STRONGER TOGETHER: LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM THE CHAMBER

By Andy Sharma, CEO, Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce

I’ve had the privilege of serving the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce for the past three years, first as Chair of the Chamber Committee and then as CEO for the last two. Stepping into the CEO role, I inherited a Chamber with a proud legacy: a strong foundation built on years of dedication to supporting local enterprise and fostering meaningful collaboration across the borough. But I also saw immense, untapped potential, an opportunity to modernise, expand and energise our work.

What followed has been one of the most transformative chapters in our Chamber’s history. Together, we’ve reimagined what the Chamber can be: more dynamic, more connected, more ambitious, and more inclusive of the diverse voices that make up Hillingdon’s vibrant business community.

As I am preparing to step down from my role, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on where we’ve come from, what we’ve achieved together, and the leadership values that have driven our journey.

A Brief Look Back

The Hillingdon Chamber has served the business community for decades, growing from a small collective into a borough-wide voice for enterprise. Our mission has always been clear: to support local businesses, support economic development, and build a thriving ecosystem where innovation, sustainability and collaboration flourish. We’ve been the convenor of ideas and action, whether through networking, advocacy or strategic partnerships. But the last three years have truly marked a new era for us.

Leadership Rooted in Service and Shared Success

Leadership, to me, has never been about having all the answers, it’s about creating the conditions for others to thrive. It means building a team that dares to ask the right questions, removing obstacles, building confidence, and unlocking the potential that already exists within a community.

True leadership also meant encouraging experimentation, celebrating progress (not just perfection), and holding space for honest dialogue and ambitious thinking. That culture of trust and collaboration has been our engine and it’s one of the things I’m most proud of. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when leadership is shared, not centralised when people are invited to lead from wherever they stand.

Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of working with an extraordinary Chamber team, a forward-thinking Board of Directors, an experienced and engaged Advisory Council, and a fiercely passionate business community. Together, we’ve co-created initiatives, responded swiftly to challenges, and continually raised the bar, not because we had to, but because we believed we could do more. Leadership, in its truest form, has been about service – and the lasting impact we’ve made together. Together, we have:

1. Built a Bigger and Stronger Community

Our membership has grown by over 40% in the last year alone, and over the past three years, it has more than tripled. This surge is not just in numbers but in engagement, diversity and reach. We now have a wider network of over 3,000 business contacts and are more connected than ever before.

2. Delivered the First Growth Hillingdon Business Support Programme

One of our flagship initiatives, Growth Hillingdon, supported over 250 local businesses with expert-led workshops, mentoring and tailored guidance. The impact speaks volumes: dozens of businesses reported improved profitability, launched new products, created jobs and developed decarbonisation strategies. We didn’t just help businesses survive – we helped them grow and innovate.

3. Launched Hillingdon’s First Business Awards

In January 2025, we hosted the inaugural Hillingdon Business Awards, receiving over 90 entries across 15 categories. It was a powerful moment of recognition, celebrating resilience, excellence and ingenuity with over 200 business leaders on the award night. It’s now a permanent fixture in the borough’s business calendar.

4. Expanded the Hillingdon Business Expo

Our annual Expo has grown from humble beginnings to an event featuring over 130 exhibitors and more than 1,300 visitors. Held at Brunel University, it’s become West London’s signature business showcase, full of ideas, deals, partnerships and energy.

5. Created a

Platform for Local Voice: Hillingdon Business Magazine

We launched this very magazine to spotlight success stories, industry insights and opportunities. It’s a platform for the community, by the community, amplifying voices that often go unheard and celebrating the work happening across all corners of the borough.

6. Strengthened Strategic Partnerships

Our collaborative relationships with the London Borough of Hillingdon, Heathrow Airport, Brunel University, HRUC (Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges), Colt Data Centres and other national and local partners have helped us deliver meaningful change. We’ve been active members of the Heathrow Economic Task Force and have hosted events at the House of Commons, Battle of Britain Bunker, at the Mayor’s office and other prestigious venues, ensuring Hillingdon businesses have a seat at the table.

7. Embraced Innovation and Deepened Connectivity

We launched a refreshed, user-friendly Chamber website, introduced the Expo App, launched the new Employee Assistant Programme (EAP) app and significantly expanded our digital footprint – achieving over 200% growth across our key social media platforms. Our digital evolution wasn’t just about visibility; it was about engagement. We made it easier for members to connect, share, and stay informed.

And recognising the importance of in-person connection, we expanded our calendar with more monthly networking events and quarterly forums, creating regular touchpoints where business leaders can share insights, collaborate, and grow together.

Looking Ahead

As I transition out of the CEO role, I do so with deep confidence in the Chamber’s future. The groundwork has been laid, the momentum is strong and the vision is clear. With exciting initiatives on the horizon –including the rollout of the Hillingdon Rewards Loyalty Scheme, and the development of our Innovation and Accelerator Hub – the Chamber is well-positioned to deepen its impact. These projects, along with the integration of our digital platforms, events and strategic partnerships, signal not an end but a powerful new beginning. The best is yet to come.

I am proud of what we’ve accomplished –not because of any individual achievement, but because we did it together. Together, we grew a community. Together, we shaped a future. And together, we proved what inspirational leadership truly means: empowering others to lead, thrive and succeed.

Leadership is a privilege, not a position and it has been the greatest honour to lead, learn and grow alongside you.