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Events at a glance

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The events organised by the CCFGB offer privileged contact and networking opportunities with personalities from the British and French political and business worlds, within the scope of prestigious events such as the Annual Gala Dinner, the "Dîner de la Rentrée", the Franco-British Business Awards, the Annual Financial Lunch or our Ambassador's briefs. 

 

Our other events such as Business Club cocktails, Industry focused events, Regional events, CEO Breakfasts, or the very successful Member to Member cocktail attracting more than 250 participants every year, enable our members to develop their visibility, their contacts and potentially help them grow their business.

Networking is assisted throughout the evening by the team of the French Chamber staff, who is on hand to assist with specific introductions.

 
The French Chamber of Commerce also organises throughout the year various exclusive events for its Patron members which are always unique and of the highest calibre. Some of our Patron 2011 events include an Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, the Premiere of Cendrillon at the Royal Opera House, the Emirates Cup Tournament at Arsenal Football Club and a dinner at the newly refurbished restaurant of Sofitel London St James: "The Balcon".
 

In addition, the Chamber offers you the possibility to promote  your company through sponsorship opportunities and entertain your clients through corporate hospitality at its various events. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please click here.

List of events

Annual Financial Lunch

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The Annual Financial Lunch (hereafter referred to as AFL) of the French Chamber of Commerce in Great-Britain is one of the Chamber’s biggest events of the year.  It was launched in 1997 and has been sponsored by Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking ever since. It usually takes place in November and attracts over 150 participants from the international banking, legal, accountancy, industrial and commercial communities. 


Previous guest speakers include:

  • 2011: Angela Knight, Chief Executive of British Bankers' Association
  • 2010: Helen Alexander, President of the CBI 
  • 2009: Sir Howard Davies, Director of the London School of Economics & Political Science
  • 2008: Richard Lambert, Director General of the CBI
  • 2007: Jean-François Théodore, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, NYSE Euronext
  • 2006: Clara Furse, Chief Executive, London Stock Exchange
  • 2005: John Tiner, Chief Executive, Financial Services Authority 
Annual Gala Dinner
The Annual Gala dinner is the premier black tie dinner and most glamorous event of the Chamber, featuring a Champagne reception, live entertainment and a tombola with amazing prizes. Each year, the event is attended by 300 to 400 senior executives of the Franco British business community.

 

Previous guest speakers include:

    • Paul Deighton, CEO, London Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
    • Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.
    • Lord Sebastian Coe KBE, Chairman, London Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
    • Sir Ranulph Fiennes, “World’s Greatest Living Explorer”
    • Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, former President of the French Republic
    • Dame Ellen MacArthur DBE, Sailor

       

      Our 2011 sponsors:

      • Main: EDF, Deloitte, HSBC.
      • Supporting: Accor (sponsor since 2006).

       

      Venues:

      • The Landmark Hotel
      • The Grosvenor House
      • Royal Lancaster Hotel
      Ambassador's Briefs

      Three times a year, these exclusive events, hosted at the Residence of the French Ambassador to the UK, offer a unique opportunity for our Corporate and Patron Members to be updated by our French Ambassador on current “hot” economical and political topics. It also gives them the opportunity to network at the highest level.


      Previous topics include:

      • Outcome of the G20 Cannes Summit; agenda of the forthcoming anglo-french summit (November 2011)
      • French presidency of the G8 and G20 (January 2011)
      • Bilateral relations issues
      • French Presidence of Europe
      • Declaration on Defence and Security Co-operation (Decembre 2010)
      • France and the UK: Post-General Election Discussed (May 2010)
      • Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen – outcome and comments (January 2010)
      • France and the global changes in the coming months (October 2009)
      • Outcome and comments on the G20 Summit (April 2009)
      • France and UK in 2009: which prospects? (January 2009)

       

        Business Club Cocktails

        These two-hour networking drinks receptions generally take place from 6pm to 8pm in a top London hotel or other prestigious venues and gather around 100 participants.

         

        They provide Members with the opportunity to network at an informal event and learn about the sponsoring company through a presentation, followed by a Q&A.

         

        These events offer guests a time conscious & efficient manner to network with a focused audience. Networking is assisted throughout the evening by the team of the French Chamber staff, who is on hand to assist with specific introductions. 

