London, 24 November 2023 - The British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce held its fifth Christmas Gala at the prestigious Institute of Directors in central London. A gathering of some 130 guests brought together distinguished figures from the realms of business, politics, and diplomacy, representing both Slovenia and the UK. A festive yet relaxed evening in pleasant company was traditionally devoted to celebration and networking, as well as to strengthening existing and forging new economic, political, cultural and friendship ties between the two countries.

Barbara Uranjek, CEO of the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, and Luka Vesnaver, Chairman of the Chamber and Partner at Ion Advisory, moderated the event and contributed to the relaxed atmosphere of the evening.

The Gala attracted prominent Slovenian business figures, including Tomislav Kramarić (CEO of Mercator), Tomaž Štokelj (CEO of Holding Slovenske elektrarne), Dejan Paravan (CEO of GEN Energija), Petra Juvančič (Executive Director of the Manager's Association), Matej Golob Matzele (President of the Management Board of Directors of Modra Zavarovalnica), Robert Prelesnik (Partner at Rojs, Peljhan, Prelesnik & Partners), and others. The esteemed gathering also included Nina Kojima and her husband, Tosh Kojima, a renowned London financier.

Beyond being an opportunity for business networking, the event served as a significant occasion for fortifying relations between Slovenia and the UK. The presence of key figures such as the Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič, the State Secretary for the National Nuclear Programme at the Office of the Prime Minister Danijel Levičar, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the UK Simona Leskovar, added to the event's prestige. The British Ambassador to Slovenia Tiffany Sadler, and the Chair of the Board of the British Chambers of Commerce Sarah Howard, also graced the Gala with their presence.

Boštjančič, Levičar, Paravan and Štokelj used their time in London, among other things, to attend a conference on best practices in financing the net zero transition and the financial models used in the UK. More information about the conference, organised by the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Bloomberg, can be found here.

The event was supported by two main partners, the Law firm Rojs, Peljhan, Prelesnik & Partners and Zavarovalnica Triglav.

Photos from the event are available here.