BBBF holds 2nd Annual Charity Car Treasure Hunt - Sunday, 26th November 2006
Over 40 car participants competed in the BBBF’s 2nd Annual Charity Car Treasure Hunt on Sunday 26th November 2006. The day was a great success.
Six clues led participants to an array of different locations within the Brunei-Muara district, challenging them on questions of local knowledge, with a delicate and varied emphasis upon points of Brunei-British interest. Upon arrival at each location teams were challenged to participate in a number of simple tasks to earn a coveted completion star for each stage of the journey.
Launching the event BBBF Chairman, Mr Guy Priestley, noted that the clues had been made slightly harder than those used in last year’s event. This attempt to raise the bar posed little challenge to winning team Strokol 2, however, who clocked in an impressive 2 hour return time. The event was followed by a buffet lunch at the Empire’s Pantai Restaurant.
On hand to present the prizes were the sponsors: Mr Guy Priestley, (Chairman of the BBBF and CEO of HSBC Brunei), Ms Tiew Siew Chuen, (CEO of Standard Chartered Bank) and Mr Sandy Campbell (SKS Woods). The Guest of Honour for the event, His Excellency the British High Commissioner, Mr John Saville, then presented a B$2,000 cheque to Malai Hj Abdullah Bin Malai Hj Othman, the President of Brunei Charity, ‘SMARTER’.
This years Treasure Hunt was supported and sponsored by institutions including HSBC Brunei, Standard Chartered Bank, SKS Woods and the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Lunch talk: Francis Sullivan, Environment Adviser for HSBC Holdings plc - Monday, 7th August 2006
lunch was held at the Sheraton Utama on 7th August 2006, at which the guest speaker was Mr Francis Sullivan, Environment Adviser for HSBC Holdings plc. His topic was ‘Implications of Global Environmental Change for the Asia-Pacific Region’ with particular attention to Brunei, and the Heart of Borneo project.
38 members and guests attended what proved to be a most informative review and analysis of Borneo’s forestation issues, and the positive role model of Brunei in husbanding its resources. Looking forward, members were interested to hear of the ongoing 3-Nation Heart of Borneo Project, which it is hoped will link protected forest areas from East Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei into the single largest protected rain-forest in the world.
Lord Mayor of the City of London - Monday, 15th May 2006
A reception was held at the Empire Hotel in honour of the visit of The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Brewer.
During his very successful visit, The Lord Mayor was granted an audience with Audience of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to discuss the Brunei economy, the country's investment and development plans, and the opportunities for collaboration with the UK in this respect.
The Lord Mayor and his party also had a series of meetings, starting with the senior management of the Brunei Investment Agency. The Lord Mayor gave a keynote speech to a lunch-time meeting of Ministers, government officials and businessmen hosted by the Britain Brunei Business Forum.
The Lord Mayor continued his Monday programme with calls on the Chief Justice, the Honourable Mohamed Saied; on the Deputy Minister of Finance, Dato Yakub, where the discussions focused on the work of the Brunei International Financial Centre; and on the Chairman and CEO of the Brunei Economic Development Board, Dato Yusof and Mr John Perry respectively.
Annual General Meeting - Wednesday, 8th February 2006
The Annual General Meeting of the BBBF was held on 8th February 2006 at the residence of the Honorary BBBF President, His Excellency John Saville, British High Commissioner to Brunei. 32 members and other guests attended.
The Chairman, Guy Priestley, welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. A full copy of the minutes is available on request. Highlights:
• The Forum now has a healthy 45 member companies. All members are asked to encourage new members – new blood is always welcome!
• The BBBF Website up and running, but we need more members’ logos
• 8 events had been organised in 2005; all had been successful. 6 lunch events would be organised in 2006. Members are asked to nominate any speaker they feel would be of interest at such events.
• Brian Price, of the High Commission, had moved on. The Chairman thanked him for all his work. His replacement would have other duties, but it was hoped would be able to spare some time for BBBF activities
• It was agreed that the purpose and mandate of the BBBF are to fulfil 3 key functions: (1) Provision of Information (2) Influence (3) Networking amongst members.
• Mr Srinivasan Sivaraman (Tendrill Co) was nominated, seconded and elected as a new committee member.
The Chairman concluded by reminding all present of how important it is that members get actively involved; and in particular, let the Committee know of any UK/Brunei business activities that they know of.
BBBF Charity Treasure Hunt - Sunday, 15th January 2006
On a sunny Sunday 15th January, 272 friends and associates of BBBF, in over 50 vehicles, took part in the first BBBF Charity Treasure Hunt. Starting and finishing from the Empire Hotel, entrants had to solve clues that took them to places all around Bandar Seri Begawan, returning with their scores by a midday deadline.
The winner, Alan Lai, completed the course in just 1 hour 45 minutes. All competitors then sat down for lunch at the Empire’s Pantai restaurant, overlooking the beach and the South China Sea.
The Honorary BBBF President, His Excellency John Saville, British High Commissioner to Brunei, presented the prizes, which were sponsored by HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and Finesco Capital Management.
He also presented a cheque for BND2,000 to the chosen charity for the event, Basmida, which combats the use of illicit drugs in Brunei.
All involved had a great time, and resolved to make the event a regular one.
Reception for Northern Offshore Oil Federation - Friday, 9th December 2005
Reception at High Commissioner’s residence
A delegation from Britain’s Northern Offshore Oil Federation (NOOF) visited Brunei between 7th and 10th December 2005. The 18 delegates, from a number of leading UK firms involved directly and indirectly in the oil and gas industries, began their visit in Kuala Belait before driving North to Bandar. Whilst in Bandar, the Honorary President of the BBBF, His Excellency Mr John Saville, kindly arranged an evening reception on behalf of the BBBF at his residence.
