BNCC concludes AGM in London, elects Biraj Bhatta as chairman

LONDON: Britain Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC) elected a new executive committee at its annual general meeting (AGM) recently held at the Embassy of Nepal in London.

At the AGM, Biraj Bhatta was elected chairman. Bhatta, a tourism entrepreneur with travel and IT businesses in Nepal and the UK, previously served as vice chairman and has been active in organising major travel and tourism events in partnership with the Embassy of Nepal to promote Nepal as a destination in the UK.

Meanwhile, Indra Giri and Kamal Paudel were elected vice‑chairmen. Giri is a chartered accountant who runs accountancy and business advisory services, while Paudel brings long‑standing experience in the remittance sector. Rajendra Shrestha was elected secretary. Steve Buckley was re‑elected as CEO; Buckley is a former member of the British Diplomatic Service with extensive experience in the Asia‑Pacific region and has held roles as Director of Trade and Investment at British High Commissions in Thailand and Malaysia.

The AGM also confirmed a slate of executive members, including Nadia Williams, Santosh Mandal, Anjani Phuyal, B P Khanal, Basanta Nepal, Anil Neupane, Prabhu Neupane, Mitchell Campbell, Krishna Bhatta, Masoud Angiz, Bikash Nepal and Prakash Dhungana. Vice‑chairman Indra Giri presented the financial report.

Following the elections, outgoing chairman Dr Kapil Rijal and incoming chairman Biraj Bhatta reviewed BNCC’s recent activities and achievements and outlined plans for the year ahead. CEO Buckley expressed hope for political stability in Nepal and announced BNCC’s intention to lead a trade delegation to Nepal later this year.

Bipin Duwadi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Nepal in London, attended as the chief guest, congratulated the newly elected committee and pledged the Embassy’s continued support for collaborative initiatives such as the Nepal Development Conference and related seminars. BNCC’s honorary president Adam Gilchrist reflected on the organisation’s 30‑year history and evolution.

The AGM concluded with a business networking session and dinner that brought together business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from Britain and the Nepali diaspora, providing a platform for dialogue and future collaboration.