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contents & welcome

17 26

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Let’s Talk Business As we move into the silly season, I welcome you to our year-end edition, where we cover - our Business Awards 2026, with 31% more applications than last year, which was also a record breaker. They keep on growing! Congratulations to all our finalists. We are delighted to feature Zach Matai, Founder and CEO of the M & M Group as our Big Interview. We also feature key articles on Financial Services, Security, High Streets, Industrial Manufacturing, Education, and Royal visits to our members. We have an excellent interview with H&F’s Leader, who has led Hammersmith & Fulham since 2014 and this year was Enquiries West London Chambers of Commerce Spring Grove House, West Thames College, London Road, Isleworth TW7 4HS Tel: 07879 813817 Email: sallysmith@westlondonchambers.org.uk Web: www.westlondonchambers.org.uk Media No. 2170 Published November 2026

elected as Chair of London Councils, which works collectively across the 33 London boroughs, on a cross party, pan-London basis to find solutions to the capital’s challenges to make London work for all. The Chamber also delivers on these challenges, both locally and internationally with features on Atlanta, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, plus Central Asia. Good luck at our Business Awards and season’s greetings to you all.

Alan Rides

Chief Executive Officer, West London Chambers of Commerce

Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com

Contents 4-5

Chamber Business Awards

Skills

News

26-27 Arts & Culture 31

Technology

32-34 International Trade

12-13 The Big Interview 14-15 Community

News

Health & Wellbeing

Past Events

Forthcoming Events

In Conversation with…

Hounslow Heart BID

42-43 News

News

New Members

Community

Economy

24-25 Better Connected

5 Minutes with…

Contributing Editor We are delighted to welcome Becca Smith as Contributing Editor at Let’s Talk Business. A former BBC journalist and producer, Becca has extensive experience in storytelling, media and communications. She is the founder of Sistersmith, a communications agency working with businesses and organisations to elevate their brands, strengthen their reputation and reach new audiences. Drawing on her journalism background, she helps clients tell compelling stories that build profile, influence and impact. Features and Advertising Sales Karen Hall Tel: 07801 788880 Email: karen@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. © 2026. 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.

Production Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: mark@benhampublishing.com

let’s talkbusiness

chamber business awards

West London Chambers of Commerce

Business Awards 2026 Friday, 20th November 2026 6:30pm – midnight Novotel London West,1 Shortlands, Hammersmith W6 8DR

Award Categories

Apprentice Employer of the Year

Creative Business of the Year

Best Business for Health and Wellbeing

Diversity and Inclusion Award

Best Business for Hospitality and Leisure

Education & Training Provider of the Year

Best Charity/Social Enterprise Best Entrepeneur Best New Business Best Online Footprint of the Year Best Security Business – Cyber & Physical Best Small Company (Under 50 Employees)

Employer of the Year League of their own Award Unsung Heroes Award Women In Business Award Business of the Year

Best Tech Business

Chamber of Commerce Recognition Award

Beyond Borders Award

Lifetime achevemnt

Business Enabler of the Year

Community Award

Congratulations to all winners, finalists and to the West London Chambers on such an impressive event! At Translator in London Ltd. we are proud of being part of the vibrant and supportive West London Community. 4

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Jaquelina Guardamagna, Translator in London Ltd

chamber business awards

Award Finalists

Aciers UK Limited Aestheticsx Academy Ltd (AAXAcademy) AFFHAN INTERNATIONAL LTD Ajar Technology Ashbourne Healthcare Services AWP Legal Ltd Bespoke cleaning solutions west London limited Blue Crystal Property Management Brentford FC Community Sports Trust CAPE (Communities Activities Project Ealing) CBA Rope Access Ltd CHEF - Community Health Education Food Project Chiswick House and Gardens Trust Claudia Fabian Media Clayton Hotel Chiswick Collect B2B Limited Colour Sound Experiment Ltd DigitalGB Ltd Ealing Mencap Ealing Music Therapy Project EQWorldUK Limited Feltham Swimming Club Focused Futures Consultancy Fulham Pier Garment Spa London Ltd Ghemu Farm Global Peace Umbrella Project Hammersmith Belle Helping West London Home Instead Ealing Home Instead Wembley and Home Instead Ealing Hounslow’s Heart BID Ltd iFAST Global Bank IPTogether Limited IVA PLANTS ltd

K4 Group of Companies Kanj Technologies Ltd Kingfisher SEC KoConsultancy Laura Letters Life LendoCare Leverage Enterprises Ltd t/a Leverage Security Liesel Bockl Photography London and Partners London Borough of Hounslow Swimming Club Lyf Chelsea London M & M Group MADRAS FLAVOURS HOUNSLOW LTD Mainfreight UK Ltd Maison de Serenne Foundation Mari Deli Dining MKK Solicitors Ltd Mulberry Cancer Support Nali Consulting New Content Marketing No More Recruiters Ltd Nostrac Shipping Limited Oasis Accountants Ltd Olsights Ltd OPEN Southall Or Tiger Agency. Pavilion Fulham PinkSEO Limited PRIME PHENIX WEST EALING DEVELOPMENT LTD PromptTech Global PURI Pharmacy Ringway Hounslow Highways Rotary club of Hounslow Russell Finex Sam’s Riverside Sanjen Health Care Solutions Limited

Sensor IT Serving Our Superheroes SiL Testing System Limited (a subsidiary of Sharing is Learning Ltd.) Simon Inc Ltd Sky Revolutions Ltd Smart Currency Group SOUTHALL FC Speak Out in Hounslow StoryBeyond Lines Tea coins TechStart (registered CS-GB CIC) The Chic Boutique By Clarissa The London College of Homeopathy UK The Pallets Yard Limited The University of West London The Upper Room (St Saviour’s) The View from W5 Tidy Fox Translator in London Ltd Trinity 365 Care Ltd /as Caremark Hounslow & Richmond Tripy Mobility Teknoloji A.Ş. twenty2degrees Design Partnership Video-DVD Ltd Visiting Angels West London Vitus Wellbeing Walton Performing Arts Academy Wandsworth Sash Windows Watchtower Analytics Limited Well-being for All West London Home Care Limited t/a Walfinch Chiswick Hammersmith and Kensington West London Venues (University of West London) WSI Digital Advisors Young Ealing Foundation Zmartly let’s talkbusiness

skills

West London Youth Employment Roadmap Helping young people move successfully from education into employment A partnership initiative from Youth Careers Collective, West London Alliance, West London Business and West London Careers Hub.

At MKK Solicitors, we recognise that employers have an important role to play in helping young people move successfully from education into employment.

