Join us to review and celebrate the success you and your Chamber have done in 2022

Dear Members and Friends,

Christmas is just around the corner, and as I look back to the past 12 months, 2022 has brought us more turbulence and uncertainty. Yet, despite these challenges, I am proud that the Chamber continues to flourish and support businesses and individuals through the most challenging times. On behalf of us all, I want to thank and recognise all the hard work that the Chamber staff, Executive Committee and our Committees have done – to keep the Chamber activities up and running, bring our community closer together and grow our membership base.

For us in Shanghai, the lockdown posed unprecedented challenges to businesses and individuals, and our many phone calls with members were difficult and emotional. The Chamber team worked tirelessly throughout that period to:

• ensure members and the wider community were receiving the latest regulations and frequent updates from the British government and the local government;
• organise timely webinars to support remote working and mental health;
• assist businesses in sourcing food for their staff;
• support our manufacturing members to speed up their operation resumption, and more.

Another achievement the Chamber is proud of is our ‘ESG and Sustainability’ theme that ran throughout the year. On behalf of the entire Chamber, I want to thank our outgoing Executive Director, James Dunn, for taking the initiative to drive this, including the SDG series, the ESG Summit and the very first ESG China Awards.

Our SDGs series included 13 seminars that have attracted more than 400 attendees and in total, 60+ speakers have been invited to share cutting-edge information and success stories, including industry experts, international NGO representatives, foreign government officials, and executives from MNCs.

The 2nd Sustainability and ESG Summit was upgraded to a full-day hybrid event. During the one-day agenda, more than 30 speakers participated in nine keynotes and four-panel discussions. 200 professional representatives from local and international enterprises, organisations and universities participated offline and online.

Talking about the ESG China Awards, I would like to extend thanks to our partners Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange, Australian Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Shanghai and Impact Hub Shanghai for their support. The first-year programme has received a total of 115 qualified submissions. 50 exemplary businesses and individuals were shortlisted in 12 categories and applauded for their outstanding ESG performance in China and beyond. To learn more about the awards, the finalists and winners and finalist companies’ sharing of their ESG Strategy/ Framework/ Goal Setting, download the e-programme here.

Although we’ve not been able to host as many social events as we would have liked due to the broader restrictions throughout the year, I am glad to see the anticipated St. Andrew’s Ball was held at the end of November. While we can finally enjoy a gala ball after one and a half years, we were also able to support a good cause – raising funds for Xiersen, a local NGO that aims to improve the condition of special education in China.

More highlights from 2022 in numbers:

• 20+ Chamber-GOV and Member-GOV engagements
• 60+ online and offline events with a 3,000+ audience
• 10 active committees engaged with 130+ individual member volunteers
• 40 videos cover useful webinars, event reviews, and interviews, reaching 22,000+ viewings
• 42 new members; 5% of membership increase and 10% of platinum member increase
• 136 best international creative and marketing firms listed in the Creative Industries & Marketing Directory 
• The first Best Emerging Talent Festival showcased 140+ graduate portfolios from emerging talents returning from the UK’s best creative institutes

The above are snapshots and clear examples of the Chamber’s strength and depth and all it is doing. Lastly, I would like to extend thanks to our many sponsors and Platinum Members, who believe in what the Chamber is doing and make significant contributions to ensure we continue growing and developing.

Main Sponsors in 2022

The last few days of 2022 saw China lifting COVID restrictions in several areas. We look forward to the resumption of international travel that will hopefully bring back more high-level business/ cultural exchange activities for our members and the community. As a dynamic network of international businesses with a common interest in China, we will continue advocating best practices, sharing knowledge, and building trusted and long-lasting friendships. 2023 Chamber works will be focused on continuously supporting members through their ESG/ sustainability journey, enhancing our digital content, developing local advocacy work, and localising our offerings, activities and content.

Members and friends, together, let’s make connections that open opportunities, empower businesses and unite our community in China.

With that, I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and a peaceful, safe & healthy New Year. See you soon in 2023 and in person！

Ray Chisnall

Chair, BritCham Shanghai