IBBC members and friends enjoyed an upbeat party at the The Reform Club in London’s Pall Mall.
With a full room of British, Iraqi, and international members, Baroness Nicholson, IBBC President, welcomed everyone and thanks AAA Holdings for sponsoring the event.
Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, of Queen Mary College, University of London, gave a short talk about how the University is extending its reach with their new campus in Erbil, and how they are dedicated to welcoming international students in general, with the aim of being the world’s most inclusive university.
Many well-known members attended including Christina Bergami of GE, Mr Abir Burhan, Mr Philip Marsham of Basra Gateway, Mr Andrew Martin of AL Buttsan, Hasan Heshmat of Hydro C, Mr Dlovan Barakat of Shahan, Mr Russell Hardy of Vitol, Mr Ardil Salem of Hogan Lovells, Mr Joseph Clinton of EY, Mr Richard Cotton of AAA Holding, Dr Victoria Lindsay of British University of Iraq and many more including British Chambers of Commerce, Ms Charlotte Leslie of CMEC, Renad Mansour of Chatham House, Mr Nicholas Pelham of the Economist, Dr John McGinnis of Nimrud archaeological trust ( and Ex British Museum). We were also delighted to have our Vice President Lord Green attend and to welcome delegates from the Iraqi Embassy, the KRG representation and the Department for Business and Trade.
Ashley Goodall’s Circle singers provided some traditional carol signing for the audience, some of whom even sang along.
Mr Christophe Michels, MD of IBBC, said ‘IBBC members have performed well this year, we have expanded the organisation, extended our reach beyond Iraq to Saudi Arabia and Asia, grown a very successful education and skills sector and expect to see another positive year ahead with plans for new markets, a new Agritech committee and growth in all ways for companies and associates of IBBC ‘