The West London Youth Employment Roadmap aims to significantly reduce youth unemployment and subsequently boost productivity and growth across west London.

We are proud to support the West London Youth Employment Roadmap and its ambition to bring employers, educators, local government and the third sector together to tackle youth unemployment and create better opportunities for young people.

To achieve this, the Roadmap sets out a clear, actionable, and coordinated path to meaningfully reduce youth unemployment and social exclusion among young people in our boroughs, and to strengthen the conditions that enable them to thrive. The Roadmap aims to: • provide an accessible framework and support mechanisms for organisations, across sectors, to positively contribute towards achieving th e shared goal of reducing youth unemployment • establish a common language and a shared understanding of what works • establish and collating achievable collective short and long-term goals • encourage and support cross-sector collaboration to reduce duplication and competition Informed entirely through testimonials from local representatives, cross-sector organisations, and young people, the hope for the roadmap is for it to become a tool for employers, educators, third sector, and local government, to work together in supporting young people,

furthest from the labour market, into employment, empowering stakeholders to proactively and significantly reduce youth unemployment in the long term, and to therefore boost productivity and growth across West London and beyond. In short, the Roadmap provides all stakeholders and our partners with key actions to take, in the immediate and long-term, in order to support more young people, especially those experiencing barriers to entering work, into positive destinations locally. If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved in the West London Youth Employment Roadmap please get in touch with mattlent@youthcareers.org.uk.

Who are we: Building Opportunities, Changing Lives Light Foundations is an award winning organisation committed to delivering meaningful career and personal development programmes to young people across West London. We help young people tackle challenges around mental health, personal development, and career readiness. By providing tailored employability support, we help them develop discipline, overcome obstacles, make the most of their education, and launch successful careers.

“This Summer Jobs Programme 2026 has been a tremendous help in kickstarting my career. I can’t thank you all enough.” Brenda Corporate Sponsorship - Investing in Young People Partnering with Light Foundations helps young people facing barriers to education and employment gain confidence, develop workplace skills and access meaningful career opportunities. Ways to Partner • • •

• •

Mentoring: Provide career guidance and one-to-one support for ages 16–24 Industry Access: Offer workplace visits, job shadowing, career talks, and insight days. Internships: Provide practical experience and professional networks for young people facing barriers to opportunity through 2- 3-month paid work placements Career Pathways: Create meaningful paid employment opportunities. Financial Support: Contribute between £5,000-£10,000 or more to fund our year-round paid placements and more.

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Our paid placement programme supports young people aged 16–24 facing employment barriers, including those in care or at risk of violence or antisocial behaviour. The duration is 25 hours per week for 6–12 weeks, with year-round opportunities. Indicative Impact of Your Investment • £5,000: Funds paid placements and essential participation costs for approximately 2 young people. • £10,000: Funds paid placements for approximately 4–5 young people. • £10,000+: Expands program reach, extends placement lengths, and provides additional practical support. Benefits of Becoming a Partner • Access to Emerging Talent • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) • Visibility & Recognition • Strategic Leadership Together, we can create meaningful opportunities, develop future talent and help young people build brighter futures. Contact: 02036 436304 / 07396 988921 https://lightfoundations.org

For us, supporting this ambition starts with recognising that young people need more than qualifications alone. Access to the workplace, practical experience and positive role models can all help build confidence and give young people a clearer understanding of what is possible. As a business, we have an opportunity to open our doors and provide that exposure. Through our engagement with local schools, MKK is developing opportunities for young people to gain meaningful work experience within a professional environment. We want students to see first-hand what it is like to work in a law firm but also to understand that a business is made up of many different roles and career opportunities. Our work experience initiative gives students the opportunity to meet members of our team, learn about the different areas of our business and gain an insight into the skills and behaviours valued in

the workplace. We encourage students to ask questions, get involved and develop their confidence in a professional setting. We also recognise that not every young person will have the same starting point. For some, simply having the opportunity to enter a professional workplace, speak to people about their careers and understand the different routes for their future can be an important first step. We therefore want our involvement to help remove some of the uncertainty and barriers young people can face when considering their future. We believe meaningful change comes through collaboration. No single organisation can address youth unemployment alone, which is why initiatives such as the West London Youth Employment Roadmap are so important. Employers can contribute by creating opportunities, sharing expertise and working alongside schools and community organisations to ensure young people are better prepared for the workplace. At MKK Solicitors, we are committed to playing our part. MKK are supportive/active Chamber members.

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From Wallpaper Factory to Creative Hub: Barley Mow’s 160-Year History For more than 160 years, Barley Mow has evolved alongside the people and businesses that call it home. It began as the birthplace of some of Britain’s best-known wallpaper designs before helping pioneer a new model of flexible space for London’s creatives. Today, tucked along Barley Mow Passage with Chiswick High Road on the doorstep, it remains a place where ambitious businesses come to create, grow and thrive. 8

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factory was built on Barley Mow Passage in 1893, followed by neighbouring Voysey House in A short history of Mow Arts 1902, designed byBarley renowned and Crafts architect C.F.A. Voysey.

The story begins in 1860 when Arthur Sanderson started importing The site’s most dramatic moment luxury French wallpapers. As came in 1928 grew, whena afive-storey major fire the business almost destroyed the factory. factory was built on Barley Mow 17Passage fire engines andfollowed aroundby100 in 1893, neighbouring Voysey House in it firefighters were needed to bring 1902, designed by renowned Arts under control, but the smouldering and Crafts architect C.F.A. Voysey.

Smoke rising from the Sanderson Factory, 11 October, 1928.

The factory’s colour shop in 1890.

Barley Mow today

cladding, bringing a moder complement to the historic site.

wallpaper smoked for days. By Nearly fifty years after its 1930, Sanderson hadmoment moved The site’s most dramatic reinvention, Barley Mow continues Rich in character and history colour shop in 1890. production Perivale, Smoke rising from the Sanderson The factory’s came in 1928towhen a majorleaving fire to thrive as a hub for small and Factory, 11 October, 1928. almost destroyed factory. reflects the kind of plac much of the buildingthe empty. growing businesses.