         

        Previous sponsors include: Air France, Club Med, Eurostar UK, HSBC, Lalique-Haviland, Lombard, Nespresso UK, Peugeot Motor Company, Renault UK, Société Générale Hambros, etc.

         

        Previous speakers include: Brema Drohan, Managing Director, Nespresso UK; Raymond Blanc, Chef Patron, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons; Richard Brown, CEO, Eurostar UK Ltd; Laurent de Chorivit, Managing Director, Club Med UK; Senator Alan Maclean, Jersey Economic Development Minister for Jersey; John Stone, Chairman, Lombard International Assurance S.A; Chris Edward, Senior Wealth Planner, Lombard International Assurance S.A; Sophie Lhermerout, Sales & Marketing Consultant France, Lombard International Assurance S.A; Renaud Billard, Head of French Team, Société Générale Hambros; Géraldine Appert, International Wealth Planner, Société Générale Hambros.

        CEO Breakfast

        Launched in 2009, our CEO Breakfasts have proved to be a resounding success, gathering around 40 key decision makers of the Franco-British community.

         

        This format of event (8am-10.00am) allows our busy members to network before the start of their business day. Previous guest speakers include Xavier Rollet, CEO of London Stock Exchange; Ivan Gazidis, CEO of Arsenal Football Club and Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF Energy; Stephen Burgin, UK Country President of Alstom; Jean-Jacques Gautrot, Chairman & CEO of Areva UK; Arnaud Bamberger, Executive Chairman of Cartier UK.

        Dîner de la Rentrée

        A prestigious evening for you and your guests. Let the skilled PR & Events team organise your company annual event at a very competitive cost!


          Franco-British business executives benefit from a senior networking cocktail & dinner which they can take advantage of by inviting their clients, guests or colleagues to meet industry leaders.

           

          Previous guest speakers and sponsors include:

          • Eurostar - Nicolas Petrovic, Chief Executive Officer of Eurostar
          • Alstom - Patrick Kron, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alstom
          • Citroën UK Ltd - Gilles Michel, Executive Vice President of Automobiles Citroën
          • Renault UK Ltd - Arsène Wenger OBE, Manager Arsenal FC


          Intercultural-Trophy-for-BuThe Annual Intercultural Trophy for Business Excellence, designed by Cartier, is awarded to a company chosen by members as a special highlight.

          Past winners include Mazars LLP (2011), Bouygues (2010), Cinémoi (2009), Eurostar (2008), Saint-Gobain (2007), EDF Energy (2006), Renault UK (2005) and Arsenal Football Club (2004).
          Franco-British Business Awards
          The Franco-British Business Awards (FBBA), co-organised by the French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain and the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry in France, have been recognising and rewarding success in cross-border trade and investments between France and Great Britain since 2000.
           
          In 2010, the 10th anniversary was celebrated in London under the patronage of H.E. Mr Gourdault-Montagne, French Ambassador to the UK and H.E. Sir Peter Westmacott, British Ambassador to France.

          'Celebrating the links between our two countries, strengthening the Franco-British relationship as well as the significance of the work of both our Chambers, these Awards exist to recognise and pay tribute to the hard work and creative spirit of Franco British companies'. Arnaud Vaissié, President of the CCFGB and Michel de Fabiani, President of the FBCCI.
           

          Winners of the Franco-British Business Awards 2011:

           

          Main sponsors 2011: Barclays, Chez Gérard and Mazars LLP. 

          Other sponsors and partners: CCI International,  Eurostar, Invest in France Agency, Les Echos and UK Trade & Investment. 

          The Awards ceremony alternatively takes place in London and in Paris. In 2012, they will be held in London. 

           

          Industry Networking Events

          Our industry networking events offer participants the opportunity to network with over 80 senior Franco-British business executives drawn from specific industries and sectors of activity. Such events are often enhanced by exhibition stands from supporting sponsors (non competitors from the principal sponsor of the event).


          Previous industry events have targeted the following sectors:

          • Architecture & Design sponsored by Hilson Moran
          • Construction sponsored by Simmns & Simmons
          • Energy & Environment sponsored by Bureau Veritas and Flybe
          • Retail sponsored by Chanel
          • Safety & Security hosted by MIC Hotel & Conference Centre
          • Transport sponsored by Thales UK
          Member to Member Cocktail & Exhibition
          The Member to Member Cocktail & Exhibition (M2M) is the largest cocktail of  the Chamber and one of its most anticipated events. It usually takes place in March and attracts every year more than 250 participants. This event gives companies the opportunity to promote their products and/or services in person to other members and key players from the Franco-British Business community. It also provides extensive networking opportunities with representatives of very varied sectors.

