A Brighter Future: Our Strategic Plan for the Coming Years

The BritChaM Council members recently gathered at EY’s wonderful “wavespace” for an exciting strategic planning session, marking a significant milestone in our Chamber’s history. During this meeting, Angélica Ruiz, our President, and other Council members discussed, proposed, and charted the course aimed at laying the foundation for a brighter future for our Chamber.

In a dynamic, collaborative, and enthusiastic atmosphere, ambitious objectives for the upcoming years were defined. These objectives reflect our vision to strengthen our position as leaders among Chambers of Commerce in Mexico, particularly in specific industries, focusing on value creation, while actively engaging with our community. Furthermore, the Council identified key actions necessary to achieve these objectives. From expanding our services to improving our internal operations, we are committed to making significant changes that will benefit our members and the community.

This strategic planning session represents a crucial step forward in our efforts to strengthen our institution, and we are excited about what the future holds for us. With the support of the Council, a united Chamber team, alongside our partners and a well-defined business plan, we are confident that we will achieve our goals and continue to serve as an invaluable resource for all our members and partners.

I want to thank Jon Benjamin, British Ambassador to Mexico, and his team for joining us during the sessions. Additionally, I’d like to express my gratitude to Emilio Díaz, Communications Leader EY Latin America, for opening the doors of EY to the BritChaM Council members.

Warm regards,

Gilles Vignal

KPMG shares the findings of its study ‘Mergers and Acquisitions in Latin America (M&A).’

BritChaM’s member KPMG shares the findings of its study ‘Mergers and Acquisitions in Latin America (M&A)’

In this KPMG study, it is shown that 45% of companies and investors believe that the opportunity for M&A in Latin America is more favorable than ever, despite not neglecting the associated risks. How can investors benefit from this environment? Historically, decisions in this regard have been approached cautiously due to political, social, and economic factors. However, in the current context, Latin America emerges as one of the most favorable options.

Read the full study here.

Welcome New Member: International House Mexico

BritChaM Welcomes the International House Mexico

International House (IH) is a global network of language schools and training centers founded in Spain in 1953. The organisation focuses on language teaching and teacher training, establishing a strong reputation within the international education community.

In Mexico, the International House operates several offices offering language courses and training programmes for language teachers. Our campuses are located in major cities across Mexico, providing a wide range of courses for students of all ages and levels.

The International House schools follow the communicative method, which focuses on students and their practical development of communication skills.

International House Mexico serves as an Examination Centre for the University of Cambridge, an IELTS Examination Centre, and an Instituto Cervantes Examination Centre.

Moreover, International House Mexico offers university programmes, including three bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and twelve diplomas.

Learn more about International House

www.ihmexico.mx
www.universityih.com

Follow the International House Mexico on Social Media


KPMG shares the findings of its study ‘Risks in Mexico and Central America 2023’

BritChaM member KPMG shares the findings of its study ‘Risks in Mexico and Central America 2023.’ The study reveals that seven out of ten leaders (68%) in our country and six out of ten leaders (61%) in Central America consider losing or not attracting the necessary talent as the main internal risk to their organisations. This challenge is related to the obsolescence of certain talent management models.

Main internal risks

RiskMexicoCentral America
Losing or not attracting the necessary talent68%61%
Falling behind in innovation and digital transformation54%71%
Lack of an internal control environment and processes41%34%
Being a victim of fraud and theft38%37%

Main external risks

RiskMexicoCentral America
Global economic downturn60%69%
Insecurity and lack of rule of law55%31%
Cyber attacks53%44%
New regulations35%54%

Read the full study here

Welcome New Member: CODEX

BritChaM welcomes CODEX.

CODEX coordinates customs and supply chain processes for its customers, providing INTEGRAL SERVICES IN FOREIGN TRADE backed by extensive experience in customs brokerage, logistics service, national and international cargo transportation, storage, e-commerce, and fulfilment processes among others.

CODEX designs international logistics chains, coordinates customs processes in the main locations of Mexico and the USA, achieving efficient solutions, and satisfying the needs of each of its customers.

CODEX SERVICES

• Customs agency

• Transport

• Storage and distribution

• International logistics

• Consulting and management

• E-commerce

• Last Mille

• Training

• FTZ in the United States / RFE in Mexico

CODEX OPERATIONS

CODEX has its own offices, its staff has extensive experience and is currently located in 15 points within Mexico, covering the main customs of the country through its more than 10 patents in the group to guarantee safe and appropriate dispatches.

Additionally, it has three warehouses available located in Laredo, El Paso TX., and San Diego, CA, with a fourth warehouse opening soon in Tucson, AZ.

Learn more about our new member in the following link: www.codex.com.mx

Welcome New Member: Christopher Plummer Bannister

BritChaM is delighted to welcome its newest member Christopher Plummer Bannister of Spaeth Communications to the Chamber community.

Spaeth Communications is a firm specialized in the training of communicators, consultancy in communication strategies, and crisis management. Their training courses are based on Spaeth’s highly effective ‘Influence Model’, drawing on 30 years of experience in communications from around the world and in many languages.

Similarly, Christopher Plummer has been a pioneer in practicing the Spaeth methodology in the Hispanic market of the United States since 2008, and now in Mexico.

Spaeth Communications has its origins in the White House in Washington and has received investment from Accenture. They have pioneered a global approach to communications as a strategic tool for businesses and campaigns of all kinds.

