Business Connexions July 26

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR WANDSWORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Business Connexions Meeting the Challenge

The new Leader of Wandsworth Council, Aled Richards-Jones, tell us about the challenges he faces, how he will support the local business community and what he loves about living in Wandsworth

ALSO: SKILLS | HEALTH & WELLBEING | ECONOMY | EVENTS

Welcome to Business Connexions the official magazine for Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce

As we reach the halfway point of the year, it’s a natural opportunity to pause and reflect. Six months ago many of us set goals, ambitions and plans for 2026. Some will already have been achieved, some may have evolved, and others may still be waiting for the attention they deserve. Before the summer holiday season arrives in full force, now is a good time to take stock of what has been accomplished so far and refocus on what you want to achieve during the second half of the year.

This edition of the magazine explores the theme of Partnerships and Collaboration. In my experience, some of the greatest opportunities in business come not from what we know, but from the people we meet, the relationships we build and the projects we create together. Whether it is through networking, partnerships, referrals, joint ventures or simply sharing ideas, collaboration remains one of the most powerful drivers of business growth and opportunity creation.

The recent Wandsworth Business Awards provided a wonderful example of this in action. As you will read elsewhere in this edition, the awards once again brought together businesses, sponsors, judges, suppliers, partners, Wandsworth Council and the Chamber itself to celebrate the very best of our local business community.

Congratulations once again to all of this year's finalists and winners. The event was a fantastic success and a reminder of what can be achieved when organisations come together around a shared purpose.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Carla Salas for the incredible support she has provided whilst Alexandra Wyatt has been on maternity leave. Carla stepped into the role with enthusiasm, professionalism and commitment, helping to ensure continuity across the Chamber's activities. Many members may not have noticed any difference at all, which is a testament to the fantastic job she has done. As Alex gradually returns between August and October, Carla will begin moving on to new opportunities, and we thank her for everything she has contributed during her time with us.

With a busy programme of events still to come this year, and exciting

plans already taking shape for 2027, there is much to look forward to. As always, thank you for being part of the Wandsworth Chamber community. We look forward to continuing to support, connect and champion businesses across our borough and beyond.

Warm wishes,

Beverley Corson

Chief Executive Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce

Stronger together: Why partnerships and collaboration matter more than ever

In times of economic uncertainty and shifting market conditions, one truth consistently rises to the surface for businesses of all sizes: no organisation thrives in isolation.

Across the borough, businesses are increasingly recognising that meaningful partnerships and collaborative working are not simply “nice to have”. They are essential tools for resilience, innovation and long-term growth.

As Business Connexions readers know well, Wandsworth has always been home to a diverse and entrepreneurial business community. From independent retailers and hospitality venues to professional services, creative agencies and growing SMEs, the strength of the local economy lies in its interconnectedness. In challenging times, that interconnectedness becomes a powerful asset.

Economic headwinds, whether driven by inflationary pressure, supply chain disruption or changing consumer behaviour, can test even the most established businesses. Collaboration offers a way to mitigate risk and unlock new opportunities.

Partnerships allow businesses to pool resources, share expertise and reduce costs. For example, two local firms might collaborate on a joint marketing campaign, reaching a wider audience without doubling expenditure. Others may share physical space, technology or staffing resources to stay agile in uncertain periods.

Within Wandsworth, many Chamber members already embody this spirit. Local digital agencies frequently partner with hospitality and retail businesses to strengthen their online presence,

while professional services firms, such as accountants, legal advisors and consultants, work closely with SMEs to help them navigate complex regulatory and financial landscapes. These relationships are mutually beneficial, driving growth across multiple sectors.

Challenging times often force businesses to rethink their approach – and collaboration can be the spark that drives innovation.

When organisations from different industries come together, they bring unique perspectives and skillsets. This cross-pollination of ideas often leads to creative solutions that would not emerge in isolation. A marketing company working alongside a sustainability consultancy, for instance, might develop compelling campaigns that help businesses communicate their environmental commitments more effectively. Similarly, partnerships between tech firms and traditional businesses can accelerate digital transformation, enabling companies to adapt to new consumer expectations.

Wandsworth’s vibrant mix of sectors makes it an ideal environment for this kind of collaborative

innovation. Chamber events, networking opportunities and forums provide fertile ground for conversations that can lead to transformative partnerships. It is often these informal introductions that evolve into long-lasting commercial relationships.

Perhaps the most significant advantage of collaboration in difficult times is the sense of shared resilience it fosters. Running a business can be isolating, particularly during periods of uncertainty. Being part of a supportive network like the Wandsworth Chamber provides reassurance as well as practical benefits.

Members regularly share insights, advice and recommendations, helping each other to avoid pitfalls and identify opportunities. Whether it’s guidance on funding options, introductions to trusted suppliers or simply a sounding board for new ideas, these connections can make a tangible difference.

Chamber members are known for taking a proactive role in supporting others within the community. From hosting workshops and mentoring programmes to offering pro bono advice, these businesses demonstrate that collaboration is about more than commercial gain, it’s about strengthening the wider ecosystem.

Another growing trend among Wandsworth businesses is the prioritisation of local partnerships. By working with nearby suppliers, service providers and collaborators, companies can reduce logistical challenges while supporting the local economy.

For example, a restaurant that is sourcing ingredients from local producers, working with a local PR agency and using a nearby print company for menus creates a network of mutually reinforcing relationships. This not only shortens supply chains but also keeps investment within the borough, benefitting the wider community.

Members of the Wandsworth Chamber are particularly well placed to take advantage of this approach. The Chamber acts as a connector, making it easier for businesses to discover and engage with trusted local partners.

At the heart of successful collaboration lies trust. Building strong partnerships requires openness, clear communication and a willingness to align goals.

In challenging times, trust becomes even more critical. Businesses need to feel confident that their partners will deliver, adapt and support shared objectives. This is where established networks like Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce come into their own. Membership provides a level of credibility and reassurance, making it easier to build connections based on shared values and professional standards.

Relationships developed through the Chamber often extend beyond individual projects. Over time, they evolve into long-term partnerships that provide stability and continuity, which is an invaluable asset in uncertain conditions.

Practical steps to strengthen collaboration

For businesses looking to maximise the benefits of partnership, there are several practical steps to consider:

• Engage actively with the Chamber community: Attend events, join discussions and make the most of networking opportunities.

• Be open to cross-sector collaboration: Some of the most valuable partnerships come from unexpected places.

• Share knowledge and insights: Position your business as a supportive, engaged member of the community.

• Seek complementary strengths: Identify organisations that can fill gaps in your expertise or extend your reach.

• Invest in relationships: Collaboration is not transactional. It requires ongoing effort and mutual commitment.

While no one can predict the exact nature of future challenges, one thing is certain: collaboration will continue to play a defining role in how businesses adapt and thrive.

For Wandsworth Chamber members, the opportunity is clear. By embracing partnerships – both within the borough and beyond – local businesses can build resilience, drive innovation and create a stronger, more connected economy.

At Business Connexions, we celebrate these connections. It is through shared ideas, shared effort and shared ambition that the Wandsworth business community continues to flourish, even in the face of uncertainty.

In a rapidly changing world, the message has never been more relevant: together, we are stronger.

Challenging times often force businesses to rethink their approach – and collaboration can be the spark that drives innovation.

Photo: Charlie Round-Turner of Round Turner Visuals

Partnering with AFC Wimbledon: Connecting Businesses and Communities

AFC Wimbledon are preparing for another exciting season in League One and with the new campaign comes an incredible opportunity for local businesses to explore the commercial opportunities available through a partnership with the Club.

Whether you're a local start-up looking to increase awareness, a growing company seeking new customers, or an established brand aiming to engage passionate audiences, AFC Wimbledon offers a unique platform that combines strong community roots with increasing national exposure.

The fan-owned club has experienced explosive growth in the 2025/26 season. Rising numbers of memberships and a growing supporter base has seen the record attendance at the Cherry Red Records Stadium broken three times alone.

Not only did the men’s first-team side secure their safety for another season in League One, AFC Wimbledon Women also dramatically secured their place in the third tier.

There are opportunities for brands to align with our Women’s team as well as our Men’s team and partnership opportunities extend far beyond the local area.

League One fixtures are regularly broadcast on Sky Sports and distributed internationally through the EFL’s global broadcast network, giving partners valuable visibility on a national and international stage.

AFC Wimbledon offers flexible partnership packages designed to suit organisations of all sizes and objectives.

Commercial opportunities for the 2026/27 season include premium assets such as Women’s Sleeve Sponsorship, Women’s Back-of-Shirt Sponsorship, Matchday Digital Partnership and Matchday Presentation Partnership.

These can be complemented by a range of activations, including but not limited to: LED advertising, pitch-side boards, big screen promotions, social media campaigns, newsletter features, email marketing, player appearances and fan zone activations, helping partners maximise their brand exposure and engagement.

Beyond marketing benefits, becoming an AFC Wimbledon partner also means joining the Club’s Official Business Club. The Business Club is powered by Sage and brings together organisations from a variety of sectors, creating valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration and business development throughout the season.

As a fan-owned club built on community values, AFC Wimbledon offers something increasingly rare in modern sport: authenticity.

Businesses that partner with the club become part of a story that resonates with supporters, customers and the wider community.

Speaking on their partnership with the football club Phil Simmonds, Chief Investment Officer at Private Office Asset Management, said: "We've worked with other football clubs in the past and couldn't be more pleased with AFC Wimbledon. It's been fantastic. We've thoroughly enjoyed it and hope we're here for another decade or more."

Rumz Habib, Director of New Business & Acquisitions, added: "It means the world to us. There's no better club to do it for than Wimbledon. The staff, players and management are incredibly welcoming. It's the only club where you can walk into the main lounge and it feels like your living room."

For members of the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce looking to raise their profile, generate new business opportunities and connect with audiences locally and nationally, AFC Wimbledon offers a compelling partnership proposition.

To learn more about how AFC Wimbledon can help your business achieve its goals, contact Andrew Stead and Jack Briggs at commercial@afcwimbledon.ltd.uk.

Why Collaboration and Partnerships Matter More Than Ever

By Beverley Corson, CEO, Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce

Throughout my career, one thing has become increasingly clear to me: some of the greatest opportunities in business come not from what we know, but from who we know, who we learn from, and what we create together.

