Our British Week reached its pinnacle on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, when the Platinum Jubilee 2022 Banquet saw a melting pot of chamber members, British business delegates, celebrities, and politicians all congregate in the presence of HRH Prince Michael of Kent to celebrate the Queen’s record-breaking 70-years on the throne.
As the cozy reception of Svenska Klubben began to fill up between six and seven in the evening, our guests were promptly guided upstairs as word was received that HRH Prince Michael of Kent would soon be arriving. When the three Bentley’s provided by Bentley Suomi pulled up at slightly after seven, The Prince and our business delegates were brought upstairs to the main reception hall – fittingly named Elisabetssalen (Elizabeth Hall) – to be greeted by Finnish media and the rest of our guests.
The hugely successful evening kicked-off with a champagne reception, with Beverage Partners Finland kindly contributing to our supply Laurent-Perrier. Notable attendees included world-renowned opera singer Karita Mattila, actors Mikko Leppilampi, Arman Alizad and Inka Kallén, Former Finnish Ambassadors to the UK Minister Pertti Salolainen CBE and HE Pekka Huhtanieimi, and British Defence Attaché Wing Commander Stephen Boyle. Even after a long and busy day in Tampere, HRH Prince Michael of Kent was in good spirits, gladly giving time to the media and getting acquainted with the approximately sixty other guests of the evening.
Following the main reception, guests were directed to the adjoining banquet hall to be seated. The dinner itself consisted of a Chanterelle Soup and Smoked Reindeer Mousse Canapé -starter, followed by a main-course of Butter Fried Arctic Char, with a Milk Chocolate Mousse desert – each served with a fitting wine. Theron Group’s catering and hospitality was once again fulfilled to the highest standard.
Our Master of Ceremonies Kaj Kunnas carried over his duties from Tampere in equally stylish fashion, and Ida Elina left the audience in awe with her mastery of the Kantele after dinner, opening with Sibelius’ Finlandia hymn, before shifting to more cheerful tunes with James Bond title song Goldfinger and ABBA’s Mamma Mia – the latter of course stirring the audience into a sing-along.
Former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir John Stuttard then presented his book Pre-War Rolls-Royce Motor Cars with a Finnish Connection, illustrating the interesting and surprisingly extensive history of Rolls-Royce in Finland. Our Chairman Garry Parker then took to the podium to express gratitude towards all of the guests and sponsors that made the evening possible, as well as to the likes of our Executive Director Vladislav Dobrokhotov for his work in organising the successful week.
With bellies full and in conjunction with tea and coffee, event sponsor WineMill provided guests with Petite Brandy Alexander that had been processed by their special ethanol reduction technology, and following the later than anticipated departure HRH Prince Michael of Kent, many of our guests remained at the club bar until closing time – the final marker of a successful evening.
On behalf of B3CF, and with our gratitude to Theron Group, Svenska Klubben and our event sponsors – Bentley Suomi, Beverage Partners Finland, WineMill, and Business Shooting Club Kokkovuori – we wish to thank all our attendees for providing a terrific evening as we emerge from difficult and unpredictable times towards a brighter future full of equally exciting events and opportunities for our members.
Click any picture to see the whole gallery for the event.
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