2017-18 Executive Committee Announced at AGM

The results of the BCCJ’s contested 2017-2018 BCCJ Executive Committee (Excom) Election were announced and approved at last night’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Held at the British Embassy Tokyo, the meeting was opened by Chris Heffer, Director of Trade and Investment of the British Embassy, who highlighted the success of the UK-Japan relationship over the past year.

Heffer acknowledged the work achieved by BCCJ members in support of this relationship, and said that the British Embassy was looking forward to continued close collaboration with the BCCJ.

Heffer highlighted the positive economy and trade figures between the UK and Japan as well as the success of the Export to Japan platform, and emphasised that Brexit and the upcoming UK elections were a chance to show the current strengths of the UK rather than looking to the past.

In terms of collaboration with the BCCJ, Heffer said that global sporting events in the run up to the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics would continue to be important, but that trade policy outside the EU would now also become a focus.

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 2016-2017. This has included hosting a record-breaking 45 high-value events, welcoming around 2,700 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.

Bickle highlighted the diverse range of events offered at the BCCJ from corporate to headline, diversity to Brexit, global sports, and co-hosted events. He reiterated that the Chamber is looking for an active, broad membership, and encouraged members to attend events regularly and to make the most of the connections offered.

In conclusion, he paid tribute to outgoing Excom members for their contribution to the Chamber’s work.

BCCJ Executive Director Emma Hickinbotham then announced the Excom election results. “As you know, from March 27th, we rolled out the online election, asking all nominated representatives of BCCJ member companies who they believed should be elected to the 2017-18 BCCJ. 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 21 qualified and approved candidates competing for 15 Excom seats, and by the voting deadline of 1700 on April 12, over 39% of BCCJ members had voted for their prefered candidates.”

The following 15 BCCJ members will form the 2017-2018 Excom.

President

– David Bickle, Deloitte Tohmatsu Tax Co.

Executive Committee

– Alison Beale, University of Oxford Japan Office
– David Bickle, Deloitte Tohmatsu Tax Co.
– Mark Dearlove, Barclays Securities Japan Limited
– James Dodds, KPMG
– Simon Farrell, Custom Media K.K.
– Philippe Fauchet OBE, GSK K.K.
– Iain Ferguson, Lloyd’s Japan Inc.
– Susumu Kaminaga, Individual Member
– Dr. Florian Kohlbacher, The Economist Group
– Julia Maeda, Individual Member
– Guy Perryman MBE, Inter FM
– Reiko Sakimura, Clifford Chance Law Office
– Noriko Silvester, Candlewick Co., Ltd.
– Richard Thornley, CBE, Individual Member
– Trevor Webster, Taylor Brunswick 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 fourth term.

Chris Heffer, Director of Trade and Investment at the British Embassy Tokyo and Matt Burney, Director of the British Council in Japan, will continue to represent their respective organisations as ex officio members of Excom.

Excom taskforce heads will be determined in the following weeks.

The election of the new committee, statement of accounts and appointment of auditors (OC & Associates K.K.) were all approved in the majority. The formal business of the AGM was preceded by an impressive performance by the British Embassy’s Taiko Drummers and followed by a drinks reception.

Find out more about joining the BCCJ HERE