazing children, gifted staff and smart facilities. A small school with a big heart,” HE said on the occasion. BPS places great emphasis on developing young children’s awareness of the world beyond their immediate surroundings, providing a unique opportunity for its young students to broaden their horizons and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

The school’s strategic partnerships have enabled it to leverage the expertise of the British education systems and professionals, allowing BPS to deliver a highquality education that meets international standards. At the core of BPS’s educational philosophy is a commitment to providing the best possible foundation for its children. The school’s curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and British National Curriculum, and its teachers are highly qualified and experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping each child reach their full potential.

What sets BPS apart from other schools is its focus on making learning fun. From the moment children set foot in the school, they are greeted with bright, colourful yet calming classrooms that are designed to inspire creativity and curiosity. The school’s dedicated team of teachers are passionate about making learning enjoyable, and they use a range of teaching methods to engage children and keep them interested.

“Allowing children to think creatively and critically from a young age is the key to

nurturing future leaders. BPS is an early learning centre where children, from 18 months to six years old, can learn through exploration and discovery,” says Mrs. Smith. ”BPS is a place the children can feel safe and happy, only then can true learning happen.” Through their partnership with Royal Life Saving Bahrain, BPS helps raise awareness about life saving skills and water safety. In addition, all the teachers are First Aid practitioners. BPS offers a range of opportunities to help build core muscle strength and develop good motor skills as physical activity is considered to be just as important as academic development. Children can also enjoy a wonderful indoor soft play area.

Through a focus on character development, children also learn the importance of respect, responsibility, and resilience. They are encouraged to think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with others. On the occasion of the coronation of King Charles III, BPS reflects on its commitment to building strong relationships between the UK and Bahrain over the years. The school remembers, with fondness, the letter received from the late Queen Elizabeth II thanking the children for their Jubilee wishes.

BPS is the perfect choice for parents who want their children to thrive both academically and personally. Who knows? Maybe one day, one of BPS’s children will become a diplomat or ambassador themselves!

Founded in 1935 in the heart of Um Al Hassam, the club comprises more than 1,500 members and 60 nationalities. Founded by Sir Charles Belgrave, one of the pioneers of Bahraini-British relations, it has a long and distinguished history in the Kingdom. The club delivers on its motto: ‘Your home away from home,’ with its variety of dining outlets, tennis and squash courts, a gym, swimming pool, snooker room, library and more. The club’s garden area with a giant screen and twice-weekly live music fosters a friendly atmosphere which caters for all ages. Mr. Woodrow has been in Bahrain for 17 years and is the COO of a large development company based in Amwaj Islands, managing a portfolio of luxury residential properties, hotels, hospitals and mixed-use developments.

He has been part of the British Club Executive Committee for 13 years, initially as a House Member before moving on to the

SERVING THE BRITISH COMMUNITY

The British Club of Bahrain is one of the world’s oldest expat clubs and boasts a multicultural membership and family-friendly atmosphere. Kristian Harrison spoke to the club’s Chairman, Chris Woodrow, ahead of King Charles III’s coronation and discussed the club’s plans for the historic occasion and his own personal honour bestowed upon him by the new monarch.

position of Deputy Chairman in his third year. He is now in his ninth year as Chairman, the longest-serving in history.

For his meritorious service to the British community in Bahrain during his historic voluntary tenure, he was awarded the British Empire Medal on King Charles III’s International New Year’s Honours list.

“I feel extremely humbled and proud to have been awarded the British Empire Medal,” he says. “When the British Ambassador called me to tell me, I was stuck for words, which is pretty unusual for me!

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the great team at the British Club, the staff really go above and beyond to make everybody feel welcome and part of the family.

“The British Club is a very special place, very dear to me, being a member for so long and having the privilege of chairing a club in such a fantastic country has been an absolute pleasure. I’ve met many life-long friends at the British Club and no doubt will meet more in the coming years.

“Whilst the British Club is a non-profit organisation, we still need to generate profits for the upkeep of the club and to continually strive to improve the facilities for our members and guests, so it’s a big responsibility for the Executive Committee and our staff.

“I’ve been here as Chairman through the most financially successful years at the club, but also through the very worst times with COVID-19, where with careful management, the club successfully navigated some pretty challenging times. Many will not be aware, but the British Club and its many sections have donated generously to Bahrain-based charities over the years, which has been a great privilege for me to have been involved in.

To celebrate the historic coronation on May 6, the club will be hosting a Coronation Street Party on May 5, which is open to all and will feature inflatables in the pool, a bake-off challenge, family games, a photo booth, British food menu and live entertainment. The following day, there will be full coverage of the coronation from 9am, with a British breakfast buffet and themed afternoon menu.