17 fire engines and around 100 Workspace is proud to car firefighters were needed to bring it Barley Mow’s next chapter began cladding, bringing a modern Barley Mow today for, preserving its heritag A thoughtful redesign by London control, but the smouldering complement to the historic site. inunder 1976 when architect John wallpaper smoked for days. By practice Bluebottle celebrates the while supporting the nex Morton spotted opportunity there.Nearly fifty years after its 1930, Sanderson had moved site’s heritage through exposed generation reinvention, Barley Mow continues of businesse His vision was radical: Rich in character and history, production to simple Perivale,but leaving brickwork, industrial windows, Arts create affordable workspacesto thrive as a hub for small and reflects building the kind of place their future here. much of the building empty. growing businesses.

and Crafts influences and planting for designers, makers and small Workspace is proud to care throughout. Arthur’s Café sits at Barley Mow’s next chapter began Since 1993, businesses, with flexible termsA thoughtful redesign by London for, preserving its Workspace heritage has owne the heart of the building, serving in 1976 when architect John Barley Mow, andnext it is not just it and shared facilities – a conceptpractice Bluebottle celebrates the while supporting the Morton spotted opportunity there. pastries lunch, while history that makes site’scoffee, heritage throughand exposed that was decades ahead of its generation of businessesit special, bu His vision was simple but radical: creating a natural placeArts for people brickwork, industrial windows, the businesses that continue t time. The idea earned him an MBE create affordable workspaces building their future here. connect. and to Crafts influences and planting shape its future. and Barley for established designers, makers and Mow small as throughout. Arthur’s Café sits at Since 1993, Workspace has owned businesses, with flexibledeveloped terms the first commercially the heart of the building, serving Barley Mow, and it is not just its and sharedoffacilities concept Today, creative studios, tec workspace its kind– ina the UK. coffee, pastries and lunch, while history that makes it special, but that was decades ahead of its startups, architects an creating a natural place for people the businesses that continue to time. The idea earned him an MBE consultants work alongside on Chiswick: village character with ato connect. shape its future. and established Barley Mow as another, creating a communit thriving food and cultural scene the first commercially developed of ambitious buildin Today, creative studios,companies tech workspace of its kind in the UK. Named after the Old English for startups, and architects and Workspac growing together. consultants work alongside one opportunitie Chiswick: villagethe character a “cheese farm”, area with is home events, networking another, creating a community food and cultural scene and tothriving long-standing institutions and wellbeing sessions encourag of ambitious companies building acclaimed restaurants alike. Fuller’s those connections to happe Named after the Old English for and growing together. Workspace Griffin Brewery has overlooked naturally. opportunities “cheese farm”, the area is home events, networking the Thames for institutions more thanand350 to long-standing and wellbeing sessions encourage years, while Michelin-starred acclaimed restaurants alike. Fuller’s La those connections Nearly halfto a happen century after Joh Griffin Brewery has overlooked naturally. Morton’s original vision, Barle Trompette and Napoli on the Road the Thames more than 350 have helped forestablish Chiswick Mow remains a place wher years, while Michelin-starred La Nearly half a century after John A nod to the building’s wallpaper as one of West London’s dining independent businesses can fin Trompette and Napoli on the Road Morton’s original vision, Barley history in this installation. destinations. room to have helped establish Chiswick Mow remains a grow. place where as one of West London’s dining

A nod to the building’s wallpaper

independent businesses can find

M4 is just minutes away.

landscaped terraces, living walls and Canadian Western Red Cedar

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Place your business here. Turnham Green and Chiswickhistory Alongside the Victorian factory in this installation. destinations. room to grow. 10 Barley Mow Passage Park stations are both within easy buildings, the contemporary Place yourChiswick, business here. Turnham distance, Green and Victorian factory W4 4PH walking the Chiswick C9 cycleAlongside Silver the Platter Building introduces 10 Barley Mow Passage Park stations are both within easy buildings, the contemporary enquiries@workspace.co.uk route runs past the door, and the landscaped terraces, living walls Chiswick, W4 4PH walking distance, the C9 cycle Silver Platter Building introduces 020 7369 2389 M4 is just minutes away. and Canadian Western Red Cedar enquiries@workspace.co.uk route runs past the door, and the

CommunalCommunal areas, meeting areas, meeting rooms, offices, studios and studios and rooms, offices, event space are available. event space available.9 let’sare talkbusiness

Fin Clean-energy entrepreneur recognised in national Women in Innovation Awards for news

West London technology entrepreneur Rosie Griffiths has been Highly Commended in the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards. Rosie is Co-founder and Creative Director of Olsights, a clean-energy technology company based at the London Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford. She is one of just 39 Highly Commended entrepreneurs selected from a record 1,590 applications from women founders across the UK. The recognition comes as Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation programme celebrates its 10th anniversary with its largest-ever cohort of 100 women innovators. Rosie will receive 12 months of tailored support, training, networking and leadership development to help drive Olsights’ next stage of growth. Rosie began her career as a chemical engineer in the international oil and gas industry, working in Aberdeen and Australia. After taking time out to raise a family, she moved into technology, design and entrepreneurship, co-founding Olsights with her husband Tony Griffiths in 2020. Today, the company develops digital tools that help organisations better understand how clean-energy projects and infrastructure connect, supporting faster and more informed investment and planning decisions. Rosie said: “To be Highly Commended in Innovate UK’s largest and most competitive Women in Innovation cohort is an enormous honour. I am incredibly proud to see a business built here in West London recognised alongside some of the UK’s most exciting innovators. “My experiences as a young engineer and returning to work after raising a family have shaped the kind of company we are building – commercially ambitious and focused on positive environmental impact, but also flexible, supportive and inclusive.” As the UK works towards net zero, investment in renewable energy, electricity networks, energy storage, hydrogen and carbon capture

At M to su ambi Rosie Griffiths, Co-founder and Creative Director of Olsights

infrastructure is increasing. However, identifying viable projects and understanding how they connect to existing infrastructure can be complex and time-consuming, with critical information often spread across multiple systems and sources. Olsights addresses this challenge through its digital intelligence platform, Olsights Eye, which brings together information on clean-energy projects, infrastructure, markets, policy, demand and supply chains into a single view. By helping developers, investors, infrastructure operators and public bodies identify opportunities and risks earlier, the platform aims to accelerate delivery of viable projects. Rosie said: “When important information is fragmented across different systems, organisations can spend weeks trying to connect the dots before they can make a decision. Olsights makes those connections visible, helping teams understand where the strongest opportunities are and what might prevent a project from progressing.” The company has developed its technology through collaboration with the energy industry, including Ofgem-funded innovation projects with SSEN Transmission and MapStand. Olsights is also a Certified B

Corp, reflecting its commitment to balancing commercial success with positive outcomes for employees, customers, communities and the environment. Rosie’s Women in Innovation application focused on the next stage of product development, combining accessible design with responsible AI to make complex energy information easier to search, understand and use. The company plans to introduce guided workflows alongside AI-assisted search, analysis and reporting, enabling users to explore specialist information in everyday language. Rosie is also passionate about improving opportunities for women in engineering, energy and technology. She added: “I hope this recognition encourages more women and girls across West London to consider careers in engineering, technology and entrepreneurship. We need a wider range of experiences and perspectives if we are going to develop effective solutions to society’s biggest challenges.” Olsights was named Best Tech Business by the West London Chambers of Commerce in both 2022 and 2024, with Rosie also Highly Commended in its Women in Business category in 2025.