If you want to know more about their services, visit the Spaeth Communications page to find out about the services and solutions they offer.

https://spaethmexico.com/

White Paper – Main Foreign Trade Challenges for Companies in 2023

The commercial dynamics of the world are constantly changing. This forces the laws applicable in every country regarding international trade to be modified to adapt to the world’s new needs, and to become more competitive and attractive in an environment of global competition.

Is your company prepared to maintain itself in compliance against the main challenges that companies will face in 2023 in terms of Foreign Trade?

In this free and updated White Paper, we provide a detailed and thorough analysis of the international trade operations of companies across Mexico. This will help you to make a self-assessment of the current situation in your company to make the best decisions.

To download the White Paper – Main Foreign Trade Challenges for Companies in 2023 click here.

Bidding Process for the Development Hubs for Well-Being

The initiative seeks to grant a two-year concession for the use and exploitation of the hub’s alienation located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, to which tax and administrative benefits will apply.

Said process will start with a registration for interested parties, followed by an orientation session in order for the participant to obtain a participation certificate. The bidding conditions will be exclusively delivered to the interested parties that obtain said certificate.

The program of activities of the public bidding process is listed bellow: 

Director’s Second Quarter Update

Dear members and friends of the British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico,

I am delighted to share an exciting update on our work during the second quarter (April-June) of 2023.

Just a few days ago, on June 21st, we celebrated with great joy the remarkable 102 years of the British Chamber’s dedication to promoting trade and investment between the United Kingdom and Mexico. We remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering strong and enduring business relationships.

I am also proud to announce that Angélica Ruiz, Senior Vice President Latam at bp and the first female President of the BritChaM Council, was recently recognized by Forbes as one of Mexico’s 100 Most Powerful Women. Her outstanding leadership at the helm of our organization is truly commendable.

During the past few months, we have collaborated with the Chamber’s Pride Alliance Group to champion inclusion and diversity in business. We have also established valuable connections with prestigious Mexican universities such as Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad Panamericana, Anáhuac, IBERO, and Ula, fostering collaboration in both the academic and business spheres.

Furthermore, we had the pleasure of organizing an insightful event on the topic of artificial intelligence, exploring the exciting opportunities and challenges it presents. Additionally, we proudly introduced the Renewable e Index MX, a project aimed at driving the development of renewable energies in Mexico.

However, our work does not stop here. It is crucial that we continue to seek new opportunities, forge synergies, and strengthen trade ties between the United Kingdom and Mexico. Each and every one of us plays a pivotal role in this endeavour.

I invite you to actively collaborate by participating in our upcoming events, sharing your valuable ideas and perspectives, and maximizing the resources and networks offered by our Chamber. Together, let us strive for continued success!

Warm regards,

Gilles Vignal

Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico

Why is celebrating Pride Month important for our organisations?

The BritChaM Pride Alliance, part of the British Chamber of Commerce, is delighted to commemorate June as LGBTI+ Pride Month. We believe it is crucial to reflect on why Pride holds significance for our organisations and society as a whole. Pride Month is an important time to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the LGBTI+ community to our society. We also strive to create safer spaces within the business community, highlighting British and Mexican entities as exemplars of support and respect for the LGBTI+ community.

To understand the ethos of British companies, we must consider the Equality Act of 2010, which establishes a framework for promoting equality and inclusion in workplaces and society. This Act fosters a more inclusive work environment that values and respects all employees, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In Mexico, we have the Federal Labour Law, which mandates that equality and non-discrimination are imperatives in any workplace. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in promoting greater LGBTQI+ representation in leadership positions, implementing trans-inclusive guidelines, developing comprehensive anti-discrimination policies, and creating market strategies that extend beyond Pride Month.

At BritChaM Pride Alliance, we firmly believe that equality is the foundation for the success and flourishing of all businesses. By being true to oneself at work, one can achieve new milestones in professional development and create a ripple effect within their team.

We acknowledge that every company is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating LGBTQI+ safe spaces. However, by collaborating together, we can foster a sense of belonging for everyone.

In Mexico, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Equidad MX serves as a national benchmarking tool for evaluating LGBTQI+ inclusive practices and policies. HRC Equidad MX has established guidelines that facilitate the promotion of inclusive workplaces. By drawing inspiration from HRC Equidad MX and other advocacy entities such as Aequales, the Council for the Prevention of Discrimination in Mexico City (COPRED), Pride Connection, and various NGOs, companies can adopt best practices in LGBTQI+ inclusion.

For the Pride Alliance Group and the British Chamber of Commerce, it is essential and imperative to raise awareness and share the work we are undertaking as a business community. Therefore, we are pleased to commemorate Pride Month by organising the following events during May and June:

– May 23rd – Pride Alliance: “Advancements, Rights, and LGBTI+ Legislation” featuring Senator Patricia Mercado, Deputy Salma Luevano, and Deputy Temístocles Villanueva.

– May 31st – BritCham Pride Alliance: ADIL & HRC: How to promote LGBT+ inclusion in my company?

– June 8th – How to create inclusive communication and stories? A talk presented by the company Speranto.

Celebrating and commemorating Pride Month sends a powerful message to our employees, clients, and key stakeholders, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and supported.

Stay updated with our activities on social media, and if you are interested in participating in any of these events, please contact: eventos@britchamexico.com. We would be delighted to have you join us!

Abril Rodríguez

Mauricio Ariza Barile

Chairs of the Pride Alliance Group