Both the delegates and the 14 BBBF members who attended greatly enjoyed the evening. The NOOF delegates found considerable value in speaking to BBBF members, who were able to impart a great deal of advice and first-hand experience of the Brunei market; whilst the BBBF members enjoyed the opportunity to learn of the latest issues, concerns and prospects of the global oil and gas industry.
Guest Lunch: Disaster Recovery Planning - Wednesday, 10th August 2005
On Wednesday 10th August 2005, Ms Chan Sik Mun, VP Corporate Real Estate & Business Support of HSBC Singapore, gave a speech to 32 BBBF Members. The speech was on the subject of business recovery and disaster planning. She was followed by Mr Matthew Martin, Chief Operating Officer of HSBC Brunei, who spoke about the practical issues from a Bruneian standpoint.
On completion, the two speakers were warmly thanked by the BBBF Chairman, Mr Guy Priestley
Luncheon: Ian Creighton, Director Willis Faber Insurance Brokers - Tuesday, 14th June 2005
On Tuesday 14th June 2005, Mr Ian Creighton, Director Willis Faber Insurance Brokers, gave a speech to 29 BBBF Members. The speech accompanied a lunch at the Sheraton Hotel in Bandar, and covered the state of the Insurance industry in Brunei, with particular attention to the importance of liability insurance for employers; and the growing tendency for policy holders to take claims to the courts.
He was warmly thanked by the BBBF Chairman, Mr Guy Priestley, for a most interesting speech.
Welcome dinner for John Saville, High C ommissioner - Tuesday, 7th June 2005
On Tuesday 7th June 2005, 49 members and spouses attended a buffet dinner at the residence of the BBBF Chairman to welcome Mr John Saville, the new British High Commissioner to Brunei. BBBF hope he will also agree to become the Honorary President of the BBBF, in place of his predecessor.
The Chairman, Mr Guy Priestley, formally welcomed Mr Saville and his family to Brunei. Mr Saville has had a long and distinguished career to date, having represented Britain in such exotic locales as Cuba, Austria, Poland and Indonesia with occasional stints in the UK. He brings a lot of experience and good ideas to BBBF, both of which are always welcome. Mr Priestley spoke on behalf of all in wishing him and his family a very happy and productive stay in this lovely part of the world.
Farewell lunch for HE Andrew Caie, outgoing British High Commissioner - Thursday, 28th April 2005
On Thursday 28th April 2005, 27 members attended a farewell lunch at the Royal Brunei Yacht Club for Mr Andrew Caie, the outgoing British High Commissioner to Brunei and Honorary President of the BBBF.
The Chairman, Mr Guy Priestley, thanked Mr Caie for all the support he had given the Association during his tenure in Brunei. This had helped make BBBF the successful association it is, and all members wished him every success in his future career.
Mr Priestley presented Mr Caie with a framed sample of Brueneian woven silk as a memento of his time here.
BBBF AGM on 14 January 2005 - Thursday, 20th January 2005
The Britain Brunei Business Forum (BBBF) held its 4th Annual General Meeting on Friday 14 January 2005 at the British High Commissioner's Residence.
A new committee with office bearers has been elected during the AGM:
Chairman-Mr Guy Priestley, CEO of HSBC
Secretary-Dr Colin Ong, Ong Legal Associates
Treasurer-Mr Ambrose Nathan, General Manager of Group4 Securicor
Committee Members:
Ms Janet Luekenhausen- Functional Engineering
Ms Shalini Warrier- Standard Chartered Bank
Lawrie Harris- CooperMacDonald Daud Sdn Bhd
Dr Paul Hirschfield- Verasammy Associates
Alex Irwin- Finesco (Overseas) Limited
Sandy Campbell- SKSWood
(One position is still to be filled during 2005)
At the present moment, the BBBF has 41 paid members. The new office bearers and committee members will meet soon to plan and discuss for activities for 2005.
"Managing Uncertainty Across Cultures" by John Field - Thursday, 23rd September 2004
The premier British Linked business group in Brunei Darussalam, The Britain Brunei Business Forum (BBBF) hosted a lunch presentation on Wednesday, 01 October 2003 at the Orchid Garden Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The guest speaker was Awang Haji Kamis Bin Haji Tamin, Director General-Department of Economic Planning and Development, Prime Minister's Office. Haji Kamis talked on the responsibilities of the department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) and the activities that he and his team were undertaking.
The British High Commissioner HE Andrew Caie attended in his new role as the Honorary President of BBBF.
An audience of 40 people including members and invited guests attended this event. This event was being facilitated by the generous support of the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam.
The lunch was followed by a presentation.
The Britain Brunei Business Forum will no doubt develop in its aims and format as time goes on. At least for the start, we envisage it having the following objectives:
to enable British and Bruneian businessmen, and the staff in the British High Commission, to meet in order to further trade and investment co-operation between Britain and Brunei;
to assist Bruneian businessmen in finding British partners for enhancing both parties' business performances;
to circulate information about opportunities for business with Britain, through the Bruneian business community.
The Britain Brunei Business Forum would achieve these objectives through a number of activities, for example:
a reception two or three times a year, given by the British High Commissioner;
periodic lectures or seminars, organised either by the British High Commissioner or by groups of members of the Britain Brunei Business Forum;
other social events, as may be proposed either by the British High Commission or by groups of members of the Britain Brunei Business Forum;
a web-site which could include a “Business Chat Room”.