“My experiences as a young engineer and returning to work after raising a family have shaped the kind of company we are building – commercially ambitious and focused on positive environmental impact, but also flexible, supportive and inclusive.” 10

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the big interview

M & M GROUP: A different

approach to Financial Services

Bringing wealth management, mortgages and insurance together under one roof, M & M Group is building a financial services business around relationships, trust and a more joined-up approach to financial advice. Zach Matai, who leads the West Londonbased business, talks to Let’s Talk Business about what sets the company apart, his entrepreneurial journey and ambitions for growth. For many people, managing their finances means dealing with several different advisers

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and providers. From investments and pensions to mortgages and insurance, financial decisions are often made separately, despite being closely connected. M & M Group is taking a different approach.

“We can service an entire family or business across different financial needs, all under one roof,” he explains. “Each business operates independently, but together we can offer a comprehensive and competitive service.”

With 24 employees, including 11 registered financial advisers, and offices in Chiswick, Harrow and central London, the business brings together wealth management, mortgage brokerage and insurance services, offering clients a single point of contact for a wide range of financial needs.

He describes the company’s role as a financial conductor, helping clients navigate financial decisions while understanding their wider circumstances and long-term ambitions.

For Zach Matai, who has led the group’s development since joining the family business in 2015, this joined-up approach is what makes M & M Group different.

But Zach believes the real difference lies in the relationships M & M Group builds with clients. “We care about the outcome for the client. That ethos runs through the whole team. We work together, share knowledge and genuinely want to achieve the best results for the people we advise.”

the big interview Zach’s career began after graduating from university in the UK, when he joined Santander as a financial adviser. He quickly established himself as one of the bank’s leading salespeople, before moving to Jersey to work in private banking. That experience propelled his career in wealth management and led to a role at BNP Paribas, where he developed his expertise in supporting clients with complex financial needs. But throughout his banking career, Zach had always wanted to run his own business. The opportunity came through M & M, a family business established in 2003, where his father had developed an insurance division. When Zach joined in 2015, the original plan was for him to take over the insurance operation. Instead, he recognised an opportunity to develop something broader. Drawing on his experience, he began building his own client base and established a wealth management business alongside the existing insurance services. Mortgage brokerage followed, creating the foundations of today’s M & M Group. The business has since expanded into lending. “I always wanted to build my own business,” he says. “I’d worked across different areas of financial services and could see the opportunity to bring that experience together to offer clients something more comprehensive.” While M & M Group’s range of services is an important part of its offering, Zach believes its culture is equally significant. The company has built its reputation around personal financial advice and long-term relationships, understanding the bigger picture rather than simply recommending individual products. This relationship-led approach is also central to how Zach sees the industry evolving. Artificial intelligence is transforming how financial information is analysed, but he believes its influence will make human relationships even more valuable.

We have a huge amount of experience within the team, and we want to share it. There’s so much you learn through experience that you can’t necessarily get from a textbook. its own academy, designed to nurture the next generation of financial advisers. The initiative provides opportunities for aspiring advisers, including those working towards professional qualifications, to learn from experienced colleagues and develop their careers. For Zach, who has worked across retail financial advice, private banking and wealth management, passing on knowledge and experience is particularly important. “We have a huge amount of experience within the team, and we want to share it. There’s so much you learn through experience that you can’t necessarily get from a textbook.” For Zach, the academy is about more than recruitment or professional development. It is about legacy. His ambition is to build a business where experienced advisers mentor younger colleagues, passing on not only technical expertise but also the importance of relationships, trust and putting clients first. “It’s about nurturing the next generation and building something that will continue long into the future.” Recruitment, however, remains challenging. Like many SMEs, M & M Group is finding it increasingly difficult and expensive to attract the right people. Zach believes businesses must invest in developing employees while creating opportunities for those prepared to work hard and build their careers.

“AI is developing at an extraordinary pace. It can analyse information and help with technical aspects of financial advice, but it cannot replace the relationship between an adviser and a client.”

Alongside recruitment and technological change, Zach points to increasing regulation and consolidation within financial services as significant challenges.

As technology takes on more quantitative analysis, he expects advisers to focus increasingly on understanding clients’ individual circumstances and building trust.

Although he recognises the importance of protecting consumers, he believes regulation can sometimes restrict experienced advisers and create additional hurdles for growing businesses.

“AI can get you part of the way there, but it doesn’t necessarily read between the lines. Understanding people, their families and their ambitions is where the real value of financial advice lies.” As M & M Group expands, Zach is focused on developing the people who will shape its future. The business has recently launched

He believes reducing business taxation and introducing incentives for employers to recruit graduates and young people would encourage growth. Now in his second year as a member of West London Chambers of Commerce, Zach sees membership as an important part of M & M Group’s development. Through the Chamber, the business has developed relationships, secured business opportunities, supported charitable initiatives and strengthened its local connections. But Zach believes membership offers more than new clients. “It’s easy to look at networking purely in terms of generating business, but there’s much more to it. You’re meeting other business owners, understanding their challenges, building your reputation and becoming part of the community.” He has particularly valued learning how other businesses approach shared challenges, including recruitment and growth. “For the relatively small cost of membership, there’s a huge amount of value. We’ve done business through the Chamber, but we’ve also built relationships and become more connected with the area where we operate.” With an established team, multiple offices and a growing client base, Zach is optimistic about M & M Group’s future. His priorities for 2027 and beyond include increasing revenue, recruiting talented people, attracting new clients and identifying suitable businesses for acquisition. He also sees opportunities to broaden the group’s services and develop new relationships as the financial landscape evolves. But despite his commercial ambitions, Zach remains committed to the principles that have shaped the business.

He would also like to see a more supportive environment for UK SMEs.

“Fundamentally, it comes down to treating people how you would want to be treated and working hard. If we continue to follow those principles, I believe we will get to where we want to be.”

“When you encourage businesses to succeed, the benefits extend beyond the business itself. Successful businesses create jobs, support communities and contribute to the wider economy.”

