BABC Monthly Newsletter - please enable images to view
January 2016

Join us at our Funding, Exits and IPO's event, February 24th, and you could win two round-trip tickets from San Jose to London courtesy of British Airways.  Click on the banner above for more information!

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Letter from the President

Nicholas Unkovic
BABC President & Partner


Dear Friend of the BABC,
  
Happy New Year! I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season!

As we head into 2016, I'd like to recap BABC activities and take a look forward in to the New Year.

The 52nd Annual BABC Christmas Luncheon held at The Fairmont San Francisco on December 11th was a huge success thanks to over 1000 guests attending! The event, which serves as the BABC's main fundraiser for the year helps to support the on-going operations of our organization as well as our nominated charity which, for the 10th year in a row, was Raphael House.  I am delighted to share that thanks to BABC Board Director Stuart Bagshaw and The Freeth Family, who donated a two week vacation at his family home in France, the Live Auction raised a record net $36,000 which directly benefits Raphael House.  My thanks also to winning bidders for your generosity.  I'd also like to thank our Diamond Sponsor, CyraCom International and all of our VIP Sponsors and Donors for your significant contributions, as well as our volunteers including those from Salesforce, Play Rugby USA and Raphael House for making this the best year yet. Please check out the photos and highlight video and mark your calendar for next year's Christmas Lunch on December 9th 2016!

We are also looking forward to three upcoming BABC Flagship events - our 26th Annual Economic Luncheon on January 28th (now sold out), Funding, Exits & IPO's on February 24th and Global Words of Wisdom on Cross Border Data Transfer on March 30th.  Register today to avoid disappointment as these events regularly sell out early! Also, please check the calendar for some great events being hosted by our members.

Finally, thank you to all the new members who have joined the BABC over the last month and to all of our members showing their continued support of our growing organization by renewing and upgrading your memberships.  Please take a moment to visit their websites and learn more!
 
Best,
Nick Unkovic
President, BABC Northern California
BABC Events Calendar
Jan 27 5 Ways to Build a Happy (and More Productive) Workforce (hosted by BABC Corporate Member, RocketSpace)
Feb 4 Live Webinar: Disruptive Innovation Trends in 2016 (hosted by BABC Corporate Member, RocketSpace)
Feb 18 Mostly British Film Festival 2016
Feb 22 Changing the World: Innovation, Technology and Social Impact (hosted by BABC Corporate Member, RocketSpace)
Feb 24 Funding, Exits and IPO's - Silicon Valley's Best Make Their Predictions for 2016
Mar 4-6
Mar 30 Global Words of Wisdom....... On Cross-Border Data Transfer (#GlobalWords16)
May 12 2016 BABC Transatlantic Conference: Future Cities - Smart, Sustainable, Social
June 11
SAVE THE DATE- H.M The Queen's 90th Birthday Ball (More details coming soon)



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BABC News
 
Not a Me mber yet? Join the BABC in January and Save!
 
If you have been considering a membership in the BABC, then now is the time to join!  Sign up by January 31st, for any level of membership, and save 10% off of your first year's membership dues. To learn more about the benefits of membership, click here.

BABC Member News

HMPO is the place to go for all British Passport Applications and Renewals

In the 2013, regional processing of British passport applications was transferred to Her Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) in the UK and a new on-line system was introduced to help streamline the application process; customers simply complete their application on-line and send a copy of their supporting documentation, with a copy of their application, to HMP for processing. Washington DC no longer processes any passports, and yet applications continue to be sent there. 
 
 
The happy egg co. Announces Banner Year for High Humane Egg Production  Leader in Hen Welfare Achieves Unprecedented Market Growth in 2015
 

SAN FRANCISCO,January 7,2016 - The happy egg co., the fastest growing free-range egg brand delivering the highest standards of hen welfare, today announced its 2015 business milestones.

From retail expansion to enhanced product offerings, the happy egg co.'s distribution has grown by 62.5 per percent becoming the fastest growing    and most widely carried free range egg bran in the country and will continue its growth momentum in 2016 by doubling its egg production. Since its launch in October 2012, the happy egg co. has surpassed a brand value of $30 million in just three years.   

