BABC
The British American Business Council is committed to promoting transatlantic trade and investment between the US and the UK
Contact: Lauren Hunt T: 0845 603 6650
BABC Patrons
BABC’s successes shared at annual general meeting
The British American Business Council’s (BABC) annual general meeting at Hotel du Vin heard that the organisation’s links with the USA continue to be of huge importance. BABC president, Julian Beer, said that as well
as enjoying continuing growth and success, the organisation was hoping to reap the benefits of its upcoming transatlantic conference in Birmingham. Mr Beer said: “The conference we are hosting
in June will give us massive opportunity to leverage relationships with the States. From my experience, these sorts of events are very positive and very advantageous. “I think that everyone has realised the opportunities there are post-Brexit with our special relationship with America.” He added that SME participation would be key
to the region’s continued relationship with the US and Canada. The AGM also heard that BABC membership
grew by 15 per cent during 2017/18, with further growth expected during 2019.
BABC conference schedule
The conference on 7 June will be opened by BABC president Julian Beer, Birmingham City University Professor Philip Plowden, Midlands Engine chairman Sir John Peace and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street. This will be followed by top economist
Joe Brusuelas, from RSM, who will talk about the economic challenges facing business and industry. After that, Priya Guha of RocketSpace will discuss the global trends that are shaping the future, such as driverless cars and drones. In the afternoon, the ‘annual interview’ will
feature a panel including East Midlands Euro MP Emma McClarkin and Steven Bridges, from Grant Thornton in Chicago, who will respond to questions about the future of the relationship between the UK and the US. The event will conclude in the evening
with a gala dinner at the Town Hall, featuring US Ambassador Robert Johnson as guest speaker.
Event sponsors
Headline sponsors: Aston University, Midlands Engine, Santander
Drinks reception sponsorship: Birmingham Airport
Conference Session sponsorship: Birmingham Airport, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Curium Solutions, RSM LLP, Squire Patton Boggs
Gala Dinner: University of Birmingham & RSM LLP
British American Group of Lawyers Conference: Browne Jacobson
32 CHAMBERLINK June 2018
Midlands to benefit from US trade links
Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, believes that leaving the European Union is an opportunity for UK business to build new links with the US. In this exclusive article for Chamberlink, the Minister explains how the Midlands can continue to benefit from the ties between Britain and America.
The shared history between the United States and the United Kingdom has provided our two countries with a strong and endurable bond. In the US we have a partner that not only
speaks the same language, but that shares our country’s commitment to business. The Midlands helped to forge modern America, with industrial revolution in Birmingham providing the iron bridges, steam engines and gas lighting. Today the US is both the UK’s largest investor
and our largest trading partner with total trade increasing to £181bn last year. With one million Britons employed by US companies and UK businesses employing one million Americans, reciprocity is key to our relationship. In 2017 we saw the highest level of foreign
direct investment (FDI) in our history and American FDI was key to this success. It’s great to see that companies from the Midlands have been benefiting from US investment – the region came second only to London in terms of the number of FDI projects in 2016-17, creating 8,366 jobs.
‘The US is both the UK’s largest investor and our largest trading partner’
Midlands companies have also been seizing opportunities across the Atlantic. UK exports to the US rose to £107.5bn covering a variety of sectors and Midlands businesses were at the forefront of identifying new export prospects. Midlands companies are also using their rich heritage to appeal to US consumers. Like Leicester based business Islamic Moments. Their innovative idea to create high-end, ethical gift cards and stationary for Muslim occasions clearly has an international market. DIT assisted Islamic Moments in exporting and now almost 40 per cent of its annual turnover derives from exports, with America’s diversity making it an important market for the company. The Midlands’ reputation for high quality
manufacturing also makes it appealing to US customers. Local companies like Active Hands, who design and develop gripping aids for those with hand-function disabilities, show how craftsmanship and good design have an appeal worldwide. With DIT support, North America is
Liam Fox
now responsible for half of the company’s sales and last year they recorded 25 per cent growth. America, much like the UK, is a diverse
country. Where the Midlands has a unique business offer from other areas in the UK, so too do US regions. Particularly on the West Coast, cities like Los Angeles have developed an expertise in the tech industry which contribute towards the state of California’s global success, meaning that standing alone it would be the sixth largest economy in the world. Leaving the EU provides an opportunity to
support Midlands businesses to take advantage of the global demand for UK goods, and build new links to similarly ambitious regions in the US. Our new UK-USA Trade and Investment
Working Group is working to reduce barriers to trade, and earlier this year committed to make it easier for small businesses in particular to trade across the Atlantic. The US have also consistently welcomed the
prospect of a new UK-US trade agreement after we leave the EU. This would be a major boost for UK companies, especially in the Midlands with its world-leading manufacturing and services. The US Government has voiced its aspiration to achieve this, allowing the variety of goods and services the Midlands has to offer to achieve their full potential in the US market.
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