“From the feedback the club is getting, there is a real buzz in the air about the coronation,” Mr Woodrow believes. “This is an event that very, very few people have experienced before and the club will be fully branded and sure to generate an amazing atmosphere!”

NURTURING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The British School of Bahrain (BSB) offers an exceptional education for children from Nursery (age three) to Upper 6th (age 18). We take a look at what makes BSB one of the most renowned schools in the Kingdom.

BSB is committed to providing a holistic UK-based education that nurtures students’ academic, sporting and artistic talents. The school has achieved the highest A level results in Bahrain for two years in a row, with several students achieving the highest mark in the world for subjects including Advanced Level Economics and Fine Arts. BSB is globally recognised for providing world-class education, with students gaining acceptance into some of the world’s top universities, including Cambridge University, London School of Economics, and the University of California Berkeley.

Located on one campus for all students in Hamala, the school boasts a beautiful state-of-the-art campus with excellent facilities, including swimming pools, outdoor basketball courts, a football field, indoor sports halls, and science and technology laboratories. The curriculum focuses on seven areas of learning, with a particular emphasis on Personal, Social, and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, and Physical Development.

BSB was shortlisted for five international awards this year, and was delighted to win three of these,

in the world for well-being this year.

The British School of Bahrain offers a world-class education that is recognised globally. The school’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities and a holistic education that nurtures the development and growth of each student makes it a top choice for parents in Bahrain. For more information, visit britishschoolbahrain.com

EMPOWERING LEADERS

The UK has been a prime choice for further education among the citizens of Bahrain for several decades. This month, we spoke to the Director of Executive Development at Strathclyde Business School, Dr. Phil Considine, who highlighted its strategic relationship with Bahrain and the factors that set Strathclyde apart from other universities in the UK.

Dr. Phil Considine has been teaching and running MBA programmes for 25 years and was working in England when the opportunity to come to Strathclyde arose. “I am originally from Glasgow and the chance to work at one of the world’s leading business schools meant that I did not have to think twice about accepting the position,” says Dr. Considine.

The University of Strathclyde was founded over 225 years ago as a ‘place of useful learning’ – a founding philosophy that has been retained to this day. Bahrain is one of the most important strategic relationships maintained by the university with the Strathclyde Business School MBA being one of the best in the country. “We have been in the region for many years and have an amazing alumni community. Our relationship with the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF) goes from strength to strength, and we will be launching a number of new programmes to enhance our portfolio,” he states.

“Our programmes are all applied, experiential and personalised and I think it is this that gives us a real competitive advantage. Our research is world class and we then help business leaders to apply this to their own context to help improve performance and results. We know that the programmes help leaders to think and act strategically,” he adds.

Strathclyde graduates from Bahrain have gone on to some of the most senior corporate roles within organisations of all sizes and in all sectors. This includes C-suite leaders in technology, financial services, construction, oil and gas and manufacturing in addition to

senior leaders in public service aside from some in innovative SMEs.

“The MBA and Strategic Fintech programmes are both very successful but one of the great benefits of partnering with BIBF is that we have market insights that would otherwise be impossible. Therefore, we plan to launch a number of new programmes in the coming academic year which reflects our commitment to both Bahrain and our partnership,” he says.

When in Bahrain, Dr. Considine leads one of the core MBA modules called Grand

Challenges of Corporate Governance – an applied module that examines the impact of ESG factors to organisations of all sectors and sizes. “Having two days of intensive teaching with groups of motivated and experienced professionals is a privilege. We also run master classes for alumni, so I get to meet them and find out how their careers have benefited from the MBA and now the MSc Strategic Fintech,” he says of his visits to the Kingdom.

Reflecting on Strathclyde’s activities in Bahrain, Dr. Considine believes there is a growing demand for highquality programmes in the field of leadership, business and management. “Strathclyde Business School has a reputation for excellence in these areas. By partnering with BIBF and businesses, Strathclyde is able to tailor its programmes to meet the specific needs of the Bahraini market, while also drawing on its own expertise and experience in the field of business leadership and management,” he says.

Strathclyde Business School also fosters collaboration between Scotland and Bahrain by working together on leadership programmes. “Students, faculty and professionals from both countries can learn from each other and gain a better understanding of each other’s cultures and business practices. This can help to promote economic and social development in both countries, while strengthening diplomatic and commercial ties between Scotland and Bahrain,” he concludes.

