What is an Annual General Meeting (AGM)?

The AGM is the Chamber's most important business meeting of the year. It is where we review the activities of the past year and look forward to the year ahead. The main goals:

• A Year in Review
• Chair's Report
• Treasurer's Report
• Elect the Executive Committee for the year ahead. Officer positions are two-year term with two positions of four elected each year (i.e. Chair and one Vice Chair in one year and a Vice Chair and Treasurer in the alternate year). At this year's AGM we will be electing one Vice Chair, one Treasurer, and six At Large members.

Who can attend the AGM?

Any employee from any of our Member companies can attend. Multiple attendees from each Member company are welcome. Individual members may also attend. Non-members may not attend.

What is the ExCo and why is it important?

The ExCo is the Executive Committee (the Board) of the British Chamber – 10 elected members who meet regularly to make decisions about the strategy, finances and activities of the Chamber. There are six "At Large" (general) committee members, two Vice-Chairs, a Treasurer, and the Chair. The ExCo is vital to the operation and success of the Chamber and works closely with the Chamber's permanent staff.

Committee Officer positions are for terms of two years. Vice Chair positions are staggered with one position elected each year. Chair and a Vice Chair are elected in one year, Treasurer and a Vice Chair are elected in the alternate year. At Large Committee Member positions are for a term of one year.

In this year's AGM the following positions are open for nominations: one Vice Chair position, one Treasurer position, and six At Large committee member positions.

Who can vote for the ExCo?

Each Member company has one vote for each vacant ExCo position through a "Voting Representative". The representative is normally the main point of contact with the Chamber. If you are unsure who your designated representative is please get in touch with the Chamber.

If your company has not attended an AGM in the past or has not voted in the past, please contact membership@britishchamber.cn to confirm the "Voting Representative" prior to voting.

Individual members are not eligible to vote.

Voting is confidential, and the number of votes cast for each candidate is not announced, only the result.

2020 – How can you vote at the AGM?

This year all voting will take place electronically by e-mail during the week before the AGM, with voting closing at 5pm (CST) on the day before the meeting (i.e. on Wednesday 1 July at 5pm China Standard Time).

A list of ExCo candidates and links to information about them will be sent out seven days in advance of the AGM, at the start of the voting period. The "Voting Representative" for each Member company will be directed to download a voting form from our website and return this to: election@britishchamber.cn.

How do I get nominated for an ExCo position?

We actively welcome employees of Member companies to stand for ExCo positions. Nominations are sought for Committee Officer positions and At-Large Committee Member positions.

To be added to the ballot you must gain a Proposer and Seconder for your nomination, with each of the Proposer and the Seconder being from a separate Member company, neither of which can be your employer company. The Proposer and Seconder can be any employee of any Member company (except for your own company).

Once you have secured a Proposer and Seconder, please complete a nomination form (button below) including which position you will run for. Each candidate can only run for one position. The completed form should be returned by e-mail to election@britishchamber.cn and copied to your Proposer and Seconder. Nominations will not be accepted unless the Proposer and Seconder are copied.

Following receipt of a valid nomination form, the British Chamber will contact you to make arrangements for gathering further information.

At this AGM we strongly encourage all those running for positions to submit a two-minute filmed statement in addition to the compulsory written statement. These will be made available when all candidates are announced.

Download nomination form here​

What is the deadline for nominations?

The deadline for nominations is Monday 22nd June at 5pm (China Standard Time). Nominations received after that time will not be accepted. On Wednesday 24th June all ExCo candidates will be announced.

Who can stand for election to ExCo?

From each Member company only one nomination for one of the vacant ExCo positions can be accepted. The nominee from the Member company must be the "Voting Representative" for the AGM (see above). The "Voting Representative" can be adjusted if agreed and confirmed with the Chamber in advance of the close of nomination submissions.

We welcome nominations from any of our Member companies – regardless of industry sector or company size.

Voting is confidential, and the number of votes cast for each candidate is not announced, only the result.

Will I be able to hear from the candidates?

We will create a dedicated AGM webpage with all candidates' pictures, brief biographies and statements as to why they would like to run for the Executive Committee and what they would bring to the role. We will send messages to all of our Member companies though our usual communications channels so you can easily find out who is running and why.

Due to not being able to meet in person at this AGM, we are strongly encouraging all those running for positions to film a two-minute video as part of their nomination submissions.

Who oversees the election?

We will invite a representative of the British Embassy to act as our "Returning Officer" supervising all aspects of the election process including the legitimacy of nominations, or membership for voters and of e-mail votes. They will also oversee the vote count prior to the AGM.

How do I check if my company is a member, or who our "Voting Representative" is?

Please e-mail membership@britishchamber.cn.

What if I still have questions?

Please contact: election@britishchamber.cn.