Bristol Junior Chamber

AGM Minutes Tuesday 4th April 2017 6pm Merchants Hall

Attendees Honorary Vice-Presidents Bob Durie and Simon Pitchers (2 HVPs).

Members Gemma Alaway, Tom Alexander, Danielle Argent, Henry Bacon, Thomas
Bacon, Robert Barnes, Oliver Brown, Jack Callow, Charles Chami, Edward Chapman,
Alexandra Cross, Emma Custance Baker, Savita Custead, Tom Dickinson, Rachel Dowle,
Laura East, James Forward, Ewelina Golebiewska, Catherine Harris, Michael Holder, Ben
Kenny, Alastair Kimpton, Russell Landau, Miles Nesbitt, Carly ODwyer, Patricia Patilla
Sanchez, Alice Peacock, Benjamin Pean, Rebecca Purchase, Heather Rees, Samantha
Rosoman, Ashley Sandeman, Nicole Spurling, Ben St.Quintin, Dan St.Quintin, Paul Staples,
Kirsty Swan, Megan Turnbull, Jonathan Williams, Ben Yarrow. (40 members).
Guests Jankir Sheikh, Francis Devennez (2 guests).
Apologies: David Bird, Owen Jennings
Introductions
i. Ben St.Quintin (BSQ) Welcome to our 68th Annual General Meeting of the BJC.
Introduction of Ben St.Quintin (BSQ) President 2015-2016 and Tom Alexander (TA)
Treasurer to present the accounts for this year.
Signing off on the Accounts from 2015-2016
i. TA Summary of accounts for the year ending 31st March 2016 overall loss
incurred of 1,900; primarily resulting from CofM decision to write off bad debts.
Analysis of trading turnover and admin expenses shows:- i) turnover 1% up in
comparison to prior year (due to strong member retention, lots of new members
subscriptions up by approx. 1,000), ii) admin expenses up by 30% (due to i) writing
off bad debt from previous years of approx. 5k, ii) additional costs incurred at
ticketed events which were not necessarily passed onto the members (i.e. the BJC
covered these) and iii) numerous, large one-off events throughout the year (Bordeaux
and Hannover two inbound exchanges (unusual now back in-sync), and Mayoral
Hustings all in same year)). Result is that excluding investment income, BJC still
made operating deficit/loss of around 3,000. Investment income up by 3,500
result of good performance and additional funds being invested into the RCB
portfolio. Active CofM decision to put more money into the RCB investment fund to
generate more income; CofM wanted to do something useful with this money rather
than leave in the bank. CofM were encouraged by members (as well as Honorary VPs)
to spend some of the cash we had built up on membership activities we therefore
went with a plan to make a modest loss for the year by subsidising members events
and to use any surplus funds to invest back into the investment fund. Overall it is
good that our turnover increased, despite the loss.
a. Query about creditors why 10k? (A Spragg) (TA these represents accruals
made to bring the AD costs into the correct accounting period)
b. Query about no tax expense (B Kenny) (TA not 100% sure, but suspect that
no tax expense was required as we made a loss. TA confirmed that 2015/16
tax payment (in respect of capital gains) was paid in 2016/17 year.
c. Query re monies with Quartet not being shown in accounts (P Staples) (TA
explained that legal ownership of these funds lies with trustees of the Quartet
fund, and that the funds are not technically the BJCs anymore. TA confirmed
 that the BJC was the beneficiary of the income from these funds and that this
was normally paid out as charitable donation of the BJCs choosing).
ii. OB Show of hands for the accounts. Majority in favour, with no against and 1
abstaining. Accounts approved.
iii. Thanks from OB to BSQ for clearing up the bad debts, issues should not carry on
going forward due to EventBrite which enables payment in advance for events.

