BritCham to Reveal 100th Member at Landmark 30th Anniversary Gala and Launch Historic Booklet
The British Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (BritCham) will celebrate three decades of enterprise, community, and partnership on Saturday, 15 November 2025, with a grand 30th Anniversary Gala at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh.
The signature black-tie event will feature the live reveal of BritCham’s 100th member, capping off a record year of growth and renewal for one of Cambodia’s longest-standing international chambers. The evening will also include the unveiling of a commemorative 30th Anniversary Booklet sponsored by KPMG, the premiere of a short historical film sponsored by IAAC, and a champagne toast supported by the Vattanac Legends Championship.
Tickets remain available for all to join, click here: Great British Gala – BritCham 30th Anniversary | BritCham Cambodia
A Story 30 Years in the Making
BritCham’s roots trace back to 1995, when a small group of British entrepreneurs established the British Business Association of Cambodia (BBAC). Phnom Penh was then a city in transition, electricity was unreliable, the skyline modest, and “networking” often meant little more than a few bold expatriates gathered at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club to swap business tips over draught beer.
Known affectionately by insiders as the “Bad Boys Association of Cambodia,” the BBAC’s early years were spirited, social, and steeped in camaraderie. Meetings were often held at the Hotel Cambodiana, and members included some of the Kingdom’s earliest multinational investors, KPMG, Shell, Standard Chartered, BAT, and Coopers & Lybrand among them.
From those informal lunches grew a platform that has since evolved into BritCham Cambodia, an accredited, professional chamber representing British and Cambodian businesses at every level. Over 30 years, BritCham has become a bridge between business and diplomacy, hosting prime ministers, ministers of commerce, British ambassadors, and world-renowned guests including Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Cliff Richard, and Lord Puttnam.
Quotes
Mr. Martin Darby, Executive Director, BritCham Cambodia, said:
“Thirty years ago, BritCham’s founders met over beers and handshakes. There were no offices, no staff, and little infrastructure — just determination and goodwill. Today we stand as a network of more than 100 members across education, finance, technology, manufacturing, and creative industries. Revealing our 100th member at the gala is more than symbolic — it marks a new era for British business in Cambodia.”
Mr. Paul Dodd, Chairman, BritCham Cambodia, added:
“The 30th anniversary is a celebration of people — those who built, rebuilt, and reimagined BritCham over three decades. From the pioneers who braved Phnom Penh in the 1990s to the new generation driving Cambodia’s modern economy, this event honours everyone who has contributed to the UK-Cambodia story. We are stronger than ever and ready for the next 30 years.”
A Year of Renewal and Firsts
2025 has been a transformative year for BritCham. Membership tripled since 2024, and a dynamic program of events has re-energized the Chamber’s community. Highlights included the first-ever Chinese x British C-Suite Networking Night, connecting senior executives from both countries in an unprecedented exchange of business culture and collaboration.
BritCham also launched the Joint Trade and Investment Forum (JTIF) with the British Embassy, hosted a successful British Education Summit, and introduced new social and sporting events, including Wimbledon Watch, a hit at a new Phnom Penh venue celebrating British sport in style.
Traditional favourites such as Burns Night, Free Friday Socials, and the BritCham Cricket Ashes also returned, reinforcing BritCham’s reputation as the most active and community-minded chamber in the country.
This year, BritCham also became a signatory of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and deepened partnerships with De Montfort University, the ASEAN-UK Young Leaders Initiative, and the British Chevening Alumni Association, ensuring that gender inclusion and youth leadership remain central to its future direction.
From Resilience to Renaissance
BritCham’s story mirrors Cambodia’s own transformation. During the 1990s, the city’s business scene was intimate and unpredictable. As founder Seneka Fernando MBE recalled, “Business was very personal, a handshake often mattered more than a signed contract.” Over time, that small, informal network of expatriates evolved into a modern chamber embedded in Cambodia’s growing regional role.
The chamber has survived political change, economic turbulence, and a global pandemic, emerging stronger each time. During the COVID-19 years, BritCham adapted by launching podcasts and virtual forums to help members navigate uncertainty, an approach that earned it respect across the ASEAN region.
By 2025, under the leadership of Executive Director Martin Darby and Chairman Paul Dodd, BritCham stands rejuvenated: financially stable, fully re-registered with the Cambodian government, and now the fastest-growing chamber in the Kingdom.
Celebrating 30 Years Together
The BritCham 30th Anniversary Gala will be more than an evening of fine dining and entertainment — it will be a living tribute to the entrepreneurs, diplomats, and community leaders who helped shape three decades of partnership between the United Kingdom and Cambodia.
The gala will feature interactive “legacy moments” throughout the evening, including stories from the original BBAC “Bad Boys”, archival photographs, and footage capturing the Chamber’s evolution, from its first informal lunch meetings to today’s boardroom partnerships with global firms and Cambodian SMEs alike.
Event Details
- BritCham Cambodia 30th Anniversary Gala
- 15 November 2025
- Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh
Guests will enjoy a gala dinner, British-Cambodian fusion menu, live performances, legacy showcases, and the highly anticipated reveal of BritCham’s 100th member, symbolizing the Chamber’s enduring commitment to growth, inclusion, and partnership.
About BritCham Cambodia
The British Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (BritCham) is an independent, non-profit organisation promoting trade, investment, and professional exchange between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Founded in 1995 as the British Business Association of Cambodia (BBAC), BritCham is now a member of Britain in South East Asia (BiSEA) and a founding member of EuroCham Cambodia. Its members include leading global companies, educational institutions, and Cambodian enterprises with UK links.
With more than 20,000 online followers and a growing subscriber base of 5,000, BritCham remains the most engaged business chamber on social media in Cambodia, a vibrant platform that connects business, diplomacy, and community across both nations.
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
