U.K. firms in Korea mark strong year

The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea finished off a productive year with an annual Christmas luncheon in Seoul that attracted over 440 guests from 110 companies, including Santa Claus.

“The party is a combination of British swankiness and waggishness,” Michael Breen, author, journalist and CEO of Insight Communications Consultants, told The Korea Herald, at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, where the event was held. 

“Today’s lunch, attended by 440 people ― twice last year’s ― is evidence of the continuing trend of improvement and testament to our success,” said the BCCK chairman Michael Reed in a speech.

“With the invaluable help of the executive committee and the British embassy, we set a strategic direction for the chamber’s future,” Reed added, noting that the BCCK would assist British enterprises enter the Korean market and Korean companies in the U.K. market, in addition to making the organization “more valuable, interesting and relevant to our members.”

Founded in 1977, the BCCK has promoted the entrance and development of British trade and investment in Korea, as the Korean economy has expanded to become the world’s 13th-largest by gross domestic product.

The chamber serves 240 member companies under chairman Michael Reed and chief executive officer Sean Blakeley. 

U.K. Ambassador Charles Hay said he spent “a great deal of time” promoting and supporting British businesses “in all sorts of ways” in his first year as Britain’s top envoy to Korea.

“I have been amazed by the enormous variety of British businesses here, everything from niche high-quality design and fashion, all the way to heavy engineering, who are all doing extremely well,” Hay said in a speech.

“There is still a large scope for British businesses to do even better. My government set some very challenging export targets that need to be met ― otherwise we’ll all be sacked! So I need your help,” he quipped.

Some of Hay’s highlights this year included modeling in British suits and drinking whiskey at 10 o’clock in the morning next to an Aston Martin while being photographed as part of a premiere for the James Bond film “Spectre,” he said.

“But it’s not all been hard work. I’ve also done some fun things like visiting chemical factories, bicycle factories and factories making valves for nuclear power stations.”

The diplomat said “the big challenge for next year” would be assisting the services industry ― legal firms, accountancy, consulting and financial services ― which will open up in accordance with the EU-Korea free trade agreement that entered into force in July 2011.

The venue was sponsored by 90 firms and featured performances by the Salvation Army Brass Band, the Dulwich College Seoul Junior Choir, the String Quartet and Brass Ensemble and the Camarata Music Company Choir. A four-course meal including roast turkey and pumpkin soup was served, along with wine, whiskey and beer.

Raffle prizes and auction items with donations from Barings, British Airways, Standard Chartered Bank, Jo Malone and Mini were given to participants.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)