Lets Talk Business Nov 23

ISSUE 16: November 2023

talkbusiness let’s

West London Chambers of Commerce

THE OFFICIAL BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF WEST LONDON CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Business is the lifeblood of the UK Sam Leigh, Managing Director of Lampton Services, on why she is so passionate about public services

INSIDE:

RETURN TO THE OFFICE The future of work and the INSIDE: importance of flexibility RETURN TO THE OFFICE in the workplace The future of work and the importance of flexibility in SPOTLIGHT FOCUS the workplace.

Southall and all it has to offer SPOTLIGHT as a place toFOCUS live and work Southall and all it has to offer as a place to live and work.2023 BUSINESS AWARDS

Categories, finalists2023 and BUSINESS AWARDS Categories, finalists and business profiles business profiles.

Simply leveraging Quality We set benchmarks.

For our customers, for our industry, worldwide.

In everything we do, we set the highest standards for quality and competence on every project. As a result, our actions become the benchmark for our industry but also our own guiding principle, which we renew every day.

We consider ourselves important partners of our customers, with whom we work at eye level to achieve sustainable added value. Our goal is to give organizations important value-adding impulses for their entrepreneurial success through the simplest processes, as well as the utmost adherence to deadlines and reliability.

Our Focus: Management Systems, Certification & Assessments Our core competencies lie in the performance of certification audits and assessments. This makes us one of the leading providers worldwide with the claim to set new benchmarks in reliability, quality, and customer orientation at all times.

Certification With our certifications, we provide confidence, security and orientation in an increasingly complex world.

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2500 + Auditors 63,000 + Certificates 80 + International offices DQS UK Ltd Unit 5 Wallbrook Business Centre, Green Lane, Hounslow TW4 6NW

Tel: 0845 467 0126 Email: BD@dqs-uk.com

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Accreditation and Notification Our global accreditations and our certification logos are an expression of the trust and conformity that we provide through certification.

Impartiality and Compliance As a matter of principle, we carry out audits and assessments impartially and neutrally in accordance with a strict compliance policy

contents & welcome

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Welcome

Contents

to our year-end and Christmas edition of Let’s Talk Business. In this issue, we highlight some of the best businesses in West London as we celebrate their success at our Business Awards 2023. At the same time, we remain mindful of the keynote speaker at our event in October, Jonathon Porritt, who discussed the impact of trade on our rapidly changing environment. As a trading nation, we have a responsibility to protect our planet. Therefore, it is essential to have a better understanding of the issues and find ways to balance our business interests whilst addressing environmental concerns.

Jonathon Porritt

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

24 Discover Fulham

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News

26 Spotlight Focus

11 Director Focus

32 International Trade 35 Technology

13 Skills

37 Health & Wellbeing

14 News

38 Ask the Expert

15 Sport 16 The Big Interview

ine!

Enjoy the magaz

Enquiries

Return to the Office

12 News

We extend our warmest wishes to all our readers for a joyous holiday season and a very Merry Christmas. We hope that you have a wonderful time with your loved ones and create unforgettable memories.

Alan Rides Chief Executive Officer West London Chambers of Commerce

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Alan Rides

39 Forthcoming Events

19 Environment

40 New Members

20 Patron Focus

41 Business Awards

23 Arts and Culture

46 Five Minutes with...

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

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

Media No. 1990 Published November 2023

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. © 2023. 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.

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return to the office

Will the future of work be determined by a return to the office?

By Duena Blomstrom, Author of “Tech-Led Culture: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Business and People” The future of work is a topic that has been debated, dissected, and discussed at length, especially in the wake of the global pandemic.

As businesses grapple with the decision of returning to the office, the question remains: Is the traditional office-centric model the way forward, or is it time to embrace a new paradigm?

In my book, ‘Tech-Led Culture: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Business and People’, I delve deep into the concept of Human Debt.

It’s a term I coined to describe the emotional and psychological toll that outdated work cultures and practices take on employees. This debt accumulates over time, leading to burnout, decreased productivity, and a lack of innovation.

The solution? Creating EQ-driven, fearless, intentional tech-led cultures that prioritise humans first.

For the past five years, I’ve been at the forefront of this movement, developing and using software like PeopleNotTech. This dashboard is

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designed to help teams decrease burnout, increase psychological safety, and achieve performance levels comparable to tech giants like Google. My journey into this realm was not one of ambition but of necessity. I became a reluctant social entrepreneur, investing millions into software solutions, only to discover that they further highlighted the existing Human Debt of organisations.

To those reading this, I urge you to consider the implications of this Human Debt. Multiple experiments on work methods have been conducted, from mandated returns to the office to the adoption of healthy Silicon Valley cultures and the 4-day workweek.

The conclusion is clear: anything less than a complete shift towards WFAA (“Work From Anywhere Anytime” or “full flexibility”) is not just unsustainable, but poses a significant business risk.

Chief risk officers and business leaders should be less preoccupied

with concerns about rents and productivity paranoia. Instead, the focus should be on investing in people and fostering these new Tech-Led Cultures. The benefits are manifold: increased employee satisfaction, higher retention rates, and a surge in innovation.

The debate on the future of work is not just about where we work, but how we work. It’s about recognising and addressing the Human Debt that has been accruing for years. It’s about understanding that technology, when used correctly, can be a tool to enhance human connection, collaboration, and creativity.

In conclusion, the future of work will not be determined by a mere return to the office. It will be shaped by our willingness to embrace change, prioritize our people, and invest in cultures that are tech-led but humancentric. The choice is ours to make, and the time to act is now. Let’s redefine the future of work together, ensuring it is inclusive, flexible, and, above all, human-first.

Duena Blomstrom is an international keynote speaker, technology and culture expert, social entrepreneur CEO of PeopleNotTech, and author of TechLed Culture: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Business and People (Kogan Page, out now).

Boost Productivity and Reduce Costs

by Outsourcing Photo by Shutterstock

What we are experiencing at our UBC and Inigo workspace locations is a shift in the way businesses are using their workspace.

Where formerly offices had been a place where employees come to work and get their admin done, now more frequently it’s a place where they come to engage with colleagues, using their WFH days for admin and their office days as an opportunity to meet, collaborate and share ideas. It’s the social side and the resultant creativity when working together that is missing from a WFH model.

This new way of working is not only more convenient for many, contributing to a positive work-life balance and general wellbeing, but also making the office days enjoyable and engaging and more productive for the businesses too.”

Janes Erasmus, Sales & Marketing Director, UBC

Has your business ever outsourced? It’s more common than you might think.

Over 70% of UK businesses have outsourced at least part of their requirements, according to a YouGov report. IT support is the most likely function to be performed by an outside supplier, followed by payroll and printing.

Thanks to the prevalence of remote work and high-speed Internet connectivity, firms can find the exact skills and experience they need without location restrictions.

Since outsourcing negates the need to hire a permanent member of staff or carry out extensive training, those skills are usually more affordable, too.

Outsourcing is therefore a powerful strategy to ramp up productivity quickly and cost efficiently. If you’re looking for ways to boost productivity and same money in your business, consider outsourcing specialist or timeconsuming requirements, such as: IT support: From basic website maintenance to a complete network, outsourcing IT requirements keeps your business technologically efficient and secure.

Payroll and accounting: Experts help manage your business finances, take care of tax obligations, and provide valuable insights into your business’s financial health.

Marketing, social media and PR: This can range from a few hours of freelance help per month, to offloading your entire marketing strategy to an external agency.

Recruitment: Trawling through countless CVs and setting up interviews is incredibly time intensive. A reputable recruitment agency that specialises in your industry can help you find the right person for the job in a fraction of the time.

Customer service: A virtual receptionist service is a great way to ensure consistently high quality customer service. A UBC virtual office includes call answering by our own team, which significantly increases a company’s professional image while saving team members from constant calls and disruptions.

Outsourcing is a powerful strategy that can help businesses save time and money while increasing efficiency and productivity.

But it’s not just about skills. You could outsource your company’s workspace requirements, too.

Meeting space is a classic example. UBC’s business centre at The Mille on Great West Road has professional meeting rooms to book by the hour or the day. Collaborate in a landmark building with professional meeting facilities, refreshments, catered lunches on request, and support from our friendly team.

Contact us at ubcuk.com to learn more. You’ll also gain a 10% discount when you book one of our meeting rooms or day offices online.

Photo by Shutterstock

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advertorial

Photo by Yan Krukau - Pexels

The BIG Return As companies begin bringing employees back to the office, it is important to prepare not only the desks but assess the additional security risks.

Employees have been working from home for over two years. Now that they are returning to the office, they could bring back some unwanted guests.

Home networks tend to be less secure than the offices, especially with children doing online learning at home on the same network. Employees have also been working at cafes, public Wi-Fi hotspots and other less secure locations.

Blue Summit recommends Trend Micro as they provide online training before and after the tests to help employees identify and delete spam email.

Just as kids bring viruses home from school, employees can bring viruses back to the corporate network. In preparation to everyone returning to the office, we recommend small and medium business take some additional precautions.

Having a firewall just isn’t enough anymore.

Hackers are getting smarter and once they get in there is nothing stopping them from wreaking havoc on your computers and network. At a minimum, you need a good business firewall that protects both inbound and outbound traffic. Only allow known traffic out of your office, to ensure hackers can’t create connections from inside your office.

Blue Summit recommends Netgate firewalls for small and medium sized businesses.

They are less expensive and allow for granular management of traffic.

Five Ways to Protect Your Office 1. Cyber Test Employees

Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun - Unsplash

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The best protection against phishing attacks, email and text scams and other social threats is to provide employees the opportunity to practice. Running phishing tests for employees allows them to practice catching scam email, texts or calls before they receive a real one. There are many services that will send employees phishing tests and provide feedback to each person on what they can do to catch the scammer before they get in trouble.

2. Secure Networks

Managing access to websites is also a critical part of your secure network. Employees may not always be able to tell if a URL or website is legitimate. Putting systems in place to automatically check a URL before it is clicked helps protect employees from accidentally going to the wrong place and inviting unwanted friends in. Blue Summit recommends using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. It integrates with all the Microsoft products and checks all links before they are clicked.

Lastly, we recommend monitoring network traffic. A simple network monitor allows you to be notified of anything happening on your network. Using a network monitor will help you catch a hacker before they do any damage. There are many online tools that will automatically notify you if they find any problems.

3. Antivirus Software When working in a hybrid setting, staff can be more vulnerable to viruses on their devices. Antivirus software works hard to protect against some of the most common digital security threats, including viruses, phishing, and malware. Traditional antivirus software does so by actively searching for and defending against known threats, and it updates regularly as new threats arise.

A simple network monitor allows you to be notified of anything happening on your network.

Using a network monitor will help you catch a hacker before they do any damage. There are many online tools that will automatically notify you if they find any problems.

5. IT Assets Disposal and Recycling A necessary stage of the IT asset lifetime is the retirement of underutilized or outdated assets. Failure to properly dispose of IT equipment can have implications for your operations and data, not to mention the physical workplace.

It is important to ensure all confidential data and hardware components are properly destroyed in accordance with recommended procedures and standards. Ensure you are provided a ‘Certificate of Destruction’ of your hard drives and other IT related equipment, so that you know with confidence your data is handled and removed with compliance and care.

A beneficial antivirus software is Microsoft Defender. Microsoft defender is an easy-touse product that provides enterprise-grade protection against digital threats. It can benefit your business by offering threat and vulnerability management, next-generation virus protection, data protection, and so much more.

4. Two-Factor Authentication Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security method which requires two forms of identity verification in order to access protected data and/or resources. This means that a password alone is insufficient in passing the authentication process.

Regardless of working in the office or remotely, it allows businesses to monitor and help safeguard important information, whilst simultaneously protecting against cybercriminals taking advantage of your data. The process of 2FA is highly userfriendly, easy to manage, and effective in defending your digital information.

Photo by Elly Filho - Unsplash

As you can see, a return to the office isn’t just turning the lights on and asking everyone to come back in. It takes a bit of thought and implementation of safety precautions to ensure a smooth transition back to work.

Let us help you make that transition.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

+44 (0)20 3034 1611 www.bluesummittech.com

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news

Collaboration & Creativity

Why meetings are an essential business tool

Flick through 230 years of history of Ormiston Wire

The family-run manufacturing company, and Chamber member, Ormiston Wire, celebrated its 230th anniversary this year.

Founded in 1793, the wire specialist is now an accredited four-day-a-week company and, in the past two months, it has exported to the US, Germany, Ireland, Hungary, South Africa, Greece, India, Norway and Italy.

Its customers range from engineering to electrical, marine to musical and it supplies wire ropes in tinned copper, copper, stainless steel, bronze, nickel chrome, brass, monel and spring steel.

Meetings enable teams to solve problems, map out new strategies, reach important decisions, and work together to drive the business forward.

What’s also essential is to make those meetings as engaging and productive as possible. That’s because 95% of meeting attendees lose focus and miss parts of the meeting, according to Owl Labs.

Here at UBC we’re seeing a marked rise in demand for our Brentford meeting rooms, both from existing clients and local businesses.

