Our Mission

Founded on the principle of delivering tangible value, the Czech British Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) serves as a premier hub for companies and professionals seeking strategic insight and support.

Originally launched in partnership with the Embassy of the Czech Republic, the Chamber plays a vital role in strengthening the economic bridge between the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.

Through curated events and expert-led discussions, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that drive bilateral investment and cross-border success.

The CBCC operates as an independent, member-led non-profit, guided by an Executive Committee that reflects the expertise and diversity of our professional network.

To realise our mission, the CBCC orchestrates a diverse portfolio of high-impact initiatives:

  • Knowledge Exchange & Networking: We curate a calendar of high-level seminars, conferences, and networking forums designed to foster intellectual exchange and cultivate a robust community of industry leaders and advisors.
  • Strategic Advocacy & Representation: We serve as a vital liaison between the private sector and government, engaging with UK and Czech authorities to influence trade policy and representing our members' interests through national and international affiliations.
  • Business Intelligence & Advisory: Through our digital platform and extensive professional network, we facilitate the flow of critical market intelligence and provide streamlined referrals to official bodies, ensuring our members have the resources necessary for cross-border success.

Our objectives

Strengthen economic ties and bilateral trade between the Czech Republic and the UK.

Cultivate a premier networking platform for members to advance shared business interests.

Showcase the professional expertise and industrial excellence of our membership.

Provide strategic guidance for cross-border expansion and investment in both markets.

Meet the Team

Ladislav Hornan

Ladislav Hornan

Honorary President

ladislav@ladislavhornan.com LinkedIn

Ladislav was born in Prague and came to London in 1968 where he completed his education and professional qualifications. Following over two decades as Managing Partner of UHY Hacker Young LLP, a Top 15 accountancy firm, and backed by an extensive career in insolvency, Ladislav has considerable insight and commercial expertise in accountancy, professional services and the wider world of business.

He has also held many positions within the UK's industry steering committees for the profession and with other organisations with an international remit. He has considerable experience in the assessment of financial position and viability of businesses in difficulty, monitoring business progress following the implementation of recovery programs.

Ladislav has worked for a number of industries, including engineering, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacture, contracting, high technology, shipping, clothing manufacturing, retail, property investment, nursing homes, hotels and travel business, often on behalf of major UK banks. His most recent projects include social housing and energy.

As a co-founder he has been closely involved in the establishment and development of the Czech British Chamber of Commerce in London, with the support of the then Ambassador for the Czech Republic in the UK.

Over the years Ladislav has pursued other interests of a charitable nature; in 2005 he was awarded 'Gratias Agit' by the Czech government for promoting the good name of the Czech Republic abroad through numerous activities. He was also presented with a distinguished personality lifetime achievement award as part of the Czech Tourism Awards in 2016 and the Jan Masaryk award granted by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017.

Appointments

  • 2008 to date: Chairman and now President of the Czech British Chamber of Commerce.
  • 1989 to date: Treasurer (1989) then Chairman (1993) of the British Czech & Slovak Association, then President (1998), then Vice-President (2012), then again Chairman (2017) and since 2023 the President (UK Registered Charity).
  • 2010 to 2013: elected to The Council of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants with 500,000 members and students worldwide.
  • 1995: Freeman of the City of London and a Member of the Worshipful Company of Upholders (Livery Company).

Professional qualifications

  • Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (1978 – ACCA, 1983 FCCA).
  • Fellow of the Insolvency Practitioners Association (1978).

Recent professional positions

  • Managing Partner of UHY Hacker Young LLP, Chartered Accountants (1995 to 2016).
  • Chairman of UHY International (2002–2007; 2012–2015).
  • Independent member of the Audit committee of Nova Ljubljanska Banka (2013 to 2015).
  • Non-executive director of the Falcon Housing Association, CIC (2022 to date).
Tereza Urbankova

Tereza Urbankova

Communications Lead

tereza@cbcc.org.uk LinkedIn

Tereza is a PR, communications and marketing professional with over 18 years of experience and proven success in industries such as hospitality, retail, IT, defence, broadcast, logistics and engineering. At the start of her career, Tereza also worked at the Diplomatic Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Over the years, Tereza has delivered several award-winning communications programmes and successful projects in the areas of internal/external communications, media relations, social media management, brand management, online marketing, crisis communications, acquisitions, culture change, employee engagement, and others.

After having lived and worked in the UK for 12 years, Tereza relocated to Germany in 2018 and now works as Senior Manager, Global Media Relations, Boehringer Ingelheim. In 2022, Tereza was elected a Board Member of the European Association of Communications Directors (EACD).

Originally a linguist, with a Master's Degree in English and Spanish from the Masaryk University in Brno, she also occasionally provides PR and communications consultancy services to organisations both in the UK and the Czech Republic. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, cinema, theatre and galleries, travelling, skiing as well as reading.

David Major

David Major

Chairman & Treasurer

dmajor@cbcc.org.uk LinkedIn

David was born in Slovakia but grew up in south-west England. He holds a Bachelor's degree with honours in Management Studies and Politics from the University of Leicester. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) and has worked on audit and corporate finance assignments for a wide range of clients in London and the East Midlands.

David Major served as the Treasurer and more recently the Chairman of the Czech British Chamber of Commerce (CBCC), where he oversees financial operations and strategic initiatives.

In his spare time, David enjoys watching football and ice hockey and has competed in several regional level powerlifting competitions.

Dennis Werian

Dennis Werian

Membership Coordinator

LinkedIn

Dennis was born and raised in Eastern Germany. He has been working in the hospitality sector for over 20 years. He has held various operational roles within hotels, from Kitchen Porter to F&B Manager before his move to operational finance and regional and cluster financial management.

Dennis is currently employed as the Hotel Asset Manager for Danubius and Ensana Hotels, operating over 40 properties and employing over 3,000 people within the CEE region, as well as the UK. Furthermore, he is responsible for two independent properties located in Israel. His role involves physical and financial asset management, as well as expansion and development of the two brands across the CEE region.

Dennis holds an AAT qualification and a Diploma in International Business from Dublin Business School and a Certificate in Hotel and Real Estate Development from Cornell University.

In his spare time he loves travelling, a good book or movie and has a very diverse and eclectic taste when it comes to music.