For M & M Group, the ambition is clear: to combine the breadth of a larger financial services organisation with the personal relationships, expertise and care of an independent adviser. let’s talkbusiness

community

K4 COO awarded Honorary Doctorate for K4 Group CEO Empowerment and Social Leadership awarded Honorary Women’s Tamaryn Blay, Chief Operating Officer of K4 Group of Companies, was awarded the Honorary Doctorate in Women’s Empowerment and Social Leadership at the Doctorate 2026 Avicenna Doctorate Awards, recognising her long-standing contribution to leadership, operational excellence, community engagement and the advancement of women within the security and events industry.

Arsalan Khan, Chief Executive Officer of K4 Group of Companies and Director of Events & Crowd Safety at the International Professional Security Association (IPSA), has been awarded the Honorary Doctorate in Public Safety and Security Leadership at the 2026 Avicenna Doctorate Awards. The award was presented during a ceremony at the historic House of Lords, Parliament House, recognising Arsalan’s outstanding contribution to public safety, crowd management, security leadership and his continued commitment to raising professional standards across the security and events industry. Arsalan’s journey into public safety began at the age of 18 as a stadium steward, where he developed a first-hand understanding of crowd behaviour, public protection and the importance of well-managed operations. K4 has evolved from a security provider into a multi-division organisation delivering coordinated security, stewarding, crowd management, event medical cover, workforce solutions, training, CCTV and event consultancy through a single operational structure. It has supported hundreds of events across the UK, ranging from local community celebrations to major cultural festivals and high-footfall environments attended by more than 70,000 people. Arsalan said: “Standing in the House of Lords to receive this recognition is a truly humbling moment, but this award is not mine alone. It belongs to every colleague, client, partner and mentor who has been part of this journey. “Public safety has always been about people. Every event we support, every team we develop and every partnership we build has one common purpose – protecting communities and creating environments where people feel safe. That responsibility never stands still, and neither should we.”

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The award was presented at the prestigious House of Lords, Parliament House, during the annual Avicenna Doctorate Awards, which celebrate individuals whose leadership has created meaningful and lasting impact within their profession and wider society. As COO, Tamaryn oversees operations across K4 Group’s specialist divisions, helping coordinate security, medical, workforce, training and operational support services delivered throughout the UK. She has played a significant role in the organisation’s growth, helping transform K4 from a security provider into a recognised group of specialist companies supporting stadiums, festivals, cultural celebrations, corporate events and high-footfall public environments. Her commitment to empowering women has also been recognised beyond K4 Group. Earlier in 2026, she received the Woman of the Year Award during the International Women’s Day Celebration held at the Palace of Westminster. “Receiving this Honorary Doctorate is an incredible honour, but it also represents something much bigger than me,” said Tamaryn Blay.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside people who believed in creating opportunities, supporting one another and leading with integrity. I’ve always believed that leadership is about serving others, creating workplace environments where people feel respected and helping others realise their potential. I hope this recognition encourages more women to pursue careers in security and leadership because our industry is stronger when it reflects the diversity of the communities we protect.”

Ormiston Wire celebrates decades of employee commitment Ormiston Wire Ltd is celebrating the dedication and commitment of its long-serving employees, recognising four members of the team who have collectively contributed more than 200 years of service to the company. Founded in 1793, Ormiston Wire is one of the oldest manufacturing companies in the UK still operated by the original family. Throughout its long history, the company has remained committed to investing in its people and creating an environment where employees can continue to develop and build long-term careers. The company places great value on the knowledge, experience and expertise gained over many years of service, recognising the important role its team plays in maintaining its traditions, quality and manufacturing capabilities. Pictured from left to right are: • Amalio, celebrating 60 years of service • Alan, celebrating 35 years of service • Chitra, celebrating 42 years of service • Micky, celebrating 63 years of service

Ormiston Wire is based in Isleworth and has been a supportive Chamber members for many years. They would like to recognise and thank its long-serving employees for their continued dedication and contribution to the company’s ongoing success. www.ormiston-wire.co.uk

community

Ealing Council recognised for Living Wage leadership

Ealing Council has won a prestigious industry award for its outstanding advocacy for the Living Wage movement. At the national Living Wage Champion Awards, held earlier this year, the council was awarded the Living Wage Leader (Public Sector) title, in recognition of the role it has played in advancing the London Living Wage in the borough. The council’s strategic campaign to encourage employers to become Living Wage-accredited reached far and wide across the borough through marketing, business events, and employee support, making fair pay a defining part of its identity. During the course of two phases of the campaign, the number of accredited employers in the borough doubled, and it now hosts more employers which pay the Living Wage than any other local authority in west London. The campaign translated strong marketing engagement metrics into real-world wins for local people. Almost 1,000 employees in the borough received pay rises because their employer accredited to pay the London Living Wage.

Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes said: “This award reflects the hard work going on behind the scenes at the council to make sure everyone living and working here can share in the borough’s success. Our ambitious approach has seen a series of achievements. We have more Living Wageaccredited employers than any other outer London borough, we were the first west London borough to become a Living Wage Place, and almost 1,000 local workers have had a pay rise. Thank you to the Living Wage Foundation for all its support, and to the businesses in the borough, our action group, and our dedicated officers, who together made this happen.” Graham Griffiths, director of the Living Wage Foundation said: “These awards are such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and passion that has gone into growing the Living Wage movement over the last 25 years, and I congratulate all of the winners on their outstanding achievement.

Councillor Nagpal and Ealing Council officers accepting the award

With the vital help of committed advocates, our campaign has driven up standards of employment and transformed millions of people’s lives already, building a legacy that has changed the world of work for the better. I warmly congratulate Ealing Council on their well-deserved award and thank them for their support for the Living Wage movement.” The annual Living Wage Champion Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the Living Wage movement. The movement began 25 years ago in east London and has been recognised as one of the most successful civil society campaigns of the 21st century. The ceremony was held in London to mark this milestone year and the origins of the movement. Find out more about the Living Wage by visiting www.livingwage.org.uk