Over the last 17 years of supporting business owners, and nearly five years leading Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, I have seen first-hand the power of collaboration and partnership to open doors, solve problems, spark innovation, and create opportunities that might never have existed otherwise.

In today's business environment, that feels more important than ever.

A Time of Change and Opportunity

Businesses are navigating economic pressures, rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty, skills shortages, changing customer expectations, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and an ever-increasing pace of technological innovation.

At the same time, we are living through one of the greatest periods of opportunity many of us will experience in our careers.

New technologies are creating new possibilities. New markets are emerging. New ways of working are reshaping how businesses operate. Ideas that seemed impossible just a few years ago are now becoming reality.

In a world of rapid change, one of the greatest competitive advantages available to any business is its ability to create opportunities. And one of the most powerful ways opportunities are created is through collaboration and partnership.

The pace of change is simply too fast for any individual, business or organisation to have all the answers.

That is why staying connected matters.

Collaboration and Partnership – Similar, Yet Different

Collaboration and partnership are closely related, but they are not quite the same thing.

Collaboration is often where it begins. It may start with a conversation, the sharing of ideas, working together on a project, solving a problem, or helping one another achieve a common goal. Partnership tends to go deeper. It is built on trust, alignment, commitment, and a shared desire to create long-term value together.

In many cases, collaboration leads to partnership. Equally, strong partnerships rely on ongoing collaboration to thrive.

Both require similar qualities: trust, openness, generosity, curiosity, and a genuine desire to create mutual value.

At their heart, both are about recognising a simple truth:

Together, we can often achieve more than we can alone.

Collaboration and Partnerships are Engines of Opportunity Creation

One of the greatest benefits of collaboration is not simply solving existing challenges; it is creating new opportunities.

Time and again, I have seen conversations spark ideas that neither party had considered before. A new partnership. A new project. A new customer relationship. A new initiative. Sometimes even a completely new direction.

Often the most valuable opportunities emerge when different perspectives, experiences and strengths come together.

One of the things that continually reminds me of the power of collaboration is seeing what happens after our events.

A conversation over coffee leads to a meeting. A meeting leads to an introduction.

An introduction leads to a new client, a partnership or a project.

Often the people involved don't realise where that opportunity will lead when they first meet.

That is the exciting thing about collaboration and partnership. The value is not always in the immediate outcome. Sometimes it is in the opportunities that emerge weeks, months, or even years later.

Building BRIDGES

Over the years, I have come to think of successful collaboration and partnership as a process of building bridges.

The businesses, leaders and communities that thrive are often those that become skilled bridge builders. They build bridges between people, organisations, sectors, ideas and opportunities.

The BRIDGE approach provides a useful way of thinking about how those relationships are created:

B – Build Relationships

Everything starts with people. Trust remains the foundation of every successful collaboration and partnership.

R – Recognise Opportunities

Stay curious. Opportunities often emerge from unexpected conversations, industries and connections.

I – Invest in Others

The strongest relationships are built through contribution, support and genuine interest in helping others succeed.

D – Develop Shared Value

The best collaborations and partnerships create value for everyone involved.

G – Grow Together

Collaboration allows us to combine strengths, knowledge, perspectives and resources in ways that accelerate growth and innovation.

E – Expand Impact

Together we can often achieve outcomes that would be difficult to achieve alone.

The Chamber as a Bridge Builder

This philosophy sits at the heart of what Chambers of Commerce have always sought to do.

A Chamber is, in many ways, a bridge-building organisation.

We connect businesses with opportunities.

We connect people with expertise.

We connect organisations with partners. We create spaces where ideas can be shared, relationships can be formed, and opportunities can emerge.

Every event, introduction, partnership and conversation has the potential to create value far beyond that initial interaction.

Even our Business Awards are a powerful example of partnership in action. They only happen because businesses, sponsors, judges, suppliers, media partners, the council and the Chamber come together around a shared purpose. No single organisation could create the same impact alone. It is the combination of contributions, perspectives and commitment that makes it possible.

Thank You to Our Partners

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Patron Members, sponsors, partners and supporters who contribute so much to Wandsworth Chamber and the wider business community.

Through collaboration, partnership and a shared commitment to supporting local businesses, they help create opportunities that benefit organisations across our borough.

Their support is a reminder that meaningful progress is rarely achieved alone.

A Final Thought

One of the privileges of leading Wandsworth Chamber is witnessing these connections happen every day.

Conversations become introductions.

Introductions become relationships.

Relationships become collaborations, partnerships, opportunities and growth.

The businesses that thrive will be those that remain curious, connected and open to opportunity.

In a world that is changing faster than ever, perhaps one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is not simply:

"What opportunity am I looking for?"

But:

"Who should I be building bridges with?"

Because often the most exciting opportunities don't arrive fully formed. They are created together.

Wandsworth Business Awards 2026

An incredible evening was enjoyed by all at the Wandsworth Business Awards 2026, held at The Clapham Grand on Wednesday 10th June.

Theawardsbroughttogether businessesfromacrossthe boroughtocelebratethetalent, innovation,andsuccessthatmake Wandsworth'sbusinesscommunity sovibrant.Itwasinspiringtoseeso manyoutstandinglocalbusinesses recognisedfortheirachievements..

Congratulations to all of this year's finalists and winners. Being shortlisted is a fantastic accomplishment, and every business should be immensely proud of its success.

Wandsworth Chamber would like to thank everyone who helped make the evening possible, including our sponsors, partners, suppliers, judges, and guests. A special thank you to The Clapham Grand, our host John Inverdale, Hand Fulla Soul, Charlie RoundTurner, The Quick Brown Fox, Enable, Jackie Filmer, and Cremoloso Gelato for helping create such a memorable celebration. Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended and joined us in celebrating the very best of Wandsworth business.

Congratulations once again to all our winners and finalists—we look forward to doing it all again next year.

Photos: Charlie Round-Turner.

Innovation Award

Winner: Switched On London

Highly Commended: La Finestra Commended: Whirlylicious Environmental/Sustainability Champion

Winner: Switched On London

Highly Commended: Cognito Hair Commended: Merry Go Round Club

Diversity and Inclusivity Champion

Winner: Park Hyatt London River Thames

Highly Commended: Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel & Spa

Commended: Wimbledon Common Care

Home Avery Healthcare and Foster + Partners

Health and Wellbeing Award

Winner: Your True Reflection

Highly Commended: Spiro Health and SOMA Yoga Wandsworth Commended: Kidz4 and Live Free Wellness

Best Customer Service

Winner: Minar Jewellers

Highly Commended: Jefferson's Ice Cream Commended: The Wild Hare

Best Independent Hospitality Business

Winner: Jefferson's Ice Cream

Highly Commended: Cafe Tamra T/A Simply Homemade Commended: Lockdown Bakehouse

Best Creative Sector Business

Winner: Jigsaw Performing Arts School Balham

Highly Commended: The Wild Hare Commended: The Quick Brown Fox Video Production

Best Independent Retailer

Winner: Minar Jewellers

Highly Commended: Robbies Photographics Commended: FEDCG LTD T/A CHALKBOARD

Best Charity Award

Winner: Learn to Love to Read

Highly Commended: Age UK Wandsworth Commended: Royal Academy of Dance

Best Start Up Business

Winner: The JJ Club Group

Highly Commended: Merry Go Round Club Commended: Elsie & Marj

Best Micro Business

Winner: The Quick Brown Fox Video Production

Highly Commended: Cognito Hair Commended: Epsilon Communications and Mix & Munch

Best SME Business

Winner: Reach CM

Highly Commended: Switched On London Commended: Furzedown Builders

Best Large Business

Winner: Assael Architecture

Highly Commended: Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel & Spa Commended: Edward James

Business Owner/Entrepreneur of the Year

Winner: Edward James from Edward James London Salon & Spa

Highly Commended: Charles Reay-Smith from Reay Smith Property

Commended: Kirsty Leighton from Milk & Honey PR and Lauren Weston from Kidz4

Best Overall Business

Winner: Minar Jewellers

The Wandsworth Business Awards would not be possible without the generous support of the sponsors and we would like to say a big thank you to all this year’s sponsors including:

• Wandsworth Council

• South Thames College

• Battersea Power Station

• Howden Insurance

• Roehampton Club

• Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa

• Russell Cooke

• Displayways

• Enable

• Park Hyatt London River Thames

• Mount Anvil & Peabody

It was a fantastic evening that truly represented the business community in Wandsworth. Watch this space for plans for the 2027 Wandsworth Business Awards!

| Chamber Awards

It was a wonderful experience and everyone was so kind. I had the most amazing time.

Abigail, Director Your True Reflection

Our team had an amazing time at the awards and truly appreciate the recognition of the award of Best SME. Thanks to everyone at the chambers for affording us the opportunity to enter.

Sandra, PA to MD at Reach CM

Thank you so much- after 23 years in the community, it is our first award and it feels so special to have come from you guys. Honestly, we are over the moon and all our families and children were buzzing about it on Saturday, especially as they all got free cake!

The evening was wonderful; we had so much fun - perhaps too much fun. Thanks for organising such a brilliant celebration and event.

Emily, Director at Jigsaw Arts Balham

Yes, a very successful evening! The food was great, the venue looked fabulous and I thought John did a great job interviewing everyone. Well done to Beverley and Carla for organising everything and making sure everything went so smoothly.

Julia Pittman, Head of Customer Strategy at Beaver Pest Control

Just a quick note to say well done to you and your team for an excellent Business Awards- everything went well and it was a great showcase for the Chamber

Marc Newey, Chief Executive at

Roehampton Club

Great pubs will always bring people together

Josie Hillage, Sales and Partnerships

Manager

of

Chamber Patron

Young & Co’s

Brewery,

tells Karen

McLauchlan

why proud heritage combined with a modern edge has proved to be the secret of the company’s success.

There’s nothing quite like a great pub – a cornerstone of the community where good people, good food and good times come together.

It’s also an ethos at the core of Young’s, the hospitality business with its roots firmly grounded in the heart of South-west London.

Young & Co’s Brewery was founded almost 200 years ago. The independent family business that bought a brewery and 82 London pubs in 1831 has kept growing and gaining momentum. Still headquartered in Wandsworth, it now has around 270 pubs – and pubs with roomsstretching across the capital and the south of England.

