Amy Grech Presents Vision for Leading British Ladies Club with Purpose

Chronicle.lu recently sat down with Amy Grech, the new Chair of the British Ladies Club of Luxembourg (BLC), to learn about her background and her vision for this social club for English-speaking women which has existed since 1969.

Amy Grech moved to Luxembourg about 20 years ago from Malta, a change which she said "brought with it new experiences, new challenges and, not the least, a very different climate". She noted that the transition was made "smoother" by the opportunity to reconnect with former university peers and other connections who already lived in Luxembourg. "I appreciated getting to know the local community," she said, adding: "Being fluent in English, Italian and French helped me connect naturally with people, and learning some Luxembourgish further supported my integration into the cosmopolitan community I now proudly call home".

A Maltese-Luxembourgish dual national, Amy Grech has a background in auditing, finance and project management and she worked in the financial sector for more than 25 years. "My roles have allowed me to work cross-functionally and across borders, collaborating with teams around the world. I've had the opportunity to travel extensively across Europe, to the United States and to India multiple times. Through my experience working with the US community and with India, I consider myself not only European, but also global in outlook," the BLC Chair explained. Reflecting on links between Malta and the United Kingdom, she said: "The Maltese connection to the UK runs deep - shaped by history, language, culture and education (sciences and maths are taught in English in Malta) - and that connection continues to resonate strongly with me, especially through my work with the British Ladies Club".

In terms of changes at the BLC, Amy Grech noted a strengthened "social-meets-professional" aspect and the importance of "building bridges" with partners: "One of the most exciting recent developments for the BLC is our newly formed partnership with the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC). This collaboration allows us to combine the strength of our social network with the BCC's professional expertise, offering even greater value to our respective communities. We are very grateful to the BCC for its openness and support -particularly with the British Ambassador now serving as the Chamber's Honorary President - which reinforces the importance of partnerships like these".

"As a social club, we offer connection, friendship and a space for meaningful interaction. The BCC, in turn, brings a strong professional dimension. By joining forces, we're able to offer our members access to enriching events that span both spheres - social and professional - while also welcoming their members into our broader community through our programming," she elaborated. "This is a great example of how like-minded organisations can support each other in resourceful and impactful ways, especially in a not-for-profit context. We look forward to building on this partnership and exploring similar collaborations with other associations that share our values".

Asked what initially drew her to the BLC, she cited "its strong sense of community and shared purpose," adding: "This isn't a professional networking group; it's a social club built around support, friendship and real connection. It's a space where women - whether working professionals, mothers, retirees or somewhere in between - can find belonging. For many of us, the BLC becomes a creative and emotional outlet, a chance to give back and a platform to make a meaningful impact".

She noted that this "spirit of impact" is at the heart of the BLC's actions. "As Chair, I'm proud to work alongside a committee of passionate, highly capable women who bring their full energy and professional excellence to their voluntary roles. Our team operates with a shared sense of purpose and a drive to serve our members and the broader community," she stated, also recalling that all net proceeds from the club's events go directly to two selected charities - one in Luxembourg and one in the UK - voted on each year by BLC members.

In terms of staying relevant in today's rapidly changing world, Amy Grech spoke of "embracing technology with purpose". She noted that the club recognised that "to remain relevant and supportive, [it] must evolve with the times - including embracing the impact of technology. Today, there's a 'smart' version of almost everything, and all age groups in our community are navigating that shift. We want to ensure that the BLC supports this journey - whether it's helping a member embrace new tools like AI or streamlining our event planning with smarter systems".

"I've even received ChatGPT-generated suggestions from long-standing members who are exploring how we can use AI to manage processes more efficiently," she continued. "For a volunteer-led asbl like ours, technology opens up new possibilities: it allows busy professionals to contribute more easily, helps reduce administrative load and enhances the way we serve our community - without compromising our personal, human touch".

Looking ahead, the BLC Chair said some of the club's "most anticipated events this year reflect the very best of the BLC's ethos: our beloved annual car boot sale, the festive Christmas lunch and this year - very excitingly - our first Gala Night in five years, scheduled for 11 October". She recalled that the previous gala (held in May 2019) had marked the BLC's 50th anniversary. The upcoming one is "especially meaningful as we look forward to the next chapter," she said. "Importantly, events like the gala are open to members of all genders and several activities are open to non-members too, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and community-wide engagement".

In terms of the club's target audience, Amy Grech stressed that "at its core, the BLC exists to serve the women of today - and those of yesterday who are still shaping the present. Whether you're balancing work, family, retirement or simply seeking meaningful connection, there's a place for you here. We're proud to offer not just events, but a sense of belonging, purpose and partnership".

"I truly believe in the power of women coming together with shared purpose and drive - when that happens, the impact is not just meaningful, but exponential. The sense of solidarity, support and intergenerational community we experience within the BLC is something rare and deeply enriching. It's a space where women can connect with others, but also reconnect with themselves - across life stages, backgrounds and experiences,” she added.

"That kind of input and insight isn't something you typically find in a workplace - it grows from within a community that's built on empathy, trust and shared intent," Amy Grech emphasised, before concluding: "And for that reason, I can only look to the future of the BLC with deep optimism and excitement for what we will continue to build - together".