Signing off on the Minutes from the year 2015-2016

i. OB Any queries about the minutes?
ii. OB Show of hands for the minutes 2015-2016. Majority in favour, with no against
and 1 abstaining. Minutes approved.
Review from Council of Management 2016-2017 (0utgoing only)
i. Membership Secretary Heather Rees (HR) Enjoyed my year very much, help pop-
up drinks around the city, new members breakfast in conjunction with Business &
Enterprise chair. Great to see so many people signing up, especially from events. 139
members, slight decrease from last year 36 new members across 11 different
sectors. Legal profession is still the largest sector, property/construction now the
second largest sector. 115 different businesses represented very broad. With
sadness I step down, but am sure that Dan St.Quintin will do a great job.
ii. Chair of Business & Enterprise Kirsty Swan (KS) Good year for B&E, mainly
breakfast Simon Pitchers, tips for public speaking and powerpoint presentation,
property purchasers guide to the essentials, advocacy breakfast with employment
Judge Parker, Joint-Spatial Plan breakfast. Long may it continue with the incoming
chair.
iii. Chair of Events & Social Rebecca Purchase (RP) Another successful year of events
Spring Drinks (more people attended this year than last year; Mayor), Members
Dinner (less attendance, but not a reflection on the event), Christmas Party raised a
lot of money for charity and more attended. Annual Dinner at new location, more
corporate support than ever before. Really enjoyed being Social Chair for two years,
know that Danielle and Russell will do a great job.
iv. Chair of Heritage & Culture Rob Barnes (RB) Thanks to all those who have come
along to our events; gazed at solar system, Alma Tavern, Bristol Records Events, VIP
showing at Old Vic, Billy Elliott, Wills Memorial and ss Great Britain.
v. President Oliver Brown (OB) A great year and a privilege, a great number of
events to attend. Referendum debate, really good speakers. Council of Management;
a huge thank you for all the work you have done. Youve heard a flavour of the events
but thank you for all the hard work. One thing I wanted to do; build greater links
with charity & social enterprises; delighted this has grown and weve had a number of
volunteers for working with Babbassa and hope there are links there that will
continue into the future. Sadly the BJC gong is in for repair; but we have a temporary
fix with a pin badge for Charlie for the handover this year.
The President
i. Charlie Chami (CC) Thank you to the outgoing President OB a great selection of
speakers and events, a huge thank you to Oliver (presentation of medal). Thank you
to Oliver and to Ben St.Quintin (outgoing IPP). Thank you to everyone here, since
Ive joined its been fun and exciting and challenging. Planning is going at pace,
replicating events takes an effort! Spring Drinks is firmly in the calendar and we are
welcoming an inbound delegation from Hannover (August), were visiting Bordeaux
(June) dates are on the weekly email. When I stood here a year ago there was a
 number of things I wanted to do, and Id like to launch a BJC Internship putting
together a high-quality placement selection for pupils giving a good breadth of
experience (2 week experience with several firms and several industries whatever
these may be). Plans are in place, conversations are happening if anyone wants to
be involved, please get in touch. Monthly meetings (speakers and locations) May
(Watershed, double world record holder Paul Archer bought a taxi cab and driven
longest and highest route, set up tech start-up), June (Sun Terrace at Jones Lang
LaSalle, founder of Trunki Rob Law), July (options regional head of Uber or
captain of aircraft carriers, or head of LEP, or comedy night). Lots of great things
coming up! Thank you.

The Elections
i. Kirsty Swan (KS) Vice-President Three points who, what and why.
Solicitor and for the last year I have been chair of Business & Enterprise; interested in
the role and wanted to build up experience. Member since 2013 and have been an
active member, very passionate about BJC including playing softball. Presently I
wish to increase diversity and participation of members, broaden network of
contacts. Potential to increase business and social opportunities. There are a
number of industries that havent heard of us. Following on from a great year from
Charlie go into different areas and industries. Increasing our reach will increase
our members, Id like to focus on entrepreneurs, the arts and charities. Id like to
include working more with the Initiative and Business West like to encourage
members to remain past 40 with the 39ers and other organisations. Deregulation
focus, and what members want. Using time as VP to gain feedback from members to
see what you want going forward. Passionate about BJC and lets increase
involvement. Not all work and no play, variety of social events great opportunities
to visit places, this is a key opportunity for me. By attending events you are building
up strong friendships and skills for life.
a) CC To a vote; majority favour, none against, 2 abstaining.
i. Alice Peacock (AP) Honorary Secretary I have been a member for 6 years,
have done this role for 4 years and enjoy the variety of tasks and roles it offers,
working alongside the CofM.
a) CC To a vote; all in favour, none against, 2 abstaining.
ii. Ben Kenny (BK) Co-Treasurer Joint role carrying on from last year, there
have been a few challenges. This year well be switching roles our accounting
software is old and not great value looking to have something more modern to link
in with EventBrite.
iii. Jack Callow (JC) Co-Treasurer Enjoyed the past year, looking forward to
moving to chasing invoices. Tried this year to get better information to the Council of
Management looking to improve this further. Cost analysis for the members; the
more you put in the more you get out you get your membership back!
a) Accounting for tax in the year I will account for it!
b) CC To a vote (joint for BK and JC), majority in favour, none against, 2
abstaining.
iv. Daniel St.Quintin (DSQ) Chair of Membership Without you, there
wouldnt be a Bristol Junior Chamber thank you. Thanks to Heather for the past
few years, difficult to follow on from her. 5 years in Bristol, work for Beech Baker
(property recruitment). Member and Club Captain at local tennis club. BJC
professional network is a real selling point; important to ensure all members get as
 much out of it as possible and furthering the professional network. Aims to further
the new members events over the next few year.
a) CC To a vote, majority in favour, none against, 2 abstention.
v. Emma Custance-Baker (ECB) Chair of Marketing & PR Have enjoyed the
past year Twitter followers have gone up by 100 (1 application from member who
has found it on Twitter). Looking to refresh the website and moving this to a new
host. Lots of pictures and continued work.
a) CC To a vote, majority in favour, none against, 2 abstentions.
vi. Danielle Argent (DA) Co-Chair Social & Events Career of events, event
venue for past two years conferences and specialising in weddings. More corporate
9-5pm now as having changed roles, new role.
vii. Russell Landau (RL) Co-Chair Social & Events Work at Ernst & Young.
BJC is a great organisation; voluntary success of it is dependent on those
volunteering from CofM Ive been a member for 12 months and this is the
opportunity to give something back. Organising projects with a European remit;
change/budgets etc hope to bring this to the role. Expedition leader for Duke of
Edinburgh Award. New ideas; four cornerstone events of the role networking and
fun. Thanks to Becky Purchase; if we can come marginally close to what weve
achieved.
a) Question to Danielle Argent Competitors venues; wont use work email, and
current job involves building relationships with venues.
b) CC To a vote (joint for DA and RL), all in favour, none against, 2 abstentions.
ix. Megan Turnbull (MT) Chair of Education & Skills I stepped in and have been
doing the role jointly with Georgie, who is seconded to London for longer than expected,
a huge thank you to Georgie for everything she has done. Weve done interviews at 5
schools and we did the Womens Week and linked up with Bristol City Council to further
their Works agenda with the Mayor to promote within the City. Ive been a member for
over a year, fantastic organisation and have enjoyed my time. Im a business
psychologist I spend a lot of time trying to get leaders to be more effective in their role,
with this Id like to expand the concept of Education & Skills lets see what skills we as
BJC can learn from each other by way of professional development, still keeping
Education (schools) in place. Planning to send email out to see what people have by way
of offering skills to help develop people within BJC, and also asks what would you
like to learn and develop. If Im voted in, that is what I would like to do in the coming
year.
a) CC To a vote, majority in favour, none against, 2 abstentions.
xii. Edward Chapman (EC) - Chair of Culture, Heritage & Sport Organise events
across past, present and future. Looking forward to putting on events and supporting
CofM over the upcoming year.
a) Any upcoming events? Details will be circulated.
b) CC To a vote, majority in favour, none against, 2 abstentions.
xiii. Ashley Sandeman (AS) - Chair of Business & Enterprise I work as a business
mentor. Whenever you go into a business; you go in with how you can support. Why
dont we have more entrepreneurs and business, more mentoring growing skills.
Listening to the BJC and CofM, and that is what I have to offer.
i. Any upcoming events? In mind, but not planned.
a) CC To a vote, majority in favour, none against, 2 abstention.
xii. Benjamin Pean (BP) Chair of Charity & Social Economy Its my birthday!
Celebration for this and also for replicating this for a year, with a new title. Social
economy belief that we can change the lives of all people, I propose to aim for the stars
and encourage change and catalystic events. Thank you to those who have supported
 my in the last year, and we will encourage and keep encouraging. Organise fundraising
activities, and support/influence agenda. New ideas and options for the year ahead.
a) CC To a vote, majority in favour, none against, 2 abstention.
xiii. CC Rob Nye is keen to step into the role of Company Secretary, appointed for the role.

