BABC Awards Luncheon

British American Business Council Honors Transatlantic Innovation, Growth and Success

Over 160 business leaders attended the third British American Business Council "Building a Better Future" Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, October 4th, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing.

This year, the BABC honored the business leaders of Severn Trent PLC Group and Urban Outfitters, Inc. for their tremendous achievements in strengthening the ties between the UK and the Greater Philadelphia region.

Severn Trent Plc, a leading FTSE 100 environmental services group, received the Pioneer Award for its success in establishing two subsidiaries in the Greater Philadelphia area. Dr. Keith Wheatstone, COO of Severn Trent Laboratories, Inc., and Leonard Graziano, President and CEO of Severn Trent Services, attended the luncheon to receive this award.

Urban Outfitters, Inc., a Philadelphia-based specialty retailer and wholesaler of lifestyle merchandise, received the Explorer Award for establishing five retail outlets in the UK and for setting up a new base in The Navy Yard (formerly the Philadelphia Naval Base). Attending the luncheon to accept the award was the company's Chief Financial Officer, John Kyees.

The success of the third BABC Awards Luncheon reflects the ever-increasing significance of the UK/US business partnership as well as the BABC's stature as the leading transatlantic business organization. For more pictures of this event, please click here.

For making the success of its third Awards Luncheon possible, BABC greatly appreciates the support of its Dinner Co-Chairmen: Michael Swanick, Pricewaterhouse Coopers; and Eric Del Viscio, Wachovia. Special thanks to Charles Carrington, Deloitte & Touche LLP; Ed Ryan, Citizens Bank; and Michael Peterson, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP for their generous sponsorship. BABC Also appreciates the support of Andrea Allon, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Stefanie Boger, LaSalle Bank; Joseph Hoeffel, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; Fritz Smith, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; Eric Del Viscio and Jennifer Rosa, Wachovia Bank; Rachel Brydon Jannetta, Severn Trent Laboratories Inc; and Leonard Graziano, Severn Trent Services.

Arrivals and Departures: BABC Board

Stewart Patrick and Paul Barnard will be leaving the BABC Board, effective September 2006.

We welcome two new members of the Board — Joseph Tarsavage from AMEC Earth and Environmental, and Thomas Golabek from HSBC Bank USA.

International Connections: Joint Event with the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce and the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce

The British American Business Council, the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Cira Center for an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and networking.

The Cira Center is the dazzling, multi-faceted new building next to 30th Street train station. It is home to SCA North America's headquarters and is the largest space in Philadelphia to receive the top distinction in green building from the US Green Building Council. For more pictures of this event, please click here.

United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the United Nations to Address BABC Members

We hope you can join us as Sir Emyr Jones Parry, KCMG, Ambassador and United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), addresses BABC members at the Twelfth Annual Holiday Luncheon on December 10, 2006 at the Philadelphia Racquet Club.

Sir Emyr has been United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the UN since July 2003, after serving for two years as United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council in Brussels. He was Political Director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office responsible for policy advice to the Secretary of State from 1998-2001 and European Union Director from 1997-1998.

A multilateralist, Sir Emyr believes that countries need to work together to achieve the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the UN. Further, he thinks that development in the areas of peace, security, and human rights is not sustainable without political and economic stability. He considers the UN to be a key player in promoting development, but also believes that measures must be taken to actually implement that development.

Sir Emyr was born in Wales and studied Theoretical Physics at University College Cardiff. He subsequently gained a PhD in Polymer Physics at the University of Cambridge. He is married to Lynn and has two sons, Paul and Mark.

For more information, or to register for this event, please click here. You can access the website of the United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations at www.ukun.org.

Companies List Offer for Members

The BABC has purchased two lists that provide details of local companies with transatlantic subsidiaries. The first is a list of 360 companies based in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware that have UK subsidiaries and the second is a list of 130 UK companies that have US subsidiaries in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware.

Members can obtain hard copies of these listings, free of charge, by contacting Ricardo Maldonado at Ricardo@greaterphilachamber.com or on (215) 790-3627.

A New Look and a New Name for the Rittenhouse Square Bed and Breakfast

With the completion of the first phase of renovations, BABC member the Rittenhouse Square Bed and Breakfast has embraced its fresh, innovative look with a distinctive new name: Rittenhouse 1715, A Boutique Hotel. Intimate surroundings, unique design, attention to detail, and the highest standards of hospitality will define the boutique hotel experience at Rittenhouse 1715, making it ideal for romantic weekend escapes, business visits, or individual retreats.

Located off Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square, Rittenhouse 1715 offers sixteen rooms that combine style and luxury with modern amenities. All rooms are uniquely designed and are fitted out with antique furniture and fine artwork as well as marble bathrooms and additional features such as handsome fireplaces. Guests are pampered with plush robes, pillow-top mattresses, fine Egyptian linens, premium Frette towels and robes, Molton Brown bath amenities, and nightly turndown service. Added to this luxury are voicemail, CD players, iPod hookups, large screen plasma cable TVs, hairdryers, and irons. Wireless computer service is available throughout the building and there two computer workstations for guests who prefer not to bring their laptops. The hotel also offers 24-hour concierge service, complimentary wine every evening served in the Drawing Room, and a lavish Continental Breakfast served each morning.

The original Walter Cope designed carriage house and adjacent Georgian townhouse have been combined to enhance the hotel with an inviting drawing room and an elaborate, two-story presidential suite. Led by designers Peter Salgado and Kip Saucier of Salgado Saucier, traditional and eclectic styles reminiscent of the Rittenhouse Square area have been uniquely intertwined throughout the establishment to create an ambiance of chic elegance and modern comfort. Perfectly complimenting the historical foundation of Rittenhouse 1715, the design updates provided by Salgado Saucier introduce a new level of style and tranquility that truly makes each guest feel that they have checked-in to their own personal sanctuary.

Plans for Phase II of Rittenhouse 1715 highlight the addition of seven new bedrooms, including a large, two-room suite. Completion of Phase II is slated for the end of 2006. For more information, please click here.

On Your Marks, Get Set...Olympics 2012

2012 may seem far off, but plans are well underway in London for generating business sponsorship of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Companies from six categories (banking, insurance, utilities, oil and gas, automotive, and telecommunications) will be offered the opportunity to submit a tender offer to become an official partner for the 2012 Games. Invitations to Tender (ITTs) will be issued in October 2006 and announcement of the first successful companies is expected by the end of March 2007.

This is just one of what will doubtless be many business opportunities offered by the London Olympics. And those opportunities are not restricted to the UK. Think London, London's foreign direct investment agency in New York, provides guidance for US businesses on the huge commercial opportunities arising from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For more information, contact Diana Torres at Dtorres@thinklondon.com.

It may also be time to start considering the networking possibilities that the games present. At one end of the spectrum, functions can be organized around watching a particular event in a sports bar. At the other end of the spectrum, perhaps you can consider taking special clients to watch an event on location? Something to think about.