THE LAST WORD KIM McGEARTY

Chamber Manager, Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce

After five rewarding years with the Chamber, it feels fitting to have the last word as I move on!

This journey has been rich with learning, new friendships and strong professional connections.

As part of a small, but dedicated team, that has taken the Chamber from strength to strength, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished—and excited to watch the next chapter unfold.

What was your first job and what was the pay packet?

Saturday Girl in a hairdressers. £5 per day (which I doubled with my tips!)

What do you always carry with you to work?

Coffee bags.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

We are a small team covering a large area and we are working hard to spread the word of the support we can offer to all businesses across the Borough and let them know the value of our membership.

If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business?

With the recent increase in NI, this has put a lot of small businesses under financial pressure and preventing them from growing. If this could be tiered, it would be fairer to the smaller businesses and show them that the Government understands their challenges.

What can you see from your office window?

The back of HRUC from one window and a lovely big tree from the other.

If you could do another job, what would it be?

If I was younger, it would involve travelling but now, as a new grandmother, it needs to be something that keeps me nearer to home and my family.

As a businessperson, what are your three main qualities?

Organised, good communicator, open to new ideas

What was your biggest mistake in business?

In a previous position, I wasn’t strong enough to adapt to external influences that put a huge strain on the company’s resources. This experience has taught me how to spot challenges that are arising before they become too big to manage. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Do your research, get advice from those that have been there and done it, prepare a realistic business plan which you should revisit and adapt as you progress.

Who do you most admire in business?

Successful females who have had to work that much harder in male dominated environments, something that I am pleased to see is slowly changing.