International Enterprising Impactful Leading Strathclyde

The final word in business education

As a well-established top 10 UK business school* within a leading international technological University, Strathclyde understands the business needs of organisations: from start-ups and SMEs to global players.

Our triple accredited and globally ranked Executive MBA is available at our international centres in Dubai, Oman and Bahrain. We also offer a dynamic, fully-rounded and innovative portfolio of specialist postgraduate programmes. In partnership with Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), we offer the MSc Financial Technology, fully delivered in Bahrain on a part time basis.

Make Strathclyde your destination

www.strath.ac.uk/business

Jumana Husain Ali

Level 4 (2nd year)

B.Eng. (Hons) Civil Engineering

I chose to study Civil Engineering at ASU because I get to graduate with a British degree without studying abroad and being around my family in Bahrain. It also gives me an advantage when finding a career or to be prepared for graduate school. My favourite part of this programme is how it encourages us to go out and get the physical experience that we need, with multiple site visits where we can meet like-minded students who share the same passion and challenge each other.

ASU has a very strong connection with LSBU and engineering firms in the UK. That was seen during the Covid-19 pandemic as we had online meetings with LSBU global representatives and interactive sessions.

The stereotype of STEM not being a women’s field, and being predominantly run by men, is changing. I can see the awareness in the Bahraini community and how women are becoming leaders. ASU provides all the needed support to train us and let us face real life challenges. As a woman, I know I am capable to compete in the market and stand out.

Sayed Ayman Mahfoodh

Level 6 (4th year) – Graduate

B.Eng. (Hons) Civil and Construction Engineering

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

Applied Science University (ASU) is one of Bahrain’s leading universities, forging a glowing reputation across the region. Of particular renown is its College of Engineering, which offers distinct programmes allowing students to study an internationally-recognised UK degree course through its partnership with London South Bank University (LSBU).

Amna Salman AlNashaba

Level 6 (4th year) – Graduate

B.Eng. (Hons) Architectural Design Engineering

ASU’s engineering college follows a British curriculum, which is a great opportunity to gain a high-quality education in Bahrain. My favourite part of the Architectural Engineering programme is the diverse range of subjects we have studied, which includes not only architectural design but also structural design, geotechnics, innovation and more.

With the assistance of my professors, I had the opportunity to choose where I wanted to gain work experience and I completed four months with Cebarco even after completing my module assignments.

At ASU, more than 60 percent of the engineering students are women. As a woman in this field, I am very proud to see that so many capable women are pursuing their education and careers in engineering in Bahrain, which enables them to access high-quality education and training that can help them succeed in their careers. These opportunities can help break down barriers for women in male-dominated fields such as engineering and can inspire and motivate other women to pursue similar paths.

Ahmed Ebrahim Zuhair

Level 5 (3rd year)

B.Eng. (Hons) Architectural Engineering

My favourite modules are design-based, such as structural design and analysis of concrete, steel, foundation and geotechnical engineering which cover international and local codes and calculations, and also the modules that have BIM applications such as AutoDesk REVIT. We as students are considered as if we were studying in the UK; and I think it is a beneficial point for us if we want to continue our studies there.

During the summer semester we had an internship module, which I did at NASS Contracting, and this gave me a lot of experience in the engineering field, especially in site inspection. I interacted with skilled and experienced engineers for one month in various large-scale projects.

ASU is in a great location with professional staff, and the programme just appealed to me since it offers the mix of study between theory and reallife practical applications, which covers the major I am interested in.

The programme offers internship experience in the engineering field from various government and private companies which are involved heavily in the engineering field in Bahrain, which again is another reason why ASU is the best place in Bahrain to study engineering.

Smile Like You Mean It!

British Dental Center (BDC), located in Saar, first opened its doors to patients in June 2020 with the aspiration to offer bespoke dental treatment to all its patients. Here’s how BDC puts a smile on people’s faces!

British Dental Center is owned and directed by Dr. Ruby Hassan – a British Dentist who graduated from Kings College London (2007). Dental care at BDC is always patient-centred and there is no pressure as treatment plans are always guided by the

patient’s preferences. Just a few years on, BDC has grown to be one of the most popular and highly rated centres in Bahrain, particularly in Saar. The BDC team offers multi-specialty dentistry catered to the specific needs of all patients. Dedicated dentists, dental assistants, receptionists and support staff are ready to take care of your dental needs. Dr. Ruby and her team are committed to providing a pain-free and hassle-free journey for all. They strive to ensure everyone feels relaxed in their friendly environment as they understand that, often times, the dental chair is nobody’s favourite place. They encourage parents to bring their children for a dental check-up at an early age, so they can maintain excellent dental health for life. In fact, the BDC KIDS initiative helps make a child’s early dental

positive encouragement for dental treatment. When it comes to dental technology, BDC is committed to be at the forefront of latest advancements in equipment and procedures. it uses Digital Scanning with iTero, 3D X-ray imaging, Digital Dental X-rays, Dental Lazers, AirFlow Pain Free Cleaning, and many other modern procedures. BDC is also a certified Invisalign Platinum Provider.