UK‘s first Living Wage Zone in Acton

North Acton Square has become the UK’s first Living Wage Zone, recognising its commitment to fair pay across all businesses on the site. Every business on the square is accredited as a Living Wage employer, paying their staff at least the London Living Wage, which is calculated based on what is needed to cover the real cost of living. Over the last year, North Acton Square has been transformed from a former petrol station into a busy public square, with 6 retail units and a packed programme of markets, live music, and film and sports screenings over the summer. Johnny Brewin director of The Republic Community Projects, the organisation behind North Acton Square is an accredited London Living Wage employer. He’s committed to creating opportunities for local people and supporting the community. Johnny has played a key role in developing the square and securing its Living Wage Zone status. He said: “We are very proud that North Acton Square is the UK’s first Living Wage Zone. “The square was created as an affordable place for small businesses, makers, and community organisations, so it feels entirely appropriate that it should also champion fair pay. London is an expensive place to live. “So many people in the area work hard but do not always receive the recognition

or security they deserve. I hope the zone will make fair pay visible, and will begin conversations between businesses, workers, and the wider community about the kind of local economy we want to create.” At the launch event in September, Council leader Peter Mason spoke about the importance of this London Living Wage milestone, and the ambition to extend Living Wage accreditation even further across the borough. This latest recognition follows a series of London Living Wage successes across the borough. In 2024 it became a Living Wage Place, and there are now more than 150 accredited employers, which between them

employ more than 16,000 workers who are all paid at least the London Living Wage. Employers that commit to paying the Living Wage can benefit from improved recruitment, stronger staff retention, greater productivity, and improved employee wellbeing. Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes said: “The first Living Wage Zone in the country being established in the borough highlights the positive impact that fair pay can have on communities. This achievement ensures residents and local workers can have happier, more comfortable lives by increasing their household incomes. “North Acton Square demonstrates how fair pay can be integrated into regeneration and business growth, helping to create sustainable employment opportunities and stronger communities.” Lydia Ephraim, senior project manager at Living Wage Foundation, said: “The Zone accreditation goes further, with a commitment that everyone working on the site, whether directly or as a third party, will be paid at least the London Living Wage, now and in the future.” Find out more about the London Living Wage by visiting www.livingwage.org.uk/what-real-living-wage let’s talkbusiness

TO BE REFURBISHED Coming Soon, Unit 10 7,696 sq ft (715 sq m)*

MODERN INDUSTRIAL / WAREHOUSE UNITS MODERN INDUSTRIAL / MODERN INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE UNIT/ WAREHOUSE UNIT 1 FOURWAYS HOUSE

FOURWAYS HOUSE

* Subject to confirmation upon completion of refurbishment

2 Heather Harvey-Wood 4 3 heather.harvey-wood@cushwake.com Heather Harvey-Wood 5 07917 423467 heather.harvey-wood@cushwake.com 4 3 07917 423467 Alex Doyle 5 alexander.doyle@cushwake.com Alex Doyle 07826 537141 alexander.doyle@cushwake.com 07826 537141 George O’Connor George.Oconnor1@cushwake.com George O’Connor 07552 267385 George.Oconnor1@cushwake.com 07552 267385

6&7

Unit 10 External

To be Mid terraced Approx. refurbished industrial unit 9 carApprox. parking To be Mid terraced associated refurbished with industrial unit 9 spaces car parking yard to the front with associated spaces yard to the front

7.11m clear 7.11m clear eaves height, eaves height, rising to 9.02m to 9.02m atrising the apex at the apex

6&7

Dedicated Dedicated power and powergas and capped capped gas

One electrically One electrically operated level operated level access loading access loading door door

Accommodation Accommodation Unit 10

SQ M

SQ FT

Unit 10 Ground Floor Warehouse

SQ M 594.3

SQ FT 6,397

Ground Floor Warehouse Mezzanine Mezzanine Total (GIA) Total (GIA)

594.3 120.7 120.7 715 715

6,397 1,299 1,299 7,696 7,696

Waterway Park is prominently Waterway is prominently located onPark Rigby Lane, off located on Rigby Lane, off Swallowfield Way, an established Swallowfield Way, an established industrial logistics location in Hayes. industrial logistics location in Hayes.

8 8

10 11 10 11

Y LN

Unit 10

RIGB

GRAND UNION CANAL GRAND UNION CANAL

Unit 10

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Unit 10 indicitive internal

RIGB

Unit 10 indicitive internal

Patrick Rosso patrick.rosso@colliers.com Patrick Rosso 07825 571048 patrick.rosso@colliers.com 07825 Stan571048 Gibson stanley.gibson@colliers.com Stan Gibson 07776 605378 stanley.gibson@colliers.com 07776 YC 605378 Lau 12 yc.lau@colliers.com YC Lau 12 07551 383904 yc.lau@colliers.com 07551 383904

Sat Nav: UB3 1EY //tiny.truck.formed Sat Nav: UB3 1EY //tiny.truck.formed

Terms RATEABLE VALUE Rateable value to be assigned to the premises by the VOA post separation from Unit 11. TERMS New Full Repairing and Insuring lease on terms to be agreed. EPC Targeting minimum EPC B upon completion of refurbishment. Contacts Viewings are strictly by appointment with the joint agents as above.

In conversation with...

in conversation with ...

Stephen Cowan Chair of London Councils

Making London work for everyone

“I believe London is the greatest city in the world, home to world-class businesses, opportunities, universities and culture. But we’re nothing without our local communities. Every facet of London government must come together to make sure the capital reaches its fullest potential across all its postcodes.” I have had the honour to lead Hammersmith & Fulham since 2014, and this year I was elected Chair of London Councils – the collective of local government in the capital. Comprised of all 33 London local authorities, London Councils works collaboratively on a cross-party, pan-London basis to find solutions to the capital’s challenges. For more than 30 years London Councils has helped deliver London local government’s shared priorities and secure better outcomes for the capital’s residents, businesses, and communities. London Councils delivers vital services that act as a lifeline for many Londoners, on behalf of member boroughs. Chief among them is the Freedom Pass, which provides free travel on London’s trains, trams, Tube and buses to Londoners over the age of 66 or those with eligible disabilities. The scheme makes a crucial difference to 1.1 million older and disabled Londoners by supporting them to stay active. Another core purpose of London Councils is ensuring a strong voice for boroughs at a regional and national level, acting as a trusted partner and shaping policy and funding decisions in the interests of our communities. It is a hugely busy and exciting time for this work. The government has set out clear ambitions on devolution, which offer significant opportunities for London. London Councils wants to see power and resources brought as close as possible to London’s communities. This would help boroughs make faster progress on the many

priorities we share with the government – including building new council homes, helping more Londoners into work, and generating good growth in every postcode. As Chair of London Councils, I am determined to ensure London boroughs play an active role in the devolution agenda, seeking the changes that will ensure London thrives in the coming years and decades, in service of our residents and the entire nation. As a global centre of innovation, commerce and enterprise, London’s success is vital to the strength of the UK economy. The capital contributed nearly £50 billion to the Treasury in 2024/25, but despite its economic potential, productivity growth has stalled, increasing by just 0.1 per cent a year between 2008 and 2022. The London Growth Plan, the joint economic strategy of London Councils and the Mayor of London developed in collaboration with business representatives, estimates that restoring annual productivity growth to 2 per cent could make London’s economy £107 billion larger by 2035, generating an additional £27.5 billion for the Treasury. Boroughs have a significant role to play in delivering that growth, with responsibilities spanning planning, licensing and the maintaining the public realm. Our relationship with local businesses is a key part of this. Boroughs are well placed to shape the development and investment in their communities, but years of funding pressures have limited what they can do. Growth will only reach every part of London if boroughs

