New BCCJ Executive Committee Elected at AGM 2024

The results of the BCCJ’s contested 2024-2025 BCCJ Executive Committee (Excom) Election were announced and approved at last night’s Annual General Meeting (Thursday, April 25).

Held at Charmant Scena Tokyo in Omotesando, the meeting was opened by His Majesty’s Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom CMG who highlighted the success of the UK-Japan relationship over the past year and exciting milestones ahead.

Julia 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 with the countdown firmly on until the Osaka Expo 2025.

BCCJ Executive Director Sarah Backley thanked BCCJ members for their continued support of the chamber. She noted a few personal highlights: the launch of the BCCJ Mentorship Programme for Aspiring Professionals; the chamber’s past year of diverse events; BCCJ members’ contributions to Noto Earthquake relief efforts; and the appointment of the BCCJ Events Coordinator, who will be joining the team this June.

BCCJ President Richard Lyle took attendees through an insightful presentation, reflecting on a positive year at the Chamber as connections found new ways to flourish. Highlights included a record number of Chamber events and registered members, the launch of a Government Relations working group, a modern new office space designed for members and sowing the seeds for Expo 2025 involvement for BCCJ members.

Richard closed his speech by sharing some of his fondest memories serving Chamber members in his second year of Presidency before thanking Committee members for their continued support.

Electing the Executive Committee

BCCJ Executive Director, Sarah Backley then announced the Excom election results. “As you know, from April 4, we rolled out an online election, asking all nominated representatives of BCCJ member companies to vote for the candidates they believed should be elected to serve on the Excom this coming year. Under our constitution, the Executive Committee is run by a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 individuals.

The following 15 BCCJ members will form the 2024-2025 Excom, in alphabetical order of first names.”

Alison Beale, University of Oxford Japan Office
Heather Prosser, Morrow Sodali Japan
Hideo Tomita, London Stock Exchange Group
James Nepaulsingh, Individual Member
Junko Kubokawa, Croda Japan
Keith Thomas, EY Japan
Ken Katayama, Individual Member
Kentaro Kiso, Barclays
Mark Dytham, Klein Dytham architecture
Nicola Vote, Individual Member
Nora Yamada, The British School in Tokyo
Richard Lyle, Intralink KK (President)
Rob Peer, BAE Systems
Rob Williams, AP Advisers
Vivian Tokai, Individual Member

Other Business

The election of the new committee, statement of accounts and appointment of auditors (HLS Global) were all approved in the majority.