Lets Talk Business Aug 25

ISSUE 23: Summer 2025

talkbusiness let’s

THE OFFICIAL BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF WEST LONDON CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Behind the scenes of a multimillion-pound revamp of a ‘glocal’ dual-brand hotel David Hayden, Mercure and ibis London Earls Court hotel INSIDE

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contents & welcome

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Welcome to our Summer edition of Let’s Talk Business.

West London is being rebuilt around us from hotels and exhibition centres to football stadium stands, which all keep the local economy going.

But where is the growth?

International Trade opportunities remain strong and offer growth; we feature an update of all our recent events. Our government has now signed trade agreement with USA, India and the EU. Your Chamber has been awarded by Dept for Business best support for export in the UK, so let’s get moving. We can assist - please be in touch.

On the domestic front we are also busy, offering training webinars, please see our YouTube channel to catch up on webinars on recent employment law changes, sustainability, financial advice and AI, to name just a few topics. We run a vast array of networking events which don’t stop over the summer.

We hope to see you at the summer networking evening at Jaguar Land Rover Lookers West London on 6th August and of course at the Ealing Festival of Business on 16th October at Enquiries West London Chambers of Commerce Spring Grove House, West Thames College, London Road, Isleworth TW7 4HS Tel: 07879 813817 Email: sallysmith@westlondonchambers.org.uk Web: www.westlondonchambers.org.uk

UWL. Many thanks to our sponsors, UWL and Ealing Council for helping to make this happen.

In this issue, David Hayden, General Manager of Mercure and ibis London Earls Court hotel, talks about the new multi-million-pound refurbishment of the West London hotel.

We are also pleased to feature the three new Mayors across our boroughs. Our Spotlight Focus is on vibrant Fulham where heritage, community and learning come together, and we feature some interesting stories and events in our Arts & Culture pages from some of our Chamber members.

As with all membership organisations, what you put in is what you get out!

We very much hope to see you soon!

Happy reading.

Alan Rides

Chief Executive Officer, West London Chambers of Commerce

Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com Media No. 2100 Published August 2025

24 44 Contents 4

Cyber Security

32 International Trade

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News

35 News

8

Skills

36 Technology

11 The New Mayors 12 The Big Interview 15 Community 16 Spotlight Focus 20 Discover Fulham

38 Health & Wellbeing 40 Past Events 41 Forthcoming Events 43 New Members

22 News

44 Economy

24 Arts & Culture

45 News

30 Hospitality

46 Five Minutes with...

Editor

Advertising Sales

Sarah Dale

Karen Hall

Email: sarahdale@benhampublishing.com

Tel: 07801 788880

Tel: 0151 236 4141

Email: karen@benhampublishing.com

Features

Production

Karen Hall

David Wright

Tel: 0151 236 4141

Tel: 0151 236 4141

Email:karen@benhampublishing.com

Email: dave@benhampublishing.com

Disclaimer: let’s talk business is published for the Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at the Chamber of Commerce.

Views expressed in let’s talk business are not necessarily those of the Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2025. Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

let’s talkbusiness

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cyber security

The hidden side of power in cybersecurity: What every West London business leader should know Images by 123RF

The leadership effect on cybersecurity

by Michael Ramlakhan Chamber Patron Timeless IMS

Cybersecurity is no longer a concern reserved for IT departments, it is a strategic priority for every business leader. While investing in the latest security tools is essential, there’s a less obvious but equally critical factor that shapes your organisation’s cyber resilience: how leadership influences team dynamics and communication.

Picture this: your business faces a potential cyber threat, a suspicious email, a data breach, or a ransomware alert. As you gather your team, you notice some are quick to speak up, while others seem reluctant. Are you getting the full story, or just what your staff think you want to hear?

This is not just hypothetical. At Timeless IMS, we have seen how leadership roles can unintentionally create communication barriers, leading to missed warning signs and delayed responses.

How power changes the conversation Filtered communication When you hold authority, you become the gatekeeper for decisions and resources.

Employees may start to tailor their updates to align with your expectations, sometimes omitting uncomfortable truths. This can leave critical vulnerabilities unaddressed.

Dependency on leaders During a cyber incident, teams often look to leadership for direction. While this trust is important, it can also slow down response times if staff feel they need approval before acting.

Fear of repercussions Cybersecurity is high-stakes and mistakes can be costly. If employees fear negative

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consequences, they may hide issues or downplay risks, creating a culture of silence that puts your business at greater risk.

The business impact of poor communication in cybersecurity Beyond the immediate technical risks, poor communication within cybersecurity teams can have far-reaching consequences for your business: • Financial Loss: Delayed or incomplete reporting can exacerbate breaches, increasing remediation costs and potential regulatory fines.

• Reputational Damage: Customers and partners expect businesses to protect their data. Failure to respond swiftly and transparently can erode trust.

• Operational Disruption: Ineffective incident response can halt business operations, impacting productivity and revenue.

• Compliance Risks: In industries regulated

by GDPR, PCI-DSS, or other standards, inadequate communication can lead to compliance failures and legal penalties.

Understanding these risks underscores why leadership must foster an environment where transparency and prompt action are the normal course of action.

cyber security Images by 123RF

Fostering a culture of openness At Timeless IMS, we believe that open, honest communication is the bedrock of effective cybersecurity. Here is how West London businesses can build a culture of security and trust: • Encourage Psychological Safety: Make it clear that reporting issues is always welcome and will not be met with blame.

• Break Down Silos: Facilitate collaboration between departments to ensure information flows freely and problems are addressed swiftly.

• Empower Your People: Provide training and clear protocols so staff feel confident making decisions, especially in high-pressure situations.

• Lead Transparently: Model open communication and actively seek feedback from your team, reinforcing that every voice matters.

Practical steps to improve cybersecurity communication To help your organisation move from awareness to action, consider these practical steps: 1. Regular Security Briefings: Hold frequent, informal meetings to discuss emerging threats and encourage open dialogue.

2. Anonymous Reporting Channels: Implement tools that allow staff to report concerns without fear of reprisal.

3. Cross-Department Workshops: Bring together IT, HR, legal, and operations teams to align on cybersecurity priorities.

4. Leadership Training: Equip managers with skills to foster trust, listen actively, and respond constructively to bad news.

5. Incident Simulations: Run tabletop exercises to practice communication and decision-making under pressure.

Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash

Quick self-assessment for leaders Ask yourself: • Do team members feel comfortable reporting mistakes or suspicious activity?

• Are updates candid, or do they seem filtered?

• Is incident response collaborative, or does it rely on a single decision-maker?

• Are issues raised early, or only when they become urgent?

If any answer gives you pause, it might be time to review your organisation’s communication culture.

Key takeaways • Leadership directly shapes how cybersecurity teams communicate and respond to threats.

• Fostering trust and open dialogue is crucial for early threat detection and rapid response.

• A proactive, people-first approach to cybersecurity protects both your business and reputation.

• Timeless IMS partners with West London businesses to build resilient, security-first cultures, combining advanced technology with strategies that empower your people.

Let’s Connect Have you experienced these dynamics in your business?

What strategies have helped your team stay open and resilient? Share your insights with the West London Chamber of Commerce community, or contact Timeless IMS to discover how we can help you build a safer, more secure future.

Timeless IMS: Your trusted partner for managed IT and cybersecurity solutions in West London. www.timelessims.co.uk

Cybersecurity is high-stakes and mistakes can be costly. If employees fear negative consequences, they may hide issues or downplay risks, creating a culture of silence that puts your business at greater risk. let’s talkbusiness

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news

Olympia’s £1.3 billion redevelopment set to inject over £600 million into UK economy The landmark £1.3 billion redevelopment of Olympia, London’s historic exhibition venue, will inject more than £600 million into the UK economy, according to new socioeconomic data.

The analysis by economic consultancy, Volterra, echoes the Mayor of London’s recently published London Growth Plan, which highlighted Olympia as an internationally significant visitor destination forecasted to attract 3.5 million annual visitors.

Including residents, workers, diners and visitors, Olympia’s annual footfall will reach about 10 million and is expected to attract a chunk of London’s 20.3 million international visits.

The 3.5 million visitors to Olympia’s event spaces, new hotels and performance venues will support an estimated annual spend of £464 million across retail, food and beverage, travel and accommodation. The total expenditure associated with Olympia’s events, conferences and exhibitions, including accommodation, transport and other costs, could reach up to £1.3 billion – 27 per cent of the UK total.

The redevelopment includes a state-of-theart 4,000-capacity music venue, run by AEG Presents, and a new 1,575-seat theatre, the largest purpose-built theatre in London in 50 years and which will be operated by Trafalgar Entertainment, jointly anticipated to generate £18 million GVA annually and support up to 300 jobs.

Overall, Olympia’s transformation will create 7,000 direct jobs and support an additional 2,000 jobs through the supply chain. Workers are projected to spend up to £18 million annually in the local economy on leisure, food and drink.

Set to begin opening later this year, Olympia will also host two international hotel brands – citizenM and Hyatt Regency – a boutique fitness venue by 1Rebel, 550,000 sq ft of premium office spaces and over 30 hospitality venues including D3 Collective and Incipio.

It will also feature Wetherby Pembridge, a new co-educational senior school, and 2.5 acres of public space.

Olympia will host around 800 events annually. This ambition reflects Olympia’s rich heritage since its inception in 1886, from hosting the first Ideal Home Show in 1908, and the first computer exhibition in 1958, to concerts featuring Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and The Who and Dame Vivienne Westwood’s first official fashion show.

Lloyd Lee, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Yoo Capital, said: “Investment in London’s creative industries is crucial

Olympia will start opening its doors later this year.

Credit: Olympia

in driving economic growth – with the Summer Spending Review on the horizon, we hope to see continued commitment from the Government in supporting the creative industries, not only through policy and funding but by recognising culture as a driver of long-term economic growth.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The regeneration of Olympia is one of the most exciting projects in London. This is exactly the kind of project that London needs - helping us to attract tourism, enhancing our cultural offer and delivering a huge boost to the economy.”

Olympia is being developed by Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International, delivered by Olympia Estates and codesigned by Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC.

Community celebrates gyms’ first birthday On Saturday 14th June, CityFit Brentford hosted their first birthday. The gym’s community came together to celebrate this special achievement. This was a fantastic opportunity for CityFit Brentford to give something back to its members.

Guests were able to enjoy a variety of strength challenges, multiple raffle competitions, and food from Dicko’s Diner.

It also had Omnia Lifestyle, Syon Clinic, Sweatlounge, SSW Business Management, Konoku & NutriDense offering exclusive deals for members. The younger members, could enjoy a bouncy castle & face painting.

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let’s talkbusiness

CityFit Brenrford is incredibly proud of what it has achieved in its first year. The gym is now a host to over 1000 members who enjoy training in the state-of-the-art facility. The gym is open 24/7 for you to train.

This includes a supplement corner, weights area, functional corner & Primal machines.

There is also a brand-new studio which offers 35+ weekly classes such as Pilates, yoga, boxing & kid’s classes. CityFit Brentford is committed to ensuring its members have the best experience. The gym will be introducing other exciting services as part of its expansion.

If you are interested in joining the gym, feel free to stop by and enjoy a free workout during staffed hours. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the facilities, meet the team, and experience the energy of the fitness community — no pressure, no commitment.

For more information visit: www.cityfitgym.co.uk

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skills

UK students set for MIT trip after winning first ever National Innovation Challenge, hosted by Konnie Huq Three pioneering student teams from across the UK have been crowned winners of the National Innovation Challenge 2025, earning an exclusive opportunity to visit the world-leading Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA. The event was hosted by TV presenter and children’s author, Konnie Huq, at a stunning inaugural awards evening, at the historic Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET) in London. The celebration brought together students, educators, industry leaders, and special guests to celebrate innovation in sustainability.

Organised by Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC) in collaboration with the MIT Industrial Liaison Program (ILP), the competition challenged students to develop practical solutions to real-world sustainability issues.

The 2025 National Innovation Challenge Winners • Secondary School Category: The Home-e-stasis project innovated by Robert O’Callaghan, Matthew Rawcliffe and Sean Carlyle from St Bede’s Catholic High School in Lancashire. This project is designed to create a digital twin of your house to simulate retrofit upgrades.

Keith Smith and Konnie Huq with Robert O’Callaghan, Matthew Rawcliffe and Sean Carlyle, winners of the Secondary School Category

• Colleges and Sixth Forms Category: The TideTidy project innovated by Emily Cheesman from The King John School Sixth Form, Essex. TideTidy is a simple, ecofriendly device designed to capture litter from coastal waters at high tide - starting with Southend’s busy 7-mile coastline.

Keith Smith and Konnie Huq with Emily Cheesman, winner of the Sixth Form and Colleges Category

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let’s talkbusiness

Keith Smith and Konnie Huq with Valentina Vicario, winner of the HRUC Category

• HRUC Category: Valentina Vicario, Uxbridge College – The Cranial Cooler is a wearable, smart cooling device designed to help migraines, post-surgical swelling, strokes, and neurorehabilitation - all in a lightweight, flexible, and sustainable form.

