Press releases

The UK and France are major commercial partners, with bilateral trade worth over £91 billion in 2019 coupled with significant levels of investment on both sides of the Channel creating prosperity, economic growth and jobs.

DIT France and the Franco-British Chamber will build on their existing collaboration to work as strategic partners to meet the challenge of economic recovery; to capitalise on the significant potential of innovation, new technologies and clean growth; to maximise market access while identifying and working on business challenges; to intensify bilateral trade and investment relations while proactively supporting businesses.

This partnership is more strategic than ever as the UK prepares to establish a new trading relationship with the European Union from 1 January 2021 and as the UK and France take steps to recover from the economic shock caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thierry Drilhon said: “This partnership agreement is historic because it supports and accelerates Cross-Channel economic relations, which represent nearly 100 billion euros each year. Based on a 10-year vision and a precise action plan, it will light the way for companies in the fiscal, legal, logistical, technological, human resources and administrative fields. At a time when geopolitical relations between states remain complex with an unprecedented health crisis, companies are joining forces to create collective intelligence.

Lord Edward Llewellyn, UK Ambassador to France said: “It is essential that DIT France and the Franco-British Chamber continue their close collaboration and work as strategic partners to accompany and support French and British companies in meeting new challenges and recovering from the impact of the pandemic on our economies. This also means working together around major bilateral and international trade fairs and events such as London Tech Week; VivaTechnologie and COP26 which the UK will host in November 2021 to maximise the growth of Franco-British businesses. »

Franco-British Chamber of Commerce Press Contact: Rochelle Ferguson, Press and Media Communications Director, rochelle.ferguson@francobritishchamber.com – +33 (0) 6 95 71 53 37

British Embassy Press Contact: Tess Mendibe, Press and Communication Officer, tess.mendibe@fcdo.gov.uk  – Tel: +33 (0)1 44 51 33 39

Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry, created in 1873, is the oldest international chamber of commerce in Europe. It offers its members – companies of all sizes, all sectors of activity, and of French and British origin – a wide range of tailor-made services to help them develop their Cross-Channel activities. Established in Paris for more than 145 years, the Franco-British Chamber is a powerful business network that accompanies and brings companies together. The Business Connect offer, from member to member, allows a privileged and efficient connection.

For more information on the Franco-British Chamber’s services: www.francobritishchamber.com

Department for International Trade
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK government organisation that helps UK-based companies to export and expand into international markets. DIT also helps foreign companies to set up in the UK, we offer support and advice through our network of specialists across the Channel and in all our embassies and consular offices around the world.

For more information on the services of the Department for International Trade: https://www.great.gov.uk/international/

Since the beginning of the health crisis, the Franco-British Sillery Foundation’s people with disabilities have been involved in the collective effort to combat the effects of the Covid-19 virus in the communities where they are present, at six of their sites in France. The Foundation makes masks, treats linen and provides daily meals to the staff of medical-social establishments, makes oxygen bottle caps for Air Liquide, packages hydro-alcoholic gel and more.

The Foundation is in urgent need of funds to continue its emergency health work, but also to accompany the 800 people and their families that it usually cares for who have a disability and/or are in a situation of exclusion.

This initiative brings together three institutions in France made up of British and French nationals who share common values of Franco-British cooperation, humanity, ethics and pragmatism and the desire to support those who help others in such a selfless way. The campaign to raise funds and donations in kind for the Foundation is on the GoFundMe website.

Thierry Drilhon, President of the Franco-British Chamber, states “The Chamber wishes to pay tribute to the remarkable work carried out by the Franco-British Sillery Foundation over the past 100 years and especially to the young people who have wished to participate in the collective effort in this exceptional health crisis.”

Geoffrey Cardozo, President of the Fondation Franco-Britannique de Sillery, adds “At a time of great need, as the Foundation unswervingly struggles to continue its work by uniting its vulnerable youngsters in the fight against Covid-19, the Franco-British Chambre of Commerce and Industry and the Hertford British Hospital Charity have come together to launch an unprecedented initiative to support them. I send them both, and you all who rally to their call, our deepest appreciation. This appeal provides a shining example of Franco-British co-operation at the most human level.”

