Category: Uncategorized

This new TradeTip presents the existing opportunities for organic/eco Food and Drinks in Spain. The increasing awareness of health and environmental issues is increasing the demand of these products in other markets, and we analyse if this is also happening in the Spanish market and to what extent. We look at the general statistics and the main distributors, as well as some of the most relevant aspects to consider.

If you need any extra information, feel free to contact our team by sending an email to info@spanishchamber.co.uk mentioning TradeTip August 2020.

We would like to welcome Accordance VAT as a new Benefactor of the Spanish Chamber.

Accordance VAT is the pro-European cross-border VAT specialist.

They exist to drive greater trade, harmony and understanding by helping their internationally-trading clients to feel at home in Europe.

They bring clarity to the deep complexity of cross-border VAT, enabling businesses to trade confidently across Europe.

Their services include:

•  VAT registration and VAT declarations in the 28 EU Member States and beyond
•  Intrastat and EC Sales list reporting
•  VAT recovery
•  Fiscal representation
•  VAT digitization
•  ERP system reviews
•  Ad-hoc Advice on intra-community VAT projects

Their services are a blend of consultancy expertise provided by VAT consultants, compliance rigour and strong relationship management, covering all major European languages to provide their clients with a single point of contact for all VAT solutions in Europe.

Since they were born in Brighton in 2007, they have grown into a company of more than 100 specialists working out of offices in Brighton and Amsterdam.

Their company provides a single point of contact for all consultancy and compliance needs in all 28 EU Member States and beyond to internationally minded clients so that they can continue to trade with confidence.

Accordance VAT have an internal culture of open-minded diversity and a fundamentally pro-European stance. Due to this, they are enabled to act uniquely, in accordance with the ever-changing complexity of European VAT.

Above all, they will work with your business to turn VAT complexity into clarity. Uncertainty into confidence. Risk to reward.

Should you wish to know more about our new benefactor, please visit their website by clicking here.

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]

On the 14th February 2019 we teamed up with our member Brandlond to hold a seminar about new retail strategies. The seminar was delivered by Marc Guitart who is the company’s founder, and welcomed participants from both member and non-member companies to learn more about the evolution of retail over the course of the last decade. During the workshop, we learnt about the importance of connecting with people’s emotions to create meaningful experiences when buying. From the customers’ side things have radically changed too: they are no longer interested in acquiring just a product, now they look for a complete experience, going beyond the borders of simple consumption. These made companies no longer categorise them as users, but rather as customers.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https://spanish.en-desarrollo.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/brandlond6.jpg” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https://spanish.en-desarrollo.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/brandlond4.jpg” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]

Later on the 7th March, we joined forces with international insolvency practitioner Quabbala, member of the Chamber, to hold a seminar on the subject of company restructuration and corporate insolvency procedures; under the English and Welsh laws. This seminar, which welcomed participants coming mostly from legal backgrounds, demonstrated how important it is to take effective actions in case your business is going through a tough financial situation or experiencing restructuration needs. The talk was led by Mr. Rubén García-Quismondo, partner director of Quabbala, who introduced us to the main concepts and procedures of company restructuration. We first learnt about the concept of company insolvency and the figure of the insolvency practitioner. Then we delved into further detail of the main characteristics of the three different categories of corporate insolvency procedures: rescue processes, terminal processes and solvent liquidation

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https://spanish.en-desarrollo.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quabb1.jpg” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https://spanish.en-desarrollo.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quabb4.jpg” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]

A few days later, we held the seminar “Women in the Workplace in 2019: Challenges and Opportunities” in collaboration with our member Diversitas Institute. Ms. Raquel Barrera, a Diversity & Inclusion Consultant at the firm, kicked off her talk by presenting some statistics about the workforce differences between women and men and explaining that the gender pay gay that exists frequently depends on the nature of the job and be it full or part time. We learned that unfortunately, the gender pay gay is not expected to be closed until 2072.