All three winning teams will now travel to MIT in Boston, USA for an immersive experience exploring innovation, research, and entrepreneurship alongside some of the world’s top scientists and engineers.

Speaking at the event, Konnie Huq, former Blue Peter presenter and advocate for STEM, said: “This competition has empowered young people to think boldly and act creatively. The work these students have done is nothing short of inspiring.

This has been a brilliant celebration of innovation, talent, and the power of young minds to shape the future.”

Keith Smith, CEO of HRUC, “We created this challenge because we believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Tonight proves what can happen when we level

the playing field and give young people the platform they deserve.”

He added: “We aim to build on the success of the National Innovation Challenge in future years, by increasing the scale and reach of the competition.”

The evening featured speeches from leaders including MIT’s Program Director, Steve Whittaker, and former Skills England Chair Richard Pennycook.

Richard Pennycook, Head Judge of the National Innovation Challenge

“This competition has empowered young people to think boldly and act creatively. The work these students have done is nothing short of inspiring. This has been a brilliant celebration of innovation, talent, and the power of young minds to shape the future.”

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west london’s new mayors

Three new Mayors are sworn in across West London The Mayor of Hounslow - Cllr Amy Croft I was first elected to the Council in May 2022, as the first Labour councillor to represent Chiswick Riverside ward, in over 20 years.

Since then I have held a number of posts including Chair of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee, Cabinet Assistant to the Adult Social Care and Public Health portfolio, member of Planning Committee, member of Audit and Governance Committee, member of Hounslow Community Safety Partnership; and I still serve on the Digital Strategy Board, and am a trustee at Chiswick House and Gardens and The Chiswick Pier Trust.

It is a massive honour to have been selected as Mayor for the Council’s 60th anniversary and I am committed to using my appointment to bring

communities together and support the growth of the Borough. I have selected youth focused charities as my named charities; The Hogarth Youth and Community Centre who provide fun, development and learning for children from diverse backgrounds in a safe and supportive environment, and Hounslow Youth Counselling Service, who provide much needed confidential support and guidance for young people across the Borough; however, I am keen to lend my support to as many of the wonderful charities and organisations who enrich the lives of our residents, as I can during my mayoral year.

I have worked in Higher Education for over 25 years and am currently Academic Director for Student Success, Continuation and Quality at Anglia Ruskin University London.

The new Mayor of Hounslow - Cllr Amy Croft

The Mayor of Ealing - Cllr Anthony Kelly Councillor Anthony Kelly was inaugurated as the new mayor of Ealing at a special annual meeting of the full council in May.

The new Mayor of Ealing - Cllr Anthony Kelly

As mayor, he represents the borough as its ‘first citizen’ at civic and community events, acting as a key figurehead for the local community and promoting the values and interest of residents.

He will be supported in his role by his wife, Maria.

The husband-and-wife team have already been working hard together to support the mayor’s chosen charity for this year, Ealing Soup Kitchen.

On a day when there are no mayoral engagements to attend, Councillor Kelly and Maria often volunteer at the soup kitchen cooking and serving food, cleaning up and helping out. Their son Luke, 19, has also joined them to lend a hand.

The soup kitchen is a charity which has been helping the homeless, lonely and vulnerable since 1973.

It provides warm clothes for those in need, free haircuts and showers, and offers further help and support.

Councillor Kelly said: “I wanted a charity to support that I could access as a volunteer and

directly offer my help, as well as raise funding for them. Nearly everyone who works there is a volunteer, and they give so much to the community. I wanted to do my bit, too.

“My wife’s favourite thing in the world is cooking for lots of people, so she really enjoys helping to cook the meals and I’ll help to serve them.”

Councillor Kelly is a lifelong resident of the borough and was first elected as a councillor to Greenford Green ward in 2014 and Greenford Broadway from 2022. Along with his councillor and mayoral duties, he continues to work 2 days a week as a driver for Ealing Community Transport.

He drives one of the minibuses that takes young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities from their homes to schools and day centres.

When he finds the time to relax, Councillor Kelly enjoys sport and playing tennis at Greenford Tennis Club. He used to play for Ealing Rugby Club in his 20s and 30s and hasn’t yet ruled out training for the Ealing Half Marathon.

For more information about the duties and responsibilities of the mayor, go to ealing.gov.uk

The Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham - Cllr Sharon Holder Madame Mayor, Cllr Sharon Holder, is a lifelong resident of H&F, born at Hammersmith Hospital and raised in the borough where her parents settled as part of the Windrush generation in 1960.

local businesses is essential to keeping H&F the best place to live, work and socialise.

Sharon understands the importance of local business and trade to our community. After working in retail on North End Road in Fulham herself, she’s seen firsthand how vital our high streets and markets are to the borough’s character and local economy.

Cllr Holder’s three chosen charities for her Mayoral year reflect her commitment to community care through all stages of life: Nubian Life Centre supporting African and Caribbean communities, Fulham Good Neighbours connecting older people through programmes like community gardening, and the Pearly Kings and Queens who fundraise for local causes throughout H&F. Do consider supporting their work if you can.

As Mayor, she is championing H&F’s iconic North End Road Market as a cornerstone of our borough’s cultural fabric. The historic market has served our community six days a week since the 1880s, and Sharon believes supporting our traders and

Having lived in council housing all her life, Sharon brings an authentic understanding of residents’ needs to her role as ‘first citizen,’ promoting H&F as a place where businesses can thrive alongside strong, supportive communities.

The new Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham Cllr Sharon Holder

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the big interview

Behind the scenes of a multimillion-pound revamp of a ‘glocal’ dual-brand hotel David Hayden, General Manager of Mercure and ibis London Earls Court hotel, talks to Sarah Dale about the new multi-million-pound refurbishment of the West London hotel.

Everything about the recently renovated Mercure and ibis London Earls Court hotel has been carefully designed to maximise the experience of business, leisure and “bleisure” (combined business and leisure trips) guests.

Over the past three years, the former ibis hotel has undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment and repositioned as a combo hotel encompassing two Iconic brands within Accor, Mercure & ibis.

The 12-storey hotel boasts 226 ibis rooms and 282 Mercure rooms, one of the largest pillar-free ballrooms in London and a variety of meeting spaces which can cater for events up to 1,200 guests. Within their Food & Beverage outlets, they used PARIS

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SOCIETY to delve into their customer brand, curating local cuisine with international twists, delivered in a warm space with personable service, creating Barnaby’s Kitchen and Lounge. Barnaby is a traditional English gentleman who had spent his life travelling to different places around the world, immersing himself in local culture and learning varied cooking techniques whom has now returned to his home in London.

The menu includes dishes such as spiced fish pie and a smoked salmon Scotch egg.

The ‘Layers of Time’ themed Mercure rooms are inspired by the iconic Tardis from Doctor Who, which stands in front of Earls Court station and there is a nod to the glassblowing

and pottery-making history of the location with its Tom Dixon lighting.

The official rebrand opening was in late July 2024, post Wimbledon, which is fitting as the hotel is a Lawn Tennis Association hotel during the Championships. Final completion of rooms was in February 2025.

David Hayden, General Manager, says: “The ethos behind our renovation & repositioning is we offer choice: a 3* hotel and a 4* hotel under the same roof, to appeal to both business and leisure customers and to offer different price points, with bespoke F & B, and with an excellent offering for those hosting events and groups. We are receiving excellent feedback from customers on both properties and in various markets.”

the big interview

Accor is a global brand with over 5,600 hotels worldwide. Both brands; ibis & Mercure are within the top three brands globally by footprint within Accor. The Mercure London Earls Court celebrated being a part of the 1,000th celebration of Mercure, a significant milestone for the brand globally in November 2024.

However, every hotel is part of its local community. Mercure London Earls Court is no different.

“We are glocal – global but local,” adds David.

“Being members of the West London Chambers of Commerce is important to us as our ethos is to be part of the local community. We use Dickenson Quality Meats for our restaurant and we have gin from Sipsmith Distillery in Chiswick. We also recycled some of our furniture which was not required as part of the refurbishment to the Dad’s House charity.

“We won Employer of the Year 2023 at the West London Chambers of Commerce Awards and Runner Up in the Best Hospitality and Leisure Business category. We have also sponsored the awards.

“Both Sally and Alan from the Chamber have visited the hotel and my sales team see them regularly at events. We have the same ambitions as the Chamber and we are also a London Living Wage Employer.

“The benefits of being a member of the Chamber – which we joined eight or nine years ago – are the help and support they give local businesses. They facilitate connections and introductions and hold lots of networking events so we can reach many more businesses.”

As a hotel guest, David likes to do his research. He wants the credibility of a well-respected brand, the reassurance of positive reviews and somewhere which offers visitors a local, cultural experience.

Closer to home, David says, Earls Court has it all.

“Earls Court is a great location,” he says. “There is so much to do here.

You can see Stamford Bridge from the hotel rooms. You have Fulham FC and Brentford FC on the doorstep and lots of green space, with Wimbledon Park, Richard Park and Putney in close proximity. We are also close to Kew Gardens, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and the museums. It’s a great location to really explore London from an accessible price point. Logistically for international travellers we are 40 minutes from Heathrow and Gatwick Airport both very accessible by train and very easy access to King’s Cross, Victoria and the Eurostar.

“The Earls Court Regeneration of the old exhibition halls site will also give the businesses in the area a big boost.”

Hospitality is a competitive sector and the rise in serviced accommodation has grown faster than hotels, but those who are experienced hoteliers like David know the way to combat these challenges is through being able to adapt to the market.

“I stayed in hospitality as my career choice because I think it’s a great industry to work in and you can grow your career very quickly getting exposure and knowledge of many different departments and functions within the business. In terms of my own journey I worked across nearly all departments, Operations, Sales & Revenue, Finance, Talent & Culture, at various hotels before reaching General Manager level. The industry gives you the opportunity to travel and see the world as well as work for many different types of operators or properties whether branded or independent. No day is ever the same, the myth of long, unsociable hours is something as an industry we need to continue to work on eradicating and highlighting what a great and rewarding career hospitality can offer”.

The hotel plans to elevate it’s ballroom offering within the coming 12 months and introduce leisure facilities, including a gym, within the next 18 months. https://all.accor.com/hotel/C0V5/ index.en.shtml www.mercurelondonsuite.co.uk

You can see Stamford Bridge from the hotel rooms. We are also close to Kew Gardens, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and the museums.

It’s a great location to really explore London from an accessible price point.

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MERCURE LONDON EARLS COURT

Discover Comfort & Flavour in the Heart of London

Stay in style... at this contemporary hotel, just minutes from Chelsea, Kensington, and the iconic Stamford Bridge. Whether you are here for business or leisure, enjoy modern comfort, convenient transport links, and exceptional service.

At the heart of the venue is the London Suite - a highly versatile ballroom offering over 1,200 square metres of event space.

This flexible room can be easily partitioned into smaller configurations to accommodate a wide variety of events, from exhibitions, conferences, and meetings to gala dinners, Christmas parties, and award ceremonies.

• 508 guest rooms • Semi-private & private event spaces • 5m high ceiling for immersive sets, rigging, staging • Natural Daylight in our 2nd floor meeting rooms with in-built AV, Nespresso machines and wireless projection technoology

Take a look at our latest offers Christmas Parties:

Staying with us after an event?

Prices start from £45/person for our Barnaby’s Kitchen & Lounge Bar, and £55/person for our London Suite ballroom

Avail preferential accommodation rates for ibis starting from £139/night and Mercure starting at £159/night (all rates inclusive of VAT and Breakfast)

Connect with our team at h5623-sb@accor.com for any further enquiries.

Email

h5623-sb@accor.com

Contact

+44(0) 203 988 8300

Website

https://all.accor.com/hotel/C0V5/index.en.shtml

community

Mama Haven launch new community workspace

The Green Quarter celebrates nature, community and cuisine At The Green Quarter in Southall, Berkeley is transforming an 88-acre former gasworks site into a nature-rich, communityorientated neighbourhood.

As well as delivering new homes, improved public spaces and new amenities including state-of-the-art padel courts, the team is committed to supporting the community, whether that be through the 100+ local initiatives and events coordinated, engagement with fantastic local businesses and artists, or supporting charities.

Connecting with the community The Green Quarter’s community plan is tailored to the needs and aspirations of local people, organisations and businesses, and the team is proud to have now launched its annual Social Impact Report, which shines a light on its efforts over the last year.

This includes the work undertaken to understand the community’s mental and physical wellbeing and importantly identify where improvements can be made to better meet their needs.

A core way that the team plans to action this is through the Community Engagement Steering Group. The Group brings together residents and stakeholders such Ealing Council, local schools, community groups and other key partners. It aims to bring valuable input into the area that will build strong relationships and drive positive change.

There are places where people can connect and have fun such as Brilliant Gastro, which

was recently opened by renowned chef Dipna Anand and is an exciting new addition to Parkside Yards, the cultural and commercial hub within The Green Quarter.

Dipna has already amassed a strong following in feeding the residents and visitors of Southall and beyond with the ever popular Brilliant food and celebrity chef James Martin, fitness coach Joe Wicks, and even King Charles III are among her fan base.