Opening times are from Saturday to Thursday, 7.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm. BDC also provides out of hour care on Fridays when booked in advance.

2nd Floor, Nakheel Centre, Saar

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DECADES OF EXCELLENCE

Since it began trading in Bahrain 44 years ago, Verminex has grown to be the leading pest management company in the Kingdom. Prime locations including the Bahrain International Airport, high-end hospitality venues and food manufacturing companies make use of its services. We learn about its UK ties and the reasons for its success over the years.

Since establishing a UK presence in Bahrain, Verminex has grown to be the largest and preferred pest control company in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The company prides itself in its fair and honest approach to trading, and places utmost importance on valuing and rewarding its staff – key elements which make the UK brand stand out from others in the country.

Verminex was established in the UK in 1937. It grew to be an established UK servicing company when biology graduate David Nubel joined in 1968 after a 10-year career in pest control with a company called Rentokil. In 1979, Verminex was approached to set up pest control in Bahrain and Mr. Nubel was dispatched by the Chairman (the grandfather of the company’s UK Director Julie Ouston) to appraise the potential.

A meeting with the purchasing manager responsible for the labour camps for the King Fahad causeway project sealed the deal. In October 1979, Derek Hidden joined the company from Ciba-Geigy in Saudi Arabia and the company started trading under the sponsorship of its current Bahraini partner,

Abbas Mahmood Alireza. Mr. Hidden was joined briefly by Brian ‘Budget Brian’ Davis from Verminex UK, but Derek tragically died in a car accident in 1980. Following his demise, Simon Barton joined from Rentokil UK to run the company from offices in Sitra. Verminex employee, Mario Rodrigues, was promoted to the position of General Manager and ran the operations from the company’s showroom and office in Alawadiya until his tragic fatal heart attack.

Mr. Davis then rejoined the company briefly and recruited Anthony Manabat as his assistant. It soon became clear that Mr. Manabat was a man of many talents. Hence, he went to the UK and attended the British Pest Control Association training course and successfully qualified.

When the COVID-19 pandemic was negatively affecting the world, he made his impact in the company and Kingdom as he pioneered its disinfection division. Under his guidance and leadership, Verminex has grown to be the leading pest management company in Bahrain.

The success of Verminex over the years has been largely due to their innovation through the introduction of new products and techniques sourced from the UK, EU and USA. Bower, the leading fly killer machine brand in the UK, is among the British brand names that Verminex represents in the Kingdom. Furthermore, the company’s service staff attend weekly training sessions as the company’s General Manager, Anthony Manabat, has a passion for getting it right first time.

Due to its reliability and reputation built over the years, Verminex now provides its services to major clients including the Bahrain International Airport, Gulf Air, four- and fivestar hotels, and major food processing and manufacturing companies such as Arla and Mondelez. The company now has a team of 40 service staff and 20 support staff, many of whom are young enthusiastic Bahrainis. The company also proudly engages in community support activities including the sponsorship of the Philippine Basketball League and various church activities in the Kingdom.

CREATING CONNECTIONS

Bahrain’s oldest and most active business networking organisation, the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), was formed in 1995 to promote trade and investment between Bahrain and Britain in a non-discriminatory, non-political and non-profit making manner.

The forum works to create and sustain a favourable business environment and strives to assist and introduce new trade and investments, to both Bahrain and UK, that can benefit and enhance the common economic interests of the member companies. The BBBF also aims to promote Bahrain as the regional centre to conduct business throughout the Middle East. Moreover, the forum has driven forward cross-regional initiatives with other British business groups in the region. From these connections the forum members build both regional and global connections.

The BBBF plays an integral part in promoting British businesses to Bahrain and Bahraini

businesses to Britain. The forum’s monthly meetings and special interest group events serve as excellent tools in building strong business relationships, networking and information sharing. Royal family members, ministerial level speakers and business leaders from both Bahrain and Britain share their knowledge and present the latest opportunities, news and developments as keynote speakers at BBBF events.

