21 May 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in FBCC News Permalink

FBCC is supporting The Finnish Soul Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower show 2021

Sticky Post By On 21st May 2021

The Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce is excited and honoured to be working with designer Taina Suonio on her stunning garden designs that are coming back to London, as she will be presenting The Finnish Soul Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 –  the most prestigious show in the world. The Chelsea Flower Show has a 108-year-long history and is exceptionally organised in September this year.

The story behind this year’s theme, The Finnish Soul Garden, is about Finns and their relationship to the beautiful nature of Finland while also reflecting the meaning of sauna culture. Get a glimpse into Taina’s inspiration behind The Finnish Soul Garden by watching the video.

Taina is a horticulturist, environmental biologist and landscape designer whom the chamber collaborated with first time in Spring 2019, when she presented at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as the first ever Finnish designer and first ever Nordic female designer. She was awarded a Silver-gilt for her garden “The Roots in Finland Kyrö Garden” in the Space to Grow category.

Among the Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce, the project is supported by multiple organisations such as Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, UPM Plywood, Visit Finland, and Embassy of Finland in London. We are thrilled to be working with Taina Suonio and this incredible group of Finnish companies on this project. We look forward to seeing how The Finnish Soul Garden comes alive and brings a small piece of Finland to the Chelsea Flower Show. This is an incredible collaboration and promotes Finland and Finnish expertise in a unique way.

 

Taina Suonio

Taina is a horticulturist, environmental biologist, landscape designer and researcher in the Fifth Dimension – Green Roofs in Urban Areas research group at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Her research concentrates particularly on the environmental change and policy with regard to green roofs in urban areas. She also lectures at various educational institutions on green roofs, gardening and design, and writes articles in gardening magazines on matters relating to horticulture, gardening, landscaping and the environment.

 

Please mark your calendars for The Chelsea Flower show that is taking place 21st-26th of September.

20 May 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in Uncategorised Permalink

Recording of Reignite Your Business After Lockdown

Sticky Post By On 20th May 2021
As businesses prepare to re-emerge from the pandemic, how can they adapt to a new working world?

Together with FBCC Patron Member Goodwille and the Danish-UK Association, we participated in a webinar where the speakers looked at the burning questions around how to return from the pandemic to a business world that has changed.

Thank you to everyone that participated in the webinar! We would also like to express our warmest thanks to the speakers Jacqui Brown from Goodwille and Jan Bowen-Nielsen from Quiver Management for the great discussion and to our moderator Sofie Annikki Dralle.

The participants discussed the following questions, among others: 

  • How has the world around businesses changed today?
  • As business coaches and consultants, your team and yourself work with a number of businesses. What are you seeing happening as businesses prepare to re-emerge from the pandemic?
  • How can business leaders reignite and reposition the business to a changing world?
  • After a year of ‘hibernation’ with many or all staff working from home or being furloughed, what are some other challenges leaders need to be aware of or adapt to?
  • What can leaders do to energise and motivate staff to successfully and thus remerge?
  • What are some practical steps business leaders can do in order to make sure they also have the support they need?

You can also find recordings to all our past webinars here.

14 May 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in Newsletters Permalink

FBCC May Newsletter 2021

Sticky Post By On 14th May 2021

Spring has sprung! We hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying the easing of the restrictions.

FBCC’s May Newsletter is here including an introduction to our new Corporate Member Venner, upcoming events for May, news and job vacancies from our Member Companies, and the newest entry to our Member Series.

Read the entire newsletter here.

You can also sign up for our mailing list to be the first one to receive our newsletters, announcements of new events, and other offers! Sign up by here. 

12 May 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in Corporate Member News, FBCC News Permalink

FBCC Corporate Member ScandiKitchen is recruiting!

Sticky Post By On 12th May 2021

FBCC Corporate Member ScandiKitchen has recently published two exciting vacancies! Find the information down below.

Account Manager (Wholesale and Key Accounts)

The main responsibilities in this role:

  • Develop and maintain existing relationships with accounts.
  • Build new accounts and drive sales.
  • Implement effective sales campaigns in line with strategy.
  • Financial management of all wholesale accounts
  • Work with Marketing to ensure all relevant Trade Marketing opportunities are maximised, including trade shows.

What you look like: 

  • Experience in a sales role a must, preferably FMCG.
  • Educated to degree level.
  • Strong analytical and numerical skills and a strategic head on your shoulders.
  • You are a multi-tasker with excellent organisational and time management skills.
  • Strong entrepreneurial spirit and drive: we love to have people on our team who have big plans and see opportunities and who want to grow fast in their roles.
  • Strong in-person sales skills
  • A team player who gets on with everyone.

Read more about the vacancy here.

