Our Management
Word From The President
18 June 2026 - JBCE Annual General Assembly
Distinguished Board Members, Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs, Working Group Leaders, representatives of our member companies, and colleagues from the Secretariat,
It is a great honour to address you today as the new President of JBCE. I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me and humbled by the opportunity to serve this organisation.
I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of Mr. Saito. He has guided JBCE with dedication and distinction, and I am very conscious that I am following in the footsteps of a highly respected predecessor. I will do my utmost to fulfil the responsibilities of this office and to build upon the strong foundations that have been established.
Throughout my professional experiences, I have developed a strong belief that the best regulation emerges from a constructive and mutually respectful partnership between industry and government.
Achieving this is rarely straightforward. However, when industry can speak with a clear and unified voice, supported by compelling evidence and practical experience, governments can make policy decisions with confidence, knowing that industry is prepared to invest, innovate, and grow in alignment with those policies.
Reaching consensus across industry is not always easy, but independent organisations such as JBCE play a vital role in creating the platform where that consensus can be built.
As I begin my term as President, I see JBCE's role as more important than ever. The economic relationship between Japan and Europe continues to evolve, presenting both opportunities and challenges for our member companies.
Our responsibility is to ensure that the voice of Japanese business in Europe remains trusted, influential, and constructive. We must continue to advocate effectively for policies that support innovation, investment, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
Over the next two years, I hope to contribute to the continued success of JBCE, building on the achievements of those who have come before us while helping to shape an even stronger future relationship between Japan and Europe.
I look forward to working closely with each of you and to supporting the important work of our committees, working groups, and member companies. Together, I am confident that we can continue to strengthen JBCE's impact and deliver real value for our members.
Dr George Gillespie, OBE
Executive Director
HORIBA Ltd
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