Why? We’ve all heard the expression ‘Zoom fatigue’, and it’s clear that digital communication and hours of screen time can take its toll.

But it’s also because we’re human, and social interaction is part of our natural construct.

According to a recent survey, over 80% of business professionals believe we miss something important when we can’t clearly see body language or other visual clues (Chubb survey, April 2021).

What’s clear from our conversations with our customers is that entrepreneurs value in-person meetings as an opportunity to engage with colleagues, customers and suppliers to collaborate and share ideas. Our Brentford meeting rooms at The Mille are professionally managed, with helpful onsite staff ready to provide you with the best possible experience for your off-site meeting whether it’s a team get-together, sales pitch or training day.

We provide spacious areas with refreshments to hand, giving you the opportunity to relax and meet productively with your colleagues and visitors in a friendly yet professional setting.

Why not try one of our meeting rooms and see for yourself?

For your convenience, you can also book online at ubcuk.com with a 10% discount.

Contact Leon Swan Email: brentford@ubcuk.com Tel: 0800 169 9822 www.ubcuk.com/meeting-rooms

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It can provide wires in strands, braids, bunches, cut straight lengths, reels, coils, and with plastic covers. It also supplies superclamps, its micro cable hanging system.

Although technology has moved on, as a long-established company they can usually supply obsolete products if required.

The wire specialists were based in the City of London before they were bombed out in the Second World War. This plate (left) survived the bombing and was outside their premises on Clerkenwell Road.

Did you know that Ormiston Wire supplied all the puppet wire for the whole range of Thunderbird films made by Gerry Anderson?

Acton Banking Hub

NOW OPEN Post Office banking services in support of most banks and building societies for personal and business banking customers, Monday to Friday.

Transactions available at the counter

Talk to your own bank

• Withdraw cash • Deposit cash • Collect change (registered business customers) • Check your account balance • Pay utility bills • Deposit cheques

Community bankers are available on:

• Gas & electric meter card and key top ups

Thursday - Nationwide

Monday - NatWest Tuesday - Barclays Wednesday - Lloyds

Friday - Santander

Acton Banking Hub Unit 2, The Oaks Shopping Centre, London W3 6RE Open Monday-Friday 09.00 - 17.00 Tel 0203 6573099

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Connect, innovate,

grow Barclays Eagle Labs is a national network of business incubators, industry experts and virtual support designed to help entrepreneurs and ambitious businesses to innovate and scale. With a number of Eagle Labs across the country, our focus is to help connect, educate and accelerate UK businesses and entrepreneurs.

We provide business incubation, co-working and office space, connections and growth programmes for ambitious high-growth businesses, as well as learning and insight expertise.

Eagle Labs is one of the largest networks of tech-focussed business incubators in the UK, supporting more than 30 locations physically as well as providing UK-wide virtual support through our business growth programmes, events and connections to experts.

Since we open our first Eagle Lab in 2015 we have created a community of top innovators, industry experts and mentors designed to support ambitious entrepreneurs and we work with partners who share our vision to create a progressive business community.

We’re delighted to be working with x+why and supporting entrepreneurs and founders from all over West London, providing access to technical expertise, business growth programmes, mentoring and connections.

To find out how we can support you and your business, get in touch with Ecosystem Manager, Russell McDonald.

Further information, including how to connect with Russell, can be found at: labs.barclays/locations/chiswick

Barclays Bank UK PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No. 759676). Registered in England. Registered No. 9740322. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.

director focus

‘Everyone needs an Elsa’ the Chamber’s very own business strategist Elsa Caleb is a new Director at West London Chambers of Commerce although many members will know her through her work as the Chamber’s business advisor. She tells Sarah Dale why helping businesses is “so precious” to her.

Elsa’s relationship with West London Chambers of Commerce began when she delivered workshops through Branduin Business Support in 2021.

A year later, she was asked to become a business advisor for the Chamber and more recently, she was offered the role to become the Chamber’s newest Director, something she “never expected” to happen but was thrilled to accept.

that and show you how to do it. When you’re in the business, you don’t see it from the outside and I can help you see that perspective. You don’t realise you’re stuck in a rut. Showing businesses that other side is what I love.”

“Because I’m a business strategist, I am focusing on the smaller businesses and micro-businesses by mentoring them and focusing my networking in the Ealing area.

I am also involved in the Living Wage project in Ealing,” explains Elsa.

Elsa started out as a business advisor in 1991 with The Prince’s Trust. As her skills and experience grew – alongside her passion for business strategy – more and more people told her she should be working for herself. Married with a baby at the time, she wanted the security of employment, so she took a part-time maternity cover position at CenTec, while she began to grow her own business.

“My background is business strategy and I set up my own business as a sole trader 26 years ago and became a limited company, Elsa Caleb Ltd, 20 years ago.

One of her first contacts for business was Portobello Business Centre. Once the maternity cover ended, she was ready to go full-time into the business.

“My focus and my passion are writing business plans. Everyone else thinks they’re boring but I love them! I focus on the business growth. A lot of people are willing to start a business and they’re very comfortable where they are; I push them forward and help them grow to the next level.

“I always seem to meet business clients when they are down,” says Elsa.

“If I know where you want to go, for example, you may want to grow from two people to 10 people, I can see how you can achieve

“Businesses often talk about before Covid and after Covid and how they have lost who they were. I trained as a business counsellor first and I use these skills to help people. You talk it through together. I look at what they were doing before Covid and how to get back to where they want to be. People always say to me that was the best two hours they’ve

ever spent. That’s what I do – and I love that feeling.

“Clients say to me ‘Everyone needs an Elsa!’.

I’m not an essential cog in the wheel – that’s an accountant or the bank – I’m an add-on, but if you do use a business strategist, you can grow a lot quicker. I analyse businesses objectively.

“It is so precious what I do.”

Elsa loves her Director role and the “welcoming and friendly environment” Alan, Sally, the Chamber Board and team nurtures.

“It’s a very nice environment, everyone is very friendly,” she adds.

“Some people think they run too small a business to be part of the Chamber but that’s not true and I can talk to them, for free, for an hour and show them the potential of joining.

They have already gained some free business advice from me and can see the value of that advice. There is a lot of added value to joining the Chamber from events to advice.

“The Chamber is for a particular area but not for any particular sector and, with the international trade links, the world really is your oyster. We have made connections with Vietnam, New Zealand and Pakistan.

“It’s a forward-thinking and progressive Chamber – and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Some people think they run too small a business to be part of the Chamber but that’s not true and I can talk to them, for free, for an hour and show them the potential of joining. They have already gained some free business advice from me and can see the value of that advice. There is a lot of added value to joining the Chamber from events to advice. let’s talkbusiness

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news

Young eco-activists help transform Hounslow recycling fleet Two competition winners – Sophie and Naomi – from Chatsworth Primary School in Hounslow have seen drawings they created for the Council’s No Time to Waste recycling campaign installed onto vehicle panels.

Sophie and Naomi were joined at the installation’s unveiling by Councillor Guy Lambert, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Recycling and Health Integration. The Chatsworth students were deemed to have created the most innovative drawings by a panel of judges, and were selected from entries that came from primary schools across the borough.

wasting less, and reducing food bills.

The rebrand of the Council and Lampton Services’ vehicles comes as part of spreading awareness of the importance of waste reduction and improved recycling.

Sophie, Chatsworth Primary School, said: ‘First, I did some research for ideas to use in my poster and read a book ‘How to save the planet’ for ideas on how to help. After I read the book, I started my poster by drawing a hill. I drew a circle with fire coming out of it that was rolling down the hill, representing that you shouldn’t throw rubbish away

No Time to Waste launched in March 2023 and is the flagship sustainability campaign in the borough. Its mission is to support Hounslow residents with recycling more,

Naomi, Chatsworth Primary School, said:‘My inspiration to do this was my other ecocompetition picture (that made me win) where I drew the world, so I wanted to include our planet in this competition too.

‘I chose to draw children because they can show the grown-ups how to recycle properly.’

(in black bins if it can be recycled), and you won’t be eco-friendly and protect the world.’

Councillor Guy Lambert, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Recycling and Health Integration said: ‘I was delighted to meet both Naomi and Sophie, and better still was to see both students so happy to have their artwork installed onto our waste and recycling vehicles. Empowering young people to speak out is a hugely important part of effective climate action globally, and it will only have a positive effect on our borough too.

‘And as Naomi so intelligently put it, if primary school children can take action to waste less and recycle more, so can most adults!’

INSPIRING A PASSION FOR LEARNING Are you looking to access new skills while helping the next generation of employees kickstart their careers?

We are looking for employers to host block placements in 2024.

Year 12 placements start week beginning 17.06.24 (25 days) Year 13 placements start week beginning 20.05.24 (20 days) Our T Level students are studying Management & Administration and Healthcare Science.

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Contact us now to discuss further Heston Community School, Heston Road, Hounslow TW5 0QR Telephone: 0208 572 1931 Email: nchhibba@hestoncs.org www.hestoncommunityschool.co.uk

skills

Photo by Aleksandrs Karevs - unsplash

Ping Pong and Beanbags:

Why presenting the workplace as fun and engaging can end up being inauthentic suggestion that they will help organisations attract millennial and GenZ talent. When we challenge this, we are often confronted with justifications along the Bandwagon Fallacy spectrum.

Dr Helmut Schuster and Dr David Oxley

Over the past several years, companies have rushed to copy design concepts championed by WeWork and Palantir. Budgets were secured to ‘transform’ offices into more social places, with serendipitous collaboration hubs, and relaxation pods. While the pandemic may have slowed some of this, there remains a belief that ‘cool’ office space may be the key to attract great talent.

Causation versus correlation There is a danger of this becoming another fad.

This isn’t an unusual thing. Over the past 50 years, organisations have fallen in and out of love with different things, like how we dress, measuring the time it takes to do things, and publishing mission and values statements.

It’s tempting in a busy world to look for hacks and shortcuts that can help us simplify complex challenges. The problem becomes when we confuse their convenience for something more meaningful.

Focusing on substance over form So, at what point does striving to create a practical but appealing work environment run the risk of inauthenticity? Quite simply when it is used to compensate for a lack of genuine substance.

What surprises us about some justifications for ping pong tables and beanbags, is the

The authenticity pyramid: a visualisation A much more effective way to appraise investments in a companies’ employment proposition, is to remember there is a clear hierarchy in what matters. Think of this like a pyramid of glasses stacked, sequentially, on top of one another – overfilling one cup doesn’t help you with the others:

1. The basics: pay, security, basic respectability.

2. The conditions: the office, the benefits.

3. The unwritten rules: degrees of freedom,

self-expression, what is acceptable behaviour.

4. The work itself: is it engaging, challenging, am I encouraged, nurtured?

5. Co-workers: are they cool or jerks?

6. The future: can I go further, what is the ceiling?

7. The leadership: do they walk the talk, do I trust them, do I respect them?

8. A higher purpose: do I feel good about what we do, is it something I’m proud of?

In our experience, companies who overemphasise one of these at the expense of the others tend to get counterproductive outcomes. Smart talent can smell inauthenticity and see it as attempted deception. This was very apparent in research for our book, the belief that companies were being disingenuous and manipulative was one

Drs Schuster & Oxley, longtime friends and work colleagues launched the first book in the Shey Sinope saga on October 13th. They bring their considerable experience as energy executives, HR leaders, and social scientists to successfully navigating the four big existential crisis we are all likely to face across a 40-year working lifetime.

of the major drivers for Millennial and GenZ talent to make a change. Their number one concern was to find a job that gave them the best possible opportunity to experience the higher levels of fulfillment available in those organisations with authentic substance…. even if it meant their table tennis games suffered.

A Career Carol: A Tale of Professional Nightmares and How to Navigate Them

by Dr Helmut Schuster and Dr David Oxley is out now, published by Austin Macauley Publishers and available on Amazon.

Chiswick Park is managed by Enjoy-Work, which provides a range of services, facilities and entertainment for its guests on the park.

“Our philosophy is providing the optimum environment where people enjoy being at work and are therefore more productive and have the very best chance of succeeding,” said Carly Gibbs, Head of Guest Experience.

“Enjoy-Work proposes a programme of regular activities and concierge services dedicated to our guests – but this is not new. This is a concept that is at the heart of the campus and has been for 23 years.

“We also know it works. Chiswick Park is ranked in the top five per cent of UK offices with over 99 per cent of occupants/guests recommending working at Chiswick Park.”

Chiswick Enjoy Work won Best Business of the Year in last year’s Business Awards. let’s talkbusiness

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Brentford FC, head coach, Thomas Frank gets a heart rate monitor fitted in ‘The Pressure’.

Image by Studio Something

New film series puts Brentford FC’s community in the spotlight Chamber member Brentford FC has launched a new series of short films, sharing stories of the club’s community.

The Thousands of Stories series is turning the spotlight on the people that make up the club from staff and fans to the wider community.

The films show how each person’s story is special and important to shaping the club.

The series kicked off with The Pressure which features Brentford Head Coach Thomas Frank and the issue of cardiac health. It looks at the stress of being a Premier League manager as he wears a heart rate monitor throughout the day of the club’s 2022/23 home fixture against West Ham.