Logistics and Purchasing Manager

The headline responsibilities in this role include:

Logistics

  • Day to day management of incoming and outgoing logistics (from planning and managing the incoming goods to all outgoing flow, including deliveries with internal and external stakeholders – and manage logistic communication).
  • Manage all inventory and product data in our ERP software Netsuite
  • Manage supply chain relations with key accounts supply chain and logistics departments

Purchasing

  • Day to day management of purchasing and the supply chain
  • Forecasting and demand planning for seasonal and all-year ranges
  • Plan and place orders in a timely manner to meet forecasted sales levels
  • Manage and monitor product pricing and commercial details
  • Manage relationships with suppliers
  • Pre-empt supplier issues and plan contingencies to minimise disruption
  • Maintain and develop systems and forecast methods to optimise efficiency and aid business performance
  • Non-product stock management

The person we are looking for:

  • Solid experience in a similar role, ideally in FMCG short shelf-life goods.
  • Educated to degree level+, ideally in a related/relevant field.
  • Strong numeracy and analytical skills with a wizard like Excel mind.
  • Logic and problem solving skills but able to think outside the box, too.
  • A team player who brings the best to the table for the greater good of the team and the business.
  • A multi-tasker with excellent organisational and time management skills.
  • Strong entrepreneurial spirit and drive: we love to have people on our team who have big plans and see opportunities.

Read more about the vacancy here.

 

04 May 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in Corporate Member News Permalink

FBCC Corporate Member North Star Law’s reminder to fellow members

Sticky Post By On 4th May 2021

UK Employers: Do You Need a Sponsor Licence?

Synopsis

Since the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, the demand by UK companies for sponsor licences has increased. This is a direct result of EU nationals now needing to obtain authorisation to work in the UK and employers requiring a licence to sponsor them. Therefore, employers who source talent from the EU should act now and apply for a sponsor licence in order to continue recruiting workers from the EU, and the rest of the world.

Background

The UK’s departure from the European Union significantly changed the immigration landscape. Brexit abolished the right of free movement, which means that EU nationals must now obtain permission to work in the UK, whereas previously they could work for any employer in the UK without restriction based on holding an EU passport or national identity card.

The Brexit transition period ended at 11 pm GMT on 31 December 2020. EU nationals who were resident in the UK at that time may apply under the EU Settlement Scheme for confirmation of their right to work and reside in the UK. The deadline for doing so is 30 June 2021. EU nationals who were not in the UK by that date must obtain permission to work under the current immigration rules, if they do not hold another status that allows them to work.

The main work permit route is referred to as the Skilled Worker visa. Employers must have a valid sponsor licence in order to sponsor workers under this route – including EU nationals.  Note that Irish citizens and EU nationals who hold Settled or Pre-Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are permitted to work in the UK and do not require a Skilled Worker visa.

To obtain a sponsor licence, a company must apply to the Government and submit evidence that it is an established entity in the UK and capable of meeting its compliance obligations. This includes having sufficiently robust procedures in place to monitor sponsored workers.

The Government may undertake an on-site compliance audit of the company at any time. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that you have appropriate systems in place in accordance with the Government’s sponsor guidelines to avoid penalties and maintain an A-rating.

North Star Law’s Immigration Team has extensive experience guiding clients through the initial licence process, as well as with renewal applications. The team undertake a thorough internal review to identify any gaps in procedures and recommend corrective action, so that you are compliant with your obligations as a Skilled Worker sponsor and fully prepared in the event of an audit.

If you have any questions or need assistance with a sponsor licence or Skilled Worker application, please contact the Immigration Team and we would be happy to assist.

Tel: +44 (0)20 3432 1911                                           Tel: +1 (617) 599-8275

 

Visit North Star Law’s website here. 

27 Apr 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in Corporate Member News, FBCC Member Series, FBCC News Permalink

FBCC Member Series: Tuuli Bell Ltd

Sticky Post By On 27th April 2021

This interview is part of the FBCC Member Series, where we introduce our member companies to the network. This time we interviewed Tuuli Bell, the Founder and Management Consultant at FBCC Corporate Member Tuuli Bell Ltd.

For those who don’t know you, how would you describe your company?  

Tuuli Bell Ltd assists various software and service companies in their processes and helps them to understand what is working and what is not, and what kind of changes can be made. Especially now during the pandemic, firms have had to significantly change altering their long-term strategies and the best ways to tailor their services to the needs of their changing customers. Dr Bell consults firms mainly through workshops and coaches sales and firm managers. Based on her extensive knowledge, Dr Bell wrote a book for people who want to improve their technical sales skills, which was published on Amazon last week.  

How did you end up establishing your own consulting firm?  

Dr Bell worked previously at different software companies mainly in sales and managerial positions and had always been keen on starting her own company. In July 2019, Dr Bell took the jump to establish Tuuli Bell Ltd after figuring that it is better to do it now rather than later as there is never the exact right time to set up your own business. Dr Bell had already witnessed the stress in different firms, especially in software sales, and thought that the issues could be solved with better process thinking and increased communication. These insights encouraged her to establish Tuuli Bell Ltd.

