The Spanish Chamber of Commerce hosted a very special event on Thursday 11th February. Our Patrons and Benefactors had the unique opportunity to attend a wine and Ibérico ham tasting in one of the most outstanding suites of Grange Hotels, Patron of the Chamber.
To start off the evening, our top-tier members were welcomed at the Presidential Suite of the Grange City Hotel, with a glass of delicious Anna de Codorníu Brut Rosé kindly provided by Codorníu Raventós, Patron of the Chamber, while enjoying the breathtaking views of the City of London.
Codorníu Raventós and Spanish Ham Master, Patron and member of the Chamber respectively, provided a delicious wine and ham for the event.
The event was a perfect chance to foster relationships between our top-tier members and develop new professional relations.
Igor Urra, our Secretary General, requested attention in order to thank all the attendees and to briefly introduce the speakers for the event. He announced Óscar Urrutia, Rioja & Prestige Wines Manager at Codorníu who, as a wine expert, engaged the audience with the history of Bodegas Bilbaínas, the oldest bottler of wine in Spain and nowadays part of Codorníu Group. He took our guests through the evolution of the vineyards and milestones achieved since its foundation, highlighting how the winery has maintained the personal style that has given its flagship label, Viña Pomal, international presence.
Óscar Urrutia, Prestige Wine Manager at Grupo Codorníu and wine expert during his engaging speech about Bilbaínas Winery.
Mr. Urrutia then gave way to José Sol, ham master carver in the UK and founder of Spanish Ham Master, Member Company of the Chamber. He opened his speech with a little history of the business, since its birth in 2010 as a company dedicated to covering events around the Jamón World. Mr. Sol explained how his company is specialised in events around the world of ham, giving support and advice in the business industry. He also showed his pride of being the ambassador of 5J-Cinco Jotas, known as the best ham in the world.
José Sol, ham master carver and founder of Spanish Ham Master, during his friendly and pleasant presentation.
Once the speeches had finished Patrons and Benefactors had the opportunity to mingle while attending a first-class carving service guided by one of the top ham carvers in London and to pair it with the superb velvety flavoured Viña Pomal Reserva.
We would very much like to thank everyone who shared this evening with us. We are also extremely grateful to Grange Hotels, for having kindly hosted this event giving us the opportunity to enjoy the astonishing views over London’s skyline and helping us to create a fantastic atmosphere.
The spacious suite allowed the guests to mingle in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere
Likewise, we are also sincerely grateful to Codorníu Raventós for their continuous support providing the cava and red wine and to Spanish Ham Master, member of the Chamber, for having kindly provided once again Ibérico ham for this unique event.
Should you want to have a hint of the activities we organise for our members, do not miss the opportunity to join us at future events by signing up to our weekly newsletter or browsing our Upcoming Events section on our website.
As Santa is soon coming to town, we wanted to say goodbye to this intense and rewarding year and extend our best wishes for 2015 to you.
And what better way to do it than celebrating with style our Informal Christmas Party next Tuesday 9th December? If you have not registered yet, then hurry up as places are running out fast! Mahiki will host this for the consecutive second year. This last event of 2014, offering to our cold and rainy London’s winter a warm and cheerful Hawaiian twist. It will be a second to none opportunity to say goodbye to fellow members and colleagues until next year. So if you want to join us, hurry up and book it now here!!
But now, before closing down this exciting year, it is time to look back at some of the activities and events we have organised throughout. Rightly, at the top of our list, we find the recent VI Annual Gala Dinner, that took place on 27th November. It was a resounding successful, as around 230 fellow members gathered under the presiding of H.E. The Ambassador of Spain and Mr. César Alierta, Executive Chairman and CEO of Telefónica, as our Guest of Honour.
Members of the Executive Committee of the Spanish Chamber with our Guest of Honour, Mr. César Alierta, at our VI Annual Gala Dinner
At the beginning of the year and as a brand new initiative, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce launched officially on 31st January the first meeting of the Financial Forum at the Spanish Embassy. Its main function is to bring Spanish professionals from the City together and provide them with a platform to promote dialogue, share best practices within the financial sector and exchange ideas about the current economic and financial context. This gathering was followed by two others in May and July, the last one being held at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
In April, we held the Annual Golden Award, which was hosted at the Spanish Embassy in London. This event rewards a Spanish company for its outstanding performance during the previous year in the UK, and the distinction in this edition went to Aena Aeropuertos.