“The BBBF has many members with over 20 years of membership, a testament to our formula of networking initiatives. This year, exciting plans are in the pipeline for the BBBF. We are in the process of converting the forum to an official British Chamber of Commerce Bahrain, which we expect to bring even more benefits to our members and both countries,” says BBBF Vice Chair, Paula Boast MBE.

The BBBF also works in close cooperation with the British Embassy in Bahrain to

organise business related events and provide information regarding the latest business functions and trade exhibitions. For enhanced collaboration the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an MOU with the BBBF in 2010.

Apart from business networking, the BBBF engages in community support activities. To commemorate the Armistice Day, every November the BBBF organises a charity ball, the Poppy Ball, one of the annual highlights on Bahrain’s social calendar. The funds collected are donated to Bahraini and British charities. The forum also supports the Crown Prince International Scholarship (CPISP) alumni who have graduated from UK universities and are currently working in Bahrain. The BBBF offers free membership to the alumni for a period of three years to help the promising Bahraini graduates to incorporate into the Bahraini business community.

The Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) is widely recognised in the United Kingdom and in the Kingdom of Bahrain for being a leading, impartial business sector group. On the occasion of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, we explore the history of this essential organisation and significant developments that will be coming into place.

BUILT TO LAST

Gulf Equipment & Technology W.L.L. (GET) is one of the divisions of Al Alawi Factories Group of Companies which was established in 1967. Being the exclusive dealer of JCB – a British heavy equipment manufacturer – in the Kingdom of Bahrain, GET has had a very significant impact on the development of fields including construction and road works.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is known across the region for its rapid and consistent progress, which is evident through the widespread construction of property, infrastructure development and more. Reliable heavy equipment has, quite naturally, been necessary for this growth and development.

Over the years, Gulf Equipment & Technology W.L.L. (GET), which is one of the divisions of Al Alawi Factories Group of Companies, firmly set its place as the market leader in the retail and service sector as a heavy equipment supplier to contractors, industry, government institutions, private sector and other various fields.

Notably, GET is the exclusive dealer of JCB –the British multinational heavy equipment manufacturer – in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Interestingly enough, the company was

founded in 1945, when Joseph Cyril Bamford began the business using surplus World War II parts and scrap metals. JCB has now grown to be one of the top three manufacturers of construction equipment in the world. The company is based in Staffordshire, England and produces heavyduty equipment which is used for construction, agriculture, waste handling and demolition. The company’s key products include excavators, loaders, forklifts, tractors and more.

GET has been an apt distributor for the brand in the Kingdom with its fully equipped workshop which is manned by highlyexperienced and well-trained personnel. The GET team has been essential and committed to providing adept after sales support for complete customer satisfaction.

With a firm foundation and extensive expertise, GET is now expanding across the region with offices and branches established recently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as in the United Arab Emirates.

GET had proven its quality consciousness by receiving an ISO 9001:2015 accreditation and maintaining such essential legal recognitions. To achieve its goals, GET sees its high-quality products and fully qualified employees as its most valuable assets.

In keeping with the 2030 agenda for the sustainable development of the Kingdom of Bahrain, GET intends to transform into a completely green environment and selfsustained company.

Motoring with the Monarchy

It won’t surprise you to know that the UK has an entire fleet of royal cars, which are usually housed at the Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace unless stationed at other royal residences when required.

However, did you know that King Charles III owns a vintage Aston Martin which runs on cheese? Now you do!

Before we go into that, it’s important to understand that there are various categories which all vehicles encompassed by the Crown’s umbrella are separated into.

The most important of these is State Cars, which are used for public engagements and on ceremonial occasions by the monarch or visiting heads of state. There are currently five of these: two Bentleys and three Rolls-Royces. Almost as important are the Royal Review Vehicles, which are modified cars designed for use at official parades and ceremonies, currently consisting of two Range Rovers. The prestige of these cars are noticeable by

two important distinctions.

Firstly, by their dual-toned exterior: the lower sections

are painted in Royal Claret (a deep maroon), while the upper sections are painted Masons Black. Secondly, they don’t require registration plates, the only vehicles in the UK granted this exception alongside the State Hearse, first used last year for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The third and final class is the Semi-State Cars, which do have plates and are used for less formal situations and general support. These currently consist of a pair of 2012 Jaguar XJ Limousines and three 1992 Daimler DS420 Limousines. Of course, there is a whole array of other vehicles, used for security convoys, logistics, transporting larger numbers and a plethora of other reasons, which are used as and when needed.

Of course, whilst these cars are used for public events and pageantry, it’s the royal family’s private collection which turns most heads. No

nation with the UK’s historical background and global diplomatic reach could fail to have built up quite the showcase, especially considering its figureheads have long been petrolheads themselves!

