Winfield House, Regents Park, London was the setting to celebrate the 246th anniversary of U.S. Independence and featured an address from the Embassy’s new Ambassador.
BABC Texas Patron Member, Flexeserve was privileged to be invited to the prestigious event by Rosemary Gallant and her U.S. Embassy commercial team, who have helped the hot-holding experts with their transatlantic aspirations. The Independence Day celebrations saw Flexeserve’s CEO, Jamie Joyce reunited with the Embassy’s Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, Rosemary Gallant, who visited The Home of Hot-holding – Flexeserve HQ in Hinckley – earlier this year.
Jamie said: “It’s a great honour to be invited to such a high-profile event. 2022 is an important year for our business, particularly in the U.S., and attending this event is another step that underlines our transatlantic progress.
“Of course, the night is not about us, but we’re delighted to be here. It’s been incredible to hear from the U.S. Embassy’s new Ambassador and to meet with Rosemary and Gus again, so soon after their visit to our facilities.”
Accompanying Flexeserve to the event was Mandy Haque, International Director for the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Vice President of the British-American Business Network (BABN). Mandy said: “It was fantastic to be part of such a prestigious event, and to be there with our valued Patrons, Flexeserve. Their attendance is the result of a relationship we’ve helped nurture between them and the U.S. Embassy – and one that was cemented by the Embassy’s recent visit to Flexeserve’s HQ in the Midlands.”
A special night … and a special host!
One of the event’s key highlights was the address from the Embassy’s new U.S. Ambassador to the UK, Jane Hartley. Jane was appointed to the post in January of this year by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in May. In her speech, the Ambassador spoke of Independence Day, her new role and the importance of U.S. and UK relations. She also marked the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by acknowledging her extensive contributions in public service: “For 70 years, her selfless devotion to the peoples of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth has inspired us. And throughout her reign, the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom has grown stronger and closer.
“So tonight, we raise our glasses to Her Majesty The Queen, to 246 years of the United States of America – and to the dynamic, essential, world-changing
partnership that our very Special Relationship represents.”
Food-to-go – U.S.-style!
The evening also featured live entertainment, refreshments and an impressive range of American hot food-to-go, including mac ‘n’ cheese, pizza and plant-based burgers. Jamie commented: “With Flexeserve units, you can hot-hold a diverse range of food-to-go – and particularly these American-themed dishes – from gourmet hot dogs, burgers and pastrami sandwiches to pretzels and warm pastries.”
Winner of the Queen’s Award for Innovation 2022, Flexeserve is advancing how the industry serves hot food by helping customers achieve unrivalled hold times, maintain great food quality and deliver excellent customer experience.
Words from the U.S. Embassy
Gus Franklyn-Bute, Senior Regional Investment Advisor of the U.S. Embassy, said: “Celebrating Independence Day is a key event in the Embassy’s calendar. This year’s is made even more so, being the first with our new Ambassador, and we are keen to introduce her to businesses – like Flexeserve – that are investing in the U.S. “We’re doing great work with Flexeserve and we trust they appreciated the street food at our event, after the delights they so kindly treated us to from their hot-holding units at Flexeserve HQ!”