AHK United Kingdom - Your First Port of Call
The AHK United Kingdom is officially registered as the 'German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce'. It was founded in 1971 and is a business to business organisation of some 800 British and German member firms. The Chamber's commercial services help around 10,000 companies each year start or expand their export activities through providing business contacts, information and advice.
AHK - Well Connected Worldwide
In over 150 locations in 93 countries around the world, the members of the German Chamber Network (AHKs) offer their experience, connections and services to German and foreign companies. AHKs are located in all countries which are of special interest for German companies.
Focus of the AHKs
AHKs fulfill three main tasks in their locations. They are:
- Official Representative of German Companies
AHKs are the key player of German foreign business development on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany. They represent German business interests in their countries and they publicise and promote Germany as a business location. - Membership Organisation
AHKs are membership organisations for companies actively involved in bilateral business relations. These members give them the authority needed when interacting with politics, business and government in terms of promoting bilateral business relations. - Service Provider
Under the brand "DEInternational", AHKs provide some services to companies both from Germany and their host countries in order to support their foreign business activities.
A Close Connection to Germany
AHKs are closely connected to the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) in Germany. Together, they support German companies with establishing and extending their business relations to foreign countries.
The umbrella organisation of the IHKs is the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), which also coordinates and supports the AHKs. Furthermore, co-operation with various German trade associations strengthens the link between AHKs and business and markets.
The German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy in accordance with a Resolution of the German Parliament.
Our Values
The Ethics Code of the German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce outlines the values to be applied when conducting business or interacting with stakeholders.
It is the belief of the organisation that adhering to a common set of generally accepted values is critical for future success in all its endeavours.
Honorary Officers
| Patron | HE Miguel Berger Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany |
|---|---|
| President | Sir Michael Arthur KCMG |
| Vice Presidents | Robert A Bischof Lord Chris Fox Simon Jonsson Elisabeth Lady Stheeman Prof Barry Stickings CBE |
Council
| Chair | Patricia Godfrey Fidelio Partners |
|---|---|
| Company Secretary | Chris Putt CH Putt & Co LLP |
| Councillors | Thomas Birk Heiner Böhmer Marcus Breitschwerdt David Clapham Carl Ennis Ferran Figueras Dr Markus Grüneisl Dr Steffen Hoffmann Dr Ulrich Hoppe Gareth O’Hara Dr Antonio Payano Clemens M Richter Markus Seifermann Sven Thaler Markus Wild |
Regional Committee - UK
| Midlands | Chair Gareth O’Hara |
|---|---|
| Northern England | Secretary Robin Phillips Siemens Digital Factory & Process Industries and Drives |
| Scotland | Chair Max Scharbert Anderson Strathern LLP |
Regional Committee - Germany
| Germany | Chair Reinhold Kopp Heussen Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH |
|---|---|
| Bavaria | Chair Jürgen Beil |
| Northern Germany | Chair Dr. Tim H. Kannewurf Schnellecke Group AG & Co KG |
| Eastern Germany | Chair Dr. Hans-Jürgen Naumann Niles-Simmons Industrieanlagen GmbH |