“I was interested to see how my heart reacted during a match. Every Head Coach knows that Premier League football is stressful and it’s amazing to see what happened to my heart rate during match events.

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The film explores the importance of cardiac health and the motivations behind the club’s Heart of West London initiative - a longterm partnership and commitment bringing together key players in the cardiac health world to make a difference.

Viewers discover how the Head Coach’s heart fluctuates in reaction to pivotal elements during the football match, including substitutions and VAR decisions.

Thomas Frank said: “I was interested to see how my heart reacted during a match. Every Head Coach knows that Premier League football is stressful and it’s amazing to see what happened to my heart rate during match events.

Other films in the Thousands of Stories series are: • The Team - which looks at the impact of the Brentford Community Sports Trust’s women’s recreational football sessions and the opportunity it gives to women who want to play football at a non-professional level.

• The Chance - the story of Brentford staff member, Mariia Manirko, who moved to the UK from Ukraine after Russia’s invasion.

• The Voice - follows the story of Peter Gilham, Brentford’s club announcer, also known as Mr Brentford.

The four films were produced by creative agency, Studio Something.

Thousands of Stories is expected to be an ongoing series and the club is encouraging Bees fans to share their stories.

Brentford Chief Executive Jon Varney said: “Here at Brentford, everyone’s story is important, from our fans to our matchday staff to those involved in our community projects.

“I am proud to be part of the heart health campaigns we run here at Brentford.

Knowing what happened to Robert Rowan and Christian Eriksen makes it something that really matters to me.”

He added: “Cardiac health is important for everyone and it’s important we do what we can to lead a healthy lifestyle and look after ourselves.”

‘We’re really proud to see the launch of Thousands of Stories. It’s the start of a series that allows us to share what it means to be a part of Brentford.

“And the series doesn’t stop here, we want to hear the stories of our fans too who help make this club so special.”

More information about Thousands of Stories can be found on Brentford FC’s website – brentfordfc.com

sport

Bees United looking after the future of Brentford FC by looking after its past Bees United – or Brentford FC Supporters Trust – was established in 2001 to promote and protect the history and heritage of Brentford Football Club.

Run by a group of volunteers including Bees United Secretary Don Tanswell, the organisation’s ethos is of a fan-centric, regulated, Community Benefit Society, whose passion is Brentford FC, its fans and the local community.

The club has transitioned through a series of phases in its long history since 1889 and Bees United has been there every step of the way since its formation in 2001.

Bees United is unique as the only fan group in the Premier League with a seat on the main board of its club. Stuart Hatcher is the Chairman of Bees United and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Brentford FC. They also have a ‘special share’ to safeguard its long-term future.

The organisation earned these rights by saving the club from financial disaster in 2006 and owned the club between 2006 and 2012, when it stabilised the club and brought in Matthew Benham, initially as a key investor but then ultimately as the current owner of the club.

“We have gone through a variety of phases in our development and we have a new Chairman this year,” added Don.

They are proud of their club and its progress to the Premier League and have seats on the Brentford Fan Advisory Board.

“We joined West London Chambers of Commerce recently because we are keen to establish an identity with the wider community,” said Bees United Secretary Don Tanswell.

“We have been made to feel very welcome at the Chamber and that was important to us.

We have a lot of keen objectives and visions to let people know we exist.

“Our supporters are extraordinarily loyal, and we have always helped the fans feel that they are closer to running their club.

“We’re well known for being a fan-centric club, which is terribly effective and nurturing.

We’re also known for being a very strong family club.”

“Bees United are keen to showcase the club’s heritage and are the custodians of the club’s entire collection of memorabilia.

“We are now in the position of bringing it altogether and making it available for fans to see it.”

Telling fans’ stories of their individual and collective memories of Brentford FC is a passion of the organisation and they are painstakingly collating a collection for the whole community to be able to view and enjoy. They are the lawful custodians of the Brentford FC collection of programmes and memorabilia and are building new catalogues for all the items.

“Our explicit objective is to have a digital archive of our memorabilia that’s been in storerooms for years,” said Don. “We have to tell their stories to encourage people’s interest in the club and the community. One of the people in our team is studying for a PHD in bringing football heritage alive.

“We firmly believe that the history is not just about the old match programmes but also what the women’s team did last week – and everything in between.

The club has transitioned through a series of phases in its long history since 1889 and Bees United has been there every step of the way since its formation in 2001.

“Our Club and our hearts, live in Brentford and by being a member of the West London Chambers of Commerce, we can make more people aware of the heritage of Brentford FC.” The organisation, which has 3,500 members with over 10% based outside the UK, writes a popular monthly newsletter where keen fans can keep up to date on all club-related news.

They also run online events for members.

They will soon be announcing a new community fund based on 10% of its donation income being available to approved local causes The Bees United Community Fund has been established to support Bees United’s work in celebrating the history and heritage of the club and the local community.

Bees United is hoping to mount a plaque to commemorate the club’s foundation in 1889 and hold a special unveiling ceremony with the Mayor before Christmas. The plaque has been funded by member donations.

Find out more about Bees United at www.beesunited.org.uk or email don.tanswell@beesunited.org.uk let’s talkbusiness

15

the big interview

Business is the lifeblood of the UK Public services touch everyone so quality delivery is essential.

Sam Leigh, Managing Director of Lampton Services, talks to Sarah Dale about why she is so passionate about public services.

Leading a public services business has always been an aspiration for Sam Leigh.

As Managing Director of Lampton Services, part of Lampton Group which also includes Lampton Homes and Lampton Leisure, Sam takes a keen interest in the growth of the business and how it directly helps people living and working in the borough.

Three years ago, Sam joined Lampton Services, which delivers essential services on behalf of Hounslow Council and touches nearly every resident of the borough. The business employs 850 people and, as part of Lampton Group, is a commercial entity wholly owned by Hounslow Council.

They deliver their services locally, employ locally and use local suppliers where they can.

Sam’s personal experience of being homeless when she was 17 years old has left a lasting mark on her and informs her desire to make public services the best they can be.

“I always wanted to get into public services, particularly with a connection to social housing, due to my own personal background,” said Sam. “I was homeless when I was 17 through no fault of my own. That had a resounding impact on me. I had an understanding at a very young age of the absolute critical importance of a home.

“If you don’t have a postcode, you can’t get a job and if you don’t have a job, you can’t get a home.

“There is a direct association with home and physical health, mental health and social mobility – and I learned these things firsthand at a very young age.

“I also learned the critical purpose of public services. They can have a fundamental effect on people’s lives and their life choices.”

Sam counts herself as lucky that her knack for maths and her aptitude for learning were not overshadowed by her status by her first employers.

“I fell into financial services; I was good at maths and I was given an opportunity which led to a 25-26 year career,” she said.

“The opportunities that were created for me, the fact that I didn’t then have an MBA didn’t stop them from taking me on and I worked in a plethora of roles in sales, HR, audit and risk, finance – and they helped me get where I am today.”

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There are four components of Lampton Services: 1. Waste management – domestic and commercial, recycling, environmental.

2. Commercial cleaning – offices, schools, colleges, libraries, any large public building where there is a significant footfall.

3. Horticulture, public open spaces, ecology, conservation. They also deliver an educational programme to schools.

4. Facilities management - repairs, maintenance, renovations, retrofit.

Over the next three years, the business’ clear focus is fundamentally based on growth.

“We have completed a huge amount of business transformation and work so that our model is effective and efficient,” said Sam. “Our USP is a proportion of our profits that we generate are not shared or distributed to shareholders through dividends. Any profits are reinvested into public services.

“The LAs and councils will be facing some fundamental changes as they find it harder and harder to deliver public services within their budgets.

“In-house can be expensive so they may choose to outsource to the private sector. We have the freedom to go and compete for new commercial business, which a council can’t do.”

“As a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo), not only are we delivering services for the council and the local community, we are also using our commercial expertise to deliver valuable services to local businesses.

In addition to benefiting from our intimate knowledge of the local area and high-quality services, businesses working with us can also feel confident that any profit generated is reinvested into the community through public services and local employment opportunities.”

Recruitment-wise, they are at a “pivot point” and facing “huge demand for traditional expert skills”, for example, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, painters and decorators and tree surgeons, to name a few.

The biggest challenge facing the business is the economic environment.

“We are in quite a difficult macroeconomic environment, particularly with the cost of borrowing,” she added.

“We see it every day. We are still seeing the impact of Covid; the cost of supplies and labour are significantly more expensive than they were three years ago. We are also seeing the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

People are trying to be more careful and spending less money.

“Businesses making sure that they are as cost-effective as they can be is really important.

“It’s also politically challenging as well coming up to a general election as the propensity is that it will bring change.

“Climate is a massive risk and challenge too.

We need green skills for the future.

“At the moment, there are more jobs than there are people. This is good as unemployment is low but it also means that multiple employers are competing for these future candidates so it can be a challenge.”

Sam Leigh, Managing Director of Lampton Services

Sam joined West London Chambers of Commerce when she joined Lampton Services just under three years ago.

“I had a meeting with Sally and Alan in my first few months and we hit it off,” she explained.

“They are so good at connections, very innovative and creative about how they approach businesses and linking businesses together. They have an incredible energy and are enthusiastic about business and how business is the lifeblood of this country.

I’m really excited about where they will take the Chamber to next as they operate on an international playing field too.”

“Their advice is invaluable and so is meeting face-to-face with other members having a chat over a cup of tea. You just can’t beat having a conversation face-to-face.”

Our USP is a proportion of our profits that we generate are not shared or distributed to shareholders through dividends. Any profits are reinvested into public services.” let’s talkbusiness

17

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let’s talkbusiness

environment

From Orbit to Investment: Leveraging EO Data for Sustainable Finance In an era where climate change and environmental degradation have reached critical levels, integrating sustainable practices into finance is no longer an option— it’s an imperative. Earth Observation (EO) data, obtained through satellites and other technologies, is emerging as a powerful tool to advance sustainable finance. Agtelligence leverages the invaluable insights provided by EO data so investors, and financial institutions can make informed decisions that drive positive environmental and social outcomes while securing financial returns.

Earth Observation Data: The Silent Game Changer

EO data offers a comprehensive view of the Earth’s systems, encompassing land, water, air, and human activities. Satellites with various sensors capture a wide range of information, such as land use, biodiversity, climate patterns, deforestation, and pollution levels, at varying temporal and spatial scales.

The immense volume, variety and complexity of data collected can be processed and analysed to extract meaningful insights crucial for sustainable finance.

Enhanced Reporting capabilities and Due Diligence

Sustainable finance necessitates a thorough assessment of environmental and social risks associated with investments. Agtelligence provides a bird’s-eye view of potential risks and opportunities such as biodiversity and soil health monitoring and reporting. By integrating this data into mandatory reporting frameworks such as the Task Force for Climate-related Disclosures (TCFD) or voluntarily following best practice frameworks like the Task Force for nature related disclosures (TNFD), financial institutions can make well-informed decisions, minimising exposure to environmentally high-

risk ventures and directing funds towards sustainable initiatives that align with global goals, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Evaluating Environmental Impact and Performance

Investors and stakeholders increasingly demand transparency regarding the environmental footprint of their investments.

EO data facilitates the measurement and evaluation of environmental performance across various sectors. Agtelligence generates insights into how investment activities impact nature and biogeochemical processes across time. With this information, investors can identify companies or projects prioritising environmental responsibility and allocate resources accordingly.

Fostering Sustainable Supply Chains A significant aspect of sustainable finance involves promoting responsible and ethical supply chains. Understanding how complex supply chains affect nature is critical to complying with reporting and regulations, starting with how data can be employed to monitor supply chain activities and verify compliance with ESG standards. For instance, financial institutions can support companies committed to sustainable sourcing and production practices by tracking the sourcing of raw materials and evaluating the environmental impact of production processes.

Earth Observation data is ushering in a new era of sustainable finance. By incorporating the insights derived from EO data, financial institutions and investors can align their investments with sustainability objectives and positively impact the planet. As the need

Agtelligence leverages the invaluable insights provided by EO data so investors, and financial institutions can make informed decisions that drive positive environmental and social outcomes while securing financial returns. for sustainable finance grows, integrating metrics into decision-making will be paramount to achieving a balance between financial returns and environmental and social well-being. Fusing financial acumen with Agtelligence’s environmental expertise is essential for building a resilient and sustainable world for future generations.

Agtelligence recently took part in the Net Zero webinar, organised by West London Chambers, of which they are proud to be a part.

Please note all webinars are available on the Chamber’s You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7UehhkBGqDfJyZZkFV0a3w/videos. Go check it out! let’s talkbusiness

19

patron focus

Chamber is a which helps Dimple Matharoo, Managing Director of DQS UK Ltd, talks to Sarah Dale about the benefits of being a Chamber Patron and the accredited certification firm’s plans for the future.

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let’s talkbusiness

‘powerful platform’ businesses collaborate Dimple Matharoo joined West London Chambers of Commerce in 2020 because, as Managing Director of DQS UK Ltd, he “recognised the value of being part of a vibrant business community”.

connections is something he urges new members to take full advantage of.