The Brilliant Gastro has already added such vibrancy, fun and, not to mention, the finest Indian cuisine to Parkside Yards, and joins many other exciting offerings here.

Mama Haven were really proud to launch their community co-working space with Rupa Huq MP in attendance. A project which was lead by HS2 partners Clip Fine, enabled Mama Haven to utilise an unused space in St Katherines Church, which has been part of the community for decades.

With a grant for HS2 Vinci Fund, we kitted the office and communal room out to be as comfortable as possible. We were also grateful to have donations from A Good Thing, Axis, OPDC and Peabody. The space will now welcome local community groups to mums who are creating businesses into this new space providing a chance to collaborate further and uplift more women.

We are immensely grateful to the partnership we have with the West London Chambers of Commerce and know our new space residents will reap the benefits from our Women in Business Networking events.

Raising awareness and driving skills Another important way of driving change is through training and support, and the team is proud to have coordinated 80 work experience, apprenticeship and graduate placements, and careers events over the last year, while supporting 35 unemployed people into work.

Through the Berkeley Foundation, a charity founded by Berkeley Group, the team has joined the Crisis Homelessness Alliance, working to raise awareness about the growing issue of homelessness.

And as part of this, there is a vital role to play in supporting those who don’t have a place to call home. let’s talkbusiness

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spotlight focus - fulham

Spotlight Focus: Vibrant Fulham is where heritage, community and learning come together Fulham is a vibrant and evolving area that offers a compelling mix of residential charm, business opportunity and cultural richness. It is known for its leafy streets, riverside walks, green spaces such as Bishops Park and Hurlingham Park, and a strong sense of community. It is wellconnected with transport and infrastructure and is served by the District Line, extensive bus routes and safe and scenic cycling routes along the Thames.

A lively experience at Sixes Fulham

It is also part of a borough which is undergoing major regeneration and economic development, including the White City Innovation District, which is anchored by Imperial College London and a hub for life sciences, med-tech and creative industries; Olympia London, a £1.4 billion development which is transforming the area into a creative and cultural district with offices, hotels and performance venues; and the Earls Court Regeneration, a 40-acre site which will deliver 12,000 jobs and 4,800 homes focusing on sustainability and innovation.

Fulham also benefits from its proximity to top universities: Imperial College London, UCL and King’s College London, and being part of the London Growth Plan, an initiative which aims to diversify and upskill the workforce, particularly in green tech, life sciences and creative sectors.

Home to Fulham FC and near Chelsea FC, the area also boasts a rich social scene from sports and fitness to riverside dining and gastropubs, from concerts and theatre performances to exhibitions.

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Sixes Fulham Sixes Fulham is the original Sixes Cricket and opened in 2020. It blends the convivial charm and buzz of a traditional Cricket Clubhouse and features a lively cricket game which needs no previous cricketing experience. It also has a bar and a food menu including burgers, bottomless brunch, Sunday roasts and sharing plates.

Aditya Tolia, Marketing and Community Manager at Sixes Cricket, said: “Sixes Cricket Fulham chose this location for its strong community spirit, excellent transport links – including Fulham Broadway, Earl’s Court, and West Brompton stations – and a vibrant mix of local talent, making recruitment easy.

“Fulham offers a fantastic quality of life, with beautiful parks, lively events, and a welcoming social scene. Our venue provides a modern, inclusive space for cricket, socialising, and events, supporting both residents and businesses. We’re proud to be part of Fulham’s positive, connected community.”

spotlight focus - fulham “Being based in Fulham is central to what we do. The area offers a rare mix of natural beauty, rich heritage and excellent transport connections.

We are just a short walk from Putney Bridge and Parsons Green tube stations, with strong links to bus routes and cycleways.”

Fulham Palace Set on the banks of the River Thames, Fulham Palace is a hidden gem in the heart of west London. Once the countryside retreat of the Bishops of London, the Palace has been a place of residence and refuge for over 1,300 years. Today, it is a vibrant heritage attraction, museum and botanical garden, welcoming more than 250,000 visitors each year who come to explore the historic site, discover their exhibitions and events, or simply relax in the drawing room café.

They are proud to be home to London’s second-oldest botanic garden, originally established in 1766, and they continue to care for this unique green space through conservation and community engagement.

“Fulham Palace is an independent charity and receives no Government funding, so the support of our visitors, donors and volunteers is vital to everything we do,” said Erin Brudi, Marketing and Communications Manager.

“Being based in Fulham is central to what we do. The area offers a rare mix of natural beauty, rich heritage and excellent transport connections. We are just a short walk from Putney Bridge and Parsons Green tube stations, with strong links to bus routes and cycleways. This accessibility allows people from across London to enjoy the site and get involved in exploring the Palace’s long and layered history.

“One of the greatest strengths of Fulham Palace is its people. We run the largest volunteering scheme in the borough,

Fulham Palace - a hidden gem on the banks of the Thames

with over 200 active volunteers supporting everything from gardening and front-ofhouse to archives, family activities and education. Many of our volunteers live locally, and we are proud to provide meaningful opportunities to gain new skills, build confidence and form lasting connections.

“Fulham has a strong sense of identity and community, and Fulham Palace is proud to be a part of that. Our location allows us to protect a nationally significant site while remaining open, welcoming and relevant to the people who live and work nearby.

It is a place where heritage, community and learning come together.”

Essential Luxury – Franchise Owner & Operator of Drivalia Fulham Broadway Essential Luxury is proud to be the franchise owner and operator of the Drivalia Fulham Broadway branch, delivering high-quality vehicle rental solutions with a personal, community-focused touch. Our location within the vibrant Fulham Broadway retail hub places us right at the intersection of convenience, innovation, and opportunity.

High quality vehicle rental solutions from Drivalia Fulham

Our fleet offers a wide range of vehicles to suit all needs, from everyday rentals to executive mobility solutions, and we’re especially proud of our growing electric and hybrid (EV) vehicle selection. As the automotive industry moves toward a greener

future, we’re committed to leading the way locally by offering sustainable options without compromising style, performance, or service.

Fulham is more than just our business location; it’s the foundation of our brand’s ethos. We chose this area for its strong infrastructure, excellent public transport links, and the diversity of its local economy.

The District Line and surrounding road access allow us to serve both local and international clients with ease, whether they’re flying into Heathrow or commuting across London.

As a locally rooted business, we also believe in giving back. We actively support young talent from the community, offering apprenticeship programmes and training pathways that help young people build meaningful careers in customer service, automotive logistics, and operations.

Fulham’s vibrant, skilled population makes it the ideal place to find and grow talent.

Beyond business, Fulham offers a fantastic lifestyle. The blend of green spaces, independent shops, lively cafés, and cultural venues makes it a place where people want to live, work, and spend time, and that same energy feeds into everything we do.

At Essential Luxury, operating the Drivalia Fulham Broadway franchise is more than a business - it’s a commitment to quality service, sustainability, and community growth. We’re proud to be part of Fulham’s ongoing evolution and look forward to continuing our journey here for years to come. let’s talkbusiness

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spotlight focus - fulham Vizability.io

Fulham Pier

Vizability.io is proud to call Fulham home.

The company helps business grow using smart website technology – from modern, high-performing websites to custom digital tools that support long-term success.

Transforming Fulham’s Riverside: Where Business Meets Community.

“Fulham has been the perfect place for us, thanks to its energy, talent, and great connections,” said James Winzar, Sales and Marketing Director.

“One of the best things about Fulham is its strong business community. From new startups to long-established companies, we’ve found that businesses here are open to new ideas and digital change. This makes Fulham a great fit for what we do.

“Another big reason we chose Fulham is the talent in the area. There’s a great mix of creative people and tech experts living locally, which has helped us build a skilled and flexible team. We also work closely with local freelancers and partners, which means we can adapt quickly to meet our clients’ needs.

“Fulham’s transport links are excellent – with the Tube, Overground and major roads nearby, it’s easy for us to get around London and just as easy for clients to visit us. Fast internet and a good local infrastructure also support our remote working approach, so our team can stay productive wherever they are, while staying connected to the local scene.

“But Fulham isn’t just great for business – it’s also a great place to live and work. The area has beautiful riverside walks, great cafés, and a strong sense of community. That quality of life helps us attract and keep great people, which is a big part of our success.

“At vizability.io, we’re passionate about giving businesses the digital tools they need to succeed – and we’re proud to do that from right here in Fulham.”

Vizability.io is proud to have its base in Fulham

Spacemade office space in Fulham

Space Made Spacemade chose Fulham as one of its key locations because it strikes the ideal balance between accessibility, talent, lifestyle, business infrastructure, and most importantly - community.

“These are all essential ingredients for a thriving, modern flexible workspace,” says Rhiana Green. Community Manager.

“Located in south-west London, Fulham offers excellent transport links that make it incredibly convenient for businesses and their teams.

With access to the District Line, Overground services from nearby West Brompton and Imperial Wharf, and a wide range of bus routes, Fulham is well connected to central London, the City, and beyond. For those who prefer to cycle, scenic routes along the Thames make commuting both easy and enjoyable.

Many of our members, even those who live outside the area tell us that Fulham Works is the ideal location to work from, especially when they have in-person meetings or need to travel into the city.

“Another reason we love Fulham is the highly skilled talent pool in and around the area.

Professionals are drawn here for its exceptional quality of life, excellent schools, green spaces, and a vibrant mix of local amenities.

“It’s home to a diverse and dynamic community; entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals across industries like tech, finance, media, and design who value the flexibility and communityfocused environment that Spacemade provides.

The long-anticipated opening of Fulham Pier marks a major milestone for West London’s riverside, bringing with it a transformational hub for business, leisure, and community engagement. Positioned along the Thames and nestled by parkland, this multi-purpose destination is more than just a venue it is a catalyst for regeneration and economic growth in Fulham and the surrounding areas.

Fulham Pier has already begun to make a tangible impact on the community, creating new local jobs, enhancing the area’s visitor economy, and unlocking a previously inaccessible stretch of the riverside.

At its core, Fulham Pier represents a new blueprint for how corporate venues can integrate with and enhance local ecosystems.

It is set to become a magnet for businesses seeking event spaces that combine state-of-theart infrastructure with the energy of a vibrant local community.

But Fulham Pier isn’t just for business; it is a place for everyone. Alongside versatile event spaces, it features inviting public areas, a vibrant food hall, and a neighbourhood restaurant offering fresh opportunities for local food lovers. A packed programme of entertainment, from comedy nights to cultural events, brings the space to life, while wellness experiences provide visitors with opportunities to unwind and rejuvenate. Plus, with an onsite boutique luxury hotel opening late August and a spa launching in 2026, Fulham Pier is truly positioned to become a community destination.

As Fulham Pier opens its doors, it signals a new chapter for the area, one where business, culture, and community come together. For Fulham, this isn’t just a new venue it is a new landmark with lasting impact.

Fulham Pier

“As the area’s business infrastructure continues to grow, Fulham offers more opportunities to connect with local suppliers, partners, and customers, all within a neighbourhood that fosters collaboration and connection.

But Fulham isn’t just great for business – it’s also a great place to live and work.

The area has beautiful riverside walks, great cafés, and a strong sense of community.

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“Outside of work, Fulham also delivers on lifestyle. Whether it’s riverside walks, topnotch dining, or peaceful parks like Bishops Park and Eel Brook Common, it’s a place where work-life balance genuinely exists, with a relaxed yet energetic social scene and plenty of opportunities for networking and community engagement.

“For us at Spacemade, Fulham’s blend of connectivity, talent, lifestyle and community makes it the perfect place to grow, collaborate and thrive for businesses and individuals alike.”

Fulham Pier

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discover fulham

Fun in the sun on the North End Road Thousands of visitors had fun in the sun on Saturday 12 July when Hammersmith & Fulham’s summer festival returned to the borough. Working in partnership with Discover Fulham, the event highlights the eclectic mix of retailers along North End Road and the wider borough.

Taking place along North End Road, the annual all-day market boosts footfall and trade for businesses, benefiting the local economy. The festival also provides affordable opportunities for start-ups to test the market and trade on the high street.

On the day, more than 150 stalls filled the historic market street, selling food from around the world, art, jewellery, home accessories, clothing and more.

A huge mix of live music kept the vibes high.

Performances included a Whitney Houston Tribute Act, soul and funk DJ sets, an award-winning virtuosic harmonica player and music from string quartet ZHL. The entertainment didn’t stop there. Shoppers were joined by a whole cast of street entertainers.

Walking the road were two giant chefs, emperor penguins dressed in tropical shirts and leis necklaces, a bubble-ologist and two dancing human lampshades.

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Discover Fulham hosted a fringe festival in Jerdan Place with mini-golf, stunt table tennis and a host of fun games for visitors to play. We were also joined by movie stars BB8 and R2D2 from Star Wars, and Bumblebee, Megatron and Optimus Prime from the Transformers movie franchise.

Andy Bell, BID Manager, Discover Fulham said: “It is great to see North End Road so busy with people of all ages celebrating the great businesses we have. Our challenge is to keep these people coming back and supporting our businesses in what are difficult trading conditions.