"The ever-evolving thirst for knowledge on the part of our consumers is something that we take first and foremost at the happy egg co.," said Jenni Danby, chief marketing officer at the happy egg co. "Our mission starts with educating consumers and retailers alike on the supremacy of gold standard - humane products,and being transparent on how happy our hens truly live. As we continue our growth and    expansion into 2016 and the years a head, we will continue to listen to our consumers, hear their demands and keep addressing their needs. We're looking forward to a very prosperous year ahead."  
 
Lewis & Llewellyn Welcomes Nick Saenz To the Firm 
As part of its continuing expansion, Lewis & Llewellyn is pleased to welcome Nick Saenz to the firm as an associate attorney. Before joining Lewis & Llewellyn, Nick practiced at Kirkland & Ellis LLP  and Shartsis Friese LLP, two of California's most well-known and respected law firms. Nick brings a wealth of experience in commercial and litigation and further deepens the firm's ability to handle litigation matters of any size and complexity. More information about Nick can be found below.  
 

Third party sponsorship is best way to help start-ups unlock the barriers to growth

Third party sponsor (TPS) visas could provide a solution to unlock the barriers to growth for tech start-ups according to Penningtons Manches' and Tech London Advocates (TLA)'s latest white paper entitled "Immigration and Tech: Working together for the UK".
The white paper was launched at the Home Office Hours session hosted by the Penningtons Manches immigration team on 1 December 2015 for around 40 representatives from the Home Office, TLA, tech entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Current immigration policy, while working well for some sectors, remains a deterrent towards the recruitment of these skilled overseas workers for the tech sector and is considered a significant hurdle towards the growth of burgeoning tech businesses in the UK. This deadly combination of a serious shortage of home-grown talent with the right skills and high immigration hurdles to overcome for overseas talent means that the one of the UK's high growth and fast-moving entrepreneurial sectors - technology and digital business - cannot expand at the required rate to remain globally competitive.
 
Meet Our Members
Upgrading to Patron Level Membership
  

For Nearly 150 years we have been where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities. Today, HSBC Commercial Banking serves businesses ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals in almost 60 developed and faster-growing markets around the world. Whether it is working capital, trade finance or payments and cash management solutions, we provide the tools and expertise that businesses need to thrive. With a network covering three quarters of global commerce, we make HSBC the world's leading international trade and business bank.


New Premier Level Members
 

NCC Group is a global information assurance specialist, passionate about making the Internet sager and revolutionizing the way in which organizations think about cyber security. Through an unrivaled and unique range of services, the company provides organizations across the world with freedom from doubt that their most important assets are protected and operational at all times.

Listed on the London Stock Exchange, NCC Group is a trusted advisor to more than 15,00 clients worldwide. Headquartered in Manchester, UK, NCC Group has 32 offices across the world and employs over 1,700 specialists in information security, assurance and technology. NCC Group delivers security consulting, software escrow and verification website performance, software testing and domain services.


New Corporate Level Members

Oakwood Worldwide ® is the premier provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions through its well-known brands, Oakwood®, ExecuStay® and Insurance Housing Solutions?. With a presence in all 50 United States and more than 85 countries, the award-winning company provides move-in-ready furnished accommodations to meet the needs of global organizations, individual business travelers, insurance clients and leisure travelers alike. Oakwood Worldwide was founded in and continues to base its corporate headquarters in Los Angels and operates regional headquarters in London. Phoenix and Singapore.  
 

 

Casto is the largest privately-owned travel management company in Northern California and the largest travel agency in the Bay Area. We have been serving business and leisure travelers alike for the past 39 years. We provide corporate, concierge, vacation and group travel management services in addition to full service visa and passport processing. Casto's specialists are industry experts with prove customer service and extensive knowledge and expertise to make all of your travel arrangements trouble-free and cost effective.   
 


"It's yachting, not cruising" Enjoy the difference. SeaDream Yacht Club is different from big ship cruising. Our philosophy of casual perfection runs through everything we do. With only 56 couples being pampered by an award-winning crew of 95, the level of attention and service we pay to each of our guests makes yachting aboard either one of our mega-yachts SeaDream I or SeaDream II feel as if you are on your own private yacht. Be as active or as relaxed as you like and take in the ultimate in luxury, privacy and pampering.
 