“London has always been our heartland and our foundations are in Wandsworth,” said Josie Hillage, Sales and Partnerships Manager at Young & Co’s Brewery.

“But now our pubs stretch out all the way to the south coast and up as far as Cambridge and Swansea.”

The UK pub trade is notoriously challenging, facing rising costs and high taxation. But Young’s has managed to not just survive but thrive in a difficult market.

“I think our secret is consumer knowledge,” said Josie, “we know what people are looking for and we deliver on that.

“We have huge flexibility in our pubs in terms of what we can offer and have been able to optimise opportunities. Our pubs can host a meeting through to after work drinks, a Sunday lunch for the family, or an evening with friends followed by an overnight stay. We’ve also invested in our pubs and our sales and marketing campaigns.

“People still want to go to the pub for a pint, but they also want great food, a place to host a party, somewhere to stay for the night – they want a premium experience.”

Josie says getting the offering right has become even more important since the Covid pandemic with customers more discerning about where they spend their free time, the pubs they visit and the standards they expect.

Young’s has invested in its premium offering - traditional Sunday roasts accompanied by a build-your-own

Bloody Mary bar, outdoor kitchens with seasonal produce and its very own Burger Shacks are just some of the ways it is appealing to an increasingly eclectic crowd.

“You’ve got to be versatile and react to change,” she said.

Heritage is a huge part of the Young’s story. Brands such as Young's London Original, once brewed at the Ram Brewery in Wandsworth, continues to be served at its outlets. But spotting future shifts in the food and drink market is equally important.

“We’re very proud of our beer offering,” said Josie, “a lot of work goes into keeping up to date with new trends.”

But some things hold firm; the ethos set by Young’s in 1831 - a family business running “proper pubs” – remains just as true today.

Young’s continues to expand and grow. Earlier this year it announced the acquisition of the eight-strong Cubitt House gastropub and hotel collection, adding premium central London venues to its growing portfolio.

The World Cup is making for a busy summer and the team is already well on with planning for Christmas 2026.

Bringing people together is the joy of a trip to the pub – but that also goes for Young’s role as a Patron of the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce.

“We joined in September 2025 and for us it’s all about growing partnerships and raising visibility of what we do in our heartland area,” said Josie.

“We’ve already hosted a lovely Patron event at The Alma pub, in the heart of Wandsworth town.

“It was wonderful to meet so many like-minded business leaders. It’s great when people come together and you have that collective. Being together we share the challenges we are all facing right now – but also the solutions.”

Josie praised the “amazing” team at Wandsworth Chamber, highlighting the work of CEO Beverley Corson and Business Development and Relationship Manager Carla Salas saying the team offers huge help and support.

“Collaboration is important for businesses of any size,” she said. “The Chamber provides so many opportunities to promote your business and makes them really accessible. Plus there are great meetings and networking events.

“When you bring people together there are always lessons to be learned and knowledge to be shared. That’s so valuable.”

The 360 Inventory Service That Sees Everything

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James Thomson

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Mark Mahoney

New Covent Garden Marketwhere rich heritage and a modern future make the perfect recipe

Robert McAuliffe, General Manager of Chamber Patron

Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA), tells Karen

McLauchlan

how London’s historic wholesale produce market is strengthening its role as the heartbeat of South east London

Withahistorystretchingbackmore than800years,NewCoventGarden Marketstandsastheenduring engineofLondon’shospitalityand floristrytrade.

The wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market relocated to Nine Elms in the heart of Wandsworth at the end of 1974. Alive with activity in the pre dawn hours, it is home to almost 140 businesses, who employ 2,500 staff and collectively turnover £944 million a year.

But with life constantly shifting, the market has also evolved and is nearing the end of a 10-year redevelopment. Consolidating a 57-acre site into a modernised 38-acre hub has freed up space for residential and mixed-used development.

The Fruit and Vegetable Market has been rebuilt; the Food Exchange has created a home for London’s up-and-coming food entrepreneurs and the site’s Mission Kitchen is a vital incubator for fledgling food firms.

The final phase is construction of a brand-new Flower Market. But the plans don’t stop there.

Robert McAuliffe was appointed General Manager of Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA), which governs the market, in November last year.

“We want the market to become more public facing, to be a new destination for London – like European markets,” he said. “The sky’s the limit; we could create something really special here.”

Despite its deep roots in London’s food and drink trade, the market attracts surprisingly few individual shoppers or visitors.

But things are changing. A new residential community is growing, plus the transformation of nearby Battersea Power Station and the opening of Nine Elms tube station in 2021 has made the area more desirable and accessible than ever.

The public are also demanding more when it comes to what they eat. Authentic, locally sourced food with clear provenance makes the market an attractive place to buy from.

“We have big aspirations and we’re looking at what we could do here for the local area, for London and the UK,” added Robert.

He says people are starting to come and shop at the market and tenants – who traditionally operate through the night to serve everyone from Michelin starred restaurants to local cafes and florists – are also beginning to open on a Saturday morning for local people. “It’s evolving very organically,” he added.

With the current redevelopment due to complete within two years, Robert said plans for beyond 2028 will become clearer later this year, building on the market’s readiness to be a place to visit, shop and dine.

“By mid-2027 we want to cost out and develop those plans, so when the current development finishes in 2028 we can push the button on the next project.”

It’s clearly people that make New Covent Garden Market tick – generations of families working their trade, some able to trace their heritage back to the 13th Century.

“It’s a unique culture,” said Robert, “this is a 24/7 business and people who work here are in it for life. We have fifth generation traders, people who started out as farmers. It’s absolutely fascinating watching them at work.”

And as a Patron of the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, Robert says he wants to help bring more people together.

“Chamber meetings are a great way to meet lots of different people in the local business community and make unexpected connections,” he said.

“Once our redevelopment is finished, we will have the ability to host events and I’d love to think we will be providing a space where people can meet and make those connections.

“It will also give local people the opportunity to come to our site and understand what it is –and spread the word. It’s so important for us to develop ourselves in the consciousness of the local business community.”

A sense of place and community is vital to New Covent Garden Market. Situated between Vauxhall and Battersea on the south edge of the River Thames, it was once an area dominated by industry.

Now it is regeneration in action; thousands of new apartments, thriving businesses plus the neighbourhood is also home to the US Embassy.

“A whole new area of London has been created,” said Robert, “and we are slap bang in the middle of it. That creates a huge opportunity for us.

“There’s such potential to create a public facing side to the market, that looks out to the US Embassy and tube station, where you can buy the best produce, eat great food, spend time – and bring even more people together.”

FUTURE-PROOFING YOUR HOME

The Path to True Energy Independence

The dramatic shift in our climate, coupled with escalating energy costs, has transformed how we think about our homes. It’s no longer just about paying the monthly bill; it’s about control, sustainability, and long-term security. For many, the goal is clear: to become energy self-reliant. This is known as a full-stack home energy platform - but think of it as your own domestic energy eco-system.

The Roadmap to Independence

Transitioning to an energy-neutral home is a journey, not a switch. It requires an incremental, engineered approach focused on a single outcome: reducing your reliance on expensive hydrocarbons while significantly lowering your bills.

Step 1: The Essentials

The journey starts with the basics. Home insulation, double glazing, and optimized appliance usage - combined with ensuring you are on the best possible deal from your energy supplier - are the foundation. These steps prepare your home to hold onto the energy you generate.

Step 2: The Integrated Upgrade

Once your home is efficient, it’s time to move beyond the basics. We look at a range of high-performance technology solutions - Heat Pumps, Solar PV, Home Batteries, EV Chargers, and Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) - that integrate seamlessly. Because our systems are designed by engineers rather than salespeople, every piece of technology is calibrated to work in harmony, making it easier to implement in stages as your budget and needs evolve.

Why Invest Now?

We understand that driving these solutions requires an initial investment, which is why we help you approach this in stages.

While there are many statistics claiming long-term financial savings, the true value is multidimensional:

• Financial Performance: From government grants for heat pumps to the ability to sell stored energy back to the grid, your home becomes an asset that generates value.

• Property Premium: As energy certification levels rise, your property becomes more desirable and valuable to future buyers.

• Future-Proofing: You are insulating your family against volatile global energy markets and regulatory changes, such as the upcoming phase-out of traditional heating systems.

Your Next Step: If you are thinking about investing in your home, don't just buy a product - create a plan.

Speak to a certified energy company that understands the complexities of urban off-grid living. At Heatility, we work with you to map out a clear energy road-map, providing you with indicative costs and specific, transparent savings. This isn’t just about retrofitting; it’s about future-proofing your property and taking the first step on your domestic energy journey. Contact Heatility today to build your plan for a more sustainable, independent home. To request an estimate call us free of charge on 0800 00 255 00 or visit us at www.heatility.com for information on all of our services

Battersea Power Station’s retail and leisure lineup expands with over 10 new openings confirmed so far for 2026

BatterseaPower Stationisnowhome toover170shops, bars,restaurantsand leisurevenueswith morethan10British andinternational brandssettojointhe lineupsofarin2026.

Battersea Power Station announces more than ten new retail, leisure and cultural openings for 2026, expanding the riverside neighbourhood’s offering to more than 170 shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Early spring saw the opening of Swiss luxury chocolatier Läderach inside the Grade II* listed Power Station and Me Place Nursery in Circus West Village, providing childcare for one- to five-year olds during the week, and a weekend drop-off crèche service for residents, office workers and visitors.

Opening soon inside the Power Station is health-focused café, Jungleberry Acai, and premium blow-dry bar Duck & Dry on Electric Boulevard, the neighbourhood’s pedestrianised high street. Argentine food specialist, Chango Empanadas, will also open inside the new Battersea Power

Station London Underground entrance on Electric Boulevard which opened in October 2025.

Summer builds further momentum with a vibrant mix of international and experiential brand openings including lifestyle brand, Anthropologie, viral Asian dining concept Noodle Inn, modern Japanese restaurant Konjiki, Korean beauty retailer Moida K-Beauty, and high-energy fitness and lifestyle club One City, who have chosen Battersea Power Station to open their first London studio.

Further increasing the high-quality fitness and wellness opportunities at Battersea Power Station, Third Space is taking an additional 13,833 sq ft space at the riverside neighbourhood, expanding its existing 28,000 sq ft luxury health club to meet strong demand.

