Member Article

Record number of new members for BICC-NW

The British-Israel Chamber of Commerce North West is celebrating a record influx of new members from across the region.

It grew membership by 10 per cent in 2015 – its best performance in a single year since its creation in 1978.

The total number of members now stands at more than 100 individuals, companies and organisations.

Its expansion comes at a time when bi-lateral trade between Britain and Israel is at a record high, reaching £2.5bn in 2014.

Gideon Klaus, BICC-NW’s executive director, said: “We are the natural focal point for entrepreneurs and companies across the north west looking to develop their trade links with Israel as well as research and development partnerships.

“It’s gratifying to see that our efforts to foster closer ties are bearing fruit with a record number of new members in 2015.

“One of our major goals is to encourage more Israeli companies to come to the north west and showcasing what this region has to offer is key to this.

“To this end, we are arranging a trade mission to Israel later this year to highlight the facilities available and the huge potential that exists for companies to flourish in the north west.”

BICC-NW helps UK companies looking to enter the Israeli market as well as those seeking to source new products and services. It also promotes the north west as a business location for Israeli firms eyeing overseas expansion.

It offers professional support and advice as well as arranging trade missions and organising events and networking opportunities.

The new members include Adam Sivner, an assistant director at the Manchester office of Altium Capital.

He said: “I joined following the opening of an Altium office in Tel Aviv in 2014. Our focus is on advising high-growth software and technology companies and there are an incredible number of these coming out of Israel.

“We are committed to advising Israeli companies on unlocking investment from Europe and the US.”

Brian and Stan Laing, joint managing directors at Glossop Caravans, have joined with the aim of boosting the firm’s export trade.

The family-run firm recently sealed a deal to sell 12 Coachman Caravans to a retailer in Israel and is hoping for further success.

Brian and Stan said: “We have joined as we wish to forge new business links. We hope to find business partners and build long-lasting relationships.”

Steven Falk of Manchester-based Star Sports Marketing, which advises sports clubs and their sponsors throughout Europe, is another new BICC-NW member.

He said: “I’m attracted to BICC-NW as a business forum that enables me to interact professionally and to share ideas with a group of like-minded individuals.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by British-Israel Chamber of Commerce North West .