A century at the service of British business

The world of the British Chamber of Commerce is a complex and varied one.  To become fully immersed in this world takes time and dedication. Two and half years have passed since I arrived as the Secretary General (the first ever Italian to fill this position, in fact) but it is still the case that every day brings surprises and challenges.
The British Chamber of Commerce was founded over a century ago in Genoa by a small group of British entrepreneurs.  In 2011 we are more than ever the leading English Speaking Community in Italy. There is a distinctively British character to the BCCI: its President, John Joseph Law, is an Englishman; most of its Councillors are either British, or Italians with a love for Great Britain; its membership features large British multinationals such as Aviva and Barclays, but also small schools of English.  All are welcome at our events from the most senior executive to the most junior entrepreneur.  Meeting people is made easy; doing business is made easy.
After 107 years the Chamber is still going strong, although these days it is firmly rooted in Milan. The reason for this is simple: most British companies are based in northern Italy.  Out of 400 total members, 200 are in Lombardy, so Milan is a natural choice as the headquarters of the Chamber.  But the Chamber is more than just Milan.  Thanks to our Honorary Regional Councillors we are present throughout Italy: Rome, Bologna, Verona, Turin, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Trieste, Cagliari and Taranto.
Here in Via Dante we feel like a bit of an institution.  A newly arrived Brit might call in for some advice, an address, the name of a good tax accountant to assist in opening his business, a translator to translate her website.  Every so often we might encounter some rather “unusual” individuals, but having read Graham Greene’s “Travels With My Aunt” has helped me a lot, as does being married to an Englishman.  Let’s just call it a lifestyle choice!  The UK is well known for being a land of eccentrics and pragmatists, strong characters who aren’t concerned with chasing the latest fashion, and as a result unusual encounters are the order of the day.  I’m always obliged to warn our interns about this: flexibility is needed, as is patience, providing assistance with a smile.  That way even the strangest requests (“I’d like to speak to Prince Charles…”) can be satisfied (well, most of the time!)
The Chamber has changed a great deal in recent years, transforming itself from what had almost become an expat social club into a more professional and clearly focused organisation.  We organise approximately 80 events per year.  Our monthly lunches feature high profile speakers: in recent months we have welcomed Paolo Barilla, Marco Lavazza, Giovanni Rana, Mario Preve (Managing Director of Riso Gallo) and Sergio Guindani (Chairman of Vodafone) to name but a few.  Not to forget the British Ambassador to Italy, of course.
We offer numerous services, either directly or through our members.  All this and more is explained on our website: www.britchamitaly.com.
Our activities have led to us gaining recognition as the best British Chamber in Europe for the year 2010, an accolade we are enormously proud of.  But if winning the COBCOE prize on the evening of 23 March 2010 was emotional, bringing the cup back to Milan, into the office, was even more so.  The flight back to Italy was memorable too.  What unusual hand luggage: a cup and two crystal trophies (because in addition to being Chamber of the Year we also won the Effective Events Management Award 2010)!  I was flying BA and was aware they might be strict about what I could carry on as hand luggage, but all went smoothly.  I clutched the cup in my arms throughout the flight, and the hostesses raised no objections.  Probably it was my happy and simultaneously worried face that did the trick! This year too we won the 2011 COBCOE Award for Partnership Development
There is something else that is worth spelling out: the Chamber is a totally private-sector concern, receiving no support from the Foreign Office or any other branch of the UK state.
We are proud of our ability to operate entirely thanks to the financial support of our members, not to mention their affection.  If there is one thing that we at the Chamber we enjoy more than enything, it is when a satisfied and happy member says thank you, or when a Councillor pays us a compliment.
At Christmas, or just before the office closes for the summer holiday, it often happens that members call us, or pass by our office, to give us their best wishes.  One of our members is an Englishman who often brings us chocolates when he is in Milan.  We love the chocolates of course, but we appreciate the gesture even more.  The Chamber is run on what is, in today’s world, a tiny budget, but our daily miracle is to deliver the utmost in terms of service for the smallest amount of money.  In this way, in these times of cutbacks and economic crisis, our members know that for as long as they continue to sustain us with their affection and their membership fee, we will be glad to continue to serve both the Crown and British business in Italy.

Simona Frignani
Secretary General & Chief Executive