British Ambassador Brian Olley, alongside the newly elected board of the British Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania (BCCL), hosted a distinguished gathering of business representatives to mark the commencement of the association’s new season. The event took place in the picturesque courtyard of the British Embassy.
The occasion was attended by prominent leaders from British enterprises operating in Lithuania, such as “Johnson Matthey”, “Eversheds”, “PricewaterhouseCoopers”, “The British School of Vilnius” and others. Representatives from other foreign and Lithuanian-owned businesses, including “Teltonika”, “Moody’s”, “Phoenix Contact”, “Telesoftas”, etc., were also present. Guests were warmly welcomed by British Ambassador Brian Olley, BCCL’s head, and members of the association’s board.
This event is the first since the association announced its relaunch in August, following a two-year hiatus. The newly appointed board of BCCL comprises Mariano Andrade – Head of “Johnson Matthey Global Business Services Lithuania”, Dovilė Vyčinė – Development Director at “BMI Executive Institute”, Lauras Butkevičius – Partner at law firm “Ellex Valiunas”, Andrew Prosser – Head of “The British School of Vilnius”, and Neringa Petrauskaitė – Partner at “We Are Marketing”. Boleta Senkienė has taken up the mantle as the new head of the association.
The association aspires to fortify business relations between Lithuania and the United Kingdom, fostering international collaboration and exploring synergies.
“Today, we turn a new page for BCCL, brimming with optimism, innovation, and a strong desire for growth. As board members, we are dedicated to upholding the fundamental values that have historically were a core strength of this community, while also pioneering fresh and exciting initiatives that will drive us and our businesses forward.
An engaging programme of events awaits us. Among them, I am delighted to announce a series of exclusive events at the embassy, where we shall invite specialists and influential figures from the realms of business and politics to share their insights on crucial topics such as defence, security, and the promotion of business relations, as well as addressing matters of global significance.
Moreover, we are committed to creating an environment conducive to effective business networking for our members, encouraging the development of business and innovation. Without a doubt, we will deliver on this commitment. Embracing British traditions, we are thrilled to offer unique opportunities to experience these in the United Kingdom, including participation in prestigious events such as horse racing and motor sports. We are also reviving a beloved BCCL tradition – in December, our much-cherished traditional Christmas carols event will return for our members and their families. Many more initiatives will emerge from the synergy of our activities,” remarked Andrew Prosser, a board member of the association, in his speech yesterday.
“I am immensely proud that BCCL’s esteemed reputation and the solid foundations of our community have been met with such enthusiasm upon the announcement of our resumption of activities. Today, just four weeks after our announcement, we are delighted to welcome 13 new members who have either joined or renewed their membership in the association. Interest in the new vision of the association is particularly high among former members, and we are also receiving enquiries from new ones. I believe this is primarily due to our success in balancing the elements that our community members valued most, while introducing new directions for our activities. As a result, I am confident that we will conclude the year with a robust and vibrant community,” said Boleta Senkienė, head of the association.
The association offers four membership categories for businesses and individuals who are keen on advancing British business interests in Lithuania, as well as fostering international business relations between the United Kingdom and Lithuania.