“I became a member because I wanted to tap into the resources and opportunities that the Chamber provides, such as networking, advocacy, and business development,” said Dimple, who formed DQS UK 14 years ago.

“Attend events, join committees, and actively participate in the Chamber’s offerings. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of your membership.

“Being a patron at the Chamber has been instrumental in our business growth and brand recognition.

“The networking events have allowed us to connect with like-minded professionals and potential clients. The support and resources provided have been invaluable, offering us guidance and insights that have helped our business thrive.”

DQS UK is an accredited certification body to more than 80 international standards including quality, aerospace, automotive, environmental, health and safety, energy, cyber security, social and ethical, and food safety. It has experienced auditors in more than 65 countries and across all business sectors.

“One of our major challenges in certification is staying current and understanding industries’ needs,” he added.

“The Chamber can help us connect with local businesses and industry experts.

These interactions can provide insights into industry trends and emerging standards.

They can also facilitate partnerships with other members who may have expertise in this area.

“The Chamber is a powerful platform to collectively tackle common challenges.”

His own experience of the Chamber’s invaluable advice and assistance with

“I would recommend getting involved and staying engaged,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic platform to build relationships and showcase your business.”

There are “exciting prospects” on the horizon for DQS UK. “Our focus is on deepening our engagement with the local business community to assist them on their journey towards certification,” he said.

The Chamber can help us connect with local businesses and industry experts.

These interactions can provide insights into industry trends and emerging standards.

They can also facilitate partnerships with other members who may have expertise in this area.”

“The certification industry might appear daunting, especially for new start-ups, but rest assured, we are committed to aiding businesses in comprehending the advantages and prerequisites of certification.

This, in turn, can help companies streamline their business processes for growth.

“Furthermore, we recognise the growing importance of sustainability, food safety and cybersecurity certification in the supply chain, mandated by key customers.

“At DQS, we are experts in these standards and can provide support to organisations of all sizes, from small and medium enterprises to large corporations.

“Additionally, given the UK’s ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, we aim to collaborate with Chambers of Commerce to connect with and assist companies in realising these ambitious goals through certification and validation.”

Dimple Matharoo, Managing Director of DQS UK Ltd

let’s talkbusiness

21

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THE RSVP THE RSVP THAT WON’T THAT WON’T BE MISSED BE MISSED

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24/08/2023 09:16

arts & culture

Gunnersbury Park Museum exhibition is ‘Set to Stun’ For almost a century, West London has been home to a hive of workshops and design studios that fed into some of the country’s most iconic sci-fi films and television shows.

A new exhibition, ‘Set to Stun: A Celebration of Sci-fi Film and Television Design’, opened at Gunnersbury Park Museum on 20th October.

From laser beams to paranoid androids, exploring faraway planets to alien invasions – visitors will get to enjoy an engaging and interactive showcase of the sets, costumes, prosthetics, props, and artistic visualisations that went into British sci-fi classics, including Doctor Who, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Red Dwarf.

In May, the museum launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the free-to-visit

exhibition, which turns the camera onto the West London creatives who brought it all to life.

The campaign raised over £16,000 from more than 100 supporters, who were able to pick from a selection of rewards to grab their galactic fancy ranging from sci-fi inspired tote bags to a reading and Q&A with David Learner, aka Marvin the Paranoid Android of BBC’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. With the match funding provided from the Art Fund, Gunnersbury Park Museum had over £32,000 to help launch the exhibition.

‘Set to Stun’ is Gunnersbury Park Museum’s first large-scale exhibition since gaining NPO status in April and is its biggest one in its history.

Visitors will be able to view original daleks, cybermen and other well-known villains plus interactive mirrors, community curated art, smoke machines and more can be expected.

Professor James Knowles, Chair of

Gunnersbury Museum and Park Development Trust, said: “It’s been inspiring to watch our local communities get behind our exhibition.

I’d also like to thank Art Fund, in particular, for their support for our campaign and for match funding the money raised. All the sums contribute towards creating a dynamic, galaxy-crossing celebration of sci-fi and local creativity for everyone to enjoy.”

Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund, said: “Huge congratulations to Gunnersbury Park Museum for reaching their fundraising target through Art Happens, our dedicated crowdfunding platform for museums and galleries. Thanks to donations from over 100 generous supporters, matched with funding from Art Fund’s members and donors, Gunnersbury Park Museum opened their largest ever exhibition in October, celebrating the local community whilst delighting sci-fi enthusiasts from West London and beyond.”

The exhibition runs until 12th July 2024. The museum is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm.

No booking is required. For further information visit: www.visitgunnersbury.org

A symbol of innovation and transformative change in the legal arena Dr. Renu Raj, the distinguished CEO of Radanks Limited, is not merely a name but a symbol of innovation and transformative change in the legal arena.

Dr. Raj’s remarkable journey is marked by pioneering initiatives, impactful legislative involvement, and a deep commitment to redefining the way the world approaches disputes.

One of Dr. Raj’s proudest achievements is her pivotal role as an International Mediator Expert. Her relentless dedication to the field culminated in the passing of the Mediation Bill in India, offering a fresh and efficient approach

to dispute resolution. The bill, effective from August 2023, has brought immense relief to countless individuals entangled in prolonged legal battles. Dr. Raj’s resolute advocacy made her a Committee Member for the Mediation Bill Amendment in India.

Her international acclaim extends beyond legislative changes. Dr. Raj was invited to partake in a distinguished panel for the Mediation Bill in the Indian Parliament at the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, where she played a significant role in shaping India’s mediation landscape. The passage of this bill stands as a cornerstone in her transformative journey, one marked by unwavering dedication to positive change as an International Mediation Expert .

Dr. Renu Raj’s visionary concept of “Legal Tourism,” unveiled at the House of Commons in London in 2019, continues to redefine the legal landscape. Radanks Limited

UK, under her leadership, introduced this groundbreaking approach, providing integrated global legal care and support services that challenge conventional paradigms. It’s a feat that not only marks a significant achievement but also reflects her active contribution to the legal well-being of people in India.

In an age where disputes can stretch on for generations in traditional litigation, Dr. Renu Raj’s resolute commitment to mediation and innovative legal solutions is a beacon of hope. Her achievements and contributions go beyond accolades and awards; they represent a significant step toward a more accessible, efficient, and just legal system, both in India and on the global stage.

For further information please email: dr.rraj@westlondonchambers.org.uk let’s talkbusiness

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discover fulham

The future looks bright for Discover Fulham Discover Fulham has recently begun their new five-year BID period under the watchful eye of local businessman Joel James who has stepped up to the role of Chair of the BID. An insurance broker by trade with his own business Woodfords Insurance Brokers, Joel has been part of the BID board for the past two and a half years.

Speaking to Let’s Talk Business Joel said “It has been an exciting few years working with the BID, coming off the back of the pandemic and into what was a successful ballot, securing our future for the next five years.

We are in the process of extending the number of Directors on the board with the aim being that we have most sectors of business represented to make sure that

the BID’s activity brings a benefit to as many businesses as possible.

It has been a difficult time for most, with the cost-of-living crisis hitting people hard. Businesses are suffering and we have seen a number of businesses close over the past few months. The good news is that we are seeing new businesses come into the area, and we hope the BID can support them to become thriving businesses in our community.

As a board we are exploring the possibility of introducing an advisory board, who will be able to support us with an external view as we look to work with the local authority to fill the remaining vacant units in the area, and make Fulham a great place to live, work and do business.

The good news is that we are seeing new businesses come into the area, and we hope the BID can support them to become thriving businesses in our community.

Joel James - Chair of the BID 24

let’s talkbusiness

Hammersmith & Fulham -

a safer place to live and work There has been a nationwide increase in crime and antisocial behaviour which affects our residents, workers and business owners.

Street Wardens, Police and LET teams

As part of our commitment to tackling crime and safety in the Discover Fulham BID area, we are pleased to announce that we have extended our trial of Street Wardens in partnership with Lodge Security for at least the first year of our BID period.

There has been a nationwide increase in crime and anti-social behaviour which affects our residents, workers and business owners.

Although there are plans being put in place by the Met Police, the Mayor’s Office and national stores, we cannot wait until that filters down to affect our businesses.

To further demonstrate our commitment to proactively working to reduce crime and increase safety, we are beginning to work in partnership with Hammersmith BID and the Safer Business Network to develop

an innovative Business Crime Reduction Partnership covering both BID areas in a joint effort to make our areas a safer place to live and work.

This partnership will enable us to deliver joint initiatives that similarly affect businesses across both BIDs, such as Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) and Ask For Angela training as well as sharing a crime reporting network with our businesses that can provide intelligence on transient criminals.

Visit www.discoverfulham.co.uk for more information let’s talkbusiness

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spotlight focus - southall

West London’s thriving high street, cultural destination and growing industrious town. place to live, work, and socialise, and it’s just a stone’s throw from Heathrow. With its vibrant and diverse population, Southall’s multiculturalism is its strength. It’s the buzzing and internationally renowned home of South Asian culture in the UK – from Bollywood movies to food, fashion and festivals – which all showcases the town’s spirit.”

Economic growth, business and investment The cornerstone of Southall’s economy lies in its expanding business community, which has witnessed a 20% growth since 2015.

This town is bustling with approximately 400 enterprises, providing more than 4,000 jobs and playing a pivotal role in the local and borough-wide economy.

Southall-

a place to live, work and socialise.

Just a stone’s throw from Heathrow, Southall boasts a vibrant and diverse population of 70,000 people. Southall is the London borough of Ealing’s second-largest town, and holds 21% of its population. One of its strengths lies in its multiculturalism, with 86% of its residents identifying as non-white.

Internationally, Southall is famed for its South Asian delicacies, unique retail experiences, fashion and jewellery offerings.

The town showcases a robust multi-faith foundation, with more than 40 faith venues, that underscores the harmonious unity in Southall.

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Cultural destination Southall is the UK’s premier destination for the best of South Asian culture and heritage. Major events like the annual Mela are hosted here, drawing thousands from both locally, regionally and internationally, and celebrations like Diwali and Eid showcase the spirit of Southall.

Adding to its cultural significance, Southall has a strong history in film production. The renowned Southall Studios operated between 1924 and 1958. Given its prime location, there is a rising buzz about Southall as the UK’s ‘Home of Bollywood’.

Councillor Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council, said: “Southall is iconic. It’s a great

Catering and manufacturing dominate Southall’s commercial landscape. A significant 70% of its commercial floorspace is industrial, hosting many of London’s pivotal industrial estates. There is 55,736 sqm of flexible commercial space, with an additional 40,510 sqm of business/industrial space being developed or earmarked for the near future.

Southall is home to many key public sector entities, including major employers Ealing Hospital NHS Trust and St Bernard’s Hospital. In addition, nearly 3,000 residents in Southall are employed at Heathrow Airport. This synergy extends further with renowned international food manufacturers, such as Noon Products and Delifrance based in the town, which produce many in-flight meals for airlines operating out of the airport.

Southall is iconic. It’s a great place to live, work, and socialise, and it’s just a stone’s throw from Heathrow. With its vibrant and diverse population, Southall’s multiculturalism is its strength.”

Connectivity, job creation, and opportunities Southall’s connectivity is one of its key features. Southall station offers a one-stop connection to Paddington and westward to the Thames Estuary via the new Elizabeth line. Southall is now just 25 minutes to Bond Street and 10 minutes to Heathrow by Elizabeth line.

Standing as a beacon for South Asian food, fashion, and retail, its strategic location to Heathrow and the A312 offers potential to diversify the local economy further. This potential aims to foster ‘good jobs’ and deliver ‘good growth’ to strengthen the region’s resiliency and vibrancy.

Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said “Southall continues flourishing with a thriving high street and a burgeoning industrious town. Ealing Council recognises its immense economic potential. With a 20% growth in its business community since 2015, Southall is a vibrant hub of approximately 400 enterprises, offering over 4,000 jobs that significantly contribute to the local and borough-wide economy.

We’re committed to fostering ‘good growth,’ diversifying the local economy, and strengthening our region’s resiliency and vibrancy.”

But, like every growth story, Southall faces many challenges, particularly local deprivation, and the rapid pace of change experienced by residents. The vision is to attract investors who not only see the economic potential but are also committed to addressing these challenges innovatively.

The aim is for these investors to be long-term stakeholders in Southall’s growth journey.

Ongoing projects and planning developments

Southall is not just witnessing economic growth; it’s preparing for an economic renaissance as one of London’s most promising towns. Recent housing developments near Southall Station and beyond connect to Southall’s network of canals and green spaces. With the recent arrival of the Elizabeth Line, these changes are shining a spotlight on Southall’s vibrant commercial neighbourhoods. To streamline and encourage investment, Ealing Council’s emerging Local Plan has identified over 20 major development sites. These sites encompass a diverse range of offerings from intensified industrial spaces, flexible commercial zones, retail hubs, and, most importantly, genuinely affordable homes.

With a 20% growth in its business community since 2015, Southall is a vibrant hub of approximately 400 enterprises, offering over 4,000 jobs that significantly contribute to the local and boroughwide economy.”