The seminar also addressed the impact of having a child on women and men’s careers and what organisations can do about it. The seminar created a great discussion between attendees who shared their ideas on the positive practices that companies can adopt as well as their personal experiences.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https://spanish.en-desarrollo.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/diversitas3.jpg” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https://spanish.en-desarrollo.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/diversitas4.jpg” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]

We would like to thank Brandlond, Quabbala and Diversitas Institute very much for collaborating with us on these seminars. To find out about further seminars and other networking events held by the Spanish Chamber, we encourage you to visit the Upcoming Events section of our website.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

We would like to welcome Meliá Hotels International as a new Patron of the Spanish Chamber.

Meliá Hotels International joined the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom in 2000, and having worked proactively with us ever since we are delighted to announce that they have become our newest Patron members.

Founded in 1956 on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, Meliá Hotels International is one of the most prominent hotel chains in the world and an absolute leader in the Spanish market. The company currently boasts over 370 hotels in 43 countries, distributed over four continents.

In 1996 Meliá became the first Spanish hotel company to make it to the exchange market. It continues to work actively in accordance with its core values, demonstrated with its inclusion in the top 100 companies of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as well as being a proactive supporter of UNICEF’s work for the protection of childhood.

Here in the UK Meliá Hotels International operates four hotels, INNSiDE by Meliá Manchester, ME London, Hotel London Kensington and Meliá White House, London, one of the flagship properties of the company. Located on the edge of Regent’s Park, a beautiful location and well located for exploring all that the capital has to offer, the Meliá White House is one of a limited number of London hotels that preserve their architectural value as prime examples of late 1930s architecture.

The property has a rich history, being an iconic landmark throughout the decades and playing a significant role in the surrounding area. Currently there are works to the internal common areas aiming to improve the appearance and use of these spaces to enhance the experience of all future stays, they are set for completion mid-2019.

Should you wish to know more about our newest patron, please visit their website by clicking here.

On Wednesday 30th January the Spanish Chamber of Commerce held its annual New Year’s Drinks Reception, the first corporate event of 2019. This year the event was held at the House of Lords, one of the two Houses of the UK Parliament, located in the outstanding Palace of Westminster; on the north bank of river Thames.

On this occasion the event welcomed the Deputy Lord Speaker as its esteemed Guest of Honour, who was standing in for the Lord Speaker. The president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the UK, Mr. Eduardo Barrachina and the Minister of State for Global Spain, Ms. Irene Lozano, also gave speeches alongside the Lord Speaker. The Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Mr. Carlos Bastarreche was also in attendance.

The event began with guests being welcomed with a glass of wine or cava upon arrival at the Cholmondeley Room and Terrace of the Palace. Everyone was then able to meet and network with each other over a delicious selection of freshly cut ibérico ham and Spanish cheeses.

After the first drinks it was time for the speeches. After beginning by thanking the Lord Speaker, the Chamber’s President continued with a tribute to the 40^th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution; referring to it as “the key factor for the economic and social progress made by Spanish society over the course of recent decades”.  The president emphasised the importance of the political, social and economics relationships between the UK and Spain as well as highlighting the crucial role of institutions such as the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. “Under these ceilings, steeped in history, we the Spanish Chamber of Commerce reassure you of our commitment to Britain, to British society and to enhanced bilateral trading relations between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom”.

Next, the Minister of State for Global Spain, Ms. Irene Lozano, began her impressive speech by stating that “the United Kingdom’s hospitality has always attracted the best of Spanish innovation to establish its base here, from high-speed railways to telecommunications, finance, construction and renewable energy”. The minister highlighted the relevance of the Spanish community living in the UK “of which my government is extremely proud”. Regarding the current political situation that the UK is experiencing, Ms. Lozano commented that she firmly believes “that Spain and the UK must continue to work hand by hand in the international fora, in Europe and elsewhere”.

Following the speeches, our guests continued to network with each other and establish new connections.

We would like to sincerely thank our Patrons  Raventós Codorníu and Ibérica for providing the generous and curated selection of cava and ibérico ham and to our members Hispania  and Hacienda Villarta for their contribution of the variety of cheeses and red and white wines which were served during the reception.

We encourage you to browse the Upcoming Events section of our website in order to keep up to date with upcoming Spanish Chamber corporate events, seminars and other activities.