xiv. AOB;

Softball KS Please contact if interested.

Simon Pitchers Honorary Vice-President Always a pleasure to attend the BJC
meeting, nice to see so many familiar faces. I try to unchain you, to something you
may feel you are chained to. Member in the 80s when we had our windfall of money;
the Balloon Fiesta when it reached its peak (200 balloons) bad weather, and all the
money collected was not required for the balloon gas. This money was put into the
accounts before and after. Before we had the money; really exciting, scrabbling to
get money for funding greatful to learn this skill. After we had the money; attitudes
change. When money tightens you become more innovative and more efficient. I
dont propose you blow the lot and have a massive party, you are not obliged to be
custodians for the money you dont have to preserve the money for the future.
Theres never been a project in 20 years to use the money. Be bold. If you find
something, you can make a big difference to someone/an organisation/Bristol the
BJC would reap benefits afterwards; when you are skint and hungry that is what
brings out the best of people. We abstain on every vote because we dont deserve to
vote, you dont need to listen to me but Id recommend to getting rid of the money,
you dont need to keep hold of it, if something comes along.
Bob Durie Honorary Vice-President I joined in 1965, interested in leadership
skills you can get through being a member and meeting people who have been
lifelong friends. It is important to be independent, I didnt want to go down the
political route I have played a part in lots of different things. When we really
wanted to do something, its handy to have the money to do it assets are handy
things to have. I wouldnt stop you spending of course, just make sure you spend it
wisely. At the last board meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, the Government has
given us a great opportunity to elect a Metro Mayor the Chamber has realised
that here is an opportunity unique, elections needed, but weve suffered with poor
leadership for the whole of my business career. The Government has realised
investing in a successful area will generate more success. The Chamber has put John
Savage forward as their candidate, although they will not support him he needs to
be independent financially John is standing as the business candidate. At last we
might get some leadership which we deserve, John is the standout candidate. Please
/ if you have a vote, think about all this. I applaud you not putting money behind it,
BJC is independent, but with the money it is good to have the money to do something
when you wish to do. If you feel strongly about John, a few of us are funding him,
please tell me. One of the areas for the future inter-generational; how the young
look after the older people; involved with a number of charities. Id like to think you
would give some thought to that theres a huge amount to be done in this area.
Take on honorary trustee-ships where you can; you should have a register for people
who are interested in these roles. Youre doing a great job, were right behind you!
My son James also an Honorary Vice-President, is sorry he cant be here, but it was
my turn!
Meeting finishes 19.45 Adjourn to The Mall Pub