For those looking to tap into Southall’s development potential, the council has launched the Good for Ealing inward investment programme. Launched in 2022, this public-private partnership promotes investment opportunities via a new listings portal and supports local businesses in the borough’s 7 town centres, including Southall. With events for networking and collaboration, as well as support for SMEs, the programme encourages inclusive growth.

Interested investors can engage through various pledge packages, ensuring a collaborative future for Southall.

Please visit the following website for more information:

www.goodforealing.com let’s talkbusiness

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spotlight focus - southall

The Pallets Yard, Southall Chamber member The Pallets Yard Limited was founded by Director Ian Leander in 2006 and has been based in Southall since 2008.

The firm provides affordable, secondhand wooden and plastic pallets to local businesses in West London and further afield.

It also repairs damaged and broken pallets and collects unwanted, reusable pallets from other businesses to free up space.

Director Ruth-Anne Lynch said: “Southall is the area in which we generate a large proportion of our business, although we would like to supply more to clients both nationally and internationally.

“Our business yard is in the Middlesex Business Centre and easily reachable by local suppliers and clients in Southall, particularly other SMEs. It is close to Heathrow and other key West London boroughs and has easy access to the M4, M40 and M25.”

Ruth-Anne credits their hard-working employees, support from loyal clients, suppliers and the West London Chamber of Commerce, as well as exceptional business mentoring from fellow Chamber member

Branduin Business Support, as being key to their continued growth.

“We have received fantastic guidance and training from our mentors over the years, that has significantly influenced the way in which we manage, plan and perform,” she said.

“Having business mentors to help with the heavy lifting has been invaluable. They work with the councils, Tier 1 and 2 firms, business associations and networks to engage more with SMEs. They provided ongoing advice on ways to grow our business, and it was at their suggestion that we took a stand at the West London Festival of Business in February.”

It was at that event that she met Paul Doherty, Procurement Director at Heathrow, at an SME engagement seminar. Following this meeting, Ruth-Anne said that Paul has “taken a great interest in The Pallets Yard and facilitated a collaboration between our business and two of Heathrow’s Tier 1 suppliers, Wilson James and Bradford Swissport”.

The Pallets Yard is celebrating several recent wins. They have just been awarded

Ian Leander and Ruth-Anne Lynch, directors of The Pallets Yard Ltd.

Approved Supplier status by both Wilson James and Bradford Swissport and are now bona fide members of ‘Team Heathrow!’

Ruth-Anne said “Paul has also invited me to be a guest panellist on a workshop he is hosting, at the Heathrow Summit on 16th November. The session will be geared towards increased SME engagement with Tier 1 and 2 organisations, which are already part of the Heathrow supply chain.”

To meet the demands of this SME’s projected business growth and increase its efficiency and output, a 7.2 truck will be added to its fleet.

The firm also increased its workforce by taking on two more staff members, and in the future, they hope to create more jobs in Southall.

To match this growth, the firm must find new affordable open yard space, over 10,000 square feet, in Southall or nearby areas.

To provide information on available yard space, or to discuss buying or supplying second-hand pallets, email: info@thepalletsyard.co.uk

The Pallets Yard is celebrating several recent wins.

They have just been awarded Approved Supplier status by both Wilson James and Bradford Swissport, and are now bona fide members of ‘Team Heathrow!’

Anisha Sharma McDonalds Franchisee Being based at the Ironbridge, between Southall and Ealing is great, and we are essentially at the hub of Greenford, Southall, and Ealing.

Having grown up in Norwood Green, the area is very dear to me, as is the local community.

In addition to providing a range of careers at various levels, we also do what we can to give back to the community. This includes hosting coffee mornings for local charities and doing

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litter picks to ensure we are keeping on top of rubbish in the area. We are also due to be sponsoring a local women’s football team which we are incredibly excited about. Being based close to where I grew up and live, means there is a strong connection to the area. I take great pride in being able to manage a store that I used to drive past growing up and only dreamed of owning one day!

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18+. App T&Cs and Privacy Statement apply.

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See app and mcdonalds.com for full details.

© 2022 McDonald’s. Apple® and the Apple logo® are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLlC.

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INVEST IN ONE OF LONDON’S MOST EXCITING REGENERATION PROJECTS

• An 88-acre regeneration project • Up to 6% rental yield achieved across all homes* • 37 applicants per available property to let** • Situated adjacent to Southall Crossrail station with Elizabeth line • Resident facilities – gym, lounge, screening room, co-working space and more • 13 acres of parkland, podium gardens and over 1.5km of canal frontage – a rarity in London

FINAL 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS READY TO MOVE INTO, OR INVEST EARLY WITH NEW HOMES COMPLETING IN 2024

BOOK YOUR VIEWING Manhattan, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments Prices from £334,500 Call us or scan the code below to find out more 020 3925 1353 Visit us at the Sales and Marketing The Green Quarter Marketing Suite, 1 Randolph Road, London, UB1 1BL Monday to Saturday 10am – 6pm. Sunday 10am – 5pm.

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies Computer generated image is indicative only. Prices and details correct at time of publishing. *Rental yields based on rental valuations by Foxtons in January 2023.

Journey times approximate only, source: Crossrail.co.uk. **Source Benham & Reeves

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THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY WITH GREEN AT ITS HEART In west London, Berkeley is delivering one of the most biodiverse regeneration projects in the UK. With 13 acres of parkland, over 1,000 people already living on site and Parkside Yards, a vibrant new destination, now open, a thriving community has emerged at The Green Quarter.

This will only grow as the 88-acre development continues to transform into a green haven for residents, businesses and wildlife.

A new generation of buyers are seeking to find the next prime locations in London and benefit from being early movers and trendsetters.

The number of investors who have already bought at The Green Quarter and are successfully renting their homes out at positive yields show how Berkeley and this development continues to be a smart investment.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING, MADE EASY Conveniently located in Zone 4, The Green Quarter sits in the wellconnected London Borough of Ealing.

All homes are within a 10-minute walk of Southall station which is on the Elizabeth line, providing links to Heathrow Airport in 8 minutes and Bond Street in 17 minutes. Property prices within a mile of Elizabeth line stations have already increased by 66% and are continuing to rise, so now is a great time to invest in The Green Quarter.

The homes also give residents access to 3,178 electric vehicle charging points and 5,130 cycle spaces, offering sustainable travel options too. A network of new cycle paths and walkways make it easier to access other green spaces including the 1.2km waterside trail along the Grand Union Canal and the 90-acre Minet Country Park.

The development features one of Southall’s newest destinations, Parkside Yards, which combines creativity, community and nature and offers a mix of amenities for all to enjoy including an outdoor piazza with shops, café, airstream and more.

GREEN OASIS Nestled among some of west London’s newest green spaces, homes at Berkeley’s The Green Quarter give residents the power to live smarter and more sustainably, enjoying the fast-paced London life while saving energy and money.

Nearly 50 per cent of the site will comprise open green space and close to two-thirds of the homes will overlook water or nature, setting new standards for modern, sustainable living. Proximity to this level of green space is a rarity in London but Berkeley wanted to make it a priority.

Upon completion, Berkeley aims to have delivered a 93% biodiversity net gain and 13 acres of parkland for both residents and wildlife to enjoy.

In partnership with London Wildlife Trust, over 2,500 new trees are being planted, including 600 air-potted in a new tree nursery with an integrated nature trail at Parkside Yards.

The homes themselves embody both efficiency and luxury. Built to high-quality specification, fitted with energy saving features and surrounded by extensive travel connections and resident amenities, Berkeley’s homes have been built to make healthy, sustainable living

easier than ever. With features like heating through an air source heat pump, rainwater harvesting and power generated from 250 solar panels, every step is taken to ensure residents live in harmony with the environment.

INVEST NOW The London Borough of Ealing is one of the capital’s largest and greenest boroughs, and is an extremely attractive location for development, with house prices already growing by 67% in the last decade.

At the Green Quarter, strong rental yields of up to 6% have been achieved across all homes, with one-, two- and three-bedroom properties giving above average returns with rents of £1,800, £2,400 and £2,900 per month respectively. Across the first quarter of this year, rental increases at the development averaged at 15.4% and demand shows no signs of slowing with 90% of applicants choosing to renew their leases and 37 applications coming in per available property. The average renter in the Green Quarter is aged 28 and the average distanced moved to rent here is nine miles, presenting a wide catchment for renters seeking good value and access to central London.

Berkeley developments of a similar scale, including Royal Arsenal Riverside and Kidbrooke Village in Greenwich, have seen capital appreciation of up to 100% over 10 years, significantly outperforming the wider market.

For more information on homes for sale, please contact the Berkeley sales team on 020 3925 1353 or visit the website www.the-green-quarter.com Statistics and figures stated are correct at time of print. Please contact the sales team for further information.

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International trade

Photo by Tom Fisk - Pexels

Exporters urged to seize new era of global trade The British Chambers of Commerce is urging businesses that want to boost exports and reduce costs to quickly embrace a new era of digital trade.

The BCC made the call as the Government’s Electronic Trade Documents Act finally came into force William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “Campaigners, including the BCC, have worked for years to have the Electronic Trade Documents Act passed, and its introduction is a huge milestone.

“This new era is starting in the UK, but we can also act as a beacon, leading towards further digitalisation of trade across the world.

“We now need to see other governments accelerating their work to digitalise border processes.”

He added: “In our Trade Manifesto, we called on the UK Government to work with business to ensure 60% of the UK’s exports are carried out digitally by the end of the decade.

“The whole Chamber Network has already risen to this challenge and has switched to using Digital Certificates of Origin for the UK. “As more countries make the transition, we will be able to increasingly digitise our trade – making it much less bureaucratic and leading to big savings in both costs and time.”

The Electronic Trade Documents Act gives legal status to electronic Bills of Exchange and Bills of Lading and other commercial documents.

The new legislation gained Royal Assent on July 20th this year and came into force on September 20th.

It provides opportunities to digitalise international trade documents and reap efficiency benefits. It also covers trade documents such as promissory notes, warehouse receipts, marine insurance policies and cargo insurance certificates.

This new era is starting in the UK, but we can also act as a beacon, leading towards further digitalisation of trade across the world.”

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UK firms in the dark over regulatory avalanche for EU trade, says BCC research

Most businesses are in the dark about the looming avalanche of changes to EU/UK regulations, according to a new report from the British Chambers of Commerce.

The BCC asked more than 700 firms about a number of fast-approaching regulations, with responses revealing the vast majority of businesses were both unaware and unprepared for the changes.

Research found that 87% of exporters are either unaware or unprepared for new EU VAT requirements due in January 2025.

Plus 43% of manufacturers are still unaware of the UK’s, now voluntary, alternative product safety marking system to the EU’s CE one.

The research, published in September, also found more than four in five manufacturers (84%) did not know about new reporting requirements on exports of goods containing high-carbon steel, and selected other products, to the EU despite regulations starting in October.

The BCC said the lack of knowledge and preparation for the changes, means some traders with the EU could face a whole range of new delays and unexpected costs.

In some cases, exporters could also find their goods unable to be transited to EU customers.

While not all of the incoming changes to regulations will impact every firm, the wide range of new rules, and the complexity of their requirements, means many businesses will face new obstacles.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said it was a “serious worry” that more than four out of five manufacturers who export had

no knowledge of the EU’s new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism just weeks from the start of its October roll-out.

“It is just the start of a series of changes, that will gradually ratchet up over the next three years, to deter the use of cheaper but higher-carbon steel, and other goods with highly embedded climate damaging emissions, being imported into the EU,” he added.

“This first phase covers only a limited number of iron and steel products, fertilisers, hydrogen, cement, aluminium and electricity, but any UK company which then includes any of these items in their goods, for example in nuts and screws, will now have to declare them.

“This is a very complex set of rules, the EU’s published guidance runs to more than 200 pages.

It is likely manufacturers that export will have to think about allocating dedicated staff resources just to deal with these reporting requirements.”

With very few trusted sources of information, Mr Bain said the BCC and Chambers will be working hard to pull together as much guidance as possible to help businesses get to grips with the onslaught of changes.

“Our research shows Government must also look again at how it communicates with firms about regulatory changes, especially given the likelihood of further divergence from EU rules in the future,” he added.

“EU and UK policy makers also need to look at ways of simplifying a system that is overburdensome for traders on both sides of the Channel.

“This could include reducing the complexity of exporting food and exempting smaller firms from the requirement to have a fiscal representative for VAT in the EU. “If it’s done right the further embedding of digital trade through Single Trade Windows also has the potential to make exporting and importing much simpler.

“And there are other practical steps that should be considered like rejoining the Pan-Euro Mediterranean convention to ease rules of origin issues.”

Chamber international trade update Alan Rides MIEx (Grad)

This month we have featured Pacific rim countries after the historic signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) by our International Trade Minister, Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, whom I met.

She said about the agreement “I have overseen the implementation of our Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand – the first deals the UK has negotiated from scratch since taking control of our trade policy, boosting our trade relationship with both countries by 53% and 59% respectively. I have signed the UK’s accession to CPTPP - a bloc now worth £12 trillion in GDP, eliminating tariffs on 99% of UK goods exports to over 500 million people. “ The agreement includes 12 members: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, as we. as now the UK. These countries span four continents, covering a population of more than half a billion people.