PROFILE: Stephen Cowan Stephen Cowan was elected Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in 2014. He leads a mission to place the borough at the forefront of global innovation, inclusive growth and climate advocacy. He was recently elected Chair of London Councils, the membership group of 33 local government authorities in London. Through H&F’s ‘Upstream London’ inclusive economic growth plan, Cllr Cowan has brought together Imperial College London with local businesses, investors and schools to build a globally recognised ecosystem of innovation. The goal is to ensure that local economic success translates into real opportunity for young people. Cllr Cowan continues to build partnerships across London, as well as with cities and innovation districts across the world, to improve people’s life opportunities and the importance of London, the UK and Europe working as one to shape a better future. have the powers and resources to match their responsibilities. Investment in infrastructure will be fundamental. The Bakerloo Line Extension and West London Orbital could together support more than 45,000 new homes and around 20,000 jobs, opening up new opportunities for development and growth across the capital. In my new role as Chair of London Councils, alongside my continued leadership of Hammersmith and Fulham, it is my goal to help bring London boroughs and other key partners together around a shared vision for a better future. By working collectively, we can raise our ambitions, strengthen communities, support sustainable growth and build a London that works for everyone. let’s talkbusiness

hounslow’s heart BID

Hounslow’s Heart BID:

Necessary, Popular - and Honestly, It’s really Working ... Let’s be clear: our BID is necessary, it’s popular, and it’s delivering. Unlike some meetings you might have attended (we won’t name names), BIDs actually get things done—because they’re built by local businesses, for local businesses. What’s a BID? (It’s not an offer price for a piece of antique furniture!) Business Improvement Districts, or BIDs, are a practical way for local companies to have a real say in what happens on their doorstep. A BID is a business-led partnership, approved by a ballot every five years, which raises additional levy funding. In plain terms: it helps pay for town-centre activities and improvements that make the Hounslow High Street more welcoming, safer, and more attractive—so customers (and businesses) stick around.

A Not-for-Profit So No One’s Taking Home “Shareholder Dividends” Launched in December 2025, Hounslow’s Heart BID is an independent, not-for-profit initiative led by local businesses. The rule is simple (and quite refreshing): • Every penny raised is reinvested into Hounslow town centre • As a not-for-profit, it doesn’t distribute profits to owners or shareholders • Income and donations are used to deliver the BID’s objectives and keep the organisation running BIDs began in North America and are now used worldwide. The UK has run the model for around 20 years, so it’s not exactly a brand-new experiment—it’s more like a “well-tested recipe” with local ‘home grown’ ingredients.

How It Gets the Green Light: Ballot Day Rules BIDs are enabled by the Local Government Act 2003 and set out under the BID Regulations (2004). Crucially, BID-funded activity must be additional— meaning councils agree baseline services first, and the BID adds value rather than replacing anything. To win in Hounslow, businesses with a rateable value of £10,000+ must secure both: • a majority by number of votes • a majority by rateable value

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Hounslow’s first ballot for Heart BID (Nov 2025) landed an impressive 98% in favour. That’s not “close”—that’s decisive. No political party ever gets that!

What We’re Working On It. Top priorities: • Safety and Security • Cleaning & Greening • Marketing to improve footfall Hounslow BID Projects include: Women & Girls’ Safe Spaces, recycling points, restaurant awards, a business newsletter, a town centre arable farm, a youth hub, and a street art installation. Plus, support for reduced-cost waste removal, quarterly litter-picking get togethers, Regular networking breakfasts and a Town Link Radio scheme... AND, we want everyone to get behind the idea of a new local Art Gallery in the town centre.

Join Us If you’re an active businessperson in West London and want to help improve Hounslow High Street, come along to one of our two monthly business breakfasts and meet the team.

info@hounslowsheart.bid Bill Miller is the Manager of Hounslow’s Heart BID Limited.

Crucially, BID-funded activity must be additional—meaning councils agree baseline services first, and the BID adds value rather than replacing anything.

news

West London Chambers of Commerce strengthens US trade links with Jacksonville A new Memorandum of Understanding signed at Fulham Football Club marks an important step in building business relationships between West London and one of America’s fastest-growing economic regions. West London Chambers of Commerce has strengthened its international trade connections following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JAX Chamber, the business organisation representing Jacksonville, Florida. The agreement was signed by Andy Bell, Director of West London Chambers of Commerce, alongside the CEO of JAX Chamber, during an event at Fulham Football Club’s Craven Cottage, attended by business and civic leaders from both sides of the Atlantic. The signing formed part of Jacksonville’s annual UK trade

and investment mission, which brought more than 50 business and civic leaders to London, including Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and representatives of major American businesses. The delegation was brought to the UK by Jacksonville businessman Shahid Khan, owner of Fulham Football Club and a major investor in Hammersmith and Fulham. His connections to both Jacksonville and West London provided a natural foundation for bringing the two business communities together. The visit included a reception at the US Embassy in London, providing an opportunity for British and American business leaders to network, strengthen relationships and explore opportunities for future trade and investment. At Craven Cottage, Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, addressed the delegation,

highlighting the importance of international investment and business collaboration. The programme also featured a Retail and Brand Summit, bringing together businesses from a range of sectors to explore commercial opportunities, share expertise and develop new relationships. Jacksonville is emerging as an important destination for international businesses looking to establish themselves in the United States. The city has experienced significant economic growth, while Florida continues to attract new businesses and investment. For West London businesses, the partnership offers opportunities to explore the American market, establish commercial relationships and connect with companies operating across sectors including retail, logistics, technology and professional services.

The signing reflects West London Chambers of Commerce’s wider commitment to supporting international trade and helping local businesses access new markets. With Heathrow providing a gateway to international trade and West London home to a diverse community of ambitious businesses, developing stronger relationships with American cities is an important part of that work. The new MOU provides a framework for continued dialogue, business introductions and future collaboration between Jacksonville and West London.