Indeed, the first royal motorist was King Edward VII, who in June 1900 (whilst still Prince of Wales), took delivery of his first car, a 6bhp Daimler Mail Phaeton. The future king continued to be an enthusiastic promoter of ‘horseless carriages’, and following his accession to the throne in 1901 he awarded Daimler, Britain’s first automotive manufacturer, his royal warrant.

The Royal Mews, previously used explicitly for horses and carriages, was converted into a garage for the motor cars and Edward ordered another new Daimler: a 22bhp ‘touring carriage’ to be used for travelling in both in the UK and mainland Europe.

The first time a motor car was used by the King for an official engagement was on October 19, 1904, when he was driven to and from Woolwich Garrison in a 36bhp Daimler with a limousine body.

With the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III taking place this month, Kristian Harrison takes a look at the storied history of the British monarchy’s love affair with cars and takes a peek into the many garages of the new sovereign.

This passion continues until this day. Whilst it was no secret that Queen Elizabeth II’s greatest love was horses, she shared almost as much affection for electrical transport too. She was an enthusiastic motorist, particularly when ferrying visiting dignitaries across the moors of Balmoral in her Land Rover. She was an army ambulance driver in WWII and was also more than familiar with what goes on under the bonnet, having trained as a mechanic aged 18. Right up until her death and throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen was seen behind the wheel almost as much as she was in the back seat.

Shortly after her accession in 1952, the royal warrant was stripped from Daimler and given to Rolls-Royce. No one knows the exact reasons why, but the most likely reason is a Rolls-Royce factory visit undertaken by the Queen and Prince Philip, where the latter became particularly enamoured with a new experimental vehicle that was being created. It was duly delivered to the couple a year later and instantly became their preferred vehicle for royal obligations.

Despite the wealth of choice available to Her Majesty throughout her reign, it’s often said her favourite car was a 1961 Vauxhall Cresta PA Friary Estate. It had particular quirks to

suit her outdoorsy lifestyle, with bespoke modifications including fishing rod holders built into the roof, a dog guard for her corgis and a gun rack, as well as custom Imperial Green paintwork. It remains in the royal garage at Sandringham today, the same estate where she could often be seen driving a young Prince Charles around.

This same Charles is the biggest petrolhead in the family… or should that be biofuelhead?

The climate-conscious king has retrofitted many of the Royal Family’s cars to run on environmentally-friendly fuels almost as a passion project.

With more than 100 cars said to be in his private collection, it’s impossible to list them all and indeed half of them undoubtedly remain top secret. However, he does have some absolute crackers tucked away.

Take for example his 1970 Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante, given to him as a gift by his mother for his 21st birthday. In 2008, as much as he loved driving this vintage sports car, he wanted to do so guilt-free. Fortunately, he was approached by engineers at Aston Martin who claimed they could make it run on white wine and a cheese by-product called whey thrown into the mix, named E85. Despite concerns it would ruin the car, Charles

discovered it ran better than ever and once exclaimed that his car “smells delicious as you’re driving along.”

That’s not the only epic snippet of trivia about this beautiful beast. HRH hired Thruxton circuit and the services of two-time Formula One world champion Graham Hill to help him get to grips with the 148mph machine and the monarch also stuck a fake red ‘eject’ button on the dashboard, a la James Bond, designed to make his passengers nervous. Another of King Charles’ favourites is a 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante, actually given as a gift from Bahrain’s late Emir, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to which he added a manual gearbox and Balmoral Green paintwork, making it much the same as the one James Bond drove in 1987’s The Living Daylights.

Of course, you’re unlikely to see the King driving around London in these. In fact, these days he almost exclusively uses an all-electric Jaguar I-Pace bought in 2019, thanks to its emission-free running helping to reduce air pollution in the capital.

Electric vehicles will no doubt be the way forward for the green-thinking monarchy, especially with Charles at the helm, but let’s hope he brings out some of the rare vintage for truly special occasions.

In 1900, Rolls-Royce co-founder, Charles Rolls, prophesied an electric future for the motor car. His words were: “The electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration. They should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged.” Now, more than 120 years later, the prophecy of its founding father has been fulfilled, spearheaded by Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten MüllerÖtvös’ promise to bring a fully-electric RollsRoyce to market within the current decade. Spectre is the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever. The next generation of the iconic brand sets a new precedent with the creation of an entirely original class of motor car, the Ultra-Luxury Electric Super Coupé. A spiritual successor to the Phantom Coupé, Spectre is an emblem of artisanship in perfect harmony with electric technology, its visionary design reinvents timeless iconography.