With this progress from our government, your Chamber now is pushing to introduce links to our members to help their business to grow via the following events.

Vietnam Trade Mission reception

They are the only national trade promotion agency in Vietnam and are dedicated to providing assistance to UK businesses seeking to purchase or sell products and services in the region.

The next move will be for our Chamber to sign an MOU to help develop trade for our members.

Ninh Binh Province delegation

Separately, we also received a ten strong delegation from Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Council, Ninh Binh Province, to discuss trade and tourism who showed the following video. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PyaTJKao9wKi8 Gx9b5jdZIKRwQCnwmHs/view?usp=sharing They were welcomed by 14 of our members who are looking to meet companies that they can trade with or provide services to.

VCCI said that they are seeking partners in fields such as education, construction, industrial machinery, high technology, and financial investment consulting, among others.

We were pleased to exhibit with other companies at the Hoxton Hotel, Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith, to show friendship and promote bilateral trade. A packed-out hall heard speeches

by Cllr Steve Cowan, Leader Hammersmith & Fulham council, Mr Hseih, Taiwan Diplomatic Representative London, Sam Lui, and Evelyn Lee, Chairwoman of the UK Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce.

The Changing Environment

New Zealand Trade opportunities

We were proud to receive a 30 strong delegation from Vietnam Chambers of Commerce who were met by 30 of our members to discuss and understand trade opportunities.

Lead speakers were H.E. Mr Nguyen Hoang Long - Ambassador, Embassy of Vietnam to the UK Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh - Vice Executive Chairman of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Mr Trieu The Hung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Dr Renu Raj on International Mediation and Arbitration And a case study, from a British perspective, of trade with Vietnam by Mr Brook Horowitz CEO IBLF Group

Taiwan Friendship Day

Following the signing of our Chambers MOU with Phil Wood OBE, President, British New Zealand Business Association, and the government Free Trade Agreement, we were proud to hear from Phil via Zoom about how he can introduce New Zealand companies to our members. We were also incredibly pleased to have a live interactive session with Joe Nelson, Trade Commissioner, New Zealand High Commission who talked through trade in IT, Wine, Food and Agriculture and reminded us that the first New Zealand lamb was shipped to the UK 130 years ago.

To reflect on global trade and its implications on the planet we were proud to have as a guest speaker Jonathon Porritt CBE who talked about climate change. He highlighted forest fires in Southern Europe and in North America, Hurricanes in the Caribbean, and Tornadoes in the pacific that are no longer ‘one off’ events but are now regular occurrences multiple times a year.

This will be reflected in insurance premiums in the future and could even result in some areas becoming uninsurable, with all the implications that that entails. We were also proud to invite a select group of students from West Thames College to hear this presentation.

We also heard presentations from Dr Amy Burnett and Dr Robyn Owen from Middlesex University on ‘Greening up Freight and Logistics’ and ‘Green Open Innovation.’ Following this oneto-one meeting were held in a breakout room with our members. let’s talkbusiness

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technology

Cybersecurity Awareness:

Best Practices in the Workplace

by Chamber Patron Timeless IMS

An effective staff awareness programme should compliment the way people work, rather than create rules that hinder employees’ ability to get their jobs done. The objective should always be to support them in obtaining the skills and knowledge required to work, and knowing when to raise any concerns.

What do you need to know?

All employees at every level of the organisation should receive training.

No one is immune from mistakes or from being targeted by scammers. In fact, senior employees are proportionally more likely to be targeted by scammers (with the likes of business email compromise schemes) because they represent higher-value targets.

Photo by Shutterstock

of awareness training they need. To help you do this, you should ensure people with knowledge of the local working environments are included in creating cyber security policies. These are the day-to-day rules that employees should follow in addition to the guidelines outlined in your awareness training courses.

Don’t be overly critical when employees make mistakes.

Photo by Shutterstock

Training should occur multiple times a year.

Staff awareness training must be performed regularly to ensure that the knowledge is embedded. To demonstrate the importance of this, a study presented at the USENIX SOUPS security conference, found that employees who went six months or more without phishing awareness training became increasingly likely to fall victim to scams.

Consider how your employees work.

What are your employees’ workflows? What obstacles do they face when performing certain activities? Knowing the answers to these will help you understand the types

If employees are strongly reprimanded when making an error, there is a risk that future mistakes will not be reported.

Experts also add that employees are rarely motivated by fear, so encouragement is the best option. Although, you should be strict about employees taking awareness training – and ideally these courses should come with tests to ensure that staff have understood the content. At Timeless IMS, our breach prevention platform includes staff cybersecurity training and a leader board for friendly competition amongst your employees.

Look for ways to complement staff training Finally there are things you can do in addition to training courses to boost your staff’s understanding of cyber security. You might consider placing posters around the office (if you are still office-based) or creating email signatures containing security tips.

If employees are strongly reprimanded when making an error, there is a risk that future mistakes will not be reported.

Experts also add that employees are rarely motivated by fear, so encouragement is the best option.

For more information on our cybersecurity training for you and your employees, please contact us or email sales@timelessims.co.uk www.timelessims.co.uk/contact

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health & wellbeing

Is your business winter-ready?

As the days grow shorter and the temperature continues to drop, it’s time for businesses in Hounslow to Get Winter Ready.

And while the weather in our part of London may not be as harsh as in other regions, there are still steps that every business needs to take to make sure they continue to operate smoothly and efficiently during the coldest months of the year.

The winter season typically brings an increased risk of illness as we spend more time indoors. It means that seasonal viruses such as flu and COVID-19 can spread more quickly. Therefore, businesses in Hounslow should consider taking proactive steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of both their staff and customers by encouraging them to get vaccinated. This will also help with your business continuity planning during the winter months.

In the post-pandemic world, vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your business and to help slow the spread of these winter viruses The viruses can change or mutate with time and new strains can emerge quickly. This means that the immunity built up to one strain may not be effective on the latest versions of the virus. That’s why everyone eligible is strongly encouraged to have their

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flu and COVID-19 vaccinations each year.

Getting the vaccinations reduces the chance of becoming seriously ill and needing hospital treatment if you contract one of the wintercirculating viruses.

If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, the symptoms can be worse.

If your staff are protected by having been vaccinated there is less chance of them having to take time off through illness.

Getting vaccinated also protects other people in the community, particularly older people and vulnerable groups who may not be able to have the vaccines.

Some employees may be reluctant to go for their vaccinations if it interferes with their work patterns. Businesses can help by building flexibility into their work schedules that allows staff to get their vaccines during the working day.

Hounslow’s Director of Public Health, Kelly O’Neill, said: “Protecting Hounslow from the worst effects of winter viruses is a real team effort and everyone has a part to play.

“The business community is part of the team and is in a really important position to help pass on the vaccination messages and encourage staff members to get vaccinated.

“By prioritising the health and safety of your staff and customers, you are contributing to the well-being of the entire community.”

Hounslow’s Director of Public Health, Kelly O’Neill

This year, the eligibility criteria for the free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations have been updated and you can find the full list of those groups by following the web link at the end this article.

Getting your winter vaccinations is safe, quick and easy. They are being given at GP surgeries, pharmacies and clinics across the borough, so there will be one close to your business. With your support, staff could even get it done during their lunch break.

For more information about winter vaccinations in Hounslow, including a list of locations where they are available, you can visit: hounslow.gov.uk/get-winter-ready

Nurturing the mind, body and skin with holistic wellness skincare In the pursuit of beauty, a new paradigm has emerged - one that transcends the superficial and embraces the profound connection between the skin, mind and overall wellbeing.

This holistic approach to skincare not only rejuvenates the complexion but also nurtures the soul.It recognises true radiance is a reflection of both the skin’s health and the individual’s mental wellbeing.

This philosophy advocates for products that not only nurture the skin but also promote a sense of tranquillity and inner peace.

Emotional wellbeing, stress levels and mental health all play a significant role in the appearance and health of the skin.

By addressing both aspects together, holistic skincare seeks to provide a comprehensive solution for a radiant complexion and a serene mind.

Holistic skincare products are enriched with natural, plant-based ingredients known for their therapeutic properties.

These botanical treasures not only enhance the skin’s vitality but also contribute to a sense of relaxation and equilibrium.

Noteworthy natural ingredients include: • Chamomile – known for its antiinflammatory and calming properties, it soothes irritated skin and promotes a sense of calm.

• Lavender – a wellness staple, offering calming effects on both the skin and the mind.

• CBD (Cannabidiol) - extracted from the hemp plant, CBD offers anti-inflammatory

Emotional wellbeing, stress levels and mental health all play a significant role in the appearance and health of the skin. benefits for the skin while promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

• Adaptogenic herbs - plants like ashwagandha and rhodiola rosea help the skin adapt to stress, offering a sense of resilience and balance.

• Hyaluronic acid - a natural hydrator which replenishes moisture levels in the skin, promoting a plump and radiant complexion.

Products can take many forms – from creams and lotions to gels, oils, elixirs, mists and masks.

By offering a diverse range of forms, skincare brands can cater to the unique preferences and needs of consumers, ensuring they have access to products that best suit their individual routines and skin types.

Holistic wellness skincare aims to promote rituals for both inner and outer radiance.

It encourages us to bring mindfulness practices into our beauty routine. These rituals go beyond the application of products and extend into moments of self-care and introspection.

Start the day with positive affirmations to set a mindful tone, fostering a sense of gratitude and self-love.

Take a moment to pause and connect with your skin as you apply products mindfully.

Let it be a form of self-appreciation and acknowledgment.

And don’t forget to include meditation and breathing exercises into your daily routine to promote relaxation and enhanced wellbeing.

As the beauty industry continues to evolve, the integration of holistic wellness principles into skincare is poised to be a defining trend.

Consumers are recognising the value of products that not only enhance the skin’s appearance but also contribute to a sense of inner harmony.

By embracing natural, wellness-focused ingredients and rituals, individuals can embark on a transformative journey towards radiant skin and a tranquil mind.

This holistic approach is a testament to the profound connection between beauty, wellness and inner peace.

It’s a journey that celebrates not only outer radiance but also the nurturing of the soul.

7 Hopes is proud to be a West London Chambers member and Sally Smith can vouch for the Luxury Diamond facial cream.

For more information, visit www.7hopes.co.uk let’s talkbusiness

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ask the expert

Ask the Expert Zarina Naqvi, Managing Director of management consultancy, Maxima Associates, tells Sarah Dale how the services of a consultant assist the growth of businesses.

Taking on a consultant means you are paying for the expertise for a temporary period to get you through a specific issue.

I take a 360 degree look at your business and analyse it objectively in a way that you as the business owner cannot do. Crucially, as a Chartered Management Consultant, I have the accreditations and qualifications which mean I can analyse a problem, make recommendations, and provide solutions, permanently improving a client’s organisation and creating an atmosphere of continuous improvement, ethically.

What a business does not want is an unqualified consultant stretching up to deal with a problem, it is important that your consultant is experienced beyond the job. It is better to bring a consultant in who has the expertise, the contacts, the wisdom, and the personality. The cost of employing someone full time at that level would be expensive and unnecessary but a short, sharp burst to regularly support the company, is a value for money way to problem-solve and add growth.

I work with clients to provide that expert ear.

Being outside the company and working with many different sectors and different working practices, means I can innovate and deliver by adding A +B + C from elsewhere and creating something new.

I can objectively analyse what you and your business do, and I can be ambitious for your goals. I can show clients how to diversify and continue in a way that enables continuous growth without me.

It is key to understand where a company started and where they are now. I seek to understand the owner and be realistic about what can be achieved and what they want to achieve.

For me, it is important to leave a legacy, so I stay with clients to help them with the process and empower staff and management to facilitate permanent change. I do not create expensive reports that are impossible to implement.

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Having regular contact with clients, once or twice a month, provides a discipline and framework to hit milestones. I guide the process using a combination of mentoring, knowledge transfer, problem solving and more.

I am also called a consultant’s consultant.

I work in consultants’ businesses and with professional consultants. Having a Chartered Management Consultant Award is a great framework to work around. Some people leave their jobs and set up as a consultant without the framework to be as successful as they could be.

I help them move away from feeling uncomfortable professionally to becoming accredited and professional, able to run a reputable business.

I rarely speak to a business that does not want to change and all businesses are surprised by what we find.

My early career was in corporate finance which is a powerful place to come from. Most people don’t really understand accounting and bluff it. They have their annual accounts prepared by their external accountant and think that is the job done, so when I speak to them, they are stunned at what they don’t know, for example, which products/services are the most popular and most profitable.

I am working with a scientific instruments manufacturer, for example, and they didn’t know their breakage rate - a small thing? It is actually a significant KPI in that business.

Accounting is not just about preping your annual records but looking at what happened last week and what may happen tomorrow.

Consulting is an ethical profession and that really matters to me.

Seeing the light come on in a client’s eyes when they grasp something I’ve explained is what drives me. I love to see a client, staff and their businesses thrive.

I am also called a consultant’s consultant. I work in consultants’ businesses and with professional consultants.