We have welcomed new businesses into the Fulham area in Lidl, Huddle at the Fulham Centre and Wetherspoons, and have Aldi and Marks and Spencer joining us in the coming months filling some of the vacant properties in the Fulham Broadway area.”

Dates for both of Hammersmith & Fulham’s Christmas markets will be announced soon. www.discoverfulham.co.uk

Photos by Justin Thomas + H&F Council

discover fulham

It is great to see North End Road so busy with people of all ages celebrating the great businesses we have. Our challenge is to keep these people coming back and supporting our businesses in what are difficult trading conditions. let’s talkbusiness

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in profile news

Brightsun Travel wins King’s Award for International Trade Hounslow-based travel agency Brightsun Travel has been honoured with The King’s Award for International Trade, one of the UK’s most prestigious business accolades.

Personally approved by His Majesty the King, the award recognises their outstanding business achievements.

Founded in 1986 as a small family firm, Brightsun Travel has grown into a multimillion-pound international company led

by Managing Director Deepak Nangla.

The company now employs over 350 people and operates from offices in the UK, Ireland, India, and the UAE. The King’s Award recognises Brightsun’s impressive overseas sales growth, which has steadily increased over the past three years and now makes up more than 25% of its business.

With trade partnerships in 21 countries, Brightsun continues to expand its global reach, offering a Deepak Nangla, Managing Director of Brightsun Travel

The Brightsun Travel Team

diverse portfolio of flights, holidays, and tailor-made travel solutions to a worldwide customer base.

Managing Director Deepak Nangla said, “We are truly honoured to receive this award, especially as we approach our 40th anniversary. It not only celebrates our global growth but also opens doors to new opportunities.”

He added, “The past five years have been incredibly tough – particularly for the travel industry – but resilience, strategic thinking, and staying true to your values are key.

Awards like this reflect our team’s purpose, perseverance, and passion.”

Original founder and chairperson R.S. Nangla credits the company’s ongoing success to three core values: “Putting customers first, treating our staff like family, and investing in technology.”

Brightsun Travel anticipates that the King’s Award will further strengthen its reputation, enhance its appeal to international partners, and open doors to new commercial opportunities, including investment, joint ventures, and market expansion.

Proud Garner & Hancock Solicitors celebrates two milestones Garner & Hancock Solicitors, a cornerstone of the Isleworth and West London legal community for over 140 years, is proud to celebrate two significant milestones reflecting both legacy and leadership.

Vinay Tanna, Senior Partner Solicitor (Head of Dispute Resolution) and Notary Public, marks 30 years of dedicated service in the legal profession. Throughout his career, he has built an outstanding reputation for resilience, compassion and legal excellence.

“A 30-year career in law is no small feat,” said a firm spokesperson. “That is 10,950 days of making a real difference. Vinay’s unwavering commitment has shaped not only the outcomes of countless client matters but also the very culture of our firm. His genuine warmth and steady professionalism have made him someone everyone trusts and looks up to. This extends to our clients, our colleagues and fellow professionals across

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Jakub Kotan

Vinay Tanna

the legal field. He is not just a solicitor; he is the go-to person, a mentor and a friend we all truly value.”

In tandem with this celebration, Solicitor Jakub Kotan has been appointed as the firm’s new Managing Director. His appointment represents both a continuation of excellence and a forward-looking chapter. Beginning his journey with Garner & Hancock as a paralegal, Jakub’s steady progression

reflects his focus, leadership and deep understanding of the legal landscape.

“Jakub’s dedication and strategic vision have played a central role in our evolution,” continued the spokesperson. “His steady, forward-thinking leadership has already made a noticeable impact on the firm’s growth and visibility. With Jakub guiding the way, the future of Garner & Hancock feels not only secure, but full of promise and purpose.”

As the firm celebrates these two significant milestones, it proudly reaffirms its longstanding dedication to legal excellence and genuinely client-centred service. The achievements of both Vinay and Jakub speak volumes about the strength of character, passion, and expertise that have always been at the core of Garner & Hancock Solicitors and what it represents.

West London Chambers was very proud and pleased to award Garner & Hancock the Lifetime Achievement Award in the West London Chamber Business Awards 2024.

news

Ajar Technology celebrates milestone 20th anniversary Since 2005, Chamber member Brentford-based Ajar Technology has supported enterprises in their digital transformation. As a top-tier systems integrator, they provide world–class audio visual, physical security and niche integrated solutions across sectors with a key mission to be the preferred partner for technology leadership, innovation and exceptional service.

The company was founded 20 years ago in the vibrant community of Ealing, marking the start of its innovative journey. That same year, they secured their first project with a local Police Training Centre, demonstrating a commitment to public safety through technology. By 2006, their growth led them to establish their first official office in Northfields.

In 2007, Ajar launched a Transport and Control Room project, establishing a foundation for future advancements. In late 2008, Ajar Technology was recognised for excellence with the first industry award, The Innovation Awards in Amsterdam.

In 2011, Ajar made the move to their Brentford headquarters with full office workspaces, achieving their first ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations. During the 2012 Olympics, Ajar assisted with the CATV transmission and distribution services and in 2016 they proudly launched a flagship residential project.

Over the next 10 years, Ajar Technology delivered successful projects with Heathrow Airport including the very first APOC in

Seeing, Connecting, Securing

Europe, as well as securing multi-site security and audio-visual projects and contracts with multiple UK police forces, local and central government agencies.

Business of the Year 2023: West London Chambers

In 2021, they celebrated a successful year with NSI Gold Certification and awards such as Control Room Project of the Year awarded at a Global AV event in Barcelona.

The following year, they officially launched their EU entity, Ajar Technology EU BV, in The Hague, expanding their business into new markets. They quickly made an impact, delivering their first project in Ireland, followed by more successful projects in Germany, France and Sweden.

20th anniversary celebrations

In 2023, it was another award-winning year with Ajar Technology receiving the Heathrow Airport Social Value Supplier of the Year award, and the West London Chambers of Commerce Business of the Year award.

At the end of 2024, they were proud to be named the DfE T Levels Employer of the Year in London, setting the stage for the 20th anniversary in 2025, an exciting milestone for the team and partners.

20th anniversary celebrations

Our solutions include control room environments, large format digital media display, physical security, cyber security as well as smart building and home automation.

Partnering with best-in-class vendors and the end user, our solutions portfolio continues to evolve as clients transform business processes with digital technology.

In the fast moving world of smart tech we believe in offering an end-to-end solution, from innovation and design, all the way to project handover.

T 0800 612 2680

• Consultancy & Design

E enquiries@ajartechnology.com

• Command & Control

• Specialist Systems Integrations • Security • Audio Visual & Digital Signage • Smart Building

ajartechnology.com let’s talkbusiness

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Arts & Culture

arts & culture

Chiswick House & Gardens Trust opens new artist studios as they kick off multi-million pound redevelopment

inspiration. It’s an important milestone in the delivery of the Mayor’s Creative Enterprise Zones which are helping to build a better London for everyone.”

Xanthe Arvanitakis, Director of Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, said: “We’re incredibly excited to have today launched our Creative Campus, supporting the next generation of artists in the uniquely beautiful grounds here at Chiswick House and Gardens. As artists begin moving into these new studios, we hope to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive creative community that fully reflects the diversity of the local area, with planned open studio days and community events ensuring that this historically significant space will remain welcoming to all for generations to come.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, cut the ribbon to officially launch Chiswick House & Gardens Trust’s brand-new affordable artist studios, part of the Trust’s wider Community & Creative Campus, on Thursday 22 May. Twenty new artist and maker studios have been created in historic outbuildings set around the tranquil beauty of the site’s Kitchen Garden, and the Trust will be welcoming artists and makers taking up residence in early summer.

Developed in partnership with the charity Artist Studio Company, the studios will provide affordable creative workspace for up to 50 London-based artists and makers.

The Creative Campus is part of a landmark £6.4million redevelopment project at the historic 65-acre West London gardens, which will see the transformation of previously underused areas of the estate into new indoor and outdoor spaces for the whole community.

The Studios form part of this ongoing project, designed to support Chiswick House & Gardens Trust’s existing community work and cement the Trust’s place as a thriving hub for engagement, education, and creative enterprise. Future plans include the launch of a new Schools Programme and Learning Hub and, in 2026, the transformation of a disused 17th century walled garden into a Community Garden.

The Trust, which is based in the Mayor of London’s Hounslow Creative Enterprise Zone, has already secured over £4.4million of the £6.4million budget for the Community & Creative Campus, including £180,00 from the mayor’s £1.2m Creative Enterprise Zone Sustainability Capital Grant.

The project directly responds to a growing demand for accessible workspaces across

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Justine Simons and Xanthe Arvanitakis at the launch of Chiswick House & Gardens Trust’s new Artist Studios Image by James O Jenkins

London, where 67% of affordable creative spaces have closed since 2014.

In addition to providing much needed affordable workspaces for local and Londonbased artist-makers, fostering a new creative community, income from the studios will also help Chiswick House & Gardens Trust secure its own future and continue its vital community work and keep its beautiful gardens open for all for decades to come.

The studios, and the wider Community and Creative Campus of which they form a part, have been made possible by generous support from a range of funders including the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zone, London Borough of Hounslow, The Linbury Trust, Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Kusuma Trust, Clore Duffield Foundation, Foyle Foundation, the Swire Charitable Trust, Bernard Sunley Foundation, the Architectural Heritage Fund and many generous individuals.

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “I am delighted to open these wonderful new studios at Chiswick House & Gardens. They will provide much-needed affordable creative workspace to local artists and help to foster a new creative community as these historic outbuildings come alive with excitement and

“We’re delighted to support these new artist studios. They will play an important role in helping emerging artists and further developing our borough’s rich arts and culture.

“The creative arts play a central role in enriching lives, bringing people together and fostering community pride, but they also create jobs and bring visitors to the borough, boosting our local economy and showcasing the best of Hounslow.

“We encourage local artists in need of a workspace to check out these new studios, in their stunning surroundings.”

arts & culture

A look at some important stories and events in the world of Arts & Culture, from within West London Chambers’ membership Artist Sangeeta Weatherley who recently acquired a studio in the Kitchen Garden studios in Chiswick House & Gardens, is excited to be working in such beautiful, inspiring surroundings.

Sangeeta said “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the vibrant creative community at Chiswick House & Gardens. It’s an incredible privilege to work in such beautiful, historic, and inspiring surroundings. My practice is deeply rooted in nature – I’m drawn to capturing the quiet beauty around us, from intricate florals to striking architecture – and I can’t think of a more fitting place to continue this journey.” www.sansart.co.uk

QVC UK Corporate Volunteering Partnership with Chiswick House & Gardens A team of senior leaders from QVC had a rewarding volunteering gardening day on 18th June at Chiswick House.

All team members are given the opportunity to support the local community through QVC Group’s Together for Good programme.

In the beautiful sunshine, the team enjoyed trimming the lime groves, weeding the shrubbery, clearing the wooded area and dismantling cold sheds.

New arts and culture centre and affordable homes in Brentford moves closer Plans to deliver a new arts and culture centre and affordable housing as part of the wider regeneration of Brentford have taken a major step forward.

The redevelopment project, which spans three sites along Brentford’s High Street and Riverside, includes a new arts centre – expected to be the largest in the borough, affordable homes, and improvements to the river frontage and walk at the Albany site, and new community spaces.

A report was due to go to Hounslow Council’s cabinet meeting on 13 May seeking approval to enter into a Collaboration Agreement with developers Topland Group to progress the next phase of the redevelopment.

The Council and Topland have reached provisional agreement with a housing provider to deliver the affordable homes.

This remains subject to an updated design achieving full planning consent and complying with new building regulations.

The report also sets out a new approach to select an operator for the arts and culture centre, via an open tender, which will be designed to serve all Hounslow’s communities.

Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, said: “The redevelopment of Brentford Town Centre is a priority for this Council. We are delivering not only much-needed affordable homes but also a new arts and culture centre that will be a source of pride for our borough.

This project is at the heart of delivering a

Cllr Salman Shaheen and Cllr Tom Bruce

healthier, thriving, safer, liveable and a fairer, more equal Hounslow.

“What must be recognised is that getting any regeneration or housing project off the ground in the current climate has been and is a mammoth task. Across the country, development, housing, and the arts sectors are facing unprecedented pressures. That Hounslow is still making real progress speaks to our commitment, the strength of our partnerships, and the boldness of our vision. There is still work to do, and challenges remain — but this is a long-term investment in Brentford’s future.

“By investing in homes, culture, and community spaces, we are helping to build a vibrant, inclusive future for Brentford and for the whole borough.”

Cllr Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, added: “After a decade in planning - and, we have to accept, a perfect storm of crises - I am overjoyed to see the final pieces of the puzzle coming together that will allow us to build Brentford’s new arts and culture centre.

“And I want that to be a world-class arts and culture centre. One that serves our residents, and also brings people in from far and wide, from across London and beyond to see the very best acts.” let’s talkbusiness

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arts & culture

Arts & Culture

Brompton Technology receives King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation

Brentford’s free Art Trail celebrates its fifth year Now firmly part of Hounslow calendar, Creative Mile, Brentford Art Trail is one of the most eclectic art festivals in London. Over one hundred artists and makers showcase their work in unique venues across Brentford. Such creativity will be present at open studios, on a Thames ait, industrial buildings, churches, galleries, cafes and pubs. This year will also see Hounslow Council offer its iconic Boston Manor House as a venue.