In early summer, LIPS Healthcare will also expand its services at Battersea Power Station with a new space next to its existing clinic and pharmacy in Turbine Hall B inside the Power Station. The expansion will broaden its offering across preventative care, expert diagnostics, recovery and longevity. It will also feature a skin health clinic, a comprehensive breast care clinic, a state-of-the-art rehab gym, and a dedicated wellness space all under one roof.

Expanding the neighbourhood’s rich leisure offering, Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold is now open at NEON at Battersea Power Station, marking the UK and London debut of the internationally acclaimed ancient Egypt exhibition.

These openings build on a strong wave of new brands added to the Battersea Power Station lineup at the end of 2025, including Moleskine, Waterstones, ThruDark, Alo Yoga, The Salad Project, JENKI Matcha and WatchHouse.

For more information about Battersea Power Station, please visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk

Credit: Charlie Round-Turner

Wandsworth announces "Neighbourhood Programme’ for London Festival of Architecture 2026

WandsworthTown willbeoneoften neighbourhoodsfeatured inthisyear’sLondon FestivalofArchitecture (LFA)2026,running throughoutJune.

Sambrook's Brewery will host a Wandsworth Town event for London Festival of Architecture

This year's festival theme is 'Belonging'. Rooted in unpacking what it means to belong to a neighbourhood, LFA 2026 champions more inclusive spaces, projects and diverse perspectives, celebrating architecture as a space for dialogue, action and transformation.

Neighbourhoods offer Festival attendees the chance to explore parts of London they may never have visited before, while seeing familiar areas through fresh eyes.

Leader-Elect of Wandsworth Council, Cllr Aled Richards-Jones, said: "We're really looking forward to welcoming London Festival of Architecture visitors to this vibrant, energetic riverside neighbourhood. Wandsworth Town has a rich industrial history and is now a thriving town centre. It's central to our strategic plans for the borough's economic growth, and we want everyone who lives, works or visits here to enjoy its history and culture and play a part in its future."

There are several events taking place across the borough throughout June to celebrate The Wandsworth Town Neighbourhood Programme.

Belonging at WIP Space 1-30 June, WIP Space Studios

WIP Space, an artist-run creative studios based at Wentworth House - a Grade II listed Georgian building in Wandsworth Town - presents a monthlong programme of exhibitions, workshops and events.

Belonging In Practice: Chapel Yard takeover

Saturday 20 June, 1–5pm, Chapel Yard

For one afternoon, we take over the historic Chapel Yard, home to the National Opera Studio to reflect on the rich past of this yard and imagine its future together. Expect a live mural project, live opera, a community gardening project, a behindthe-scenes tour of the opera studio, food and a conversation with the Wandsworth Town Property Partnership about their work and the evolving story of this special place.

Belonging in Wandsworth Town: shaping place and culture

Monday 25 June, 10-11am, London Centre, 3 Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH

Join the expert panel of placemaking practitioners and local cultural and business leaders to explore what it means to work together to shape places where culture is not an afterthought, but is embedded as a driving force for connection, belonging and growth. We'll discuss what sort of place-based collaboration is needed to turn ideas and ambitions for Wandsworth Town into real delivery that will shape the area's future identity.

Building Community: Morocco Bound Sunday 28 June, 3-5pm, Morocco Bound Bookshop

Jonathan Dransfield, of Waterhouse Architects and founder of Morocco Bound Bookshop, will lead a panel to discuss how community impacts buildings and how buildings impact community.

The Wandsworth Civic Awards are back for 2026

Shine a light on the people who make Wandsworth a better place, as nominations open for the 2026 Wandsworth Civic Awards.

From quiet acts of kindness to extraordinary achievements, the Wandsworth Civic Awards recognise individuals who have made a real and lasting difference in their communities.

This year’s awards will once again honour outstanding members of our community across six categories:

• Community Champion

• Environmental Hero

• Bravery Award

• Charity Champion

• Cultural Champion

• Young Person of the Year

Whether it’s a neighbour who always goes the extra mile, a volunteer transforming local green spaces, or a young person inspiring others,

now is the time to make sure their efforts are recognised.

Nominate yourself or someone you know

The Mayor of Wandsworth, Cllr Owens, said: “These awards are about celebrating the people who embody the very best of our borough. Time and again, residents step up to support others, strengthen communities and create positive change.

“The Civic Awards give us the opportunity to say thank you and highlight the incredible impact individuals can have.”

How do I nominate someone?

Nominations close on 27 July 2026, with winners due to be honoured at a special ceremony in November.

You can find everything you need to submit a nomination, including category details, on the Civic Awards website.

Businesses across the borough are also encouraged to get involved by sponsoring the awards. Supporting the scheme offers a chance to connect your organisation with inspiring local stories, while benefiting from borough-wide recognition and media coverage.

For more information, contact eventscomms@wandsworth.gov.uk

Peace of mind starts at the top – why highquality roofing is essential

Father and son business partners

Denis Harrington senior and Denis Harrington junior talk to Sarah Dale about the roofing sector, building a trusted local reputation, and why they have a fondness for Coronation Street.

When it comes to protecting a property, few elements are more critical than the roof.

It’s the first line of defence against the elements, and when it’s done well, it offers something invaluable: peace of mind.

That philosophy is at the heart of Senator Roofing & Building Ltd, a family-run company established in January 2021 by Denis Harrington Senior and his son, Denis Junior.

Based in Croydon and serving customers across South West London and Surrey, including Wandsworth, the business has steadily built a reputation for reliability, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

“Our company was founded with a clear commitment to delivering high-quality workmanship, reliable service, and professional solutions for all our customers,” explains Denis senior.

“With the support of highly experienced professionals who bring over four decades of combined knowledge and expertise within the roofing and building industry, we provide a wealth of practical experience to every project we undertake.”

That depth of experience is evident in the breadth of services the company offers. From complete roof installations in tile, slate or felt to minor repairs such as replacing slipped tiles, no job is considered too big or too small. The team also undertakes flat roofing, chimney and leadwork, loft conversions, guttering, cladding, roof maintenance and even emergency storm damage response.

“We have built a strong reputation with a trusted local team of tradespeople who take pride in their work,” Denis senior continues.

“We specialise in a wide range of roofing and building services, working with both

residential and commercial clients to deliver durable, efficient, and carefully finished results. Our focus is always on quality, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction.”

For Denis Junior, combining traditional skills with modern techniques is essential to staying competitive in today’s market.

“At Senator Roofing and Building Ltd, we take pride in combining traditional skills with modern standards, ensuring every job is completed safely, professionally, and to the highest possible standard,” he says.

Technology is also playing an increasing role in the sector. The company now offers drone assessments, allowing roofs to be inspected safely and efficiently – particularly useful for hard-to-reach areas – while giving customers clear visuals of the work required. Crucially, the business places a strong emphasis on transparency and reassurance.

A roof isn’t something people want to worry about. When it’s done properly, it should last for decades. That’s why we take the time to get it right.

Insurance-backed written guarantees of up to 20 years, a 14-day cooling-off period and references available on request all help to build trust with customers making what is often a significant investment.

“A roof isn’t something people want to worry about,” Denis Junior adds. “When it’s done properly, it should last for decades. That’s why we take the time to get it right.”

The company offers a wide range of roofing and building services including new roof installations and replacements in tiles, slate or felt; flat roofing; roofing repairs resulting from leaks, cracked flashings and ridge work; loft conversions; chimney and leadwork installation and repairs; repointing; uPVC guttering installation and repairs; uPVC and aluminium fascias, soffits and bargeboards; cladding, velux and dormer window installation; moss removal and roof cleaning; roof maintenance; interior and exterior painting;

emergency storm damage repair; and drone assessment quotes.

Despite the technical nature of the work, the pair are keen to keep things personable –something that seems to resonate with their clients. Among them is Helen Worth, best known for playing Gail Platt in Coronation Street for nearly 50 years. It’s a connection the family-run business takes pride in, and one that reflects their approachable, community-focused ethos.

As the company celebrates five years in business, the Harringtons remain committed to the principles they started with: high standards, honest service and a genuine passion for their trade.

Because when it comes to safeguarding a home or business, peace of mind really does start at the top.

For more information, visit: www.senatorroofingandbuildingltd.co.uk

Joining the Chamber has many benefits

Ourmissionistoempowerconsumers withinformationaboutWandsworth's greatbusinessesandtospread thewordabouttheimportanceof supportingourlocaleconomy.

CONNECTING YOUR BUSINESS

Being a member of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce gives credibility and easy access to a dynamic business community. It provides ideal opportunities to network in one of London's largest boroughs, with some of the biggest developments in Europe, in a flourishing local economy. Wandsworth is the place to be to enlarge your footprint, develop partnerships and meet suppliers and prospective customers.

Wandsworth Chamber holds around 50 networking events annually. These events provide opportunities for businesses to meet and collaborate with key stakeholders and influencers in the borough helping you to gain the support your business needs. Members attend at free or very preferential rates.

At our Wandsworth Business Forum meetings, held regularly online via Zoom, businesses can get updates and speak directly to senior officers from the council and to our panel of experts.

A VOICE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Wandsworth Chamber has an influential voice in the local process. We enjoy a close working relationship with Wandsworth Council and its senior officers.

Our Partnership with the Council provides information, contacts and many opportunities that are invaluable to members. The Chamber is invited on to many steering groups and working parties, it is represented at town centre meetings, council initiatives, co-hosted events and collaborations. This is not only helpful to our members but also places the chamber as a key influencer and voice for business in the borough.

...AND DON'T FORGET

PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS

As well as the opportunities to connect, the ability to leverage our business voice and availability of business support, membership has numerous other benefits:

3 Members get a Digital Marketing Catalogue set up by our team

3 Members can post their Events and Member's Offers on the Chamber website and have them included in the monthly email to circa 4000 businesses in the borough free of charge

3 Members can use the Chamber's new Jobs Board to help recruit local staff

3

Members can submit articles for our Business ConneXions quarterly magazine placed free of charge if it is good editorial

3 Members can use the 'Trusted Chamber Member' logo on their websites and in marketing messages

3 Sign up to the Wandsworth Events Calendar and never miss a networking opportunity

Let's Talk!