Taking design inspiration from many sources including contemporary luxury yacht concepts, as the streamlined Spirit of Ecstasy leads Spectre forward with command and poise, this electric masterpiece acknowledges its forebear with its generous proportions and split headlight treatment – a contemporary RollsRoyce design tenet. Spectre’s uncompromising character is articulated through lines of sculptural purity. The fender line evokes dynamism, while the waft line sharply tapers

at the front creating the illusion of motion even when the car is still.

Stepping into Spectre also evokes feelings of wonder. Engulfed in supple and inviting leather, the interior draws inspiration from the timeless mystique of the night sky. With an intricate show of shooting stars, the Starlight Headliner is spellbinding whilst the Illuminated Fascia mesmerises with over 5,500 stars. Additionally, for the first time on a series production Rolls-Royce, Starlight Doors incorporating 4,796 softly illuminated ‘stars’ are available. Each ‘star’ is positioned by hand, creating a subtle sense of motion within Spectre’s cabin.

Furthermore, Spectre is equipped with a completely redesigned digital architecture of luxury named SPIRIT, presented in quintessential Rolls-Royce style. SPIRIT sets a new precedent for how technology and luxury are married with automotive excellence, not only managing the motor car’s functions, but also seamlessly integrating into the Whispers application, allowing clients to interact with their car remotely, and receive live information curated by the marque’s luxury intelligence specialists.

The proportional demands of Spectre’s scale required Rolls-Royce to embolden its wheel strategy. Spectre is the first production twodoor coupé to be equipped with 23-inch wheels in almost one hundred years.

Built on Rolls-Royce’s Architecture of Luxury, which was conceived from the very start with electric drive in mind, Spectre is the most powerful and most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, with every line of its body sculpted for ultimate grace and performance.

The Architecture of Luxury has been perfectly tailored to integrate Rolls-Royce’s electric powertrain into Spectre, enabling ideal battery placement within the floor plan. The mechanical setup and planar suspension has been honed over countless hours of specialised testing and ensures a truly optimal ride quality. Furthermore, Spectre is the most connected Rolls-Royce the marque has ever conceived. With 141,200 ender-receiver functions, 7km of cabling and over 25,000 sub-functions, Spectre is able to process complex data and exchange information with unparalleled levels of detail, refinement and effortlessness, whilst ensuring continuity of the Rolls-Royce experience. This ensures Spectre is without any doubt a RollsRoyce first and an electric car second. Spectre offers over 10 driver assistance systems – each a manifestation of this advanced intelligence –that accommodate the driver for a smooth and safe journey.

For inquiries, contact Rolls-Royce Bahrain Brand Manager Fawzi Osta on 33 610-111.

Taking centre stage in the epicentre of luxury, the Spectre marks the beginning of a new era for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the region. Described as a prophecy fulfilled and a spirit electrified, it heralds the beginning of the start of a bold new chapter for the marque as it prepares to build only electric cars by the end of 2030.

MAJESTIC MARQUES

No company in the world ties Bahrain and the UK closer together than McLaren Automotive, with a famous history linking the two, on and off the track. Working closely with its exclusive dealership in the kingdom, Kanoo Motors, the iconic marque continues to deliver excellence.

The British creator of luxury sportscars and supercars was founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963, and since then has established itself as one of the world’s premier luxury automotive manufacturers. It is now part-owned by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, which is the majority shareholder.

The McLaren Bahrain Tower, which stands proudly next to the Bahrain International Circuit as the regional headquarters of the brand, has a floor area of approximately 8,000sqm across eight floors. From here, the company runs its business operations across its combined Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, one of four McLaren divisions and one which comprises 20 markets, 36 retailers and constitutes approximately a third of the brand’s global sales.

The company’s racing heritage has thrilled fans of Formula 1 since the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004, and no race on the island would be complete without a

sea of supporters flying the flag of the team’s traditional orange colours.

Mumtalakat recently invested BD47m into the McLaren group and secured vintage racing cars and supercars from the company’s prized heritage collection. The kingdom is the driving force behind McLaren’s all-new in-house designed and developed innovative lightweight vehicle architecture that will underpin the next generation of McLaren’s electrified model line-up.

This comes hot on the heels of the exciting McLaren Artura, of which Kanoo Motors recently took the first regional deliveries to the delight of customers. Furthermore, the Artura continues to receive glowing reviews from both the global and local motoring community after successful test drives. The next-generation high-performance hybrid supercar is aimed at driving future growth for the company and is expected to contribute to circa 50 percent of the brand’s regional sales in 2023.