Now in its fifth year, Creative Mile, Brentford Art Trail will be celebrating the theme of neighbourhood. The town is changing rapidly with new neighbourhoods being created.

Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces at Hounslow Council, said: “As a Brentford resident and the Cabinet Member for Culture, I am delighted that we can help fund Brentford’s fifth Creative Mile event and offer the iconic Boston Manor House as a venue. As a borough, we have a proud history of supporting the creative industries to flourish and this event will certainly showcase the very best local talent.

I encourage residents and visitors from far

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and wide to come along and discover what the artists, creatives and musicians have to offer.”

Brentford based artist Mr Mr Pearce and founder of Creative Mile said: “Creative Mile has always been the town working together to put a spotlight on what is already here. The weekend provides an opportunity for artists and other creatives to show their work to a large audience in one weekend. We appreciate the ongoing support of Hounslow Council in providing a grant to help us deliver this event.”

Creative Mile is a 3-day festival starting Friday 29 August at 6-9pm, 30-31st August 11-5pm., which will be one of the events taking place as part of the Hounslow Summer of Culture.

Save the date to celebrate creativity and the town in late summer, everyone’s welcome.

All venues are free to access including The Musical Museum and Boston Manor House.

For more information visit: www.creativemile.org

Brompton Technology is proud to announce that it has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, one of the most prestigious recognitions for UK businesses. Brompton is one of just 197 organisations nationally to receive the 2025 Award, recognised for outstanding achievement in the Innovation category. A total of 199 Awards are made with two companies being recognised with two Awards.

Founded in 2011, Brompton Technology has evolved into a global leader in LED video processing, employing 79 people across its UK headquarters and international locations. Its ground-breaking Tessera platform powers some of the world’s largest live events and is a driving force behind the rapid growth of virtual production techniques in film and television. Brompton’s technology has enabled creative visions for concert touring for global superstars including Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, and major film and television productions such as Barbie, The Mandalorian, and House of the Dragon.

Brompton previously won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category in 2020 and was AV Magazine’s Manufacturer of the Year in 2023.

The King’s Award recognises Brompton’s innovation in developing the Tessera SX40, which set a new standard for LED video processing. Supporting 4K workflows with a robust 10G fibre-based data distribution model, Tessera SX40 solves critical

arts & culture bandwidth and cabling challenges for large LED screens in demanding environments.

Ongoing enhancements, delivered via software rather than hardware upgrades, have allowed Brompton’s processors to evolve alongside its customers’ needs, preserving investment and extending the usable life of LED panels, a strategy that not only delivers technical excellence but also embodies a sustainable approach to product development. This philosophy of designing for longevity and backwards compatibility has strengthened Brompton’s position as a trusted technology partner across live entertainment, broadcast, education, esports, corporate AV, and premium signage.

“We are incredibly proud to receive a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, following our Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2020,” says Richard Mead, CEO of Brompton Technology.

“This recognition is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of our team and the amazing success of the Tessera SX40, which has also been recognised with other major awards including an Emmy from the Television Academy based in Los Angeles.

Brompton continues to focus on innovation to meet the needs of our customers and delivering quality and reliability, backed up by 24/7 technical support.”

The latest accolade follows Brompton Technology being recognised by the Television Academy with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering, Science and Technology, awarded for its Tessera SX40 LED video processor.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

The Business of History

By Tom Levitt

In 1925 William Beable published Romance of Great Businesses, thirty-two pen portraits of iconic businesses of the day. They included pioneers in manufacturing; Colman’s mustard, Dunlop tyres, Hovis wholemeal bread. Pioneers in retail; Gamage, Boots, WH Smith.

Service providers included Mudie’s circulating library and several publishers. Some tales are wellknown, such as that of William Lever (later Unilever), although others, like Swift Motors, Martin’s cigars or Mudie’s itself, have faded into obscurity.

Here in West London both Glaxo and Lyons were Greenford-based in the early 20th century, whilst Pears soap once resided in Isleworth. Glaxo (later GSK) made baby formula up to the 1920s when they switched to pharmacy. Lyons provided exhibition cafes, then tea rooms, before focusing on baking whilst Pears, absorbed by Lever in 1919, changed the face of advertising.

The Pears family used to live in Spring Grove House, which is now part of the West Thames College campus in Isleworth and the Chambers has its office in Spring Grove House.

Beable’s 32 subjects inspired my new book, The Business of History: Tales and Lessons from Two Centuries of British Commerce. However, his bowdlerised accounts omitted controversy – Cadbury’s and slavery, industrial unrest at Bryant & May and Horrockses, a murder and several frauds. His biggest omission was analysis.

Businesses 150 years ago weren’t significantly regulated. Early shareholding was for long-term investors, not a shortcut to ownership or control; share trading was modest until under a century ago.

Families once owned thirty of the thirty-two companies: the very word ‘company’ means ‘those who break bread together’.

I built on Beable’s foundation by exploring more comprehensive data, analysing it and bringing the stories up to date.

The book employs an ESG framework, changes in Governance being a dominant theme. Early businesses played a role in Society, highlighting the religious and political motivations of early business leaders, though the Environment was

Tom Levitt

mostly ignored, deliberately so for 50 years post-WW2. That George Cadbury did not wish his employees to live ‘where a rose cannot grow’ was exceptional in Victorian times. The ‘greenhouse effect’ was observed in 1896 yet it took 100 years for fuel-using businesses to respond.

The later twentieth century saw tumult as shareholder value, private equity and Friedmanite philosophy eclipsed family values in the ownership of larger firms. Only four of the thirty-two exist independently today; eight have disappeared completely.

The remaining twenty survive only as brands, intangible commodities, readily bought and sold.

I enjoyed writing the book. I hope it will entertain both the business community and the general curious reader. https://londonpublishingpartnership.co.uk/ books/the-business-of-history/

Families once owned thirty of the thirtytwo companies: the very word ‘company’ means ‘those who break bread together’. let’s talkbusiness

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arts & culture

Arts & Culture Celebrating Russell Finex’s murals honouring Sir Mo Farah and Freddie Mercury On May 21st, Russell Finex proudly welcomed special guests to their headquarters in Feltham for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of two vibrant murals celebrating local icons: Sir Mo Farah, the legendary long-distance runner, and Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen.

Both of these remarkable icons have deep roots in Feltham. Sir Mo Farah’s running talent was first discovered just 600 metres from the Russell Finex site, and Freddie Mercury lived only a mile from their factory. To honour their connection to the community, Russell Finex commissioned artist Ed Russell to create two stunning murals that capture their spirit and legacy.

Russell Finex was honoured to have Sir Mo Farah himself join the special occasion, along with Seema Malhotra, MP for Feltham and Heston, representatives from the West London Chambers of Commerce, The Mulberry Centre, local community groups,

and Alan Watkinson, the PE teacher who first spotted Sir Mo’s exceptional talent.

Alan Watkinson said “It was such a pleasure to see my ex - student opening the murals at Russel Finex. The amount he has grown as a person and the concern he has for the health and wellbeing of all young people are as much a sense of pride for me as his considerable athletic achievements.”

The Russell Finex team had a fantastic time meeting the guests, snapping selfies with Sir Mo, and enjoying Queen’s greatest hits throughout the celebration.

You can now see these incredible murals proudly displayed on the walls of the Russell Finex factory on Mono Lane, right next to Feltham Leisure West.

Photographs by ‘Photographer London’

Work for the West London Business of the Year!

We are currently hiring:

Join us and enjoy:

• Polishers, welders & fabricators

• Competitive salaries with monthly bonuses

• Quality Control Engineers

• Annual profit share bonus ( average 40% of salary)

• Mechanical and Electronic Engineers

• Non-contributory final salary pension

• Administrators

• Career progression and training

• Apprentices

• Subsidised canteen and quarterly get-togethers

See our website for latest vacancies

• Many more benefits and reward schemes

T: 020 8818 2000 E: careers@russellfinex.com

www.russellfinex.com Russell Finex Ltd, Russell House, Browells Lane, Feltham, Middlesex, TW13 7EW

k4 group of companies

Using hurdles as opportunities for growth has secured K4 Group’s success From providing security for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral to providing medical training for thousands of people, K4 Group has grown exponentially over the past seven years. Group CEO Arsalan Khan talks to Sarah Dale about pivoting challenges into opportunities as he plans to grow the business further.

Being able to pivot in business is crucial to surviving when challenges arise – and K4 Group has this flexibility and foresight in bucketloads.

Founded in 2018 by Arsalan and Tamaryn Khan, the company started out as an events management and planning company providing security services to the public and private sectors.

When Covid hit the UK and the first lockdown occurred in March 2020, all events stopped overnight, and K4 Group CEO Arsalan Khan admits they were considering closing the business. “All our work had finished, so we were looking at shutting down,” he explains.

“But we ended up providing covid marshalls – a job that never occurred before Covid or since! That came into play because we had a lot of manpower. We quickly did some upskilling and provided covid marshalls for the NHS, retail stores and local businesses to maintain social distancing.

“We went from shutting down the business to making £1-2 million a month. We went from zero revenue to £20 million a year overnight.

We had a big pool of casual workers for events, so we deployed them to help with the pandemic.”

At the time, they had an office management team of five people and 300 casual workers registered with the company. “We rejigged a few parts of the business, changed our approach and remortgaged our family home,” adds Arsalan.

Events began to start up again and the security aspect of the business grew to cover a range of services, including manned/ static guarding, front of house and concierge, canine security services, gatemen and traffic

Arsalan Khan, K4 Group CEO marshalls, key holding, mobile security patrols, and alarm response, as well as providing events consultancy and planning.

They now provide alarm response to 700 properties.

Next, they realised that it would be more beneficial for the company and clients if they brought the medical provision for events in-house and so K4 Medical was formed.

They added a doctor and medic to the team, acquired Primary Ambulance Services, and started providing a range of courses from door supervisors to first response emergency training.

On the events side, they have worked on some of the biggest events in the UK, including the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (where they deployed 700 members of staff), the Queen’s funeral and manning the queue to visit the late monarch when she was lying in state at Westminster Hall (providing 400 staff members a day), and tours for big names in the music industry.

“Every time we have hit a problem or a hurdle, we have been very flexible,” he says.

“None of our team is afraid to get their hands dirty and they can adapt to anything.”

K4 Group, which is the parent company of K4 Security, K4 Medical, K4 Training and K4 Global, has its head office in Hounslow with regional offices in Leeds, Peterborough and Cardiff and overseas offices in Pakistan and Turkey.

They are a SIA-approved contractor which now employs 71 managers and 60 administrative

staff members and a freelance team of between 4,500 and 5,000 people.

Out of 7,000 security firms in the UK, about 700 are part of the approved contractors list for the Home Office including K4, a fact Arsalan is extremely proud of.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” says Arsalan.

“Our core senior management team is very dedicated, very driven and very flexible and we have great staff.”

Arsalan’s wife, Tamaryn, rejoined the business at the start of the year after being a stay-athome mum for a couple of years to look after their three daughters aged between nine and five.

“Having my wife in the business definitely helps with our work-life balance,” he says.

“We have amazing family support and amazing team support. A lot of the management team have kids, and we understand the work-life balance. We all support each other; we are like a family unit within the business.

“I’m one of those people that doesn’t mind change; I really enjoy challenges. My goal is to do whatever I can to help our customers.

We are driven by solving challenges rather than money, which makes us competitive and resilient. If there is a problem from our senior leadership team to staff working on the ground, no-one walks away until a job is complete. Everyone is willing to change and adapt – and that’s always been the key to our success to our resilience and growth.”

Looking towards the future, Arsalan says they are excited to commence work on a whole range of projects secured during last year’s boost on raising brand awareness, attending exhibitions and networking to meet more clients.

“This year will all be about growth and working on new projects but remaining as committed as ever to our existing customers,” he adds. “We are small enough that everything and everyone matters within the business, and we have grown together.

Every customer matters to us. We have a big team behind us, so we are also large enough for our customers to trust us with the bigger projects.” www.k4group.co.uk

let’s talkbusiness

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hospitality

Mayor announces new £300,000 ‘Summer Streets’ Fund to boost al fresco dining across the capital The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced a new £300,000 Summer Streets Fund to boost al fresco dining and extend opening hours for pubs, restaurants and venues, in summer 2025, helping to grow the capital’s nighttime economy.

The action will kickstart changes across the capital ahead of new licensing powers that the Government intend to give to the Mayor of London to boost hospitality, culture and nightlife.

The fund will be delivered in partnership with councils across the city to support restaurants, cafes, small nightlife venues, pubs, late opening and businesses, including live music and LGBTQ+ venues.

London’s hospitality, leisure and tourism remains absolutely critical to the success of the capital and growth nationally, generating more than £46 billion every year* and accounting for one in ten jobs in London.

