BCI merges with transatlantic business organisation
THE BIRMINGHAM Chamber of Commerce and Industry has continued to build its power base by merging with The British American Business Council.
The news comes just a week after BCI announced that it had acquired Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce to strengthens its position as the region’s leading business support organisation.
BABC, which has been based in the BCI’s Edgbaston headquarters for a number of years, is responsible for developing business relationships between the region and the United States, which is the Midlands’ biggest foreign direct investor.
Its high-profile international advisory board of leading business figures includes Sir Richard Branson, founder and chairman of Virgin Group; Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco chief executive; Bob Diamond, chairman of Barclays Group; and Lakshmi Mittal, chairman and chief executive of Arcelor Mittal.
Cassie Muir, the Chicago-born executive director of the BABC, said the merger was a “tremendous opportunity” for the organisation, which was launched in 1996.
“We remain strongly engaged in transatlantic ventures,” she said, “Our team will be working hard to build on the base of members in the Midlands and continue to organise high-profile events.
“The US is the Midlands’ number one foreign direct investor. But our work will become more important given that the American track and field athletics team will be based in Birmingham in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.”
The BABC was responsible for bringing the US ambassador, Louis B Susman, to Birmingham for a recent lunch with members and other guests, including Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby.
Harry Reilly, chairman of BABC, said the organisation proved vital when Brintons Carpets, of which he is group managing director, wanted to break the US market.
“The USA is the most important market in the world for commercial carpets and Brintons has used a number of the US BABC chapters to effect introductions at senior levels to potential customers and specifiers on a regular basis,” he said.
“The ability of the BABC to put us in contact with the right people is second to none and we have always been warmly welcomed. The support has been terrific.
“The BABC has grown to become the leading transatlantic business organisation, dedicated to helping companies connect and build their operations on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Paul Bassi, president of the BCI, said the merger with BABC would help to strengthen the position of both organisations.
“The BABC becomes an important addition to the services offered by the Chamber,” he said. “We already have an enviable global reputation for promoting international trade. The merger with the BABC will build on this support and strengthen our position.”
The Midlands is one of five UK BABC Chapters. The others are based in London, the North West, Scotland and Yorkshire. There are 20 in North America, including one in Toronto.