EXPLORING THE NORTH

When compiling a list of the major sightseeing hotspots in England, it wouldn’t be a surprise to find it heavily London-centric. However, England’s Northern heartland is home to a trove of tourist treasures all in itself. Natives will tell you that, at least culturally, it’s almost a different country; full of charms, gorgeous countryside and quirky accents. We’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit, which show that the wondrous nature of the country doesn’t completely lie on the banks of the Thames and there’s far more to the North than wind and rain.

York is one of the oldest cities in England, with a history stretching back two millennia. Full of charming and historical gems, its masterpiece is undoubtedly York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals Europe. Completed in the 15th century, it is Gothic and atmospheric, full of gargoyles, stained glass windows (including the Great East Window– the largest in Europe) and imposing lofty architecture.While in town, stop by The Perky Peacock located in an old watchtower along the River Ouse, now owned and ran by former Bahrain This Month motoring correspondent Dick Potter!

YORK

If you plan on visiting the UK, you won’t want to miss out on exploring the North. Kristian Harrison shares his suggestions for the best attractions and districts up north.

ANGEL OF THE NORTH

Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North is the UK’s most famous piece of public art. It first spread its wings in February 1998 and at 54m wide and 20m high, it is believed to be the largest angel sculpture in the world. Located in Gateshead, close to Newcastle, it’s a perfect spot for one of those famous Instagram ‘angel wings’ photos.

MANCHESTER

Being one of the larger cities in England, there’s a whole heap of amazing things to see and do whilst in Manchester. It has a long, industrial history and you can explore it in both the Science and Industry Museum and the Manchester Art Gallery. If you’re a football fan, there’s the National Football Museum, and of course, the iconic home of Manchester United, Old Trafford. It’s also a vibrant, modern city with fantastic nightlife, particularly in the Northern Quarter. Fans of Indian food should also check out the iconic Curry Mile, which needs little further explanation!

BLACKPOOL

Blackpool is an archetypal English seaside experience. It has the iconic Blackpool Tower, a landmark built in 1894 as the Eiffel Tower’s replica. The tower houses some of the town’s best attractions, including a circus, glass walkway and an ornate Victorian ballroom. If you visit between September and January, you can see the Blackpool Illuminations which are made up of around one million light bulbs. Fish and chips are optional.

LIVERPOOL

HADRIAN’S WALL

Built to guard the Roman Empire’s wild northern frontier from barbarians in AD122, Hadrian’s Wall is much more than a barricade. It is a World Heritage Site where you can discover the remains of the towers, forts, towns and turrets that once kept a watch over the 120km-long wall. In fact, Hadrian’s Wall is considered to be the inspiration for The Wall in Game of Thrones. There is also a beautiful museum at the site that showcases the rich history of the Romans.

BAMBURGH CASTLE

Of course, most people know Liverpool as the hometown of the Beatles. It’s paradise on Earth if you’re a fan of the band, and the city hardly hides its connections with memorabilia and statues dotted everywhere, particularly on Mathew Street, home of the iconic Cavern Club. That being said, there’s so much more to experience. Explore the waterfront (marked by a trio of buildings adorned by Liver Birds known as the Three Graces), one or both of Liverpool’s two cathedrals, a number of art galleries and the Royal Albert Dock to find out more about the famous port’s past, or go on a stadium tour at Anfield.

THE LAKE DISTRICT

With beautiful villages, historic locations and ancient castles scattered throughout the area, the beauty of The Lake District will certainly enchant you. Whether you fancy swimming, sailing or simply heading out onto Lake Windermere for kayaking, you’ll surely find something you love here. There are also tons of places to drink and eat in the Lakes, from Michelin-star restaurants to historic pubs where you can enjoy hearty meals. It is also known for its fantastic mountains and trails, such as England’s highest peak – Scafell Pike –you can hike.

Fringed by miles of sandy beach, Bamburgh is a magnificent coastal town in the heart of Northumberland renowned for its famous castle, walking and coastline trails. This quaint small town is home to Grace Darling, Victorian England’s heroine who rescued the SS Forfarshire wreck survivors in 1838. Bamburgh Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in Europe, is an immensely popular tourist attraction renowned for its stately rooms, ghostly history, action-packed events calendar and stunning setting.

Lord Anthony Bamford, Chairman of JCB

Lord Anthony Bamford, Chairman of JCB during his visit to GET , Kingdom of during his visit to GET , Kingdom of Bahrain Bahrain