As temperatures rise and with more than five million tourists expected to visit this summer alone, the Mayor is working closely with London Councils and has written to local authorities and businesses, encouraging them to create more al fresco dining and extend opening hours.

Councils can apply for a share of the £300,000 fund to work closely with venues to create new outdoor eating and drinking hubs or extend existing areas, helping them to cut through red tape and provide guidance and simplify processes to enable businesses to extend their opening hours this summer.

The funding announcement follows the launch of the London Growth Plan in February, in partnership with London Councils, to support the city’s high streets, enabling local economies to thrive. The action comes as the Government announced its intention to give new licensing powers to the Mayor of London, allowing Sadiq “call in” powers to review blocked licensing applications in nightlife hotspots, grant more al fresco dining spots and cut bureaucratic red tape. The Mayor is clear that this summer fund is an opportunity to work together this summer to drive growth and prosperity by giving diners, pub goers and those on a night out more time and choice to enjoy what London hospitality has to offer.

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Photo courtesy of Fulham Pier

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London is the greatest city in the world and as summer approaches and our city is set to welcome millions of tourists, I’m keen to put al fresco dining and later opening hours back on the menu.

“London’s world-class range of restaurants, cafes and bars is part of what makes our city special, but too often they have found themselves restricted through bureaucracy and rules constraining their growth. This new £300,000 Summer Streets Fund will help to kickstart al fresco dining and extend opening hours this summer, allowing the industry to thrive.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with councils and our fantastic hospitality sector to cut red tape and give the sector the boost it needs, ensuring decisions are made in the best interests of the city. Hospitality is one of London’s biggest employers so a thriving sector will drive growth and deliver more jobs across the city, helping us to continue building a better London for everyone.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “London is beautiful in the summer and there are some incredible spots to enjoy a meal outside.

“Investing in al fresco dining and extended opening hours is not just about business recovery, it’s about reimagining our public spaces as vibrant inclusive destinations that support local economies, bring communities together and breathe new life into London’s streets.”

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “A growth-first approach to licensing and regulation that supports hospitality businesses, cuts red tape and delivers what customers want is the right thing for the

Mayor to focus on. With the busy summer months fast approaching, new funding to drive the use of outside space can provide a real boost to the sector and I urge London boroughs to get behind this initiative.”

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “This is a vital and timely move by the Mayor that signals loud and clear: London is open for business and ready to thrive this summer. As the days get longer and temperatures rise, the ability for venues to trade outdoors and extend their hours isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. This funding offers a real opportunity to cut through bureaucracy, boost footfall, and give hospitality and nightlife the platform they need to flourish.

We fully back this initiative and encourage boroughs to move quickly, Londoners and visitors are ready to eat, drink and enjoy everything our great city has to offer.”

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “London wouldn’t be London without our fantastic pubs, so efforts to help the sector overcome the many obstacles it faces are welcome. This is a positive first step to improve London’s licensing regime, and we look forward to working with the Mayor and the London councils to remove barriers that prevent pubs from doing what they do best – serving up great pints and a warm welcome to Londoners and visitors alike.”

Sally Smith, COO, West London Chambers of Commerce said: “There were few positives from the pandemic, but the lockdown did encourage more outside dining. I am the one who always wants to be outside, especially on a sunny day/evening, so this initiative is great to my mind. But do be responsible and follow the iconic Australian safety campaign, slip, slap, slop!”

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Family-Friendly Novotel London Brentford is just a short drive from the beauty of Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, the historic avenues of Richmond and the roar of Twickenham Stadium.

Home of Brentford FC is Brentford Community Stadium, a 15 minute walk from the hotel.

Novotel London Brentford is a proud member of West London Chambers of Commerce

Hotel that makes every moment matter Novotel London Brentford Great West Road, Brentford. TW8 0GP T:+44 20 7660 2230 E: H6995@accor.com www.novotel.com https://all.accor.com/hotel/6995/index.en.shtml let’s talkbusiness

31

international trade

UK and EU sign post-Brexit deal The UK and the EU reached a new deal in May setting out post-Brexit relations on areas including fishing rights, trade and defence.

Fishing The new deal will continue to give EU boats access to UK waters until 2038.

The 2020 Brexit deal, which saw the UK regain 25 per cent EU fishing quotas, was due to run out next year.

The UK will continue to agree yearly quotas with the EU and Norway and issue licences to control who fishes in its waters.

A £360 million fishing and coastal growth fund was announced to invest in new technology and equipment.

Farming exports

The Government says the agreement “paves the way” for UK-based arms firms to access the Security Action for Europe (Safe) - a £150 billion EU fund providing loans for defence projects.

Youth experience scheme The UK and the EU have agreed to co-operate further on a youth experience scheme, but this will be subject to further negotiations.

The Government says such a scheme “could see young people able to work and travel freely in Europe again” but would be “capped and time-limited”. It says the idea would mirror existing schemes the UK has with countries like Australia and New Zealand, where there is an annual quota of visas allowing people between the ages of 18 and 35 to work in each other’s countries for up to three years.

The UK is also negotiating to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme, which allows students to study or do an internship abroad.

In return for extending current fishing rules, the UK has secured a deal to reduce checks on food exports to the EU. Officials will drop some routine border checks on animal and plant shipments to and from the EU.

Defence and security A formal UK-EU defence and security pact has been established.

UK and EU officials will meet every six months to talk about defence and foreign policy. Both sides will coordinate on sanctions, share more information and develop a space-related security policy. let’s talkbusiness

British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates at more European airports.

When Brexit ended freedom of movement, it changed the rules for people travelling to European countries. Now, British passport holders can’t use “EU/EEA/CH” lanes at EU border crossings A new passport system will make it easier for UK pets to travel, ending the need for repeat vet certificate.

Carbon tax The UK and EU will link their carbon markets to avoid taxes on carbon-intensive goods like steel and cement travelling between the UK and EU. The Government says it will save £800 million in taxes and shield British steel from EU tariffs, thanks to a UK-only deal worth £25 million a year.

British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates at more European airports.

When Brexit ended freedom of movement, it changed the rules for people travelling to European countries.

Now, British passport holders can’t use “EU/ EEA/CH” lanes at EU border crossings

The new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement means the UK can sell raw burgers and sausages back into the EU for the first time since Brexit.

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Passport e-gates

Photo by Getty Images

international trade

UK trade deal with US agreed The UK-US trade deal was agreed in May 2025. · Immediate benefits for UK auto and aerospace sectors as tariffs are slashed under the UK-US trade deal, protecting British jobs across the country. · UK car manufacturers can now export to the US under a reduced 10% tariff quota saving hundreds of millions annually and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. · The UK aerospace sector also gains a major boost, with 10% tariffs on goods like engines and aircraft parts removed today and a commitment to maintain them at 0%.

British car and aerospace manufacturers will benefit from major tariff reductions when exporting to the US, saving thousands of jobs, as the landmark UK-US trade deal comes into effect.

The UK is the only country to have secured this deal with the US, reducing car export tariffs from 27.5% to 10%, saving manufacturers hundreds of millions each

year and protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs.

At the same time, the aerospace sector has seen the removal of 10% tariffs on goods such as engines and aircraft parts, helping make companies such as Rolls Royce more competitive and allow them to continue to be at the cutting edge of innovation.

These changes are a huge win for both sectors and will help ensure UK manufacturers remain globally competitive, protect British jobs and continue to lead in innovation and excellence.

Alan Rides - Chamber CEO said: “As negotiation progress from the initial agreement in May President Trump said during his visit to Scotland he is looking at 10% tariff on all U.K. goods, with hopes of a

breakthrough in trade negotiations between the two countries.

“So if USA is your target market why not look at our trade mission to Atlanta”

UK and India Free Trade Agreement Business leaders across West London have strongly welcomed the signing of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, as Business and Trade Secretary, Jonny Reynolds and India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, signed the landmark trade deal.

This will unlock £4.8bn of economic growth for the UK, and is widely backed by large and small businesses across aerospace, financial and professional services, food and drink, and the automotive sector.

Our member Pernod Ricard released the following statement from Jean-Etienne Gourgues, Chivas Brothers Chairman and CEO, who said: “Signature of the UK-India FTA is a sign of hope in challenging times for the spirits industry.

“India is the world’s biggest whisky market by volume and greater access will be an eventual game changer for the export of our Scotch whisky brands, such as Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s.

“The deal will support long term investment and jobs in our distilleries in Speyside and

our bottling plant at Kilmalid and help deliver growth in both Scotland and India over the next decade.

“Let’s hope that both governments will move quickly to ratification so business can get to work implementing the deal!” let’s talkbusiness

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international trade

International Trade events update

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Visitors from Issy-les-Moulineaux

Visitors from Issy-les-Moulineaux

MOU signing on line with Atlanta Black Chamber

Tech Week visitors from Asia

Tech Week visitors from Asia

Vietnam inbound mission reception

Vietnam inbound mission reception

ABCC conference focus on Libya and Algeria

Libyan inbound trade mission with Libya British Business Council

Visit to United Nations IMO

Libyan Reception

Maldives meeting with High Commissioner

Maldives Ministry sign MOU with WLCC to promote trade and investment

Meeting with Jonathan Reynolds MP - Business Minister to discuss USA FTA and his congratulations on our MOU signing with Atlanta and Trade Mission.

GTR Awards

Vietnam Finance Conference

19 May 2025 - Trading with the UAE, with The Corporate Group

20 May 2025 - Chinese Delegation from Yongnian Province

Maldives President and four minsters conference and MOU signing

ICC Chairman Conference

Alan Rides appointed deputy Chair of British Exporter Association

Morocco meeting with PM Trade Envoy

India FTA

Maldives President meets Indian PM after meeting WLCC

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news

Two striking new sculptures unveiled at The Brentford Project June 2025: Two captivating new public sculptures have been unveiled at The Brentford Project, the landmark regeneration scheme by Ballymore in Brentford town centre.

The artworks, created by internationally acclaimed artist Colin Spofforth, were revealed at a special event attended by Sean Mulryan, Chairman and Group Chief Executive of Ballymore, Councillor Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council, and the artist himself.

Located on either side of Workhouse Dock, the sculptures – titled Guest of a Lady and The Mirror Man - mark a major milestone in Ballymore’s vision to integrate art, history, and community into the very fabric of Brentford’s evolving identity, as the ongoing regeneration continues at pace.

Guest of a Lady This evocative bronze sculpture features a seated female figure in period attire, inspired

by Brentford’s industrious nineteenth-century past. Positioned to invite interaction, the figure gazes out across the landscape, evoking an era when the Grand Union Canal and the Great Western Railway brought prosperity and bustling activity to the town. Her open posture encourages viewers to sit beside her, reflect, and immerse themselves in the narrative of Brentford’s heritage.

a magical place. These sculptures provide two new cultural points of interest for the public to engage with and enjoy. Importantly, they take inspiration from Brentford’s past, ensuring that this spirit is continued as part of our ongoing regeneration of The Brentford Project.”

The Mirror Man Boldly interactive and thought-provoking, The Mirror Man explores themes of self-perception and reflection. Cast in bronze, the sculpture features a man in work clothes, leaning against a towering, Victorian-industrial-style stainless steel mirror. Transfixed by his own reflection, he sticks out his tongue—an act of defiance against perceived imperfections.

The convex mirror surface distorts his image, making it appear to float, while the reverse side features two more mirrors—one concave and one convex—producing a kaleidoscope of conflicting reflections. Upside-down images and fisheye distortions challenge viewers to consider how they see themselves and how others perceive them.

Sean Mulryan, Chairman and Group Chief Executive of Ballymore, said: “At Ballymore we have always believed that art has the power to transform a space into

Colin Spofforth added: “Public art has the power to spark conversation, inspire imagination, and change the way people see their surroundings. Both pieces are deeply rooted in Brentford’s character—past, present, and future. I hope they prompt people to stop, think, and smile.”

Councillor Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development at Hounslow Council, commented: “At Hounslow Council, we believe in creating meaningful places—not just buildings—and the unveiling of these beautiful sculptures show that Ballymore and the Brentford Project share in that vision. These works of art speak to Brentford’s rich history and heritage, while affirming that creativity, art, culture and community have a strong role to play in its future. I hope they will provide inspiration and enjoyment for many years to come.”

The Brentford Project is a transformative waterfront regeneration scheme delivering new homes, independent retailers, vibrant public spaces and community-driven cultural events, breathing new life into the town.

“Public art has the power to spark conversation, inspire imagination, and change the way people see their surroundings. Both pieces are deeply rooted in Brentford’s character—past, present, and future.

I hope they prompt people to stop, think, and smile.” let’s talkbusiness

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gunnersbury park

A wide range of facilities available at Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub The family-friendly gym and sports complex is located within Gunnersbury Park, just a short walk from Acton, Chiswick and Brentford.

Group Cycle Studio We have a newly built group cycle studio which is equipped with the latest mood and lighting affects. This studio houses 15 top of the range bikes to spice up your workouts.

GUNNERSBURY PARK SPORTS HUB

The complex boasts a large, airy gym on the first floor, overlooking the park, and provides state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment across the dedicated cardio, strength, resistance and functional areas, with both adult and junior memberships available.

