There was no appearance by Jude Law, the surprise guest of the 25th anniversary celebrations, but the 150 or so guests that attended the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg’s 30th anniversary garden party on 30 June had plenty to talk about.
Labelled “Melodies and Memories”, the event was an opportunity for BCC chair Daniel Eischen to reflect on the past--hence the nostalgia for that afternoon with Jude Law, the result of what Eischen said was some expert “fishing” from the BCC team--but also look forward to the immediate and mid-term future of the chamber.
With a series of events still to come in the anniversary year, including what Eischen promised would be an “amazing” Leadership Forum--the chamber’s flagship business event is scheduled for 19 October.
Eischen recalled the early days of the chamber and said that it remains as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. “Because the BCC adapts to the world around it. We changed a lot over pandemic, and we continue to change. I think that's really what makes us a strong network, a strong platform for our members. So, I'm absolutely confident that five years from now, we'll be back here.”
But the chairman was also looking forward to the five years before that, and said he was eager to join members in “fishing for experiences, for knowledge, business opportunities, for great moments with great people, talking with people of great talent.”
British ambassador Fleur Thomas earlier had referred to the strong ties between the UK and Luxembourg, both cultural (she referenced the exhibition of Constable landscapes from the Tate Collection at Villa Vauban supported by the Tate as a prime example) and commercial.
Bilateral relations
“I know that the EU exit has caused some people to feel uneasy about some of that,” the ambassador said. “Rest assured we are working really very hard as an embassy to ensure that we have the very best bilateral relationship with Luxembourg.” Thomas cited figures that who that UK funds represents 17% of all assets under management in Luxembourg, and the £13.8 billion in total trading of goods and services between the two countries in 2021.
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Diplomatic ties have also played an important role, with the embassy hosting visits recently by economic secretary to the Treasury John Glen and UK trade commissioner Chris Barton. Luxembourg finance minister Yuriko Backes was also in London and Thomas was particularly delighted to have helped president of the Chamber of Deputies Fernand Etgen fulfil one of his dreams to visit the Houses of Parliament as part of a Luxembourg delegation invited by Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
The melodies for the evening were provided by vocal ensemble Double Entendre and the Edith van den Heuvel Trio as guests enjoyed finger food from Kaempff-Kohler and bespoke cocktails from the Opyos Gin bar, courtesy of sponsors Artas Advisory, Carne Group, and Clifford Chance.