Event report
Franco-British Business Conference (2025)
The first Franco-British Business Conference took place on 18 September 2025 in London at Société Générale, Canary Wharf, welcoming over 200 senior business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts from the UK and France. The event provided a platform to strengthen collaboration, exchange ideas, and explore cross-border opportunities.
The Conference began with a welcome from Sébastien Joly, Managing Director of the French Chamber of Great Britain, followed by Emmanuelle Bury-Lucas, President of the French Chamber of Great Britain and Thierry d’Argent, CEO of Société Générale London Branch, then guests heard keynote speeches from H.E. Hélène Duchêne, French Ambassador to the UK, and from His Majesty’s Sir Thomas Drew, Ambassador to France setting the tone for a morning focused on collaboration, innovation, and Franco-British business priorities.
Building on these opening remarks, the conference moved into an engaging In-Conversation session, where Jacques Pommeraud, CEO of Inetum Group, spoke with Peter Vanham, Editorial Director at Fortune. They explored how businesses on both sides of the Channel can navigate the evolving UK–EU relationship, highlighting opportunities and challenges in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Panel Discussions:
Defence & Economic Security: Strengthening bilateral supply chains and industrial collaboration.
Technology, AI & Digital Collaboration: Compliance builds trust, SMEs face unique challenges, Europe risks talent loss, and “frugal AI” offers a sustainable path forward.
Energy & Climate Transition: Focus on renewable energy, sustainability, and energy security.
Attendees had opportunities to connect with peers, policymakers, and senior leaders across sectors and company sizes, from multinationals to SMEs
Thanks to our speakers, moderators, panellists, and our sponsors and partners—Pinsent Masons, Dassault Systèmes, Safran, Société Générale, Fortune, and ID&C—for supporting the Conference.
Looking Ahead : The next Franco-British Business Conference will take place on 10 June 2026 in London. Tickets and tables are now available: Book here
📸 Explore the photo gallery – All pictures by Jeremie Souteyrat
📅 What’s next? Browse the upcoming events & clubs calendar