           

          Our 2011 stands included:

          AGS Four Winds          Fromagerie Beillevaire
          Anatole          La Poste - Maileva
          ARTELIA International
          		          Landmark London Hotel
          Brasserie Historique de l'Abbaye du Cateau          L'Atelier des Chefs
          CEI / Centre Charles Peguy          Ligne Roset
          Citroen          Mic Moving Home Company
          Cockpit Consulting          Multilingual Vacancies
          Delahaye Moving Ltd          Netasq
          Delicat's          Peugeot Motor Plc
          Expense Reduction Analysts          PowerVote
                   Relais & Châteaux


            Book your stand now for next year's M2M by calling Sophie Ramos on 020 7092 6643.

            Patron Events

            MAIN REPS ONLY - Just come and enjoy yourself with your counterparts.

            Our 6 to 8 yearly top quality Patron events provide our most senior members with exclusive networking at the highest level. These events mingle business and leisure, as they range from gastronomic lunches to trips and other exclusive evenings.

            Previous 2010 and 2011 events include:

            2010 2011

            Patrons Reception with HRH
            Prince of Wales at Clarence House

             

            Gastonomic Patron Dinner at
            the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

             
            A gastronomic lunch at Le Manoir aux
            Quat Saisons
            with Chef Raymond Blanc OBE
             

            Special Patron Event at the Royal
            Academy of Arts
            Sponsored by CBRE Richard Ellis

             

            A trip to Jersey

             

            An exclusive evening at the Royal Opera House
            Sponsored by Pernod Ricard and BNP Paribas

             

            A dinner in partnership with Cinémoi with
            French cinema legend Bertrand Tavernier

             

            Emirates Cup Tournament 2011 at Arsenal
            Football Club

             

             

            Gastronomic Patron Dinner at the Sofitel
            St James Hotel

             

             

            Our next Patron event "The Reveal of the DS5" will take place on 26th January 2012 - Sponsored by Citroën 

            Regional Events

            The Chamber organises two trade delegations every year outside London in order to develop and/or maintain our member's business contacts and opportunities.

             

            Several lunches & dinners have been organised in Manchester. In 2010, our first trade delegation to Birmingham was led by our French Ambassador to the UK. It enabled 15 key senior managers to meet local key players  of the West Midlands and french companies locally based.

             

            To access Birmingham's program, click here.

             

            The Chamber is looking to further develop these events in the future.
            Projects in progress: Leeds and Scotland.

            Trainings & Seminars

            The Chamber organises trainings and seminars on a variety of topics, thus keeping members up-to-date with legal, financial and intercultural issues, as well as good business practice on both sides of the Channel.

            Previous seminar &  topics include:

              • Hard Time, Hard Cash - Tax Saving Opportunities - sponsored by Mazars
              • Leading effective business meetings - led by Interactifs
              • Seminar: From Basel II to Basel III, what are the changes? - sponsored by HSBC

              • Seminar: Privacy: it's nothing personal "A data protection update on surveillance, monitoring, e-discovery and security issues" - Sponsored by McGuireWoods

            Wine tastings

            Launched in 2009, our wine tasting events have had a resounding success amongst wine lovers and enthusiast wishing to discover a wide variety of wine. At first dedicated to French wines, from Bordeaux to Burgundies and from wines of Languedoc to wines of Alsace, these events have enabled guests to explore the fantastic diversity of French wines and to network in a less formal environment.

            In 2010 and 2011, these events have found a new international format being organised with other Foreign Chambers of commerce in the UK, representatives of wine producing countries such as Argentina, Austria, Italy, Mexico and Spain. In addition, we are delighted to announce that these international wine tasting events were the first of many more to come. These will include other Foreign Chambers to make our already widely popular event even more successful.

            Canapés matching the wines are served and tasting notes provided in order for guests to remember each characteristic and develop their wine culture. Take also             the opportunity to buy the wines you have just tasted at a special rate!

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