020 3633 6575 anne@wandsworthchamber.org www.wandsworthchamber.org/benefits

We are part of London’s Local Chambers of Commerce forum which brings together chambers from across London, promoting closer communications and sharing ideas and aspirations. Collectively, the LLCC, engages with over 50,000 London based business executives which give our members greater choice and an even stronger voice.

It is fantastic to see Chamber members working together to improve and enhance what they can offer. The benefits are far-reaching to themselves and the community.

Corson, Chief Executive

New Incentives for Employers: Build Your Workforce with Apprenticeships Through STCG

For employers looking to future-proof their workforce, new and now enhanced apprenticeship incentives make the ideal time to invest in talent. South Thames Colleges Group (STCG) supports businesses every step of the way, helping you access funding, reduce costs, and develop skilled employees who add value from day one.

Apprenticeships are no longer just a training route, they are a strategic solution to address skills shortages, improve retention, and grow your business sustainably.

With financial support available, including no employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25, 100% training costs covered for eligible learners, and additional bursaries such as £3,000 for care leavers, taking on an apprentice is more accessible than ever.

How STCG Can Support,

Starting with the End in

Mind

STCG works with employers to deliver a seamless apprenticeship experience:

• Full Recruitment Support: Free advertising, candidate shortlisting, and interview coordination to save you time.

• Progression-Ready Talent: Access to pre-screened Level 2 and Level 3 learners ready to progress.

• Funding Expertise: Guidance on the Apprenticeship Service (DAS), Growth and Skills Levy, grants, and incentives.

• Seamless Onboarding: Structured college induction alongside your company’s induction.

• Regular Progress Reviews: 10-weekly reviews to monitor development and address issues quickly.

• Strategic Partnership: Opportunities to shape curriculum design and support End-Point Assessment success.

Apprentices Deliver Real Business Value

Apprentices bring fresh thinking, technical knowledge, and enthusiasm while developing skills tailored to your business needs. Through structured learning combined with practical experience, they quickly become valuable contributors.

Dana, an Electronic Engineering Technician apprentice, highlights the advantage for employers: “The combination of structured learning and hands-on experience means I can apply new knowledge immediately.” This integration of theory and practice helps

Invest in an apprentice today and build the workforce your business needs for tomorrow.

Please contact business@stcg.ac.uk for more information.

businesses boost productivity while reducing skills gaps.

Harvey, a Manufacturing Engineering apprentice, reflects the long-term benefit apprentices offer: “The structure has helped me build discipline, confidence, and a strong technical foundation.” For employers, this means developing capable professionals who understand the organisation from day one, leading to stronger retention and progression.

What Employers Are Saying

Elias Osman, Cardo Group, explains the wider impact apprenticeships have on businesses: “Hiring apprentices helps us address the skills shortage in the construction industry, and it allows us to deliver on our shared social value with our client RBK by increasing local representation. Training the next generation supports succession planning, while also giving our existing staff opportunities to develop their own leadership skills through coaching. Employers considering apprentices should identify current and long-term skills shortages early, engage with local training providers, ensure there is someone dedicated to supporting apprentice wellbeing, and maintain open dialogue with the provider to quickly address any issues.”

Invest in Talent, Strengthen Your Future

Apprenticeships offer a powerful way to grow your workforce, reduce recruitment costs, and build capability from within. With new incentives, dedicated support, and access to high-quality talent, STCG makes it easy for employers to take the next step.

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP UNIT

Be One Step Ahead

Unlock your workforce potential

Our free Business Partnership service is here to help support you and your business with:

• ACCESSING FUNDING and making the most of new government initiatives

• APPRENTICESHIPS from Level 2 to Level 6 (GCSE to Degree Level)

• EMPLOYEE TRAINING – upskilling and retraining of your employees using our extensive online and training packages

• LEVY SUPPORT and guidance.

You can place your trust in our exceptionally talented team, to build a bespoke plan that meets the specific needs of your business.

LET’S TALK

business@stcg.ac.uk

stcg.ac.uk/employers

POLLY MAY COACHING: Helping businesses grow through better leadership, clearer communication and confident teams

By Polly May, Executive Coach

Running a business can be exhilarating, but it can also be incredibly lonely. Most founders spend their days solving everyone else’s problems, making hundreds of decisions and putting out fires. Very few get the chance to stop, think and ask, “Where are we actually trying to get to?”

That’s where coaching comes in.

For more than 25 years, I’ve helped people communicate with confidence. My career began as a professional singer before I spent 16 years leading music departments in London schools. Today, as an ICF-trained executive coach, I work with founders, entrepreneurs and leadership teams to help them develop stronger communication, clearer thinking and more effective leadership.

One of the things I enjoy most about coaching is watching people realise that they already have many of the answers – they just need the time and space to uncover them. My role isn’t to tell people what to do; it’s to ask the questions that help them think differently and move forward with confidence.

One of my longest-standing clients is the owner of seven successful businesses. When we first started working together, he was doing what so many business owners do – carrying the weight of every decision himself. Over time, our coaching has helped him lead differently, delegate more effectively and

create more space for both his business and his family. As he recently told me, “Having someone independent to challenge my thinking has been invaluable. The coaching has helped me step back from the daily noise, focus on what really matters and make decisions with greater confidence.”

That relationship has also led to leadership workshops within two of his companies. Working with managers and staff, we’ve explored company values, communication, leadership behaviours and mission statements. I absolutely love watching a team have those lightbulb moments together. The conversation shifts from “my department” to “our business”, and suddenly everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Alongside one-to-one coaching, I also deliver workshops and keynote talks for businesses and networking organisations. One recent event saw me working with more than 100 travel professionals on how they communicate what they do. By the end of the session, people had gone from saying they sold “lovely holidays” to describing exactly who they help and why clients choose them. That clarity transforms conversations, networking and, ultimately, business growth.

Whether I’m coaching a founder, facilitating a leadership workshop or speaking to a room full of professionals, everything comes back to one thing: clarity. Because clarity creates confidence. When leaders know where they’re going, what they stand for and how to communicate it, they make better decisions, build stronger teams and create businesses where people genuinely want to be.

inspire@pollymaycoaching.com www.pollymaycoaching.com

Having someone independent to challenge my thinking has been invaluable. The coaching has helped me step back from the daily noise, focus on what really matters and make decisions with greater confidence

Tawny owls among rare species thriving in Wandsworth

Tawny owls are among 4,000 species that make their home in Wandsworth.

Did you know that tawny owls have been breeding in Battersea Park, with the beautiful birds making the most of the expansive green space and mature trees?

Earlier this year, a breeding pair hatched three tawny owl chicks, which have thrived in Battersea Park as they grow and develop into independent adults.

Feeding on rodents, frogs and small birds, the tawny owls are benefitting from the 200 acres of varied habitats at Battersea Park, which include a local nature reserve, a large lake, and grassland areas.

The owls in Battersea Park are some of the only recorded tawny owls in central London, with nature observation app iNaturalist also sharing sightings in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

Wandsworth Council’s ecology team has been supporting the birds by installing owl boxes to support the population due to a recent loss of a nest site during a storm, while workers manage trees to provide natural nesting opportunities long term.

Owen Dodgson, Wandsworth Council’s Ecology Policy and Planning Manager, said: “Tawny owls are a territorial species so it’s important we spread boxes out across Battersea Park's woodlands, given its size.

“The offspring will remain dependant on their parents for food for up to three months, before hopefully finding their own territory in the park or further greenspaces.”

Boost kerb appeal as Wandsworth in Bloom 2026 opens for entries

Showcase your green fingers and make Wandsworth shops, businesses, homes and community spaces more vibrant and diverse.

Wandsworth in Bloom is back for 2026 to bring people together to celebrate pride in beautifully curated green spaces while supporting a more sustainable and biodiverse borough.

Whether you’re planting up a balcony, transforming a shopfront or growing food in your community, there is a category for every kind of gardener. Businesses can boost their kerb appeal by greening their shopfronts and outdoor spaces, helping to create more welcoming, biodiverse high streets. Whilst residents, neighbours and community groups can work together to show how gardens, big or small, can strengthen connections and support local wildlife.

This year’s categories are:

• Best Allotment Plot

• Best Business in Bloom

• Best Balcony or Container Garden

• Best Community Food Growing Site

• Best Community Facility Garden

• Best Front Garden

Schools across Wandsworth are encouraged to take part in the School in Bloom category, designed to celebrate school communities making the borough greener, brighter and better for nature. Open to all nurseries, primary, secondary and special schools, this category includes everything from courtyards and planters to wildlife areas and outdoor classrooms.

There are also dedicated categories for tenants and leaseholders in council-managed buildings:

• Best Private/Remote Garden

• Best Community Gardens

• Best Balcony or Container

All shortlisted entrants will automatically be entered into:

• Best in Show

• People’s Choice

• Most Biodiverse

The competition is free to enter and open to everyone – whether you’re a first-time grower or a seasoned gardener. All entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges including local gardening experts, with winners announced at an awards ceremony.

The deadline for entries is Monday 6 July 2026.

Enter via www.wandsworth.gov.uk

The competition is free to enter and open to everyone – whether you’re a first-time grower or a seasoned gardener.

Step into summer: Northcote Road pedestrianised every weekend

Weekend pedestrianisation returns to Northcote Road from 11 July 2026 for the duration of the summer, transforming the area into a vibrant summer destination.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the muchloved Battersea high street will become a bustling, traffic-free space – perfect for meeting friends, enjoying al fresco dining, and discovering local shops.

This season kicks off in style with the Northcote Road Summer Festival on Sunday 12 July from 11am, setting the tone for a summer of community and culture.

First introduced during 2020 and 2021 to support businesses through the pandemic, the scheme quickly proved popular with both locals and businesses.

The news of its return has been welcomed by local businesses, including David Shaw, who runs The Flower Stand and said the pedestrianisation “brings a whole new lease of life” to the area.

Councillor Tom Pridham, Cabinet Member for Opportunity, said: “Northcote Road is the vibrant heart of the community - a welcoming,

family-friendly hub of independent businesses and a place where people come together to relax, connect, and spend time together. We are delighted to bring back the weekend pedestrianisation over the summer, supporting local businesses while once again transforming Northcote Road into a destination for both residents and visitors.”

What to expect?

Every weekend from 11 July until the late August bank holiday weekend, the streets will be closed to traffic from 6am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday, turning the area into a pedestrian-friendly space, with restaurants and cafés using the street space for additional outdoor seating.

