Queen Honours Two
Chamber Members in British Honours List Britain Holds Pole Position in
Formula One LIRAs, LIFs and LRIFs
"Locked-In" Retirement Vehicles Sheffield Steel Goes from Strength
to Strength Trade Financing Considerations for
Small business Britain's Business
Briefs JAGUAR... Still turning heads at
sixty! The President's Dinner - June 22,
1995 Trade Winds 
Two members of the British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce were among those awarded honours in the British Honours list issued to mark the Queen's Birthday. The two members, immediate Past-President John Mackie and Calgary-member, Ronald Southern, CM MBE BSc LLD, were both awarded the rank of Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
Ron Southern (right), who is also a Director of the British Canadian Chamber of Trade
and Commerce representing the Calgary chapter, received his honour for Services to
Anglo-Canadian Commercial Relations, in particular in sponsoring scholarships for British
exporters.
Mr. Southern's companies presence in Britain is increasing, notably through their
involvement in building the Barking Reach Power Station which is due to be formally opened
in October this year. In addition, Mr. Southern has sponsored eight scholarships a year
for three years starting in 1994 for young British exporters at the University of Western
Ontario. Mr. Southern and the ATCO group of companies have a high reputation in Alberta
for their contribution to the community and he has played a leading role in fostering
Britain's links with Alberta. Mr. Southern and his wife Marg have created Spruce Meadows
show-jumping facility outside Calgary, which has been greatly appreciated by British
riders over recent years.
Mr. John Mackie, (left),
received the honour for services to British commercial interests in Canada. John Mackie
has devoted considerable time and effort, on a voluntary and unpaid basis, promoting the
British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce over a period of 25 years, serving as
President since July 1993. President of Jaguar
Canada since 1977, John Mackie is well known and respected in the Canadian automobile
industry. Mr. Mackie is a founding member of the automobile Importers of Canada in 1973.
He became Chairman of the renamed Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of
Canada in 1991.
John also traveled widely in Canada, during his Presidency, to meet with Chamber groups in
every region giving guidance and encouragement, and bringing his special brand of
congeniality to members as they worked to expand their activities in the divisions and
chapters. All members should take some measure of pride in this award to John Mackie and,
on behalf of all members, the Chamber wishes both John and Ron Southern a very happy day
when they travel to Buckingham Palace to receive their award from Her Majesty, sometime in
the near future.
British companies announced more than £1 bn worth of business in China on May 16 following the visit of the biggest-ever trade mission to various Chinese cities by industry leaders, led by Michael Hesletine, then President of the Board of Trade.
Increased activity and a record trading year has spurred the London International Financial futures and Options Exchange (Lift into a search for additional floor space. Last year was Liffe's 12th successive year of volume records and its most successful to date. Volumes reached more than 153m contracts traded, representing a 50% increase over 1993.
Members of two of Britain's building societies, the Halifax and Leeds permanent, recently voted overwhelmingly in favour of merger between the two societies. This was the first hurdle towards a stock market flotation, and the creation of a £9bn bank to be called The Halifax. Subject to approval, the merger will take effect on August 1 this year.
Unemployment in Britain fell for the twentieth successive month in April to its lowest level since June 1991. Employment Secretary, Michael Portillo, is quoted: "Britain has confounded the pessimists. With the economic fundamentals in place and growth at a substantial pace, our dynamic economy can deliver prosperity and jobs."
The £86m Queen Elizabeth ll toll bridge, opened in 1991 and funded by a consortium of British companies, which carries London's orbital motorway across the river Thames at Hartford, is expected to pay for itself by the end of the century - sigh years ahead of time.
In the three months to February this year, overseas visitors to Britain increased in number by 3% to 5.5m, and they spent £2,850m .
Rolls-Royce engines will be available to power 80 per cent of all jet aircraft deliveries within the next five years, and by the 2010 will have grown to 95 per cent. Fifteen years ago, Rolls-Royce had only two civil engines available for just four types aircraft.
With the third prototype now in the air with the first production EJ200 engines, development of Europe's combat aircraft of future, the Anglo-German Italian-Spanish Eurofighter 2000, continues to make good progress. A total of seven development aircraft are due to fly and the first three have flown in Germany, Britain and Italy, respectively. The fourth aircraft, which is first of two twin seat versions, is due to fly in Britain later this year with the remaining three expected to be ready for flight around the end of the year.
The first 271 tonne maximum take-off weight A340-300 European Airbus, which offers an increased range of 13,300 km with a typical load of 290 passengers, is now in final assembly.
The successful Rolls-Royce Tay engine used in 70- and 100 seat Fokker airliners, the gulfstream GIV executive jet and reengined Boeing 727-100 aircraft, is to be equipped with an advanced low emissions combustion system.
The 100-112 seat fourjet Avro R1100 is set to become the largest airliner to operate from London's downtown short runway airport.
The Anglo-ltalian EH101 multi-role helicopter, which has just been awarded a unique triple civil certification from Britain, Italy and the United States, is attracting growing interest from commercial operators who believe it could be ideal for linking cities: major airports and large inhabited islands.
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