Chairman’s statementThe Friends of British Council aims to build links and friendships between Hong Kong and Britain, and to facilitate special encounters when people from different backgrounds and experiences come together to enjoy inspiring performances, discussion and learning. In our short history, we have been pleased to host gatherings for visiting performers, artists and authors from the United Kingdom to meet with different groups in Hong Kong in small, intimate settings, and encourage genuine interaction. We also aim to create opportunities for local residents to visit the United Kingdom to participate in special events and programmes that expand their world view and their circle of friends.

It is extremely rewarding to see the efforts of Friends of British Council result in so many positive and fruitful encounters, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Ruth Gee, former Director of the British Council in Hong Kong and founding director of Friends of British Council, for her vision and dynamic leadership. We wish her every success in her future endeavours upon taking up a new position with the British Council in India.

I would also like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Peter Upton, who has continued to build Friends of British Council since his appointment, expanding the range of programmes and bringing the people of Hong Kong and Britain closer together. I also extend my sincere thanks to the members of the Executive Committee of Friends of British Council for their wisdom and advice. They are a bountiful source of ideas and inspiration.

The members of the Executive Committee all join me in thanking our many benefactors and supporters, whose help and generous contributions are instrumental in sustaining our work and expanding our reach.

Dr. the Hon. Sir David K.P. Li, GBM, GBS, JPSeptember 2010

Director’s summaryIt gives me great pleasure to summarise FOBC’s recent work. FOBC has supported a wide range of arts and educational activities and worked to raise its profile to achieve even greater levels of fundraising in the future. After a successful period of income generation it is now moving towards an integrated strategy for income that seeks to balance revenue generation with an expanded membership base. The first step has been to raise FOBC’s visibility and the essential role it plays, through a series of high profile events. The next step is to focus on broadening its membership to increase income and enable support of an even wider range of local activities and initiatives. The forthcoming Gala Dinner, the series of ‘smart talks’ and networking events all contribute to these goals.

The FOBC has made a real and sustained impact on Hong Kong’s educational and artistic community. 2010 has seen fundraising events including dinner discussions with famous authors such as Alexander McCall Smith and Anthony Horowitz and a musical recital with Emma Kirkby. Each enabled FOBC to support essential projects such as English language development for young children in the New Territories and ongoing work with volunteer groups. The breadth of FOBC’s work is both a reflection of the long term partnership between Hong Kong and the UK and its ability to mobilise its networks to benefit the local community. This has been a successful period of consolidation and FOBC can be proud of its achievements. The British Council is fortunate to have such a strong partner and ally in its work and we are all grateful for FOBC’s ongoing support, encouragement and commitment.

Peter UptonDirector, British Council Hong Kong

2009 initiatives supported by FOBC fundsFOBC has touched the lives of 3246 members of the community through its events and initiatives. The following were key activities in the last year:

U-CANU-CAN, a unique youth arts community network programme, was launched in September 2009 thanks to the support of FOBC. U-CAN members include 140 of Hong Kong’s young people, aged from 18 to 25. Its members come from all walks of life and have the opportunity to attend different arts and cultural events and workshops.

Connecting ClassroomsConnecting Classrooms is a British Council initiative to create sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships between schools in the UK and all regions of the world. The Student Voice project in Hong Kong is one of our first focuses, aiming to share emerging practice between the UK and Hong Kong on the role of the student voice in teaching, learning, and wider school operations.

2010 fundraising eventsFOBC’s fundraising events have welcomed 172 supporters and generated HK$230,480 in revenue. Our events included:

Telling tales with Alexander McCall SmithMore than 100 guests were treated to first hand tales from world renowned British author Alexander McCall Smith. The author, who has written more than 60 books, including the internationally acclaimed No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, delighted the audience with stories about his fictional characters, as well as accounts of life as a novelist.

Music and conversation with Dame Emma KirkbyGuests were treated to an evening of music and conversation, which included a rare chance to meet this “English nightingale” and “most influential singer of the whole early music revival” during an intimate three course dinner at The Helena May. Guests also enjoyed a private performance from City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong musicians.

Murder, mystery and mayhem with Anthony HorowitzGuests enjoyed an evening with this prize-winning author, renowned for his highly successful Alex Rider spy series. Anthony’s other achievements include countless episodes of popular UK TV crime series such as Agatha Christie’s Poirot as well as his own creation, Foyle’s War. Anthony was joined by fellow writer and presenter Chip Tsao during this lively event.

Partners and sponsors FOBC’s key partners and sponsors have given their generous support to make the last year’s achievements possible:

• ACE Style Intimate• Boase Cohen & Collins• British Chevening Scholar Association• Chamberlain Education Services• City Chamber of Orchestra of Hong Kong• CLP Power • Colourcraft Ltd

• Eastwind Capital • Eigeme Cjiamg• ESF• K2PR Ltd• Sheen Hok Charitable Foundation • Tanner De Witt Solicitors• Tomson Holding

2009 financesFOBC received HK$3,400 in donations, HK$1,200 in interest income and HK$ 29,012 in foreign exchange gain.

2010 finances FOBC received HK$7,000 in donations and HK$230,480 from three events (Alexander McCall Smith, Emma Kirby and Anthony Horowitz). Net profit to date is HK$109,111, with event expenses totalling HK$128,205.

Forthcoming events

The Digital Age: the demise or rise of the library and book?Dr Sarah Thomas, Bodley’s Librarian at the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries, will describe how libraries are experiencing a renaissance as they engage in a creative exploration which adheres to traditional values, while interpreting them for the modern age.

A Life with the Colonial Education Service and the British Council in Asia Eminent educationalist Verner Bickley, who served the British Colonial Service and later the British Council, will recall his career as an Education Officer in Singapore and as a British Council officer in Burma, Indonesia and Japan.

Dame Evelyn Glennie concertA concert by renowned hearing impaired UK percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie will take place at City Hall in partnership with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong. 40 local deaf students will have the opportunity to experience this unique performance.

FOBC Gala Dinner FOBC’s Chairman, Dr Sir David K P Li, will host a Gala Dinner with kind sponsorship by the British Council. The event promises to be the highlight of the fundraising calendar and expects to welcome over 400 guests for an evening of fine dining, dancing and fundraising activities including a silent auction and quiz.

About FOBC The Friends of the British Council (FOBC) aims to support (in cash or kind) all the charitable activities of the British Council Hong Kong (BCHK) which create mutual benefit for Hong Kong and the UK.

FOBC Board membersChairman: Dr Sir David K P Li Directors: Sir David Akers-Jones, Professor Rosie Young (Emeritus Professor, University of Hong Kong), Hectar Pun (Consul, Denis Chang’s Chambers), Paul Kan (Chairman of Champion Technology Holdings Ltd), Ruth Gee (Regional Director of British Council - India and Sri Lanka), Peter Upton (Director, British Council Hong Kong)