Furthermore, we would like to highlight that the 127th edition of our Annual General Meeting took place in June followed by a unique lunch held at one of London’s most iconic landmarks: The House of Lords, within the Palace of Westminster. The event was kindly hosted by Lord Brennan, QC, and had also the pleasure to count on Lord Bell, Chairman of Bell Pottinger, as our Guest of Honour for this special occasion.
Lord Brennan, in our Annual General Meeting hosted at the House of Lords
In addition to the above, the Spanish Chamber has also developed a wide range of activities, including seminars, networking events and informal parties, such as theInternationalWine Tasting Event, the Elevator’s Pitch, a popular speed networking activity, Halloween Informal Party, to name just a few.
Moreover, the Patrons’ Club has offered five exclusive activities for our Patrons in 2014, which have included the traditional annual dinner at the restaurant Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, a tour “Behind the scenes” at London City Airport and an exquisite Tasting at the New Pantry at The Marylebone Hotel in collaboration with The Doyle Collection, just to mention some of them.
Visit to the London City Airport and Dinner at the restaurant Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, two of the activities of the Patrons’ Club
On the other hand, in September, the XVI Edition of our Graduate European Programme kicked off. This year 16 participants will be carrying out work-experience at London based companies for 6 months. The programme includes Business English classes and workshops at Regent’s University London to complement the participants’ work experience.
Last but not least, our Trade and Business Development Department has kept busy and delivered several commercial agendas and trade missions. Among them, we would like to highlight the work we did in cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce of Madrid and Teruel, consisting of trade missions aimed at helping several companies from those regions to enter the British market.
Additionally, our General Secretary, Igor Urra, travelled toGirona participating in a gathering between companies from different sectors and the Chamber of Commerce. The aim was to advise and inform these companies interested in entering the UK market about the different commercial services the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain could offer them to support them in the process. Our advice was warmly welcomed as this gathering resulted in the development of trade missions with some of these companies.
It is also worth mentioning, the first edition of “A Coruña Exporpymes”, a trade fair organised in October by La Coruña Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Spanish Chamber. It was a perfect occasion for Galician producers to present their products/ services from different sectors such as food, wine, jewellery and construction, among others, to British companies.
Our Secretary General, Igor Urra, in A Coruña Exporpymes, one of the trade missions we organised this year
Moreover, the department has successfully developed a new service: Commercial Presentations. This is a similar service to commercial agendas, but with a less commercial focus, aimed at increasing the awareness of the company with potential contacts. The commercial presentation service is especially suitable for companies that work in a mature sector. It consists of the delivery of a market proxy, identifying and introducing the products of the client company to suitable contacts. In case potential partners show interest in the products, we would support with the information management and even organise a meeting between both parties.
There is also cause for celebrating the introduction of a new membership category, the Benefactors, especially suitable for larger SME’s and companies who want to take their membership one step further and get a taste of our exclusive advantages for Patrons. At this moment, this intermediate level of membership is available exclusively by invitation to existing corporate members of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain.
We are very grateful to our members for their continuous support across all the different activities we have carried out this year, and for the ones to come in 2015. Special thanks as well to all those companies who have shown interest in our events and have participated in some of them over the past 12 months.
So, to put it in a nutshell, we can only make our farewells by wishing you “Merry Christmas and Happy 2015!”, a year that will come full of surprises and interesting activities. So, be prepared!
On Thursday 22nd May the Spanish Chamber of Commerce organised an exclusive “Behind the Scenes Tour” in collaboration with London City Airport (LCY), Patron of the Chamber. This activity was organised uniquely for the Patrons’ Club of our institution.
London City Airport is the UK’s leading business airport serving over 40 destinations across the UK, Europe and the USA. It is actually the only airport in London, and its location, on the doorstep of London’s financial district, has a relevant impact on the growth of the UK’s economy.
Welcome to London City Airport
On this occasion, our Patrons were welcomed by Anne Doyere, London City Airport’s Sales Manager for UK and Ireland. Anne led the tour that took our Patrons around the main areas of the airport. As she explained during the visit, one of the objectives of LCY is that passengers do not spend more than seven minutes from the airport’s entrance to the security checkpoint, an objective that is currently achieved.
Then, she also informed attendees of a brand new service offered in LCY which allows passengers to have their luggage delivered to or from the airport, to their office, hotel or serviced apartment, so they avoid the burden of bulky luggage.