We offer a wide range of facilitiesWe to have something to keep the whole cater for everyone

family active and entertained including: Gym • State-of-the-art Outdoorgym Sports Pitches Our fully equipped, 100 station gym has a • Sports hall We have a range of outdoor pitches available range of Life Fitness and Escape Fitness for hire; from 3G pitches, a rugby pitch, grass • Fitness studios equipment including cardiovascular machines, football pitches and 3 grass & artificial cricket resistance and free weight area and a• Floodlit 3G pitches wickets functional programmable space for members • Floodlit tennis courts to enjoy.

• Football, cricket and rugby pitches Discover more at better.org.uk/gunnersbury-park

Sports Hall

Tennis Courts

At Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub you can play a multitude of sports in our 5-court sports hall. We offer Handball, Volleyball, Football, Futsal, Basketball and Badminton space.

Our state-of-the-art sports hall is home to important local sports organisations such as Brentford Football Club, University of West London, International School of London, Actonians Sports Club, Polonia Volleyball Club and West London Eagles Handball Club.

There are 8 brand new, state-of-the-art floodlit, hard surfaced, tennis courts suitable for all conditions, and playing abilities. Onsite tennis coaches are available, as well as courts for hire.

Studio We have two studios available for fitness classes at Gunnersbury. Our state of the art aerobics studio has integrated music systems and Wexer Virtual Fitness software features dozens of classes on a weekly basis.

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The Park View Suite The Park View Suite is an extremely aesthetic room available for hire within the brand new Gunnersbury Sports Hub. Set in the centre of Gunnersbury Park, the Park View Suite boasts picturesque views, and lots of natural light.

This room is well suited for a range of activities including meetings, functions, fitness classes and other group activities.

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE Q Sports Physio Are you experiencing muscle pain, joint pain or injury? We can help. Q Sports Physio offer Physiotherapy, Sports Massage and Acupuncture at the Sports Hub. All of the services are designed to help you restore, maintain and prevent injuries and health issues.

GUNNERSBURY PARK SPORTS H

Facilities for Users with accessibility needs

We want customers who have additional needs to feel comfortable to access our centre.

This way, our users can feel confident about how they can access the centre before they attend.

We have something to keep the w family active and entertained inc • State-of-the-art gym • Sports hall • Fitness studios • Floodlit 3G pitches • Floodlit tennis courts • Football, cricket and rugby pitc

Discover more at at Discover more better.org/gunnersbury-park better.org.uk/gunnersbury-park Or scan the QR code

GUNNERSBURY PARK SPORTS HUB

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

We have something to keep the whole family active and entertained including: • State-of-the-art gym • Sports hall • Fitness studios • Floodlit 3G pitches • Floodlit tennis courts • Football, cricket and rugby pitches Discover more at better.org.uk/gunnersbury-park

let’s talkbusiness

37

health & wellbeing

Looking after our wellbeing Menopause in the workplace: Myth vs Reality

Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash

By Lorna Stenson, Help with HR Limited, Independent HR Consultant

Myth: Menopause is a private matter and not relevant to the workplace.

This couldn’t be a further from the truth.

Existing legislation and the upcoming Employment Rights Bill make it clear that menopause is a workplace issue.

Menopause affects nearly 4 million working women, aged 45-55 in the UK. And according to 2025 ONS statistics, 71% of working-age women in the UK are employed, making up a significant part of the workforce.

The Employment Rights Bill will introduce a new requirement for larger employers to actively support staff experiencing menopause symptoms through a Menopause Action Pan, while smaller organisations will be provided with guidance.

The Health & Safety at Work Act already requires employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their workers; with the IOSH recommending risk assessments specifically for those going through the menopause.

Myth: Menopause is no joke.

Have you heard the one about the £1.5 billion lost annually due to women leaving work because of menopause. Hardly a laughing matter.

The data is clear.

HMRC Courts & Tribunal Service reports that employment tribunal claims relating to menopause have trebled in the last three years. ACAS tells us that one in four claims they handle are disability discrimination claims, including those citing menopauserelated conditions.

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Our wellbeing should be important to us all, whether in the workplace or at home. We are now making our wellbeing a priority and by putting our wellbeing first, we are concentrating on our physical and mental health. All articles are contributed by Chamber members. We thank them!

So, the Employment Rights Bill is rolling out in 2026, how ready are you?

Have you got a plan in place? Or just relying on good intentions?

If you’re not sure where to start, begin with a simple conversation. Ask your team what they’d like to see happen and how. Your best source of insight already exists in your business: your people. Listen to them.

As a leader, it’s important that you lead the conversation, shape a positive narrative to help remove the stigma around menopause.

Show your commitment by making your business genuinely menopause-friendly.

This goes beyond compliance and liability.

At its heart, it’s about building an inclusive, adaptive and supportive workplace culture - one that naturally delivers better retention, deeper engagement, and greater productivity.

Don’t approach this with a bare-minimum mindset—it’s short-sighted and could damage your business. You risk losing good people with years of knowledge and experience.

You risk undermining your team and eroding the trust that holds it together. And you risk damaging your reputation—and the business you’ve worked so hard to build and grow.

If your business needs Help with HR to navigate the everyday challenges, or the looming Employment Rights Bill changes, then please email me on hello@helpwithhr.org

Ending homelessness starts in the workplace: join the Homelessness Alliance for employers At Crisis, we know that homelessness is not inevitable, it’s a problem that can be solved.

And we also know that employers have a powerful role to play. That’s why we created the Homelessness Alliance for Employers: a growing network of businesses committed to helping prevent and end homelessness through action in the workplace.

The Alliance offers businesses a practical and purposeful way to get involved, no matter your size, sector, or where you are on your social impact journey.

What is the Homelessness Alliance?

The Homelessness Alliance brings together businesses from across the UK to take real action through three simple but impactful pledges:

1. Provide employment and training opportunities for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

2. Adopt inclusive employment and recruitment practices.

3. Help end homelessness in local communities through awareness-raising, volunteering, partnerships or fundraising.

Businesses can commit to one, two or all three pledges, and choose how to implement them in a way that works for their organisation.

We work closely with each Ally to support their journey. From reviewing internal policies, to developing inclusive recruitment practices, to helping line managers understand how to support someone who discloses housing insecurity, our role is to equip and empower you to take meaningful action.

Why Should Your Business Join?

Beyond the clear social impact, there are a number of benefits for employers who sign up: • Practical guidance and tools: You’ll receive access to our Best Practice Guide, In-Work Homelessness Guidance, and tailored advice to help implement your chosen pledges.

• Staff engagement and wellbeing: Supporting the Alliance creates opportunities for volunteering, awareness events and meaningful conversations that boost morale and build a sense of purpose.

• Employer branding: You’ll be recognised as an Ally on our website and LinkedIn page, and invited to participate in public case studies, events and campaigns that showcase your leadership.

• Networking and shared learning: Through our webinars, drop-in sessions and peer connections, you’ll join a supportive network of like-minded businesses tackling real-time challenges.

Homelessness within the workplace is more common than you would think

health & wellbeing • Positive change from within: Many businesses are surprised to find that some employees are quietly struggling with housing insecurity. The Alliance helps you be better prepared to support colleagues with compassion and confidence What’s Next?

Joining the Alliance starts with a 30-minute conversation where we’ll introduce the pledges, answer your questions, and explore what makes sense for your business.

You don’t have to do everything at once, and there’s no cost to join. We’ll work with you at your pace to build an approach that feels both achievable and meaningful.

If you’re interested in finding out more, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can create workplaces that prevent and end homelessness!

Homelessness.alliance@crisis.org.uk

Dementia demystified: How understanding, care, and lifestyle choices can make a difference “Empowering families and communities with knowledge, compassionate support, and practical steps for brain health” Dementia is more than memory loss. It is a progressive condition that affects thinking, reasoning, behaviour and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. It can begin with small changes, such as misplacing items or struggling to follow conversations. Although dementia is more common in people over 65, it can start much earlier in some cases even in a person’s 40s or 50s. This is called early onset dementia and often presents unique challenges for those affected and their families. Over time, these changes can grow, eventually impacting a person’s independence and confidence.

There are different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Although there is currently no cure, early diagnosis and the right support can make a meaningful difference in maintaining quality of life.

Research shows that several lifestyle choices can help reduce the risk of dementia or delay its progression. A balanced diet that supports brain health is key. Eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes, oily fish and whole grains while cutting back on processed foods and added sugars supports not only memory but also overall wellbeing.

Staying physically active is equally important.

Strengthening the core and improving balance through simple activities such as walking or gentle chair-based yoga can prevent falls. This is especially important as

falls often lead to hospital stays, which can accelerate cognitive decline in older adults.

Keeping the brain engaged through conversation, puzzles, music or art can also slow the effects of memory loss. Just as vital is staying socially connected. Isolation and loneliness have been shown to significantly increase the risk of cognitive decline.

At Right at Home Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham, we provide person-centred dementia care tailored to each individual’s unique needs. Our caregivers are highly trained, experienced and compassionate, offering support from as little as one hour to full 24-hour care.

We focus on maintaining dignity, independence and comfort in the home.

Each month, we host a Memory Café at St Leonards Church in Heston, offering a warm space for companionship, creativity and calm. We also recently in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society organised a successful Living well with Dementia Programme at Syon Park, bringing together families, professionals and local partners to promote understanding and share support.

Dementia affects many, but no one should face it alone. With greater awareness, the right care and a compassionate community, we can support those living with dementia to live with dignity and purpose. www.rightathome.co.uk/ ealingandhounslow/

“Pilates is a complete coordination of mind, body and spirit” Joseph Pilates

Pilates (named Contrology by Joseph Pilates (1883 – 1967) was created as a system of exercise to keep the body and mind healthy, based on his studies of anatomy, Yoga, Boxing and Gymnastics. Joseph Pilates developed 34 Mat exercises and patented 26 pieces of specialist apparatus, including the Reformer, Cadillac Trapeze Table various Barrels and Wunda Chairs.

Originating from Germany, Joseph Pilates was working in the circus in the U.K. when the First World War broke out and was, therefore, interned in the ‘Enemy Aliens’ camp on the Isle of Man in 1914. He worked in the Infirmary and as the months turned into years, watched as his fellow internees became depressed in body and mind. He also watched the camp cats that, however starving, stayed sleek and fit. Based on the cats’ constant stretching, tensing and releasing their muscles and combining this with his observations on the way babies and children move and play, he developed a series of exercises for a complete workout for the body and mind. He focused on the

importance of breathing and mental focus, calling his discipline Contrology to reflect how we should be in control of our body and mind; core strength and flexibility; balance, posture, movement and breathing.

He moved to New York in 1926 and opened his studio next to the New York City Ballet, where he started ‘fixing’ dancers with injuries. Dancers such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine would train at his studio on the apparatus to strengthen their bodies and heal their aches and pains’. He trained many celebrities and film-stars including Joan Collins and Laurence Olivier!

He was passionate about spreading the word of his system, even writing to President JF Kennedy, to try to get it included in the school National Curriculum. Those who trained with him are referred to as ‘First Generation’ Pilates instructors, often setting up their own studios and training schools. To train as a comprehensive Pilates instructor in the classical method requires years of dedicated study and practise. ​To Joseph Pilates the apparatus was integral to his method – like a jigsaw puzzle, each part contributes to create the bigger picture – intended to lead to the Mat exercises as the final part.

Health clubs in the 1990s promoted Mat classes as they didn’t require any equipment and they could get large numbers of participants into studios. Many instructors now only have a Pilates-based Mat qualification. At the moment many large Reformer studios are opening, offering gym workouts using the Reformer, loosely based on the original exercises, and instructors who have attended short courses. When looking for a Pilates studio take into account the training of the instructors and numbers in the classes.

Pilates Now! studio offers 1-1s and small classes of 4 in our fully equipped Pilates studio. All our instructors are STOTT PILATES® trained and certified. We work with clients who have injuries, issues and specific conditions, creating pain-free movement, improved posture, flexibility and greater core strength for everyday life. We promote safe exercise everyone can enjoy!

Ris Widdicombe Pilates Now! studio & online “I discovered Pilates, both reformer and mat during lockdown, and now try to do two sessions a week. It is the only form of exercise I have found, which is not boring. Each session has a different routine and can be adapted to your level.

Give it a go and walk tall!”

