Chairman’s Note

Dear Members,

A short letter from your Chairman as summer approaches!

Our membership numbers continue to rise and are now only a few short of 400. This is particularly encouraging in this global downturn, but reflects the fact that Britain is taking advantage of the many opportunities here as Abu Dhabi continues its development programme, particularly in the context of its Plan 2030. We take much trouble to promote those opportunities here and in the UK, but if you think we could be doing more for you or for the UK generally, please let me have your thoughts.

I hope that you believe you are getting value from your membership of the Group. In recent months we have had a number of successful events, many with high profile speakers and all well-attended. Speakers have included H.E. Sheikha Lubna - Minister for Foreign Trade, the Lord Mayor of London, Lord Mandelson, H.E. Edward Oakden - the British Ambassador and H.H. Sheikh Nahayan - Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, to whom we were particularly pleased to extend the first Honorary Membership of the Group.

There have been many other events and initiatives to engage the Group. These include our Gala Dinner, Alumni and other networking events and the project, now underway, to offer workshadowing opportunities to students at Zayed University. Assuming the success of the current pilot scheme, participation in that programme will be offered to all members after the summer. Other initiatives include securing beneficial rates at some cultural events, offers from the Times/Sunday Times and reciprocal membership of other British Business Groups in the Gulf. Last, but by no means least, we have also worked very hard to promote opportunities for the financial services sector arising out of the UK/UAE relationship.

Thank you to those who responded to our Membership Survey. The responses have given your Committee a number of valuable suggestions which will guide us as we organise events and initiauves in the coming months. We are keen, for example, to organise more joint events with other Business Groups, as we also are to arrange events at which representatives of Abu Dhabi institutions can showcase the many opportunities to which I referred at the start of this letter.

Finally, thank you to all of our sponsors, Gold, Silver and Bronze, to your Committee Members and, indeed, to all of you for your continuing help and support.

Yours sincerely

Peter Michelmore
Chairman