We believe that you've had a successful start to the new year. In the British Chamber of Commerce, we began 2024 with a variety of updates: we have relocated to the exclusive premises of Vojčík & Partners on Main Square in Bratislava, and we have gained two new patrons. Once again, you can look forward to inspirational educational and networking events:

January 30: In collaboration with our patron, KPMG, we are launching ESG certification

January 31: Patrons and Board Members New Year's meeting with the Ambassador

February 1: Infestival 2024, social media for business

February 8:TAX workshop - seminar on current changes in tax legislation

February 13:Speed Business Meeting- an opportunity for new business contacts

February 13:KPMG ESG Certification- Sustainability reporting

The BritCham team wishes you a pleasant January. 

Up to 80% of all B2B business opportunities on social media are generated on the LinkedIn social network. We are proud to announce that we have become the communication partner for the most significant conference in the region, #infestival2024, organized by our member Martin Volek, CEO of VOLIS International.

On February 1st, Bratislava will welcome global and Czech-Slovak LinkedIn stars. The conference will be packed with case studies and practical insights from top entrepreneurs, consultants, and business leaders. We invite everyone interested in the latest trends in social media for business in marketing, HR, sales, employment branding, and personal branding.

Vojčík & Partners, a long-standing member of ours, has had a highly successful year in 2023. According to the ranking by Právo, a daily newspaper in SME, it is the second-largest law firm outside Bratislava and the largest law firm in Eastern Slovakia.

Under the leadership of managing partner JUDr.  Leo Vojcik, an experienced team of lawyers excels, particularly in the fields of intellectual property and labor law.

We are delighted to share prestigious office spaces in Košice and Bratislava with our new patron, the law firm Vojčík & Partners. On the occasion of inaugurating our presence at the new address on Main Square in Bratislava, JUDr. Leo Vojčík received the patron certificate from the chairwoman of the BritCham board,  Miroslava Remenarova.

You may not even realize that our new patron - Bardejov Spa - has been used for therapeutic purposes since the 15th century. The good reputation of the spa penetrated the courts of significant European monarchs. Many historically known personalities visited this "oasis of health and relaxation", such as Maria Louisa, wife of Emperor Napoleon, Russian Tsar Alexander I, Empress Elizabeth, wife of Franz Joseph I, known as Sissi, and many eminent nobles.

The geographical location, microclimate, mineral waters, and natural environment in a picturesque valley surrounded by forests are very suitable for treating respiratory, circulatory, digestive systems, as well as conditions of physical and mental exhaustion. The greatest wealth of Bardejov Spa lies in its natural healing mineral waters, which, with their composition, rank among the most significant in Europe.

Bardejov Spa offers everything necessary for the regeneration of both physical and mental strength: top-notch recreational services combined with quality therapeutic procedures, proximity to the medieval town of Bardejov, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, untouched nature, and opportunities for sports activities.

Whether you choose a therapeutic stay or one of the wellness and relaxation stays, you will definitely leave satisfied. It's definitely worth keeping an eye on the spa's website, where you can find discounted offers for stays at https://www.kupele-bj.sk/.

Founder of Eduvision Lucia Lalka  was driven by her desire and passion for better education to establish the company EDUVISION UNITED Ltd, which has been dedicated to digital education for a long time. She proposed strategies for using, managing, and implementing digital education in leading companies, schools, and in the public sector. For her work, she has received several prestigious awards, including The International Business Award multiple times.

Over two decades, the company Eduvision has developed and launched numerous successful online education platforms, which are used by leading companies such as O2 Slovakia, VÚB bank, Orange, ESET, Roche, the Ministry of Education, Science, Research of the Slovak Republic, Forbes, and U. S. Steel Košice s.r.o.

Are you also ready for education for the 21st century?

The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO), a survey of nearly 5,000 UK firms of all sectors and sizes, by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit, reveals that the labour market remains tight for most firms.  

The fourth quarter results for 2023, show a slight rise in the percentage of companies facing hiring difficulties, from 73% in Q3 to 76% in Q4. This figure is 6 percentage points down from the historical high of 82% in Q4 2022, but it has remained at or above 70% since the economy reopened post-pandemic (Q2 2021).