2015-16 Executive Committee announced at AGM

The results of the BCCJ’s contested 2015-2016 BCCJ Executive Committee (Excom) Elections were announced and approved at last night’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Held at the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo, the meeting was opened by HM Ambassador to Japan Tim Hitchens CMG LVO, who highlighted the success of the UK-Japan relationship over the past year. The Ambassador acknowledged the work done by BCCJ members in support of this relationship, and said that the British Embassy was delighted to be working with the BCCJ on projects related to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

David Bickle was next to the stage, to present his Annual Report in which he outlined how the Chamber has increased business links and networking opportunities for all members in Chamber year 2014-2015. This has included hosting a record-breaking 39 high-value events, welcoming around 2000 attendees, with a higher proportion of non-members attending BCCJ events than ever before. David further explained that BCCJ membership numbers have continued to grow.

He also reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to connecting members with opportunities surrounding the Rugby World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic games.

He then highlighted the BCCJ’s Community activities which include: the continued delivery of the Books for Smiles (“CSR in a box”) programme, which has raised over JPY8.6 to support Japan’s careleavers into higher education and jobs; a BCCJ Community Hub event providing a platform to 7 NPOs, powered by PechaKucha; and career development events for young people from across Japan.

Finally he paid tribute to Excom members standing down this year: Phil Gibb OBE (Canning), Anna Pinsky (Individual member), Haruno Yoshida (BT Japan) and Jim Weeks (Kreab). He gave particular thanks to Phil and Jim for their long-standing contribution to the Chamber – over 11 and ten years respectively.

Lori Henderson, BCCJ Executive Director then took to the stage to announce the Excom election results. “As you know, from April 10th, we rolled out the second online election in our 67 year history. Under our constitution, the Executive Committee is run by a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 individuals. During our election there have been 18 qualified and approved candidates competing for 15 Excom seats, and by the voting deadline of 1830 on April 23, over 40% of BCCJ members had voted for their prefered candidates – a record voter turn out.”

The following 15 BCCJ members will form the 2015-2016 Excom.

President

• David Bickle, Deloitte Tohmatsu Tax Co.

Executive Committee

• Alison Beale, University of Oxford Japan Office
• David Bickle, Deloitte Tohmatsu Tax Co.
• Jonty Brunner, British Airways
• Steve Crane, Business Link Japan
• Graham Davis, Individual Member
• James Dodds, KPMG
• Simon Farrell, Custom Media K.K.
• Philippe Fauchet, GSK K.K.
• Iain Ferguson, Lloyd’s Japan Inc.
• Susumu Kaminaga, Individual Member
• Reiko Sakimura, Clifford Chance Law Office
• Ajab Samrai, Ogilvy & Mather (Japan) Group
• John Short, Kreab Gavin Anderson
• Richard Thornley, CBE, Individual Member
• Trevor Webster, deVere Group Tokyo K.K.

David Bickle, of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, was elected by acclamation as Chairperson of the Executive Committee and President of the BCCJ for a second term.

Sue Kinoshita Director of UK Trade and Investment at the British Embassy Tokyo and Jeff Streeter, head of the British Council in Japan, will continue to represent their respective organisations as ex officio members of Excom.

Excom taskforce heads will be decided in the coming weeks.

The election of the new committee, statement of accounts and appointment of auditors (Okamoto & Company) were all approved in the majority. And the formal business of the AGM was followed by a drinks reception.

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A selection of photos from the AGM can be viewed on the BCCJ Flickr Page

Thank you very much to all nominated candidates, everyone who voted and to those who joined the AGM last night.

We look forward to a busy and exciting Chamber year ahead!