Do you have anything big happening right now/planned for the near future?  

Besides publishing her book, The Art of Presales: Workbook recently, Dr Bell has thought about the future as we are currently in transition and there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. She sees gender equality and environmental issues as very important to herself. In the future, she is keen to explore the role software and technical sales will play in the circular economy.  

How are you coping with the pandemic? How has your day-to-day life changed?  

Dr Bell had only established her company a few months before the first lockdown. Working from home was initially a big change, and she noticed that it was also an issue for her clients as they had to think about how they could build good relationships with new customers when there is no opportunity to meet face-to-face. 

Dr Bell is hoping that she will get to work a hybrid model in the future, spending a couple of days working remotely and the rest at the office. After a year of remote work, she recently found a face-to-face meeting peculiar but is happy that things are getting back to normal. 

What is the biggest benefit of being part of the FBCC network for your company?  

Dr Bell mentions that the cultural aspect and feeling of belonging have been important to her through the FBCC network, especially during these times.  She has found it comforting to have been able to connect with others who are in the same situation coming from Finland and living in the UK.  Dr Bell is anticipating the return to live events as they allow for better one-on-one discussions with people, which is difficult to manage online during virtual events.  

The Art of Presales: Workbook by Dr Tuuli Bell

Presales, also known as sales engineering, has attracted thousands of ambitious (read ‘high-salaried’) people who brave both technical and sales mastery. If you’re one of them, this truly interactive guide is a must-have for your personal and professional development.  

Explore the wonderful world of presales in this easy-to-use, fun, yet deeply reflective, challenging, ‘for-your-eyes-only’ journal-style workbook. Plenty of space for your own writing, drawings and diagrams, the workbook offers a well constructed guide to navigate your current presales role.  

Read more bout Dr Tuuli Bell’s book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B092P6WTX1 

Connect with Dr Bell: 

23 Apr 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in Uncategorised Permalink

Recording of Boost your Employee Wellbeing

Sticky Post By On 23rd April 2021

Keeping employees happy is more important and challenging than ever. Whether it’s engaging a workforce remotely, keeping the culture alive, or acting on the threats to employees’ happiness, it is crucial for the HR department to adapt to keep employees healthy, happy and productive.

Watch the webinar recording down below to boost your employee wellbeing!

Together with FBCC Patron Member Goodwille, Breaks Finland, and the Danish-UK Association, we participated in a webinar to learn more about improving the wellbeing of employees.

Jacqui Brown, HR Manager at Goodwille, and Jaana Komscha-Härkönen, the CEO and Co-Founder of Breaks Finland discussed topics such as “The biggest changes to workplace wellbeing for employees and how to adapt”, “Who in the business should be responsible for the wellbeing KPI’S?”, and “How to spot, improve and prevent mental illness in the workplace”. Watch the recording for more!

You can also find recordings to all our past webinars here.

 

14 Apr 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in Uncategorised Permalink

Recording of Expanding to the UK – Advice for Startups

Sticky Post By On 14th April 2021

You can now watch the recording of our webinar Expanding to the UK – Advice for Startups. FBCC joined forces with Corporate Member Marks & Clerk, Leadoo, and Logmore, to bring you a lively discussion about the do’s and don’ts of expanding to the UK.

We would like to thank all of our participants and co-organiser the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce. A special thanks goes to our speakers Simon Portman from Mark & Clerk, Niko Polvinen from Logmore, and Henrik Viitanen from Leadoo for making the webinar happen!

You can also find recordings to all our past webinars here!

13 Apr 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in FBCC News Permalink

We warmly welcome our new Corporate Member Venner!

Sticky Post By On 13th April 2021

We are proud to introduce our new Corporate Member Venner!

Venner is a Finnish founded award-winning social enterprise, now working in the UK, tackling food insecurity, diabetes, obesity and wellbeing polarisation. Venner provides businesses and individuals with an easy way to empower families in need with healthy, plant-forward food aid, new cooking skills and nutrition education. With just a few clicks, a Venner Nutrition Box, complete with recipes and educational support, is on its way to families who need help, because healthy food at home belongs to everyone!

For more information about our new member, visit their website here.

09 Apr 2021
Sticky Post By Posted in FBCC News, Newsletters Permalink

FBCC April Newsletter 2021

Sticky Post By On 9th April 2021

We hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying the sun! 

FBCC’s fourth newsletter is here, including an introduction to our new Corporate Member North Star Law, upcoming events for April, other member news, and many open positions at our member companies.

Read the entire newsletter here.

You can also sign up for our mailing list to be the first one to receive our newsletters, announcements of new events, and other offers! Sign up by here. 

Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce

The FBCC is an independent, non-profit organisation, recognized throughout the Finnish, British and international business communities. The Chamber offers four different membership categories: Patron, Corporate, Professional and Young Professional.