The attendees during the tour
This commitment to improve the passenger experience has led London City Airport to win the Airport of the year award in the category of «best airport serving under 10 million passengers a year»
After the tour, Patrons got through the security check-point to enjoy a wonderful meal in the The City & Grill restaurant. Before the visit was over, they also had time to have a look around the shopping area.
The views from The City & Grill restaurant
We would like to thank LCY for providing our Patrons with this exclusive experience; a fascinating morning tour at their premises and for the care and attention given to our Patrons. Should you wish to learn more about the Spanish Chamber exclusive “Patrons’ Club” and the rest of the advantages this membership category brings to companies, do not hesitate to contact us.
Finally, we are pleased to inform that on Thursday 26th June we will be hosting a breakfast seminar in collaboration with LCY on “Smarter Airport Experience.” The event is open to all members free of charge. Please click here for further information.
You can also keep posted of future activities by subscribing to our newsletter or browsing our Upcoming Events section on our website www.spanishchamber.co.uk
If we began the summer period with the ending of the gripping 126th Annual General Meeting with Mr. Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros as our Guest of Honour, we come back ready to face the second half of the year with more energy than ever.
In fact, September will be full of activities and events. The first one will be the Induction Week of the XV edition of the Graduate European Programme. It starts on the 16th of September. This programme offers university graduates the opportunity to undertake work experience in London whilst also attending Business English classes and workshops at Regent’s Universtity London.
Anna Bosch during her talk last year at the GEP Induction Week.
On the 17th, just one day later, and in the collaboration with other Foreign Chambers of Commerce in London, we will hold the International Wine Tasting. In this event guests will taste the most typical wines and tipples from the countries represented. On this occasion Marqués de Cáceres, member of the Spanish Chamber, will be providing the Spanish Wines. Moreover, it will be a good opportunity to do networking at an international level as 10 different foreign countries will be represented on the evening. For further information of this thrilling event, please click here.
In addition, the third session of the new series Leadership in focus Forum, “Influencing for Success”, is getting closer. This dynamic and interactive activity will be held on 24th of September at the Spanish Chamber. The Leadership series will continue with two more inspiring sessions before the end of the year -one on 30th October and one more in November- and it will resume in 2014. Keep an eye on our website and the newsletter to know more about forthcoming topics.
After the success of the first two sessions the Leadership in Focus Forum is back.
If September comes fully packed, October is even more loaded with occasions to keep you occupied. Due to the success of past editions, we are delighted to announce two more sessions of the Elevator Pitch before the end of the year. The first one will be on the 1st of October and the second one on the 3rd of December. The Elevator Pitch is commonly known for being an event focused on expanding the network of our participants and exploring the synergies among them.
For those of you that have never attended one or do not know how it works, there are two pointers that make this event extra special; only one participant per company is allowed, and there is scope for no more than two companies from the same sector to partake in the event.
If you end up too stressed after your pitch, you may wonder if you are making the most of your body and mind to cope with day-to-day challenges. How can we structure our work to be happier and less stressed? These and many more questions will be revealed in the workshop “Success without the stress” on the 3rd of October and organised in collaboration with Unusual Connections, member of the Spanish Chamber. Click here for further information.
And we could not miss the celebration of one of the most exciting nights of the year, Halloween. The 31st of October we will celebrate an informal Halloween Party in a Spanish way. It will take place at the recently renovated Zorita’s Kitchen, part of The Haciendas, a stunning location with views over the River Thames. For the time being, we can only disclose that the event will offer guests the opportunity to try a delicious wine selection as well as cured meats. More information of this fantastic event will be soon published in our website and newsletter.
Our informal parties are an excellent way to network with other attendees.
Furthermore, the Patrons’ Club is back and we have lined up two exclusive events for our Patrons before the end of the year. The first one will be on October 15th and Patrons will be invited to watch a thrilling match between the England National Football Team against Poland at Wembley Stadium. This is a decisive match for finishing top of the group that leads directly to classification to the World Cup in Brazil next June. Moreover, it is a great opportunity to strengthen relations among our Patrons.
Patrons will be gathered again on the 21st November for an exclusive blind wine tasting sponsored by The Haciendas, member of the Chamber. Further details will be soon be sent to all Patrons; in the meantime save the date in your diary.
And it does not finish here. There is still much more to come so if you want to be up to date, do not hesitate to check out our website or sign up for our weekly newsletter totally free of charge.
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