About British Business Group Chennai
The idea of reviving a British Business Group (BBG) in Chennai was mooted by Mike Nithavrianakis, former Deputy High Commissioner (South India) towards end-2010 when he organised a few networking sessions of UK businesses and nationals. From amongst the invitees, a core team of Mike Freeman, Sundeep Bedi and Christie Cherian formed the Steering Committee for setting up BBG at a soft launch by Lord Green, Minister of Trade for UK in March 2011. Contacts were made and BBG Chennai Trust formed at formal launch in June 2011 when election of BBG’s Committee took place with Utsav Seth as the first Chairman.
BBG Chennai organises monthly meetings with interesting speakers having had Mr. N Ram of The Hindu and Mr. A Vellayan of Murugappa Group. This website was set-up. Since then regular meetings and networking sessions take place with prominent business leaders addressing members. Members also get the opportunity to present their businesses and expatriates exchange useful information on shared experiences. We have had 46 meetings and hosted an outstanding 2nd National Conference on 28th /29th September 2012.
BBG Chennai works closely with BDHC and UKTI and participates in events with visiting UK delegations and others. We also have a small BBG Chapter in Trivandrum, Kerala.
BBG Chennai is a member of Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Cochin Chamber of Commerce and CII. We work with AmCham and other foreign business groups and chambers.
BBG Chennai is always finding ways to make more business and trade happen. We have taken a delegation into UK end of June 2013 and plan this as a regular annual event. We also undertake Inter- BBG visits to encourage traction between mutual memberships – Visit to Goa happened in November 2013, to Dubai in January 2014, Bangalore in Mar 2014 and to UK in Mar 2015.
BBG Chennai’s raison d’etre is net-working which continues on an on-going basis. For more information email us at info.bbgchennai@gmail.com