Northcote Road is the vibrant heart of the community

- a welcoming, family-friendly hub of independent businesses and a place where people come together to relax, connect, and spend time together.

Will the Bank of England fix inflation without putting pressure on UK growth?

The current Middle East conflict has put the Bank of England in a uniquely difficult position. Inflation remains stubbornly above target, while the UK economy continues to struggle for momentum.

The key question now for the Bank is whether the current interest rate is sufficient to address the inflation shock or whether a rise in interest rates could be the solution, despite the risk of economic damage.

Weak growth complicates the inflation fight

The current situation differs from 2022, when the sharp rise in energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, alongside post Covid supply chain disruption, drove a major inflation surge and forced the Bank of England into aggressive rate hikes.

Today, the UK economy is starting from a much weaker position, with slower growth, higher unemployment, and interest rates already at relatively restrictive levels compared with 2022.

The BCC’s latest forecast expects the UK economy to grow by just 0.9% this year, reflecting the impact of the conflict in Iran and higher energy costs. Unemployment is expected to peak at 5.2% this year, while inflation is expected to rise to 3.8% by the end of 2026. We then expect the Bank to hold rates at 3.75% throughout the rest of 2026, given that monetary policy is already relatively tight. CaterinaBatog, Researchand EconomicsAnalystat BritishChambersof Commerce,explores whatthelatestBCC forecastshowsand whymonetarypolicy alonemaynotbe enoughtoaddress theBank'sdilemma.

The dilemma is clear: cutting rates too early could allow inflationary pressures to rise again, while keeping them elevated for too long risks placing further strain on households and businesses already facing high costs.

This broadly aligns with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has argued that keeping rates on hold could help bring inflation back under control. The IMF’s view is that keeping interest rates on hold would maintain a sufficiently restrictive monetary stance to limit “second-round effects” and keep long-term inflation expectations anchored.

What are second-round effects, and will they happen again?

In assessing the future path of interest rates, the IMF looks closely at whether inflation is becoming more persistent across the wider economy. This includes monitoring so-called “second-round effects”, where higher energy and input costs begin feeding into wages and broader business pricing, creating a cycle of longer-lasting inflation.

Businesses facing higher costs may raise prices, while workers may push for higher pay to keep up with living costs, creating a cycle that keeps inflation elevated for longer.

The IMF has argued that interest rates should remain sufficiently restrictive to prevent these pressures from becoming embedded.

So, could second-round effects emerge again?

The risk cannot be ruled out, particularly if tensions in the Middle East continue to push up global energy prices. However, the current economic backdrop differs from 2022.

Second round effects are more likely when businesses feel able to keep raising prices and workers are in a strong enough position to negotiate higher wages. At the moment, weaker demand and a softer labour market may limit both of these pressures, reducing the risk of inflation becoming more deeply embedded across the economy.

Against this backdrop, a pause in interest rate changes could prove the most balanced approach for the Bank of England, provided inflation expectations remain stable and inflation doesn’t spike over the longer term.

The trajectory of the conflict in the Middle East and energy prices, will remain key factors for the Bank to monitor.

Monetary policy alone may not be enough

Today’s economic environment is being shaped by geopolitical instability, higher energy costs, weak growth, and ongoing uncertainty around global trade. As businesses begin to adjust to one shock, another quickly emerges, making long term planning, investment, and hiring difficult.

Alongside higher energy prices, businesses are now facing rising domestic costs linked to higher labour costs, increases in employer NICs and ongoing trade frictions.

In this context, interest rates alone may not be enough to restore stability. While monetary policy can help slow inflation by weakening demand, higher rates could put additional costs pressures for households and businesses.

The Bank of England has highlighted that higher interest rates increase mortgage and loan repayments, leaving consumers with less money to spend, while more expensive borrowing discourages consumers and businesses to invest.

Growth will therefore depend not only on monetary policy, but also on policy coordination. Businesses continue to highlight the need for lower labour costs and taxation, improvements to UK–EU trading arrangements, and a clearer long term economic strategy to support investment and productivity.

The challenge for the Bank of England is no longer simply controlling inflation but doing so without causing further damage to growth. A more stable and resilient economy will also require coordinated government action to reduce business costs, improve certainty, ease trade barriers, and support long term investment and productivity.

Today, the UK economy is starting from a much weaker position, with slower growth, higher unemployment, and interest rates already at relatively restrictive levels compared with 2022.

• Wednesday 1st July

Wandsworth Business Forum, Online 8 – 9.30am

• Wednesday 8th July

Summer Party in Battersea Park in Partnership with Enable 6 – 9pm

• Thursday 30th July

Netwalking in Wandsworth Common 6 – 9pm

NO EVENTS IN AUGUST

• Wednesday 9th September

Business Networking at The Earlsfield, 6 – 9pm

• Wednesday 7th October

Wandsworth Business Forum, Online 8 – 9.30am

• Wednesday 14th October

Business Networking at Hannah in Clapham Junction 6 –9 pm

• Wednesday 11th November

Business Networking at The Earlsfield, 6 – 9pm

Scan the QR code (Caltrics.com) with your phone camera to see our events and get them in your calendar app.

Opportunity is everyone's business

Opportunity should not depend on postcode, circumstance, or whether a family knows where to turn for support.

Yet for many autistic children and young adults, access to the understanding, support, and opportunities they need can vary significantly.

Most businesses want to make a positive contribution to the communities they serve. The challenge is often knowing where to start.

One parent described arriving at a BeyondAutism service and realising, for the first time, that they "weren't alone anymore".

That is why BeyondAutism exists.

At BeyondAutism, we transform the lives of autistic children and young adults, and their families, through education.

Founded by parents in Wandsworth more than 25 years ago, we now work alongside families, schools, and professionals to ensure autistic learners have access to the understanding, support, and opportunities they need to belong, succeed, and lead lives full of choice, independence, and opportunity.

Over 25 years, we have learned that opportunity is shaped not only by individual support, but by the communities, organisations, and systems around us. Families cannot do this alone. Schools cannot do this alone. Charities cannot do this alone.

Businesses are part of the solution.

If your organisation is developing an ESG programme, looking for meaningful employee engagement opportunities, or seeking a community partner with clear local roots and growing national influence, there are many practical ways to get involved.

Some businesses organise fundraising activities or introduce Payroll Giving, enabling employees to support causes they care about directly from their salary. Others provide volunteers at events, sponsor projects, donate equipment, or offer professional expertise.

Many of the most valuable partnerships begin with a conversation rather than a cheque.

A strategic partnership does not have to be complicated. It could be a facilities team helping refresh a learning environment, an HR team sharing recruitment expertise, a finance professional offering mentoring, an IT specialist advising on systems, or a company giving employees a volunteering day to support a fundraising event. Each contribution helps strengthen the support available to autistic learners and their families. A workplace visit can broaden horizons. Professional

expertise can strengthen services. Volunteering can build connections. Sponsorship can help successful approaches reach more families, schools, and professionals.

Support from businesses also helps us extend our impact beyond our own services. Through Outreach and Training and BeyondAutism Fast Responder, we work alongside schools and education professionals to build confidence, share evidence-informed approaches, and reduce school placement breakdowns. By helping schools respond earlier and more effectively, we can support more learners to remain connected to their education, their peers, and their communities.

As a charity founded in Wandsworth, we are proud of our local roots. We are equally proud that the expertise developed here is helping inform practice far beyond our borough. The challenges facing autistic learners are not unique to one community, and neither are the solutions.

Wandsworth has long been recognised for its enterprise, innovation, and community spirit. Together, local businesses, charities, educators, and families have an opportunity to help shape a future where autistic learners are understood, supported, and able to access the same opportunities as their peers.

If your organisation is interested in exploring social value initiatives, employee engagement opportunities, Payroll Giving, volunteering, sponsorship, or skills-sharing, we would love to start a conversation.

Email info@beyondautism.org.uk and let's arrange a coffee.

Because opportunity is created collectively.And when more autistic learners have access to opportunity, we all benefit.

Aled Richards-Jones Meeting the Challenge

The new Leader of Wandsworth Council, Aled Richards-Jones, tell us about the challenges he faces, how he will support the local business community and what he loves about living in Wandsworth

Congratulations on becoming the new Leader of Wandsworth Council. How do you feel?

I’m honoured to have this chance to serve the people of Wandsworth. I’ve always found being a councillor such a rewarding role, and to be able to lead the direction and policies of the council is a big responsibility, but an exciting one. What is the biggest challenge you face?

We face some very serious financial challenges at the Council, because of a 40 per cent cut in our grant funding from central Government and the unprecedented £137m budget gap we inherited when we took office. We face some difficult decisions and we’re going to have to be bold and creative in our thinking.

My first act as Leader was to announce an immediate, comprehensive spending review so that we can see where the money is going, get a grip on the Council’s finances and make savings where we can, whilst protecting the core services that residents need.

How will you support Wandsworth’s business community?

We need to make sure our high streets and town centres are clean, safe places that people want to visit. We’ll provide funding for extra dedicated police officers to patrol the streets, and our priority will be to protect services like refuse collection, street cleaning and removing graffiti and fly tipping.

We’re also looking at bringing back the pedestrianisation of Northcote Road at weekends, because that was so popular with local people and really helped boost trade for local businesses, and we’ll look at other locations for pedestrianisation where residents and businesses support it. In my day job, I’m a partner in a law firm, so I’m all too familiar with the pressures that businesses are under at the moment. The Council has a fantastic business

support team that provide advice and guidance to start-ups, entrepreneurs and local SMEs, plus a free recruitment service via Wandsworth Work Match. Most of all, we will attract investment and carefully plan for strategic growth. World class business and cultural institutions have made Wandsworth their home, including Penguin Random House, the Royal College of Art, Apple and the Royal Academy of Dance.

We will continue to make Wandsworth a place that people want to visit and do business with and use that growth as a springboard to improve opportunities for our residents.

What’s the best thing about living in Wandsworth?

Where to start! There’s so much that’s good about this creative, resilient, vibrant borough. I love how Wandsworth offers the best of both sides of London life - the generous green spaces and village-like high streets of outer London alongside the energy, buzz and cultural life of inner London, all either here on our doorstep or just a short journey away into central London.