SeaDream visits small harbors and ports around the world, many inaccessible by larger ships. An incredible array of services, activities, water toys, dining, wine, premium drinks and gratuities are available through SeaDream's full-inclusive fare. SeaDream has achieved the industry's highest accolades and recently won The Best Small Luxury Ship of 2015 by ForbesLife.   
 

New Business Members










New Individual & Young Professional Members
Oliver Saunders
Elena Smirnov-Otis
Graham Mannion
Denise Tormey 
Our Thanks to These Renewing Members
2020 Productions
E&M Mayock
Grant Thornton
Lesley Jeschke
Peter Kadison
Julie Lloyd
Ronald O'Connell
Ravi Ruprai
Mark Pederson
PriceWaterHouse Coopers
Scottish Development International
TMF Group
Tokyo Express
BABC Community Corner

Ralph Payton Appointed Executive Director of Raphael House

San Francisco, (Dec 9, 2015)-The Board of Directors of Raphael House of San Francisco has named Ralph Payton executive director of Raphael House effective December 14. Raphael House was founded in 1971 and is the oldest and only privately-funded shelter and services program of its kind dedicated to providing short-term housing, rental assistance, and ongoing supportive services to Bay Area families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Recently the organization expanded its residential shelter and has been in the process of growing its overall services in order to serve an additional 200 families a year by 2017. [Read more]







United States Olympic Committee designates Play Rugby USA as nation's first Community Olympic Development Program for Rugby

New York, (January 7, 2016)- Play Rugby USA, in partnership with the Northeast Academy, is proud to announce it has been selected by the United States Olympic Committee as the nation's 16th Community Olympic Development Program and the first in the country for rugby.

Formally launching in January 2016, the CODP will combine resources from Play Rugby USA - an established grassroots rugby development program - and the Northeast Academy - a USA Rugby approved elite development program - to formalize and consolidate a pathway for talented young players to USA Rugby national teams.

"We are pleased to welcome Play Rugby USA to the Community Olympic Development Program family," said Alicia McConnell, USOC director of training sites and community partnerships. "The organization is committed to providing sport opportunities for underserved youth across New York and its mission is consistent with the Olympic and Paralympic ideals." [Read more]

The British Benevolent Society Appoints Annabel Green-Lavielle as Executive Director


San Francisco, (January 4th, 2016) - The British Benevolent Society, (BBS), Board is delighted to announce that Annabel Green-Lavielle will shortly be joining our organization as Executive Director on 5th January 2016.

Annabel has a very impressive resume with excellent and relevant University qualifications and extensive experience, establishing and working in both profit and not for profit organizations. She has the ideal credentials and we believe will be a perfect fit to work with the Board to achieve future success for the BBS.

The BBS Board is currently exploring a number of different new business models and strategies in order to become more proactive and help a greater number of people across a larger geography incorporating not just California but the same states as the British Consulate General, San Francisco represents. There is also a desire to develop and grow an extensive outreach program for those who may be lonely or need some comfort. In order to drive these programs and secure the financials a new, more extensive fundraising program will need to be established. We are confident that Annabel is the right person to lead this new challenge and transform the BBS into a larger and more active non-profit organization. [Read more]
Job Board


180 Montgomery Street 
San Francisco, CA 94104 
 
Business Development Officer
British Clientele San Francisco
 
The Business Development Officer is responsible for developing and building banking relationships with international entrepreneurs and families, high net-worth individuals and multi-national businesses for the international clientele department of Bank of the West.  
Candidate must be WELL Connected in the SF Bay Area British Community AND fluent in English with a 2nd fluent language preferred.  [Learn more...] 


RocketSpace
180 Sansome Street, San Francisco 94104
(415) 625-3155
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BABC Network News & Publications
(The Guide to Investing in the USA) 

(The Guide to Investing in the UK)
British American Business Council | (415) 296 8645 | babcsf.org
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