Michel de Fabiani, President of the Hertford British Hospital Charity, adds “Since its creation in 1871, the Hertford British Hospital Charity has been active in the field of Franco-British health care and it was therefore natural that we should support the Franco-British Foundation of Sillery for its Covid actions and more generally the aid to the disabled.”

www.gofundme.com

Actions and needs of the Fondation Franco-Britannique de Sillery

As part of the effort to combat Covid-19, the Foundation :
– makes its dormitories available to the Essonne First Aid Medical Units
– organizes and deploys the manufacture of masks
– makes the packaging for hydro-alcoholic gel
– produces oxygen cylinder caps for Air Liquide for intensive care units
– treats laundry for medical-social establishments particularly exposed to the virus
– provides 20 vehicles for the staff of medical-social establishments
– provides daily meals to retirement homes and medical-social institutions
– continues to provide distance and home-based education for youth and adults during their ongoing containment
– develops its market gardening production to supply vegetables to people in difficulty.

The Foundation is in urgent need of funds for :
– personal protective equipment and meals for the mobile first-aid personnel currently based in its facilities
– computers and computer equipment for training staff to continue their work with 200 home-bound trainees with disabilities
– the acquisition of sewing machines and fabric for its volunteers who make masks
– protective clothing for the Foundation’s staff who support and accompany the fragile population of elderly, handicapped and/or excluded people and the sick who depend on them on a daily basis
– digital teaching material for the 50 disabled people confined in its headquarters in Sillery itself
– reinforcement of its staff numbers and replacement of those affected by Covid-19, to ensure the continuity of all vital services and activities.

Press Contacts:  Jill Ledger – jill.ledger10@gmail.com – +33 (0) 6 80 11 22 49 -Véronique Lecompte – veronique.lecompte@francobritishchamber.com  – +33 (0) 6 22 07 65 96

Franco-British Chamber
The Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, founded in 1873, is the oldest international Chamber of Commerce in Europe. The Chamber is offering its members – French and British companies of all sizes and from all sectors of activity – a vast range of services to help them to develop their cross-channel activity. Located in Paris, for more than 145 years, the Franco-British Chamber is a powerful business network which helps and links companies. The Business Connect service, from member to member, allows a privileged and efficient relationship.
https://francobritishchamber.com/en/

The Franco-British Sillery Foundation
The Foundation was founded in London in 1914 by the British Committee of the French Red Cross with the vocation of “administering British relief to French works of war”. Its English nurses provided care and assistance to the many French soldiers wounded in France with dedication and courage. Today it employs 300 qualified people to care for 800 young people and adults. The health crisis linked to Covid-19 has led the Foundation to diversify its activities, in order to participate actively alongside the authorities in the fight against the virus, while preserving its capacity to support people with disabilities. www.ffbs-sillery.com

Hertford British Hospital Charity
The Hertford British Hospital was built between 1872 and 1879, following the Franco-Prussian War, by Sir Richard Wallace, a great English philanthropist, in memory of his father, the 4th Marquis of Hertford, also a Francophile, who died in 1870. It is the same Sir Richard Wallace who gave his name to the Wallace Fountains, symbols of his greatness.
For almost 150 years the Hertford British Hospital Charity (HBHC) has been the charitable institution that ensures that the medical mission launched by Sir Richard Wallace continues to be carried out in the French and English-speaking communities. In Levallois-Perret, the HBHC participates in the management of the Franco-British Hospital, hosts the International Dermatology Centre and provides premises for the British Charitable Fund. https://www.british-hospital.org/en/

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Regarding trade of goods (relatively stable at €60bn), it was mainly the export of wine, spirits and tobacco that supported France’s surplus with the United Kingdom (+€2.5bn). On the British side, it was machinery and transport equipment (+€1.8bn), as well as fuels and energy (+€0.2bn) where there is a trade surplus.

Bilateral growth was strongest in trade of services (+12%). Companies’ preparations for Brexit are reflected in the “Other Services” sector (+€2.6bn), which includes services such as legal and tax advice, consulting, trade services (customs tariffs), etc. It is therefore a sign that companies have prepared for the deadline on both sides of the Channel.

Over the first 8 months of 2019, and in the trade of goods alone, the growth in bilateral transactions was significant, with an increase of 7.4% between 2018 and 2019 over the same period, probably a sign that non-perishable food products were being stockpiled.

