H
appy New Year from the Board, the Advisory Council and the team of the Chamber!
We saw out 2015 with a flurry of events, most of them
packed into the last few weeks. These ranged from our 19th Annual Financial Lunch to a very successful Franco-British Digital Conference. Of note was an inspiring debate between our President Estelle Brachlianoff and Helena Morrissey, Founder of the 30% Club. It was a pity that so few men attended as the issues they discussed don’t just concern women, and it has prompted a rethink of the ‘Women, Inspiration and Leadership’ title of this event – watch out for its more man-friendly entitled successor later this year! Congratulations go to the two companies that emerged from close competition as the winners of the 16th FrancoBritish Business Awards – La Belle Assiette and Decathlon - while Societe Generale was recognised for its long-standing commitment and contribution to the Chamber with the Jury Award. In preparation for their 2016 programmes, the Chamber’s Forums and Clubs held brainstorming sessions, but there were a couple of particularly relevant presentations, most notably RIchard Brown CBE’s talk at the Climate Change Forum on extreme weather adaptation which came just a week or two before Storm Desmond caused devastating flooding. His checklist for businesses is a must-read. The Luxury Club had breakfast in the gorgeous Maison Assouline while learning about the latest trends in tourist luxury spend. We ended the year with a record number of Corporate members, topping 100 for the first time. This issue records seven of the latest to join alongside a new Patron member – London Philharmonic Orchestra, and 13 new Active members. Our year begins with a promising programme, starting in good French tradition with La Galette de Rois at PAUL’s new Tower 42 restaurant (reviewed in this issue on p 50), followed by Breakfast with Jacques Attali on 11 January and the reprise of our Cross-Cultural Quiz, aptly held in conjunction with the presentation of our Intercultural Trophy, on 14 January. If last year’s questions are anything to go by, I would suggest you spend time brushing up on your cross-cultural general knowledge! I FG
THE FRENCH CHAMBER wishES you all the best for 2016
56 - info - january / february 2016