Guest articles

It all started under the iconic wave of the newly renovated Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The Great British Christmas Ball saw the BBG members and guests in their finest formal wear gather to toast the end of another year together.
The evening was hosted on Friday 7 December by Platinum Partner Jumeirah at their flagship venue as a symbol of the group’s longstanding partnership with the BBG.
The red-carpet entrance gave way to a beautiful lawn setting themed “Silver & Ice” made all the more spectacular by the breathtaking view of the Burj Al Arab.

Following engaging addresses by Her Majesty's Consul General (HMCG) Andrew Jackson and BBG Dubai & Northern Emirates' Chairman, John Martin St Valery, guests were spoiled for choice by the lavish festive feast prepared especially for the evening.
Add to the mix the lively hosting by Laura Buckwell, music courtesy of DJ Marky Mark and Cara & the Arte Brothers, and the night was a treat in every sense of the word. The grand finale was an unforgettable display of Scottish national pride in a final performance of (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles by The Proclaimers and Loch Lomond by Runrig. 

We'd like to give our special thanks to Access All Areas, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Fujairah, The Studio, Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Dubai Opera, The Luxury Collection, Radisson Blu Hotel, Molecule, Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, Renaissance Downtown Hotel and Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre for contributing to the success of our event. 

On the other end of the appearance spectrum, and rounding off the year's social calendar, The Backyard at the Steigenberger Hotel saw no dearth of conversation starters on Monday 10 December with frayed threads, light-up jumpers and tinsel knit as the BBG, the AHK, the Swiss Business Council and the South African Business Council got together for the Ugly Jumper Networking.
The BBG also had a moment of, perhaps dubious, triumph when member Stuart Porter was declared the overall winner of the Ugliest Jumper Prize.

As we wrap up the calendar year, we'd like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to our Platinum Partners Emirates Airline, Links Group, HSBC, AIG, Jumeirah, Motivate and Major Event Partner Barclays without whose support throughtout the year the BBG's events would have remained mere aspirations on paper.