Sally Smith COO West London Chambers of Commerce let’s talkbusiness

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events

Past Events

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A look back at some of our recent Chamber events

West London Chambers of Commerce

April 2025 - Business Awards 2025 Launch Event

April 2025 - Acton BID Business Breakfast at ActOne Cinema

April 2025 - Fulham Business Breakfast

May 2025 - Regeneration Conference 2025 Gala Dinner

May 2025 - Regeneration Conference

May 2025 - Regeneration Conference

May 2025 - Brentford Business Breakfast at UBC UK

May 2025 - Bridging Horizons Seminar at Excelsior Studios

June 2025 - Acton BID Business Breakfast at The George & Dragon

June 2025 - Charity Golf Day 2025

June 2025 - Evening at Rocks Lane Padel

June 2025 - Chiswick Business Breakfast

July 2025 - Evening Networking at Hogarth House

July 2025 - Acton BID Business Breakfast at ActOne Cinema

July 2025 - Women in Business Breakfast at the Foundry Park Royal

let’s talkbusiness

Forthcoming Events Evening Drinks Jaguar Land Rover Lookers West London, Concord Rd, London W3 0BF

Guest speaker: Paul Glynn, Sandler Close more Business, Faster Wednesday, 6th August 2025 6.30pm – 9.00pm

Physical & Cyber Security Webinar Via Zoom

Wednesday, 13th August 2025 10.00am – 11.00am

events West London Chambers of Commerce

Atlanta, Georgia Outbound Trade Mission Atlanta, Georgia

30th September - 4th October 2025

Brentford Business Breakfast Venue tbc

Wednesday, 8th October 2025

Ealing Festival University of West London, St Mary’s Road, London W5 5RF

Acton BID Business Breakfast David Lloyd Acton Park, East Acton Lane, London W3 7HB

Thursday, 16th October 2025 7.45am – 4.00pm

Friday, 12th September 2025 8.30am – 10.30am

Acton BID Business Breakfast

Outbound Trade Mission to Slovenia, Ljubljana Slovenia, Ljubljana

10th - 14th September 2025

Women in Business Breakfast Stamford Bridge Hotel, Fulham Road, London SW6 1HS

Wednesday, 17th September 2025 8.30am – 10.30am

September Evening Drinks Venue tbc

Wednesday, 24th September 2025 6.00pm – 8.30pm

Webinar on AI

Venue tbc

Friday, 17th October 2025

Quiz Night Venue tbc

Wednesday, 22nd October 2025

Pitch @ Chambers: Empowering Entrepreneurs Spring Grove House, West Thames College, London Road, Isleworth TW7 4HS

Thursday, 23rd October 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm

Sustainability Webinar – legislation changes

Via Zoom

Via Zoom

Friday, 26th September 2025 10.00am – 11.00am

Tuesday, 4th November 2025 10.00am – 11.00am

For further information on any of our past or forthcoming events please contact Sally Smith on: sallysmith@westlondonchambers.org.uk or 07879 813817 or visit www.westlondonchambers.org.uk. let’s talkbusiness

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West London Chambers of Commerce

Business Awards 2025

Gala Dinner

EXCLUSIVE black-tie event including the unveling of all the Business Awards winners!

21st November 2025 - 6:30pm

Novotel London West,1 Shortlands, Hammersmith W6 8DR

“A delightful evening celebrating excellence and honouring the best in business”

Scan the QR code for further details or to book your ‘Early Bird’ tickets

Prices from £125 + VAT and booking fees Early Bird price available until 30.09.25

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let’s talkbusiness

Welcome to our New Members All Health Matters Ltd

Curry Bae

Local Green Guide

Serenity Relocations Ltd

Daniela Milusheva

Victor Inyang

www.lggmarketing.co.uk

www.serenityrelocations.com

Marketing

Business Lettings

Djalis Latchoumanaya

Mah Construction Group Ltd

www.djaliscreation.com

Jagdeep Singh

Artisan Jeweller

www.mah-group.co.uk

Sidonie’s Kamore Ltd Sidonie Hawthorne Soft Furnishings

DJA-R ltd

Construction

Simon Tibbo

Nafeez Uddin

www.allhealthmatters.co.uk

www.currybae.co.uk

Occupational Health

Catering

Altus Learning

Djalis Creation

Aleksandar Jovanovic www.altuslearning.co.uk Education/Training Analysis People Ltd Frank Awuku Consulting, Advising, & Managing Services Auto West London

Djamel Ressaf www.dja-r.co.uk Cosmetic Company - Hair Care EcoWorld London Development

Steve Young

Company Ltd

www.autowestlondon.co.uk

Emma Cotton

Automotive Retailer Avalon Insights Research Ltd Kevin Loi Heng www.avaloninsights.co AI Upskilling & Research Bentos Chauffeurs Harjit Bal www.bentoschauffeurs.com Chauffeured Vehicles Berry Hyundai - Chiswick

www.ecoworldlondon.com Property Developer Essentially Sadee

Mark Elliott Coaching Mark Elliott www.arrestedart.com Business Coaching MerchExpress Ltd Stephen Snoding www.merchexpressltd.co.uk Point of Sale Merchandise

Sadee Akhtar www.essentiallysadee.com

Nectar Agency

Clinical Aromatherapy

Mitch Kelly

FinOps Squad Ltd

www.nectaragency.co

Leonard Fom

Digital Marketing

www.finops-squad.com CFO Services and Management Consultancy

Padel Shift Ltd Jack Chaplin

Football Journeys

www.padelshift.com

www.berryhyundai.co.uk

Carlos Salvador

Community Padel club

Automotive Retailer

www.footballjourneys.org

Philip White

Blue Crystal Residental Ltd

Youth Charity

Pelin Martin

IP Together

www.bluecrystallondon.co.uk

Gifty Gakpetor

Property Management

www.iptogether.com

Padel XTRA Ltd Will Wells www.padel-xtra.com Padel Club

Trademark Services

Pilates Now! Ltd

Hassan Farah

Killik and Co

Ris Widdicombe

www.bridgewaterhealthcare.co.uk

Tamsyn Morgan

www.pilatesnow.org

Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distributor

www.killik.com

Health & Wellbeing

Civitas Technology Ltd

Ko consultancy

Ronnie Comfort

Katja van Koten

www.civitas-technology.com

www.koconsultancy.co.uk

www.linkedin.com/in/ruthsloss

IT Solutions for Charities

Consultancy, Training & Coaching

Executive & Leadership Coaching

Bridgewater Healthcare Ltd

new members

Wealth Management

Ruth Sloss Coaching Ruth Sloss

TK Communications Tejas Kotecha www.tkcommunications.com Communications and Diversity Consultancy The Golf Rooms Group Ltd Scott Margetts www.thegolfrooms.com Golf & Leisure Tropical Insights ltd Kristel Timcang Fruit Importer TranslationsInLondon Ltd Valentina Vignolo-Love www.translationsinlondon.com Business Services ublossom.weblossom Ltd Amrit Dhanoa www.ublossomweblossom.com Leadership Wellbeing Video Shoot Production Ltd Hanif Khan www.videoshootproductions.co.uk Media/Content Vizability.io James Winzar www.vizability.io Website & App Design White Sands Cleaning Services Alex Adonteng www.whitesandscleaning.co.uk Property Maintenance W.G.S.F Ltd Zainab Al-Inam www.wgsf-london.co.uk Foundation let’s talkbusiness

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As recommended on Daynurseries.co.uk, please visit to see what our parents say

Quality Care and Education

Providing a fully inclusive service for families with children aged 6 weeks to 5 years from 7.30am to 6.30pm

At Devonshire the warm and welcoming environment ensures that your child’s individual needs are prioritised, and their interests nurtured.

T: 020 8995 9538 E: devonshire.nursery@childbase.com Devonshire Day Nursery, Bennett Street, London, W4 2AH

Now taking registrations We’d love to show you around

Scan me for full nursery details

DELUXE DRIVEN Luxury Chauffeur Service & Luxury Self-Drive Hire Bringing the Mayfair experience to you

We operate 24/7 to cater to your chauffeur needs, ensuring you arrive in style and comfort at any time.

Corporate accounts welcome – streamline your business travel with Deluxe Driven.

At Deluxe Driven, we don’t just provide a ride, we offer an exceptional experience that embodies sophistication and elegance. Supercar self-drive experiences available.

(Areas covered: London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire)

01727 228844 • bookings@deluxedriven.co.uk • www.deluxedriven.co.uk

Promote your business with branded merchandise Branded clothing: Uniform, T-shirts, hats, jackets and more Event items: Banners, giveaways, sweets, leaflets Promotional pens: A classic and practical giveaway for any event or campaign Drinkware: Mugs, water bottles, thermal mugs, eco items made from recycled stainless steel as well as ocean waste Tote bags: Reusable and eco-friendly Notebooks: We can source eco-friendly notebooks made from coffee grounds, apple peel, stone paper and more Many many more items such as: Umbrellas, coasters, key rings, trolley coins, straws, name badges, lanyards, seeded paper.

Call Stephen 07813 323 984 or email quotes@merchexpressltd.co.uk 82% of people who received a promotional product or gift reported making a purchase from the company

Local family run business 44

let’s talkbusiness

economy

Confidence – Trick or Treat?

Think big but act small and the danger of populist news

by Justin Urquhart Stewart

Gone are those halcyon days when you had a single digit number of television channels, a limited number of radio stations and games on our computers consisted of pingpong and an aggressive digestive biscuit called Pac-man.

The term “on-line” was probably a reference to your mother’s washing hanging out and that strange word “internet” was either something other people used their basic computer for, or an implement you took for catching shrimps while on a long wet weekend on Cornwall.

So was life better then? We probably thought so, but a lot of that can be put down to the fact that ignorance is bliss and we didn’t know how bad things really were. Now we have advanced! We have direct access to more news, views and commentaries than ever before.

So, looking at the wealth of information in front of us, what is the current economic situation for the UK? Our Chancellor has so far not shown much financial and market acumen. She needs to create more confidence in the UK economy as markets are still wary of another Truss-style amateur

fiasco. Yes, she has cost the country a great deal of not just money but very valuable reputation. If she can focus on the growth areas (especially technology hubs and regional infrastructure) then green shoots will start to appear, but she should back this up not with direct tax incentives for corporates and investors. And if she doesn’t act swiftly, green shoots could easily be mistaken for advanced mould. She should also push investment funding and action to the regions and get away from the Treasury’s fixation on centralised control. There is no shortage of funds for investment, despite what we are told, but the holders need the confidence to trigger action.

And for the rest of the world? The US President’s “big beautiful bill” has already had an impact as US Treasuries (government bonds) have been rising in cost. US debt is eye watering and whatever you think of the recent departure of Mr Musk, his comments about US debt were quite right. A key area to watch will be China’s willingness to keep buying those Treasuries. China is often the largest holder of US debt and thus is a key financier of the US economy.

These two nations may be often at odds with each other but equally cannot do without each other. So they both need to keep the party going – but if they start to falter, this is a key area of risk, especially if growth recedes and the risk of recession rises.

With all of this information in front of us, the latest on-line headlines sway our views one way or the other. Trying to have a sensible

overview of the global economy is almost impossible. For every success there will be some failure and risk will be jumbled up with opportunities. Best is to look at our own local position.

So in our three boroughs, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow, how many new businesses have taken the brave step of starting up? How many new jobs have been created and how much new investment has come in? Now not all of these will be success stories, but many will be pushing the negatives tales of woe into the correct perspective.

Now take our local stories and put those against other areas both domestically and overseas, and now we can really start to have a far more constructive view of how we have been developing.

And the purpose of this? To create confidence – and get people investing again.

The US President’s “big beautiful bill” has already had an impact as US Treasuries (government bonds) have been rising in cost.

US debt is eye watering and whatever you think of the recent departure of Mr Musk, his comments about US debt were quite right. let’s talkbusiness

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5

5 minutes with

minutes with...

JUNGLE VIP Who are you?

Jungle VIP.

What’s your business all about?

Biggest achievement?

Surviving. From the loss of a 500+ car park site, ongoing Hounslow developments to covid! We have

Indoor soft play situated in the heart of

survived 11 years.

Hounslow – a hub in the community. We have provided a jungle haven for the community

Biggest gripe?

for the past 11 years, having raised our own

The lack of support for small family

family within our walls. We are family-run business, a husband and wife duo! Our vision was to create a place where children & parents could escape the chaos of daily lives & routines. We offer an indoor café & we are a popular venue choice for birthday parties – whether it’s during our open hours or for

businesses from the Council & Corporate landlords. Small businesses are just as important & offer so much to a community, from work placements to contributing to the economy. Small businesses are part of the foundation of this country’s economy.

Your inspiration?

The children – when we hear how we have made a little difference to a family or a child, we feel that any ‘gripe’ is worth it and makes this all worthwhile.

Philosophy in business?

It’s a rollercoaster of a ride, there are highs and lows but its all worth it, if you can make a difference, even a little, in this challenging world.

exclusive hire.

Sporting hero?

Three words to describe yourself?

My husband would be disappointed if i didn’t mention he is a Villa fan! But for both of us our hero is Mohammed Ali.

Family, community, haven.

Ideal customer?

Children aged 1 – 10 years.

Biggest tip for success?

Stick at it… there is always a silver lining and roads are forever winding.

It’s a rollercoaster of a ride, there are highs and lows but its all worth it, if you can make a difference, even a little, in this challenging world.

Jungle VIP is a valued member of West London Chambers of Commerce 46

let’s talkbusiness

#1 Staff holiday booking system

Leave management software you can trust, and rely on.

Simplify some of the tedious HR tasks with our easy-to-use leave management software, from sick leave and holiday requests to employee records and document storage.

Free Trial whosoff.com Email support@whosoff.com Let’s talk +44 (0)1227 812930

WHOSOFF let’s talkbusiness

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