Created in January 2019 as part of the strategic partnership of its three founding members – the Franco-British Chamber, the international audit firm PwC and the British DIT* – the “Cross-Channel Institute for the promotion of Franco-British sustainable prosperity” is an independent Think Tank aimed at fostering the development of Franco-British business relations over the long term. The Institute publishes the Barometer of Franco-British Economic Relations, the only ressource providing a comprehensive, dynamic and detailed overview of trade in goods and services between the two countries.

Thierry Drilhon, President of the Franco-British Chamber, said: “Since the referendum, in the face of Brexit uncertainty, the Franco-British Chamber has tirelessly supported its member companies with a pragmatic, positive and constructive approach. We are preparing ourselves for the post-Brexit era to transform this challenge into an opportunity. An opportunity to revisit Franco-British economic relations. An opportunity to enhance the attractiveness of the French and British marketplaces. This 2nd barometer confirms the strength of trade between two long-term strategic and economic partners. It is a reliable source of strategic thinking and decision-making for international leaders of large companies, but also small to medium ones, who need to consider their business value chains between our two countries.”

Jimmy Zou, Partner at PwC France, commented: “This 2nd Cross-Channel Institute Barometer confirms the readiness of large companies that have thoroughly assessed the impact of Brexit on their value chain. No one has anything to gain from chaos, and we believe that after a period of adjustment during the renegotiation of the treaties, trade volumes will remain high with a likely redistribution of flows. Following the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, trade between the two countries will continue and mergers & acquisitions will gradually regain momentum”.

Paul Taylor, Deputy Director, Department for International Trade (DIT), British Embassy in France, added: “The figures and analysis presented in this 2nd Barometer provide an in-depth understanding of Franco-British trade relations, and in particular the sectors of growth and the potential for the future. It is a useful reminder that France and the United Kingdom are major economic partners and will continue to create jobs, growth and opportunities together in the years to come”.

* Department for International Trade

For more information on the Cross-Channel Institute, or to obtain the Barometer, please visit: www.crosschannelinstitute.com  – https://crosschannelinstitute.com/en/barometre/
contact@crosschannelinstitute.com

Press contacts:
Franco-British Chamber, Véronique Lecompte, +33 (0) 1 53 30 81 32 veronique.lecompte@francobritishchamber.com
PwC, Roxane Lauley, +33 (0) 1 56 57 13 14, roxane.lauley@pwc.com

Cross-Channel Institute
Created in partnership by the Franco-British Chamber, the international audit firm PwC France and the Department for International Trade, the Institute is the observatory and meeting place for companies on both sides of the Channel to give a new impetus to the historical and powerful business relationships between the two countries. Through studies, analyses and debates, it seeks to provide companies and institutions on both sides of the Channel with an innovative and sustainable vision of post-Brexit economic relations.
The Institute publishes the Barometer of Franco-British Economic Relations, the only ressource providing a comprehensive, dynamic and detailed overview of trade in goods and services between the two countries. Based on an analysis of official French and British sources, the Barometer is published on an annual basis. www.crosschannelinstitute.com  https://crosschannelinstitute.com/en/barometre/

Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry, created in 1873, is the oldest international chamber of commerce in Europe. It offers its members – companies of all sizes, all sectors of activity, and of French or British origin – a wide range of tailor-made services to help them develop their cross-Channel activities. Established in Paris for more than 146 years, the Franco-British Chamber is a powerful business network that supports and brings companies together. The “Business Connect” service, from member to member, fosters a privileged and efficient relationship. www.francobritishchamber.com

PwC France & Francophone Africa
PwC is developing its advisory, audit and accounting engagements in France and French-speaking Africa by leveraging an industry-specific approach.
More than 276,000 people in 157 countries belonging to the PwC international network share their ideas, expertise and innovative views to deliver high-quality service to clients and partner companies. PwC’s French and French-speaking African firms comprise 6,400 people working out of 23 countries. For more information, visit www.pwc.fr
By working every day to advise clients and support them in their success, PwC actively contributes to the development of the French economy. Through its studies and expert analyses, PwC is also committed to preparing for the economies of the future and developing new technological applications. Lastly, by providing solutions for risk management, PwC creates trust among stakeholders and helps maintain a secure environment at the heart of the French economy.
PwC France launched the #LetsgoFrance movement to showcase all the people, companies and organisations that are working to ensure the success of the French economy.
Come join us and work together at: letsgofrance.fr
“PwC” refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. For more information, visit www.pwc.com/structure