Having a Chartered Management Consultant Award is a great framework to work around. Some people leave their jobs and set up as a consultant without the framework to be as successful as they could be.”

Forthcoming Events Drinks Reception

(Part of Hounslow Business First Programme)

16th November 6.00 pm – 8.30 pm

Abstract House, 142 Clocktower Industrial Estate, Clocktower Road, Isleworth. TW7 £10/15 + VAT

Spelthorne Business Breakfast 10th January 2024 7:30am – 9:00am

ActOne Cinema, The Old Acton Library, 119-121 High Street, Acton. W3 6NA £10/£15 + VAT Free to BID members

£10 / £15 + VAT

New Markets – Import/Export (Part of Hounslow Business First Programme) Webinar - online via Zoom

21st November 10 am -11.30 am Free to attend

Business Awards 23rd November 2023 6.30 pm Clayton Hotel, 626 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5RY

Spelthorne Business Breakfast 6th December 2023 7:30am – 9:00am Sunbury Cricket Club, Lower Hampton Road Staines, TW16 5PS

£12.50 + VAT - payable on door

Acton BID Business Breakfast 7th December 2023 8:30 am – 10:30 am Venue tbc £10/£15 + VAT - Free to BID members

Fullers Brewery Tour

followed by a Christmas buffet at the George & Devonshire

8th December 2023 4.00pm – 8.30 pm Fullers/Asahi – George & Devonshire £25 + VAT

Venture X, White City,One Ariel Way, White City, London, W12 7SL

6th February 2024 10.00am – 11.00 am

Spelthorne Business Breakfast

Sunbury Cricket Club, Lower Hampton Road Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5PS £12.50 + VAT - payable on door

Ealing Business Breakfast

14th February 2024 8.30am – 10.30 am £15/£18 + VAT

Festival of Business 22nd February 2024

Breakfast 8:00am - 9:15am Exhibition 9:30am - 4:00pm

Venue TBC

Summer drink’s reception with ArtsEd – 10th August

Holiday Inn, Brentford Lock, Commerce Road, Brentford, TW8 8GA

Free to attend - Tickets required.

Quiz Night (led by Interrupt the Routine)

29th February 2024 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm Venture X, Chiswick Park Building 7, Chiswick Park, Chiswick, W4 5YG £TBC

Northern Iraq/Kurdistan – Meet the Buyer with KFCCI

13th December 9.00am – 11.00 am

Brentford Business Breakfast at the GTech Stadium – 12th July

West Middlesex Golf Club, Greenford Road, Southall, UB1 3EE

12th December 12 noon – 4pm

Women in Business Breakfast

Early Summer drink’s reception at Gunnersbury House – 14th June

7th February 2024 7:30am – 9:00am

Chiswick Business Breakfast

Spring Grove House, West Thames College, London Road, Isleworth, TW7 4HS

Chiswick Business Breakfast at Groundworks – 18th May

Big Copper Switch Over – webinar Online via Zoom

Delegation from Baghdad Chamber of Commerce

Signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two Chambers.

Past Events

White City Business Breakfast 16th January 2024 8.30am – 10.30am

Masterclass.

West London Chambers of Commerce

Sunbury Cricket Club, Lower Hampton Road Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5PS £12.50 + VAT - payable on door

Acton BID Business Breakfast 17th November 2023 8:30 am – 10:30 am

forthcoming events

Advance for Growth: competition launch at hang. (last year’s winner) – 6th September. From l to r: Jon Partridge – hang., Simon Hardy of JCDecaux, Sally Smith, Cllr Afzaal Kiani, Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council

6th March 2024 8.30am – 10.30 am

Room2, 10 Windmill Road, Chiswick, W4 1SD £10/£15 + VAT Gin/vodka tasting with the Waiheke Distilling Co, from New Zealand – 26th September

February 2024 Date tbc 12.00 noon – 4.00 pm

Spring Grove House, West Thames College, London Road, Isleworth, TW7 4HS

Please contact Sally Smith on sallysmith@westlondonchambers.org.uk or 07879 813817 or visit www.westlondonchambers.org.uk for more information.

Women’s Business Breakfast at Bush Theatre – 10th October

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new members

Welcome to our New Members Acton Banking Hub

Focused Futures

Paramarq

TAI UK

Alfresco Limited

Gethsemane Ltd

Poppies Cleaning Service

The Freshwater Foundation

Soniya Fernandes 11 Beech House, Springwell Road, Hounslow TW5 9EE. 020 3540 4646 hounslow@poppies.co.uk

Mark Robbins 14b FreshwaterCourt, Lady Margaret Road, UB1 2NY 020 8566 6310 info@freshwaterfoundation.org.uk

All Star Lanes

Home EcoEarner Limited

Sam’s Waterside

The West London Clinic

Sam Harrison 3 Kingham Avenue, Brentford, TW8 8GP. 07780 711996 sam@samsriverside.co.uk

Arjuna Imbuldeniya 347-353 Chiswick High Rd, London, W4 4HS. 07930 552172 imbuldeniya@westlondonclinic.com

Arise Exim

Ibis London Earls Court

Sean Paul Design

The WILDE Foundation

Jordan Grant 47 Lillie Road, Fulham, SW6 1UD. 020 7610 0880 Jordan.GRANT@accor.com

Sean Paul 38 Waye Avenue, Hounslow, TW5 9SE. 07717 284434 smep99@yahoo.com

Rasheda Victoria Community Hall, Becklow Road,London, W12 9HB. 07904 444569 wilde2000@btopenworld.com

IT-Logix Ltd

Shifaa Agribusiness and Apparel UK Ltd

Total Intergrated Services

Faiza Ahmed 552 Finchley Road, London, NW11 8DD. 020 845 80464 shifaaagriandapparel@gmail.com

Neil Barham 110 Windsor Rd, Slough, SL1 2JA. 07825 292232 neil.b@totalintegratedservices.co.uk

Vip Varsani Unit 2, The Oaks Shopping Centre, London, W3 6RE. 0345 722 3344 actonbankinghub@gmail.com Sam Elishi Alfresco Limited, The Forge, Dukes Head Yard, London, N6 5JG. 07973 625080 Sam@alfrescoshop.com Caroline Rose 95 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL. 020 8017 1781 caroline.rose@allstarlanes.co.uk Divyesh Bhuva 211, 2nd Floor, Koppar Arcade, Mvadi Main Road, Rajkot Gujarat,360004 09586 625400 divyeshbhuva1313@gmail.com

Asset Project Management Karolina Liedtke 7 Devon Close, Tottenham, N17 9HR. 07800 979626 karolina@assetpm.london

Sam Walter Charter Place, Windsor Street, Uxbrige, UB8 1JG. 07507 377484 director@gethsemaneltd.co.uk David Sheldon 24 Benbow Waye, Uxbrigde, UB8 2EY. 07775 420970 david.sheldon@homeecoearner.com

Gokul Javvadi Hubspace 582, Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, HA7 1JS. 07861 668521 gsj@itll.co.uk

Peter Swead 16 Courtfield Gardens, West Ealing, W13 0EZ. 020 898 85728 peter.swead@paramarq.com

Flippo Barbeta 34-35 Hatton Garden, Holborn London, EC1N8DX. 020 3290 9252 Flippo@taiworld.net

Aston Rowe

Kantar Advisory Partners Limited

Shiuli Restaurants Ltd

West London Orthodontist

Sunita Panjabi 128-130 Heath Road, Twickenham TW1 4BN. sunita@shiulirestaurant.com

Chaw-Su Kyi 89 Hammersmith Grove, Hammersmith and Fulham, W6 0NQ. 07787 983785 drcskyi@gmail.com

AZ Design

Kier Adair Brand Photography

Simplified Solutions & Co Ltd

Whateverbrands Ltd

Suraj Gyawali 30 Catherine Drive, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 7TG. 07443 934432 suraj@simplifiedsol.co.uk

Bobby Patel 71-75 Uxbridge Rd, Ealing, W5 5SL. 07964 378838

Delegate Select Ltd

London Corporate Training

Woodford Tools Ltd

Nick Bray 3 Shortlands, Hammersmith, W6 8DA. 020 4542 3232 info@lct.co.uk

Singh Fudge Ltd

Graham Simon Suite A, Bishops Walk House, 19-23 High Street, Pinner, HA5 5PJ. 020 8429 7340 graham.simon@delegateselect.com

Zoe Fudge 15 Teddington Business Park, Teddington, TW11 9QB. zf@singhfudge.com

Michael Kyriacos Unit 8, WintonLea, Monumnet Way West, , Woking, GU21 5EN. 01932 851444 michael.kyriacos@woodfordsuk.co.uk

Eat Better UK

Metrolux Services Ltd

Your New Avenue

Salim Nouwailati 84 Kingston Avenue, Bedfont, TW14 9SN. 07774 692140 info@metrolux.org.uk

Sixes Social Cricket

Sarah Webb 07786 260010 sarah@eatbetteruk.com

Elite Commercial Ltd

Millwrights Plumbing

Solutions RD

FieldOS

nostairway creative

Taar Technologies

Harry Hammonds 103-105 Churchfield Road, Acton, W3 6AH. 07988 054640 harry@astonrowe.co.uk Angela Zeballos 36 Thackeray Court, Hanger Vale Lane Ealing, W5 3AT. 07976 310548 angela@az.design

100 Daventry Road, Romford, RM3 7RH. 07535 087518 info@elitecommercialcleaning.co.uk

Ed Popa 167-169 Great Portland St, London, W1W 5PF. ed.popa@fieldos.co

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Eldon Davis 15 Chilton Avenue, Ealing, W5 4RU. 07790 998391 Eldon.Davis@focusedfutures.co.uk

let’s talkbusiness

Mohamad Kantar Unit B Lostock Office Park, Lynstock Way, Lostock, Bolton, BL6 4SG. 07402 424664 mkantar@kantaradvisory.com

Kier Adair Ealing.

07710 146780 kieradair@gmail.com

Paul Virdee 432 Staines Road, Hounslow, TW4 5AB .

020 8577 7373 millwrights@hotmail.co.uk

Robert Marshall 10 Barley Mow Centre, Chiswick, W4 4PH. 020 3475 8744 nostairwaymedia@gmail.com

Rachel Lamb Unit 1026, Ariel Way, Westfield, London, W12 7GA. 020 3935 9072 rachel@sixescricket.com

Monique Carayol Jubliee House, East Beach, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, FY8 5FT. 07719 399793

Tavgar Bulbas 128 City Road,London, EC1V 2NX. 07590 733607 tavgar.bulbas@solutionsrd.co.uk

Arsalan Ljaz Anwer 3 Brook Path, Slough, SL1 5ER. 0772 8567330 a.anwer@taar.co.uk

West London Chambers of Commerce

business awards categories

West L Chamb of Com 23rd November 2023, at 6.30 pm at Clayton Hotel, 626 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5RY

AWARD CATEGORIES

Best Business for Health & Wellbeing Best Business for Hospitality & Leisure Best Business for Marketing and Social Media Best Business Support & Advice/Service Company Best Charity Social Enterprise Best Entrepreneur Best Exporter of the Year Best Green Business Best Micro Company Best New Business Best Retailer Best Security Business – cyber & physical Best Small Company Best Tech Business Creative Business of the Year 2023 Education and Training Provider of the Year 2023 Employer of the Year

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business awards finalists

AWARD FINALISTS 7 HOPES London

Gunea Luthra

Phind

8pron

Healthroam Ltd

PinkSEO Ltd

Abstract House

Hearing Well

Radanks Ltd UK

Aciers UK limited

Holiday Inn London - Brentford Lock

Ringway Hounslow Highways

Agtelligence Ltd

Human Sun Light Limited

room2

Ajar Technology

Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport

Russell Finex

Anchor Counselling

Hydro-C Ltd

Sadia Barlow Photography

Andreea Tufescu Photography

HyWaves

Serving Our Superheroes

Back Heathrow

Ibis London Earls Court and ILEC Conference Centre

Silver Linings Wellbeing

Ink’d London

SKS Group

Beata Expressions Better Bookkeeping Solutions Ltd Blue Summit Technologies Ltd Branduin Business Support Ltd CBA Rope Access Ltd Charter Place CHEF Clayton Hotel Chiswick D&F Clinic Datawaves Ltd

K4 Security Services Limited Kidwise Kingfisher SEC Lampton Greenspace360 Lampton Leisure Lampton Services Commercial Recycling and Waste

Stylus Networks The Mulberry Centre The University of West London The University of West London Fresh Minds for Business The University of West London West London SME and Start-Up Graduate Internship Scheme The Upper Room

Land Of Profits

Thriize by Vertis Media

LG Planning Ltd

Timeless IT Business Ltd

Livat Hammersmith

Total Intergrated Services

London Green Bridge

Uspire Ltd

Mama Haven

Vitus Wellbeing

Ealing Living Magazine

Mari Deli&Dining

West London English School

Ealing Trailfinders Foundation and Community Team

Nazareth house Hammersmith

West London Queer Project CIC

NJ Group Ltd

West Thames College

Edwards Removals

Oasis Accountants Limited

Wholefoods Market

Eggs Invest

OOGL

Woodford Tools Ltd

FieldOS

Paramarq Ltd

WSI Digital Advisors

DEFY Brands Denova Glosoft Limited Dollsface Aesthetics London Ltd DoubleTree by Hilton London Ealing Hotel E.W.A. Controls Ltd

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Ishkama Global Change Magazine

Simon inc Ltd

let’s talkbusiness

business awards

Better Bookkeeping Solutions Ltd, up for West London Chambers of Commerce Business Awards 2023 In today’s ever-evolving business landscape, bookkeeping has undergone a significant transformation. Traditional practices involving manual ledgers and paperwork have been replaced by efficient, precise, and accessible cloud-based bookkeeping.

