Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive, WPP Group, Chairman, BritishAmerican Business's International Advisory Board

"BritishAmerican Business has clearly established itself as the pre-eminent transatlantic business organization, and does a great job of helping companies build their business on both sides of the Atlantic. That's why, as a member of its Advisory Board, I am committed to supporting it. And since there are 70 other Chairmen and CEOs of leading multinational companies on that same board, it would seem I am not alone."

The Honorable Louis B. Susman, US Ambassador to the Court of St. James's & Sir Nigel Sheinwald KCMG, UK Ambassador to the United States

"BritishAmerican Business is an outstanding organization. It plays a key role in furthering US and UK business interests by promoting an open trading environment in partnership with both our governments. We wholeheartedly support BritishAmerican Business and its work."

Policy Initiatives

Policy Initiatives

Fiscal and Regulatory Policy: In March 2010, we wrote to The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the relevant shadow ministers in the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, expressing our members’ concerns about the impact of recent fiscal and regulatory changes on their business interests, and also on perceptions of the UK as an investment location and therefore on likely future levels of foreign and domestic investment in the UK. The issues highlighted in the letter included: the non-domicile tax; intra-company personnel transfers; taxation of foreign profits; and increased income tax rates. Following the General Election in the UK on May 6, we will follow up with the incoming Government to represent these concerns to them.

Please click here to read a copy of the letter

Immigration: We are pleased to report that in early 2010, the UK Government accepted all of the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations for change to the UK’s immigration legislation, including two specific proposals that we had urged the MAC to adopt that will make it easier for UK and foreign companies to bring qualified employees into the UK. These measures provide for the admission of employees with overseas qualifications in fields such as Law and Accountancy, and with Bachelor’s degrees provided that their previous earnings meet the required level.

Aviation Duty: In response to concerns expressed by our members, we are urging the UK Government to follow the example of its European counterparts and abandon its plans for further increases in Air Passenger Duty (APD), as this will have a negative impact on the business community, on the tourism and aviation industries, and on inward investment into the UK.

Taxation of Foreign Profits: Following our earlier (partially successful) representations to the British Government in response to its consultation paper on the Taxation of Foreign Profits of Companies in the UK in 2008, we made further representations in 2009 about the negative impact of the proposed worldwide debt cap, since this would encourage tax bills for the cash-rich with no equivalent penalty for those with higher levels of debt. We were therefore disappointed that the government decided to proceed with the debt cap, albeit with a delayed implementation date.

G20 and the Preservation of Open Markets: In March 2009, we wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer outlining our hopes for the outcome of the G20 Summit held in London from 2 April. We are pleased the Communiqués from the G20 Summit in both London and Pittsburgh included satisfactory pledges to fight protectionism and to conclude the Doha Round, but recognise that the implementation of a globally coordinated approach will be a much greater challenge.

UK-US Defence Cooperation Treaty: Having monitored and promoted the progress of the treaty from its ratification in the UK Parliament to its submission to the U.S Senate, in August 2008 we participated in urging the Senate to expedite their consideration and approval of the Treaty. Regrettably, progress has yet to be made, but we continue to work for approval of the Treaty.

UK Taxation of Non-Domiciles: In response to proposed changes to the taxation of non-domicile residents, including notably U.S Citizens, we made strong representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, detailing our concerns about the impact of these measures on many of our member companies, and also on the attractiveness of the UK as a desirable location to conduct business. Following extensive meetings with the Finance Secretary and senior Treasury officials, we were pleased that our representations resulted in some positive changes to the proposals. However, not all of our concerns have been addressed, and as a result we are continuing to raise these outstanding issues with the Government.

E-filing of US Tax Returns: In response to concerns expressed by our US members, we made representations to the IRS about the new e-filing system for US tax returns, including issues such as software incompatibility. This resulted in a series of meetings and discussions, which are currently ongoing.

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