Department for International Trade (DIT) – British Embassy in France
The Department of International Trade (DIT) ensures the United Kingdom’s prosperity and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment and defending free trade.
International Economic Department, it is responsible for:
– bringing together policy, advocacy and financial expertise to remove barriers to trade and investment and help businesses succeed;
– developing a new trade policy framework for the United Kingdom once the United Kingdom has left the EU;
– promoting British trade and investment around the world;
– stimulating interest in British products and services worldwide.
In France, DIT helps British companies penetrate the French market and assists French companies in their investments in the United Kingdom. The team in France also supports the strategic bilateral partnership in key sectors.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-trade

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The partnership between ETHIC and the Franco-British Chamber was signed on the 8^th October by their Presidents, Sophie de Menthon and Thierry Drilhon. They are joining forces to support medium-sized companies meet the technical and human challenges posed by the UK’s exit from the EU.

Their first joint action “J’aime ma boite”, is part of the UK version of ETHIC’s long-running project, the “Fête des Entreprises”  launched in 2003 The project was unveiled by Catherine Le Yaouanc, General Manager of the Franco-British Chamber, in London on the 15^th October at the first annual meeting of British and International Chambers of Commerce (recently united in a single organisation, the “BCC Global Business Network”).

Sophie de Menthon, President of ETHIC, said: ‘We are an organisation representing all of French business activity, from CAC40 companies to small and medium-sized enterprises, and 18 federations. Our partnership with the Franco-British Chamber reflects a common spirit between our two organisations at a key moment in our history’.

Thierry Drilhon, President of the Franco-British Chamber, said: ‘I am delighted with our partnership with ETHIC. Our joint activity is based on our firm conviction that companies are the foundation of our organisations. “My Company is great” reflects our commitment to continue working with British companies and to bring the voice of business to the table whilst putting people first.  This partnership thus celebrates the humanist values that we share and the synergy of our respective actions with a historical, economic, and apolitical foundation.’

Franco-British Chamber

The Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Franco-British Chamber), established in 1873, is the oldest international chamber of commerce in Europe. The Chamber offers its members – companies of all sizes, from all sectors of activity, and of French or British origin – a vast range of tailor-made services to help them develop their cross-channel activity. Located in Paris for more than 146 years, the Franco-British Chamber is a powerful business network that supports and brings together companies. The Business Connect service, from member to member, allows for a privileged and efficient relationship.

www.francobritishchamber.com

ETHIC – Entreprises de Taille Humaines Indépendantes et de Croissance

ETHIC is an organisation of reflection and managerial action, bringing together independent, human orientated, and growing companies. Its mission is to promote the image of the company whilst promoting ethical values, the central place of people at the heart of the economic system, and the freedom to do business. In all of its work and through its actions in favour of a better pedagogy of business, the organisation positions itself as the instigator of new ethics of capitalism, in response to the issues of today.

www.ethic.fr

Press Contacts :

Franco-British Chamber : Véronique Lecompte +33 (0)6 22 07 65 96

ETHIC : Frédéric Jaillant +33 (0)6 62 34 58 37

At its Annual General Meeting, the Franco-British Chamber assessed the significant increase in the attractiveness of their offer over the past two years (+19% of new members), evaluated their action to prepare their members for the implementation of Brexit (+85% participation in their Master classes, +50% media coverage) and reviewed the launch of the 1st Barometer of Franco-British Economic Relations through their co-founded Think Tank, the Cross-Channel Institute.

The Meeting also led to the election of Jimmy Zou – Senior Partner of PwC, in charge of Financial Services Consulting and Insurance Market in France, Maghreb and French-speaking Africa – to the Board of Directors.

It was also opportunity to announce that the members of the Franco-British Chamber will benefit from the recent merger of the Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe (COBCOE) with the Association of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) under the banner of the GBN “Global Business Network”. As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the EU, British companies have chosen to consolidate their links with European companies, including French ones, through an economic “remain”. Access to all the services and business opportunities of these two networks combined in a single network provides additional development leverage for French companies that are members of the Franco-British Chamber, the only organization in France that is a member of the Global Business Network (GBN).

