The result of the 2018–19 BCCJ Executive Committee (Excom) election was announced to BCCJ members at our 2018 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 26 April.
The meeting, held at the Conrad Hotel Tokyo, was attended by more than 80 members and British Ambassador to Japan Paul Madden CMG.
In his opening remarks, the Ambassador described a successful year for UK–Japan relations and a deepening of ties following Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Japan last year. He noted that the UK’s forthcoming exit from the European Union presents an opportunity to develop ambitious new free trade deals.
The election
It was a pleasure to announce that this year’s Excom election attracted a record turnout of voters—about 45% of BCCJ members—for the online poll. The following 15 individuals were elected:
• Alison Beale, University of Oxford Japan Office
• David Bickle, Deloitte Tohmatsu Tax Co.
• Mark Dearlove, Barclays Securities Limited
• James Dodds, KPMG
• Will Farquhar, Aston Martin Japan
• Philippe Fauchet OBE, GSK K.K.
• Iain Ferguson, Lloyd’s Japan Inc.
• Susumu Kaminaga, individual member
• Tove Kinooka, Global Perspectives K.K.
• Florian Kohlbacher, The Economist Group
• Heather McLeish, EY Japan
• Reiko Sakimura, Clifford Chance Law Office
• Noriko Silvester, Candlewick Co., Ltd.
• Richard Thornley CBE, individual member
• Trevor Webster, Taylor Brunswick Japan K.K.
David Bickle was elected as chairperson of Excom and BCCJ president for a fifth term.
Chris Heffer, director of UK Trade and Investment at the British Embassy Tokyo and Matt Burney, director of the British Council Japan, will continue to represent their respective organisations as ex-officio members of Excom.
Each Excom member serves at least one Excom taskforce during this Chamber year. Taskforces include: Membership, Events, Communications, Community, Diversity and Inclusion, and the British Business Awards. Taskforce heads will be decided in the coming weeks.
2020 Vision
The Chamber continues to work to connect members with community and business opportunities surrounding the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The events promote openness and hold the promise of long-term rewards for firms that are committed to growing their business here.
Drawing on lessons learnt from the work of our Global Sporting Events, Diversity and Inclusion, and Community taskforces, a new and exciting 2020 Vision project is underway. You can read more about this in the next issue of BCCJ ACUMEN.
AGM Q&A
Questions were asked from the floor about the BCCJ’s engagement with the European Business Council and our commitment to diversity and inclusion. The number of female members at the BCCJ has grown steadily over the past seven years—a trend Excom will try to continue.
Thank you
On behalf of the BCCJ office team, thank you very much to everyone who voted in this year’s election and attended the AGM, as well as to the hotel staff.
We also thank the outgoing Excom and the Chamber’s independent provider of audit-related services, OC & Associates.
Supported by the 2018–19 Excom, we look forward to an active and exciting chamber year ahead!