Above all, though, it is the people of Wandsworth who make Wandsworth special. It is home to some of the most talented, friendly and open-minded people in London and it’s a place where, on the whole, people like and respect each other.

What’s your favourite way to spend a Sunday morning in Wandsworth?

I love spending Sunday mornings on an early walk with my husband, John, and our Jack Russell terrier, Guto, usually on Wandsworth Common or in Wandsworth Park. We often stop at a dog-friendly café along the way, where John and I enjoy a latte and pastry while Guto tucks into a few gravy bones from the treats jar!

From there, we wander home, usually stopping somewhere local to pick up ingredients for brunch.

The Council has a fantastic business support team that provide advice and guidance to start-ups, entrepreneurs and local SMEs, plus a free recruitment service via Wandsworth Work Match. Most of all, we will attract investment and carefully plan for strategic growth.

The Chamber offers access to a rich network of industry and academic leaders living locally, and there is no substitute for meeting such talent in a comfortable, in-person setting.

Bridging Worlds: Where Technology meets Creativity and Enterprise

Ali Asadipour

Professor of Immersive Experiences and AI

CEO | SETORG, UK

Director | Computer Science Research Centre, RCA

Leading at the intersection of computer science, design, and entrepreneurship demands a rare blend of vision, commercial instinct and the ability to build trust across very different communities.

It is precisely this interdisciplinary outlook that defines both the challenge and the reward of my work: connecting academic research leadership at the Royal College of Art and previously University of Warwick with commercial innovation through Setorg, through tech-focused startups and wider ecosystem building through mentoring, investing and government engagement across the UK's technology and creative sectors.

My connection to the Wandsworth Chamber came through the College's longstanding membership, and it has reinforced something I have always believed: proximity to extraordinary people opens extraordinary doors. The Chamber offers access to a rich network of industry and academic leaders living locally, and there is no substitute for meeting such talent in a comfortable, in-person setting. For new members my advice is simple: lean in. The relationships you build here will shape your future in ways you cannot yet predict.

The challenges facing businesses today are not small. Unpredictable shifts in the economy, diplomacy, technology and international affairs are forcing leaders in every sector to rethink how they invest in people and plan the future. Having arrived in the UK during the great recession in 2009 and navigated the pandemic, I understand resilience. Yet the recent pace of change is raising a deeper question across boardrooms and campuses alike: is this turbulence temporary, or must we fundamentally rethink our strategies?

In 2026 and beyond, the answer lies in renewal. In my academic role, we are intensifying our focus on income generation to expand the team and offer postgraduate positions to top national and international talent, though much depends on the scale of investment in knowledge generation and how equitably secured income reaches the people delivering the work. At SETORG and within engagement with government initiatives and networks, I am pioneering a new model of multistrand activity, a "house owned by its talents", where a company serves its community as both a national service provider, a fair and transparent consultancy firm, as well as reinvesting funds directly into Research and Development of step-changing innovations for people with people.

UK higher education is calling out for significant change: less financial stress on the academic community, deeper industry and academia collaboration and a genuine balance of quality and remuneration that can compete with both industry and international counterparts. After eighteen years of pursuing this ambition to establish the UK as a frontier of technology and innovation, I remain convinced that a bold new vision, underpinned by clear and sustained investment, can secure the talent needed to drive the country’s future prosperity.

Leadership, I have learned, is never static. It spans mentorship, life coaching, friendship and the

constant willingness to learn. Across academia and industry, I practise a multistyle approach: servant and transactional leadership to ensure accountability and structure, transformational leadership to shape a shared vision and adaptive and authentic leadership when institutions face uncertainty and ethical clarity matters most. The best advice I have ever received captures it well: a good leader shares empathy with their team, not viewing them as contract holders who complete their duties and leave, but investing in them to build relationships that endure long after any single project ends.

The future belongs to those who connect ideas to impact, and the Chamber is exactly where those connections begin.

Leadership, I have learned, is never static. It spans mentorship, life coaching, friendship and the constant willingness to learn.

Supporting communities and shaping futures

Supporting communities and shaping futures

At Russell Finex, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not an add-on, it is embedded into how we support our people, our community and the wider manufacturing sector. Through long-standing partnerships, employee-led initiatives and a strong focus on development, we are committed to making a meaningful and lasting impact.

At Russell Finex, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not an add-on, it is embedded into how we support our people, our community and the wider manufacturing sector. Through long-standing partnerships, employee-led initiatives and a strong focus on development, we are committed to making a meaningful and lasting impact.

A key pillar of our CSR activity is our partnership with the Mulberry Centre, a local cancer support charity. Since 2022, our employees and apprentices have raised over £40,000 through raffles, tombolas and other initiatives. These efforts provide vital funding while also raising awareness of the services the charity offers to individuals and families affected by cancer.

A key pillar of our CSR activity is our partnership with the Mulberry Centre, a local cancer support charity. Since 2022, our employees and apprentices have raised over £40,000 through raffles, tombolas and other initiatives. These efforts provide vital funding while also raising awareness of the services the charity offers to individuals and families affected by cancer.

Our apprentices play a central role in many of these initiatives. During the festive period, they led our involvement in the Hounslow Christmas Project, organised by local MP Seema Malhotra. The project raised a record £14,000, with our apprentices wrapping gifts for underprivileged children across the borough, bringing joy to those who need it most.

Our apprentices play a central role in many of these initiatives. During the festive period, they led our involvement in the Hounslow Christmas Project, organised by local MP Seema Malhotra. The project raised a record £14,000, with our apprentices wrapping gifts for underprivileged children across the borough, bringing joy to those who need it most.

In addition to this hands-on support, Russell Finex also contributes financially to the initiative. This year, the company donated £4,000 to the Hounslow Christmas Project, bringing total contributions over the years to £20,000. These activities form part of our broader apprentice development programme, which is designed to give individuals practical experience beyond their day-today roles. We encourage apprentices to step outside their comfort zones, building confidence and developing key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and leadership.

In addition to this hands-on support, Russell Finex also contributes financially to the initiative. This year, the company donated £4,000 to the Hounslow Christmas Project, bringing total contributions over the years to £20,000. These activities form part of our broader apprentice development programme, which is designed to give individuals practical experience beyond their day-today roles. We encourage apprentices to step outside their comfort zones, building confidence and developing key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and leadership.

This focus on growth extends beyond local fundraising. For example, one apprentice recently completed a demanding international expedition, raising £900 for the Mulberry Centre with company matchfunding. Initiatives like this show how our people are empowered to combine personal development with positive social impact.

This focus on growth extends beyond local fundraising. For example, one apprentice recently completed a demanding international expedition, raising £900 for the Mulberry Centre with company matchfunding. Initiatives like this show how our people are empowered to combine personal development with positive social impact.

Our apprenticeship programme, established over 50 years ago, remains a cornerstone of our CSR approach. Apprentices represent an important part of our workforce, with many progressing into senior roles and building long-term careers within the company.

Our apprenticeship programme, established over 50 years ago, remains a cornerstone of our CSR approach. Apprentices represent an important part of our workforce, with many progressing into senior roles and building long-term careers within the company.

Alongside apprenticeships, we are committed to supporting young people through structured work experience placements. Each year, we offer placements across departments including Marketing, Finance, Design, Production, HR and Sales. These opportunities are inclusive and carefully planned, helping students gain meaningful experience and preparing them for future careers.

Alongside apprenticeships, we are committed to supporting young people through structured work experience placements. Each year, we offer placements across departments including Marketing, Finance, Design, Production, HR and Sales. These opportunities are inclusive and carefully planned, helping students gain meaningful experience and preparing them for future careers.

Beyond our partnership with the Mulberry Centre, we actively support other local initiatives. This includes regular donations to St George’s Youth Club, which supports underprivileged children. Over the years, we have contributed around £50,000, including £6,000 this year alone. We are also involved in a wide range of additional local CSR activities, helping to strengthen our community.

Beyond our partnership with the Mulberry Centre, we actively support other local initiatives. This includes regular donations to St George’s Youth Club, which supports underprivileged children. Over the years, we have contributed around £50,000, including £6,000 this year alone. We are also involved in a wide range of additional local CSR activities, helping to strengthen our community.

As a global manufacturer, we recognise the responsibility our industry has to contribute positively to society. By investing in people, supporting local causes and fostering a culture of giving back, we aim to create long-term impact.

As a global manufacturer, we recognise the responsibility our industry has to contribute positively to society. By investing in people, supporting local causes and fostering a culture of giving back, we aim to create long-term impact.

As we approach our 100th anniversary, we are proud of what we have achieved and remain committed to building on this foundation, ensuring Russell Finex continues to make a meaningful difference for years to come.

As we approach our 100th anniversary, we are proud of what we have achieved and remain committed to building on this foundation, ensuring Russell Finex continues to make a meaningful difference for years to come.

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Competitive salaries with profit - share bonus

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Career progression and training opportunities

Non - contributory final salary pension scheme

Non - contributory final salary pension scheme

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Cyber protection for smaller businesses

2tela is a cyber security consultancy based in Wandsworth and Sussex, with clients across the Southeast, providing effective yet affordable services to keep smaller businesses safe online.

2tela recently joined the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce to work with smaller businesses to make them more secure. 2tela wants to build a mutually beneficial network with local businesses and charities and contribute to their success. The Chamber offers a great opportunity to do this.

Many start-up owners, see cyber security as a ‘big business problem’ or just too expensive, 2tela is here to change that perception. Every business, especially those wanting to operate within regulated industries, need to be at least cyber savvy

if not fully cyber secure. We are designed to do just that. The cyber risk for UK firms is now persistent; as the graph below shows, there are around 50 ransomware attacks per month reported to the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Small steps big changes

If you think of cyber security like a fitness coach; you want to get fit, but it is seen as a massive hurdle to overcome. It can be the same with cyber, many businesses think ‘where do I start?’.

2tela can work with you to understand your business, your goals, and help you get more secure using the tools you have and slowly work up to more complex defences.

Who are 2tela?

We named our small firm after the Roman goddess of protection, Tutela, a deity who was said to provide protection and oversight for Roman cities seven days a week, all year long.

Whilst we don’t have divine powers, we do have extensive experience in security, intelligence and project management.