Thierry Drilhon, President of the Franco-British Chamber, stated at the Rentrée Réception on 19 September: “Our strategic transformation plan continues to produce results with a much-enhanced appeal for our members and many companies that come to benefit from our unique network of experts and partners. I am very pleased to welcome Jimmy Zou, who brings to the Chamber his expertise in the strategic and economic issues of Franco-British business relations. We also welcome the integration of the two networks of British chambers of commerce, which will accelerate growth in the United Kingdom and around the world for French companies who are members of the Chamber. In fact, it is the new Europe that we are going to help to create together.

Finally, as part of our new communication strategy, we are launching our new website today. It has three objectives: to facilitate access to our services and business network, to help prepare our members for Brexit and to foster economic and cross-cultural relations. For 146 years, the Franco-British Chamber has actively participated in the development of Franco-British economic relations and our new site will be part of a new digital relational dynamic for the many years to come”.

Jimmy Zou, new director and founding member of the Cross-Channel Institute, said, “It is an honour for me to join the Board of Directors of the Franco-British Chamber as our companies and
organizations finalize their preparations for Brexit. Here, we are part of the long-term special relationship between our two nations, and the Cross-Channel Institute Barometer will be the benchmark of its evolution.”

Board of Directors of the Franco-British Chamber:

§  Thierry Drilhon,President
§  Marie-Christine Bilbow,Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer – Treasurer
§  Oliver Campenon,Vice-President
§  Michel de Fabiani,Vice-President
§  Bob Lewis,Vice-President
§  Michel Dubarry,Director
§  Hubert Dupont L’Hotelain,Director – Business Development
§  Rachael Hughes,Director
§  Marie-Alix Michel,Director, Honorary Secretary – Legal Counsel
§  Françoise Rausch,Director – Cross Channel Institute
§  Guy-Antoine de La Rochefoucauld,Director
§  Jimmy Zou,Director
§  Catherine Le Yaouanc, Managing Director, Franco-British Chamber

New website for the Franco-British Chamber : www.francobritishchamber.com

________________________________

Press Contact:
–       Véronique Lecompte, Senior Consultant Marketing & Communications, Franco-British Chamber of Commerce – veronique.lecompte@francobritishchamber.com  – +33 (0) 6 22 07 65 96

On the occasion of the New Year’s Reception 2019 which took place on the 31st of January at the residence of the British Ambassador to France, Thierry Drilhon, President of the Franco-British Chamber, presented the plan for the strategic transformation which will take place between now and 2021.  “Faced with the challenges that Brexit raises for the business community, we want to use this period as a trigger and an opportunity to accelerate the development of economic activity on both sides of the Channel.”

As part of this strategic transformation, the Chamber of Commerce is adopting a new communication strategy – including a new logo – to make the Chamber’s image clearer and stronger to all its stakeholders.

As part of the new offer to big businesses, the Chamber of Commerce announces the creation of a Think Tank, the “Cross-Channel Institute: for the promotion of Franco-British sustainable prosperity” as part of the partnership with PwC and the economic arm of the British Embassy (DIT). This initiative is in response to the request expressed by large companies to reinforce economic and commercial ties after Brexit. In addition to premium events, the Think Tank will be well placed to engage in and influence the writing of this new chapter in the economic history of our two countries.

Thierry Drilhon declared that: “The creation of this Think Tank, in partnership with PwC, is a formidable opportunity to reinvent our economic relationship with the UK for the coming decades around a powerful and historic connection.”

Jimmy Zou, Senior Partner at PwC France and Francophone Africa said: “In this moment where there is great uncertainty over the relationship between the UK and Europe, we are pleased but also proud to engage alongside the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce in establishing an ambitious vision of the “special relationship” between the people and businesses of our two nations – with or without, before or after Brexit.”

With regard to small and medium enterprises, we will make access to our services more efficient and user-friendly thanks to a new website (May 2019) connected to the “Business Connect” platform which extends business opportunities to British Chambers of Commerce in Europe.

For all of its members, the Chamber is organising many events, meetings and breakfasts in Paris and in the French regions to help companies to prepare for Brexit. The coming events will focus on: The commercial and legal impact; transport and logistics; intellectual property and “impatriation & new immigrations”.