Leveraging the opportunities presented by modern software, Better Bookkeeping Solutions, Led by Mike, acts as a bridge to address these challenges and enhance the service experience for small to medium business owners and accountants alike.

Better Bookkeeping Solutions Ltd proudly joined the West London Chambers in February 2023. The business was founded in 2021 by Mike Bennetts, a seasoned software consultant with a background in implementing cuttingedge Cloud Accounting software.

Each client benefits from a dedicated team of three, comprising an Account Manager for client communication, a junior bookkeeper handling data entry, and a senior bookkeeper managing VAT reviews and bank reconciliations.

It became apparent to Mike that business owners were in search of quicker responses and more support from their accountants. Excessive time was, and still is, spent gathering essential information for bookkeepers and accountants, and critical financial reports were only accessible at certain times throughout the year.

Better Bookkeeping’s service structure is continuously refined through research, testing, and the implementation of new Cloud Accounting Software features and thirdparty applications. This approach effectively addresses specific workflow challenges across various sectors.

Mike also noticed that many accounting practices remain hesitant to offer bookkeeping services, preferring to focus on tax and advisory services. Consequently, essential bookkeeping functions have often been overlooked or neglected, leaving businesses feeling they are not receiving full value.

Proficiency in software solutions, combined with excellent support and experienced bookkeepers, not only saves time for businesses but also expedites transaction processing, reducing bookkeeping costs and enhancing efficiency, while improving customer experiences.

Mike Bennetts

Chambers of Commerce Members EXCLUSIVE OFFER Bookkeeping, VAT & Payroll for rate of £13 p/h + VAT for your first twelve months.

To Find out more Email info@better-bookkeeping-solutions.co.uk or call 0208 6293 922 for a FREE consultation.

Expert Bookkeeping Services Tailored to Your Business Since 2021 Better Bookkeeping Solutions has been supporting hundreds of small to medium businesses save time, costs and provide up to date reports.

Your Challenges, Our Bookkeeping Solutions • Affordable, efficient, modern bookkeeping • Improved customer support with faster response times • Real-time, up-to-date financial records • Current debtors’ reports • Time saved by streamlining receipt and bill management.

• Efficient data cleanup and cloud migrations

• Automated financial process through software • Punctual VAT returns • Proficiency in QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Sage Business Cloud • Specialised fund, project, and department reporting • Cloud-based payroll automation • Seamless collaboration with your accountant

Call us on 0208 8629 3922 for a FREE CONSULTATION www.better-bookkeeping-solutions.co.uk Grasmere Avenue W3 6JU London, GB

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business businessawards awards

DIGITAL IDENTITY AND SECURITY SERVICES for the public sector

HEALTHROAM DIGITAL IDENTITY TECHNOLOGY with built in access control enables people and devices to operate simply and efficiently across the public sector landscape.

Offering seamless connectivity without relying on guest Wi-Fi or additional IT systems.

Our Services:

Healthroam in Focus, What You Can Achieve - Case Study

• Roamkey®

Our innovative identity registration technology integrated with NHSMail as standard.

• Healthroam Connect

Our Encrypted Wi-Fi Service with Built-in Access Control.

• Healthroam Remote

Our always-on VPN service included with every Roamkey®.

Benefits Of Our Technology Encrypted Connectivity - Fully encrypted Wi-Fi service with built-in access control provides secure access to IT systems across sites via a single common SSID. Seamless Access - Our innovative digital identity technology provides crypto key-based authentication with challenge-based MFA for completely password-less access.

Enterprise Mobility - Access Secure IT network resources via our Connect service. Our strong authentication enables role-based access controls for enterprise apps & resources.

Rapidly Deploy - Our cloud-based service offers simple self-enrolment for all staff and devices, rapid deployment of security policy across common IT systems and granular context-based policies for greater access control and security.

Carbon Neutral - Our sustainable vendor agnostic technology overlays onto any existing Wi-Fi network and integrates with any existing identity providers inc. NHSMail.

The primary focus of this project will be to orchestrate existing ICB Wi-Fi infrastructures to support healthcare professionals and frontline staff working across all primary care sites (circa 400 sites).

The main objective will be to demonstrate use of existing Wi-Fi infrastructures, incorporating innovative new identity and cloud-based access control technologies. This will create streamlined connectivity opportunities for healthcare agencies across the ICB locality.

Furthermore, this project will expand on the existing Wi-Fi deployments where needed to realise new Primary Care Hub Sites, sites of multiple occupancy, shared clinical spaces and support collaborative working.

This project aims to align wider ICS strategic goals: • • • • •

Integrated Care – NHS, Social Care, Private & 3rd Sector agencies Rapid Response Services – Vaccinations, Health Inequality, Pandemic, Elective Recovery Support de-centralisation programmes of Acute services.

Align with enterprise mobility requirements outlined by Community Services.

Estate utilisation and rationalisation programmes.

To achieve the objectives outlined above this project will overlay cyber security technologies procured from Healthroam Ltd. This innovative identity technology will allow staff to enrol their device for a crypto digital certificate using their NHSMail account and facilitate seamless Wi-Fi authentication. Policy-based access control will allow partner agencies and staff secure access to localised services, including but not limited to clinical systems and HSCN secure boundary.

This project will be split into three distinct phases or methods: • • •

The benefits of this project are to utilise and optimise existing W-Fi estate in line with ICS and NHS England strategic goals. Provide reliable, high-speed connectivity for all stakeholders/ partners across the wider ICS. Increase cyber security in line with NHS England MFA mandate 2024 with seamless digital key Wi-Fi authentication and authorisation. Realise ROI and cost savings through consolidation of infrastructure, HSCN connections and estates across the locality. Build a model for future ways of working for frontline staff across public, private and 3rd sector healthcare agencies.

BETTER CONNECTED CARE Phone: 020 8374 0935 Email: connect@healthroam.co.uk Website: www.healthroam.co.uk Address: 81 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3AY Proud Member of the West London Chambers of Commerce and Business Awards 2023 Finalist

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Technology proof-of-concept at sites outlined in the scope of works. o Timeline 3 months Overlay new technologies to the existing ICB Wi-Fi infrastructure.

Expand existing Wi-Fi network to support strategic need. o Timeline 12 months inclusive

Support for Anyone Affected by Cancer

The Mulberry Centre is an independent charity and award-winning cancer information and support centre based on the grounds of West Middlesex University Hospital (WMUH) in West London.

Our core mission is to improve the lives of anyone affected by cancer, by enhancing their emotional, psychological and physical well-being. The Mulberry Centre relies solely on funding to promote cancer awareness and help people live well with cancer. With empathy, passion and care we help them to start re-building their lives and promote self-management. We do this by providing counselling, complementary therapies, wellbeing classes, information workshops, social, creative and fitness activities, with a holistic approach, tailored to the needs of our clients.

Services are provided at and around our dedicated centre in West London and on-line, creating a place of respite and a feeling of belonging.

We’re the only information and support centre in the local area delivering free services to anyone affected by cancer:

to people with a diagnosis, their friends, family, carers and to those bereaved.

Before The Mulberry Centre existed, there was no cancer information and support service in West London for anyone affected by cancer. In 1999, the WMUH launched the Pulse Appeal to raise funds for the Centre. Building work started in 2000 and in 2001 our doors opened for the first time, and we became an independent charity in 2005.

Sadly, statistics show that 1 in 2 of us will experience cancer in our lives and as the rate of cancer diagnoses rises, so do the numbers looking for our support.

Our team consists of compassionate and knowledgeable staff members, complemented by the invaluable contributions of 134 skilled volunteers.

Together, they are committed to delivering the highest standard of care and support to those in need.

We’re here to help. To find out more, visit our website www.themulberrycentre.co.uk, call us on 020 8321 6300, or email us at talk@themulberrycentre.co.uk

I had some counselling, and it was very helpful.

The staff are very kind.

Other users remind me that I can share and it’s okay to be sad, happy, confused, and anxious because it’s a safe space to be in with other users.

It’s okay to laugh and cry.

I can sit on my own too.

It feels safe when my world feels scary.”

Together we make all the difference We are incredibly thankful to all of our past and present funders, without whom we could not continue to operate, including all of the support we receive from local businesses and the communities.

We need your help to keep our doors open and meet the demand for our services! You may help by spreading the news, fundraising, volunteering, making a regular donation, or making a one-time donation. We like collaborating with both local and national organisations. Many organisations are currently collaborating with us and discovering that we boost their business while also assisting people affected by cancer.

All our services are offered FREE OF CHARGE Please call 020 8321 6300 or email talk@themulberrycentre.co.uk The Mulberry Centre, West Middlesex University Hospital, Isleworth – Hounslow TW7 6AF We are open 5 days a week from 10am to 4pm. Late night opening on Wednesdays ‘til 8pm

www.themulberrycentre.co.uk PROUD TO BE A FINALIST IN THE WEST LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AWARDS 2023 let’s talkbusiness

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5

5 minutes with

minutes with...

Anisha Sharma Who are you?

My name is Anisha Sharma, and I am a McDonald’s Franchisee. I took over my first restaurant in June 2022 at the Ironbridge, Southall. My background is in Investment Banking, so this is a total change, but I grew up working at my parent’s Snooker and Pool Club in Chiswick and always loved hospitality!

What’s your business all about?

McDonald’s is a name everyone is familiar with and loved by many, whether that be for its iconic burgers, McNuggets or worldfamous fries. Beyond the food, the business has a real focus on staff wellbeing and career progression, local community engagement, as well as customer satisfaction.

gives valuable insight into all areas of the business.

Second has to be setting up the ‘Women’s Franchising Forum’ with my sister who is also a McDonald’s Franchisee, which supports women in the industry and encourages others to consider a career in franchising. And lastly, becoming a member of the Advisory Board of West London Chambers, to help represent Southall/Ealing businesses.

Biggest gripe?

Not having enough hours in the day! I am a working mum, like so many others out there and 24 hours just is not enough sometimes!

Your inspiration?

Photo by Brett Jordan - unsplash

Three words to describe yourself?

Tenacious, passionate and self-motivated.

Ideal Customer?

Anyone with a smile! We are an inclusive business and welcome everyone!

Biggest achievements?

Firstly, being accepted as a Franchisee was huge – the process took almost two years with seven months in-store training, so you really learn from the ground-up, which

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let’s talkbusiness

To grow my business and team and to provide opportunities for staff members to develop and flourish, all whilst serving our local community with delicious food in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Philosophy in Business?

Be humble and work hard. There are no shortcuts to success. Look after your team and treat everyone with respect.

Sporting Hero?

All the Lionesses!

Biggest tip for success?

I feel the key to success is to be consistent, be positive and believe in yourself!

McDonald’s is a name everyone is familiar with and loved by many, whether that be for its iconic burgers, McNuggets or worldfamous fries. Beyond the food, the business has a real focus on staff wellbeing and career progression, local community engagement, as well as customer satisfaction.”

Would you like to work for the West London employer of the year?

We are currently hiring for various positions including: • Polishers • Welders/Fabricators • Quality Control Engineers • Mechanical Fitters • Panel Wirers/Electronics Engineers • Training and Apprentice Roles

Come and join us and enjoy: • Competetive salaries with profit-share bonus • Average bonus over 50% per annum of salary • In the last 2 years employees have earned over 3 years’ salary!

• Career progression and training opportunities • Non-contributory final salary pension scheme • Subsidised canteen, free tea and coffee, quarterly get togethers and other great benefits

Contact us for more information

020 8818 2000 Russell Finex Ltd

careers@russellfinex.com Feltham TW13 7EW

let’s talkbusiness

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estive ChrisFtm as Men

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T add a gla hree courses £ 39 ss of pro secco fo pp r only £ 5pp

NOVOTEL LONDON BRENTFORD

Christmas bookings now being taken

Our contemporary West London hotel lies less than 8 miles east of Heathrow Airport, and the centre of London is easily accessible by rail (Brentford Station) or via the Elizabeth Line (Ealing Broadway) as well as by tube (South Ealing Station).

Visit our Gourmet Bar & Restaurant which offers traditional and modern dining throughout the day. Our 4-star Hotel boast 202 modern bedrooms, seven fully-equipped meeting rooms

Chris Party B tmas uffet M en

u

T add a gla hree courses £ 35 ss of pro secco fo pp r only £ 5pp

Christm

as Day

Thre Three co e courses £45 pp urses + g prosecc lass of wine or o £50pp

catering for up to 60 guests, an indoor heated pool, a saunarium and fitness centre, plus complimentary Wi-Fi throughout.

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