• Mike Carr – Co-founder and Director: Mike is a technical cyber expert, with over 25 years’ experience providing managed cyber security services to businesses of all sizes across Europe and the UK.

• Tom Cartlidge – Co-founder and Director: With over 14 years operational experience in British intelligence working around the world to protect the UK from terrorists and nation state adversaries, Tom understands how to keep organisations secure against all threats.

• Jo Carr – Operations Director: Jo has almost 30 years’ experience working in corporate IT project management and is expert at managing complex programmes and client relationships.

Our services – effective & affordable

If you don’t know where to start with cyber security, we are happy to chat with you to understand your business and provide some expert guidance on your first steps. For those who want some ongoing protection, we offer the following:

Cyber Resilience Service: Our service designed for start-ups and those wanting protection against the effects of cyberattacks.

This service starts from £15 per month per person, it provides automated patching, daily back-ups and credential monitoring.

These are key elements to provide the basics of cyber security best practise. Cyber Protection Service: Designed for businesses seeking active defence against threats. This provides managed endpoint detection & response (EDR) services to actively stop malware and phishing based attacks.

This service is ideal for those firms seeking to demonstrate to regulators such as the FCA that they are cyber secure.

Whilst such services are normally too expensive for many SMEs, we offer this capability from £400 per month.

Cyber Consultancy: if your firm needs some bespoke specialist advice on your cyber security capabilities, we offer consultancy where 2tela experts can be hired on a day rate.

If you want to know more, please contact hello@2tela.co.uk

Many start-up owners, see cyber security as a ‘big business problem’ or just too expensive, 2tela is here to change that perception.

Family wellbeing at your fingertips

For many parents, wellbeing is often treated as something to think about once everything else is done. Once the emails have been answered, the children are in bed, and the to-do list is complete. The reality, of course, is that moment rarely arrives.

As a mother of two boys, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to balance family life, professional ambitions and personal wellbeing. Like many parents, I often feel pulled in multiple directions at once. There are plenty of services available to help with that juggle, but very few places that bring together the different parts of modern family life in one place.

That problem and lived experience led me to found The JJ Club.

The JJ Club is a private members' club for families looking for trusted support, meaningful connections and opportunities to prioritise their wellbeing alongside the realities of everyday life. Because wellbeing isn't just about fitness classes or spa days. It's about having access to the right support, people and experiences at the right time, whatever stage of family life you're at.

As we continue to grow our community across south-west London & beyond, we have recently launched our new mobile app, putting curated events, exclusive partner offers and trusted local experts across health, wellness, education and family life at our members' fingertips. Through partnerships with local businesses (Goji, Four Sides London, Reformer Collective and HCA Healthcare) and a growing network of local experts such as family nutritionists, lifestyle coaches, physiotherapists and private GPs, we help members discover trusted support close to home.

What makes The JJ Club unique is our belief that wellbeing is interconnected. Physical health, mental wellbeing, career development, family relationships and community influence one another. Our events programme reflects this philosophy. A business networking panel might sit alongside a reformer

Pilates class, a co-working session, a baby massage workshop or an expert talk on family finance. For our members, these aren't separate interests - they're all part of busy family life.

We are proud to be rooted in south-west London and partnering with local businesses. Earlier this year, we were honoured to be recognised as 'Best Start-Up Business' at the Wandsworth Chambers Business Awards, reflecting the incredible community that has grown around The JJ Club.

Looking ahead, we will be opening our first flagship clubhouse in 2027. Designed around modern family life, the space will cater to every family age and stage becoming the cornerstone of our growing community - from play spaces for tots and areas designed for teens, to restaurants, a broad health & wellness offering, workspaces and lounges for parents.

At The JJ Club, we believe wellbeing shouldn't be another item on a parent's to-do list. It should be woven into everyday life. Because when parents feel supported, families thrive, and when families thrive, so do the communities around them.

I created The JJ Club, inspired by my two sons Jake & Joshua, to be the community I wish I'd had when I became a parent.

Molly Aldridge, Founder

Wandsworth Wellness Weekender

The Wellness Weekender is a borough-wide weekend of free, inclusive and beginner-friendly activities designed to help everyone try something new, boost their wellbeing and get moving.

Taking place across leisure centres and sports venues in Wandsworth, this Weekender will have one of the biggest moments in global football as its focus, the FIFA World Cup. To celebrate the start of the global tournament, there will be free play football sessions, coaching, matches, walking football and World Cup-inspired fitness challenges.

And the celebration doesn’t stop at football, with the Wimbledon Championships just around the corner, the weekend will also include a range of tennis sessions, giving Wandsworth residents the chance to get into the swing of the summer’s biggest tennis tournament.

Alongside football and tennis, the weekend offers a wide mix of activities including padel, boxing, rowing, running track sessions and gym workouts, making it easy for everyone to find something that suits them.

WELCOME to new members

u 2tela Cyber Security

Thomas Cartlidge Wandsworth

London

SW18 0190 3947 780

u Carpe Lab LTD

Sean Paterson

London SW17 07929 450 454

u E.P First Aid

Ellena Poxtone SW18

u MW Finman Ltd

Mike Wong

Build Studios, 203 Westminster Bridge Road5th Floor

London SE1 7FR 020 3026 5321

u Northcote Chiropractic Clinic

Delphine Sailly 59 Eebbs Road

London SW11 6RX 020 7350 1100

u Oakstead Finance Limited

James Blackler

Arding & Hobbs Building

7 St John's Road

London SW11 1PN 020 3831 2333

u Samuel's Charity

Martin Leib

19 Haldene

Two Mile Ash

Milton Keynes MK88HS 07791 662 308

u T&V Architects

Lorenzo Vianello 18 St. George's Drive

London

SW1V 4BL 020 7931 9620

u The Tooting Tavern

Darren Lord 196 Tooting High Street

London SW17 0SF 020 3633 6575

u Wandsworth Holdings

Alexander Acloque 07711 368 505

u Workspace

Kristiana Angelova 1 Filament Walk Workspace Reception

London SW18 4GQ 020 4593 9286

Starting up with: Sidekick

With founder, Brendan Kennedy sidekickmerch.com

Q1 In a few words tell us a bit about your business?

We take the hassle out of print, branding and merchandise - We'll look after it while you focus on running your business. We also host print on demand webstores for businesses, musicians and artists who want to sell merch but don’t want the upfront cost of buying it in bulk.

Q2 What gives your business 'the x-factor’?

We source everything through a network of suppliers that we’ve already vetted, so our clients can stop googling and hoping for a good outcome. Our logo is also a cute dog with a cape called Maddie, and she’s more memorable than I am.

Q3 What motivated you to set up in business?

I was a Senior Account Manager for a marketing firm, looking after corporates like Vodafone, Virgin Media, and Cineworld. I took a voluntary redundancy and decided I could offer that service to independent and local businesses who really need it. Print on demand earns extra income for businesses through merch sales without big costs, and the storage and fulfilment is taken care of for them. My goal is essentially to make life easier for the people that make our communities thrive.

Q4 What do you like most about working as a start-up ?

I like being able to choose the direction of the business, who I work with, meeting other local business owners, and being my own boss. Of course, there are challenges - I had to learn to become my own bookkeeper, for example - but I’m genuinely loving the process and building something that I can see becoming a helpful part of the local community.

Q5 What has been your greatest business success to date ?

Being happy. I didn’t get to experience that a whole lot when I had full time employment. Starting a business is a tough slog, but it’s so much more rewarding.

Q6 What has been your lowest moment ?

Those moments of self doubt - times where I’ve thought ‘there’s no way this is going to work’- but those have become less frequent as I’ve continued to build momentum.

Q7 In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?

If I can be earning a decent wage while the community around me can look at what I do as having been of benefit to themI'll see that as a success. I’m also building the business around being able to do it remotely - so if I can have that feeling while I’m sitting on a beach in Croatia, or in a cafe in Italy, then that will be the icing on the cake.

Q8 What would be your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business ?

If you’ve got an idea, just get the ball rolling. Start networking (Wandsworth Chamber is a great place to start), and brainstorm with friends, family and peers. Listen to the people that like the idea, listen to the people that don’t. Some of the best conversations I had in the early stages were with people who asked me questions that I didn't have the answer to.

But most of all, enjoy every day.

If you’ve got an idea, just get the ball rolling. Start networking (Wandsworth Chamber is a great place to start), and brainstorm with friends, family and peers.

Five Minutes with: Ana Patricio Business Manager at SWS Music School

Bysupporting people,embracing change,and continuallylooking forwaystoimprove, youcreatethe foundationsfor lastingsuccess.

Who are you?

I'm Ana Patricio, Business Manager at SWS Music School, where I oversee the day-to-day operations and help ensure our students, families, and teaching team have the best possible experience. I'm passionate about education, music, and creating opportunities for people to develop their talents and confidence. What's your business all about?

SWS Music School is dedicated to making high-quality music education accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring. We support students of all ages and abilities, helping them develop musical skills while building confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music. Three words to describe yourself?

Driven, approachable, dependable. Ideal Customer?

Anyone with a desire to learn and grow through music. Whether they're a complete beginner, an aspiring performer, or someone returning to music later in life, we love working with people who are enthusiastic and open to learning.

Biggest achievement?

One of my proudest achievements has been helping to grow SWS Music School while also being involved in the creation of our new charity, which we hope to officially launch by the end of the year. The charity will help make music education more accessible and create opportunities for people who may not otherwise be able to benefit from learning music.

Combining business growth with a genuine community impact is something I'm incredibly proud to be part of.

Biggest gripe?

People who underestimate the value of perseverance. Talent is important, but consistent effort and a willingness to learn are often what make the biggest difference.

Your inspiration?

The students and teachers I work with every day. Watching people challenge themselves, overcome nerves, and achieve things they never thought possible is a constant source of inspiration.

Philosophy in Business?

Put people first and keep learning. No matter how much experience you have, there's always something new to learn. By supporting people, embracing change, and continually looking for ways to improve, you create the foundations for lasting success.

Sporting Hero?

I've never had one particular sporting hero, but I greatly admire Gertrude Ederle. As the first woman to swim the English Channel, she demonstrated courage, resilience, and a determination to challenge the status quo—qualities that are just as relevant in life and business today.

Biggest tip for success?

Keep learning and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Progress comes from being willing to try, adapt, and keep moving forward, even when things don't go perfectly.