Notes from the CEO – June 2020
Duncan Edwards
Chief Executive Officer
ÐßÐßÊÓƵ
As we’ve just been through theÌýfirst of the summer public holidays on both sides of the Atlantic I wanted to update members, partners and friends of ÐßÐßÊÓƵ on our current and future program of work andÌýhow we are faring ourselves through this crisis.
Our work on your behalf falls into three categories; trade promotion, policy issues and networking around thought leadership and all three of these areas of activity are continuing inÌýourÌýnew virtual world.ÌýAt the end of March,Ìýour trade promotion work included recognizing UK and US companies for their commitment to doing business in the other market at our Transatlantic Growth Awards.ÌýYou can see the impressiveÌýÌýand thanks to our friends at HSBC for their sponsorship.ÌýOurÌýannual trade reports on doing business in the other market will be out later in the year and we continue to work closely with the DIT and Select USA to encourage investment and make connections.
WeÌýareÌývery active on policy issues as the delayed trade talks between the US and UK teams got under way earlier this month.ÌýWe have had briefings for our policy focused members from both negotiating teams and general feedback around the first round of talks is positive.ÌýBoth sides know what the challenging issues are going to be (both inside the agreement and out) and these will need to be addressed head on in the coming rounds if there is going to be a chance of getting this done.ÌýÌý(It looks like theÌýinclusion of Huawei as a supplier in the UK’s telecoms infrastructure, which the US has found problematic,Ìýis in the process of being solved.)ÌýÌýOur role will be to provide input on any substantive issuesÌýfrom the perspective of business and, perhaps more importantly, to build momentum in support of an agreement more widely amongst the business community and beyond.
We are pleased to be organizing a series of regional sessions for trade Minister, Greg Hands and the DIT team with our affiliate chapters acrossÌýsixÌýregions of the USA during June as part of this outreach and will be doing the same in the UK as the negotiations proceed.ÌýAn agreement between these two allies has the chance to set the global standard for future trade agreements and we will be arguing for a wholesale removal of barriers to trade and investment whether they be financial,ÌýstatutoryÌýor regulatory.ÌýThe starting point for bothÌýeconomies is going to be miles from where it was at the start of the year andÌýtrade and investment are going to be vital in the rebuilding process.ÌýÌýIf any of our members would like to help, we are putting together aÌýgroup of ‘ChampionsÌýofÌýTrade; individuals and companies thatÌýcan talk about the positive impact of tradeÌýon their businesses and their communities.ÌýPlease letÌýEmanuel AdamÌýknow if you would like to be part of this exciting campaign.
Our thought leadership program has been busy; we have been runningÌýwebinars and round tables offering practical helpÌýfor membersÌýorÌýaÌýchance to think about theÌýimplications of the crisis over the longer term.ÌýHighlightsÌýfrom the last few weeksÌýinclude a terrific discussion with Kevin Sneader, global managing partner of McKinsey and aÌýround table with former British Foreign Secretary, Lord William Hague.ÌýWe are constantly adding to our program so please keep an eye on ourÌýeventsÌýhere.
As we have been continuing with our work, we have also had toÌýact, like any small business, to do everythingÌýwe can toÌýget through this crisisÌýourselves.ÌýMuch of our revenueÌýat ÐßÐßÊÓƵ comes from live, in-person events and, for now at least, these are not happening.ÌýOur principle revenue source therefore isÌýour membership income and I would like to thank all those who have renewed their membership with us over the last couple of monthsÌýand encourage you to do so if your membership comes due soon.ÌýÌýI would also like to thank those members who have contributed to our ‘Continuity Fund’; we are using this money to ensure we retain a critical volume of membersÌýof every size and in every sector.ÌýNothing is certain, but we feel we have a good plan for getting through this crisis andÌýwill be working hard to represent your interests as we do so.
Finally, I know how brutally tough this crisis has been for some of our members andÌýwe wish themÌýthe very best as theyÌýdeal with theÌýenormous challengesÌýthat they face.ÌýAt the same time, many of our members have beenÌýdoing incredible things to helpÌýtheÌýhealthcare providers, their communities and society as a wholeÌýin any way that they can.ÌýYou can see a collection of these inspiring storiesÌýhere.
Whatever your connection to ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, weÌýhope youÌýare faring well and look forward to connecting soon.