Ealing Festival of Business brings together local business community to drive growth and opportunity Organised by West London Chambers of Commerce, the Festival welcomed businesses, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to the University of West London, with support from sponsors iFAST Global Bank, Barratt West London, UWL and Ealing Council.

Businesses, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from across Ealing and West London came together on 15th October for the Ealing Festival of Business 2026, organised by West London Chambers of Commerce at the University of West London (UWL). The Festival, one of the borough’s largest business events, provided a platform for local companies to make new connections, explore commercial opportunities and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing businesses across West London. A highlight of this year’s programme was the keynote address from Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth and Chair of London & Partners, who spoke about

the challenges facing local businesses and the opportunities to support their growth, attract investment and strengthen London’s economy. Alan Rides, Chief Executive Officer, at the West London Chambers of Commerce, said in reply to Howard Dawber’s OBE speech that; “West London has the second-largest economy in London after the financial centre of the capital and that post COVID more people are working locally, not travelling into the centre of London. As such, our Chamber has grown from 250 paying members to 2300 making us the second-biggest Chamber in London, delivering local events including this record-breaking Ealing Festival of Business, local training and an awardwinning international trade programme.” From start-ups and independent businesses to established SMEs and larger organisations, the Festival brought together companies from across different sectors, creating opportunities for networking, collaboration and new commercial relationships. The 2026 Festival was sponsored by iFAST Global Bank, Barratt West London, the University of West London and Ealing Council, reflecting the importance of collaboration between businesses, financial institutions, developers and education providers in supporting the local economy. With businesses continuing to face rising costs and economic uncertainty, the event reinforced the value of bringing together local employers, decisionmakers and organisations that can help companies navigate challenges and identify new opportunities.

Sally Smith, Chief Operating Officer of West London Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Festival was a fantastic opportunity to bring together the people and businesses who are driving Ealing’s economy forward. What makes Ealing such an exciting place to do business is the diversity of its business community, from ambitious entrepreneurs and growing SMEs to major employers and international organisations. At a time when businesses are facing considerable pressures, events like this are more important than ever. They provide an opportunity for businesses to meet face-toface, build relationships, find new customers and explore ways to work together. Our focus now is on building on the connections made and ensuring businesses across Ealing and West London have the support, networks and opportunities they need to grow.”

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community

Russell Finex Chairman Awarded Honorary Doctorate for Lifetime Achievement in Business Accepting the honour at the university’s graduation ceremony, Ray reflected on a career that has spanned engineering, international sales, business leadership and company growth, while offering graduates practical advice for building successful careers. A mechanical engineering graduate from Southampton University, Ray admitted his career path did not follow the route he originally expected. “I only worked as an engineer for about a year after graduating,” he told the audience. “I fell into the commercial world by accident and never imagined I would do so. After all, I was an engineer.”

Ray Singh, Chairman of Russell Finex, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by the University of West London in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business leadership and industrial manufacturing.

That unexpected move proved to be the foundation of a remarkable career at Russell Finex. Early on, Ray was given responsibility for a technical product range following the company’s acquisition of the European and African rights for high-speed mixers and bead mills. His engineering background, combined with a passion for customer interaction and international travel, helped accelerate his progression through the business. Over the following decades, Ray undertook virtually every commercial role within the organisation, progressing through a variety of sales and management positions before becoming Group Sales and Marketing Director and later Managing Director. Today, having stepped down as Managing Director three years ago, he continues to support the business as Chairman and consultant. Under Ray’s leadership, Russell Finex experienced significant growth. Company turnover increased from

£17 million to almost £49 million, while profits grew from £1.5 million to £14.5 million, demonstrating the impact of his long-term vision and leadership. During his acceptance speech, Ray paid tribute to both his colleagues and family, making special mention of his late brother, whose encouragement inspired him to attend university and pursue opportunities that would shape his future. Addressing the graduating class, Ray shared several lessons learned throughout his career. He urged graduates to embrace opportunities, trust the guidance of experienced mentors, and avoid limiting themselves to careers directly linked to their qualifications. His message was simple: success is rarely predictable, and career-defining opportunities often emerge when least expected. He urged graduates and young people in organisations to take every opportunity offered by their managers and not always expect additional pay for taking on extra responsibilities. The rewards will come later if you do a good job. Closing his speech, Ray reminded graduates that their future ultimately rests in their own hands. “Work hard and smart and the opportunities will come.” His own journey, from engineering graduate to Chairman of a global manufacturing business, stands as a powerful example of where that mindset can lead.

Brentford Football Club’s Jon Varney was recently awarded overall CEO of the Year at the annual Football Business Awards Varney had already been announced as the Divisional Winner for the Premier League but collected the overall gong during the ceremony at The Brewery, London. The 56-year-old grew up in south-west London, attending Teddington School and Richmondupon-Thames College. His career began at the Rugby Football Union in Twickenham before going on to manage Coca-Cola’s football sponsorships including the EFL Cup, SFL Cup, and the brand’s involvement in Euro 96. Varney also spent nine years at Premiership Rugby where he was responsible for the organisation’s income streams including broadcast revenue, merchandising, match income and key sponsorship deals. He then went on to become a founding partner of Pitch International and worked with football,

rugby and cricket federations to help with the development of their commercial strategies. Varney – a Bees fan and former season ticket holder – took over as Brentford’s CEO in 2019. Early in his tenure, he oversaw the club’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and played a leading role in the move from Griffin Park to the Gtech Community Stadium in September 2020. The club were then promoted to the Premier League for the first time following a Championship Play-Off Final win over Swansea City at Wembley in 2021 and have since established themselves in English football’s top tier, with last season’s ninth-place finish their joint-best so far. This recognition for Varney, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by Ealing’s University of West London last year, came at the end of a significant season, which in addition to onpitch achievements included welcoming new investment, achieving a club-record turnover of £173.1m for the year ending June 2025, and securing Category One academy status.

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better connected

How to get the most from YOUR Chamber

The 15-second conversation that turned into a dozen business podcasts they chose to build a business around fulfilling lives after retiring. The podcasts were more than an enjoyable experience or a source of promotional videos. Participants practised talking about their work with confidence and created content they can share with prospective customers. Several members have already won clients through their episodes, proof of real business value and extra visibility. Jane Parslow summed up the mood: “We’ve caught the podcasting bug.” Theo Ruby said: “I was really impressed with the set-up at No Stairway Creative and the great facilities. I was really nervous, but the podcast’s pace and style make it a really good watch and I’m delighted with how it turned out.”

Two West London Chambers of Commerce members met for 15 seconds at last year’s Festival of Business at the University of West London (UWL). A few months later, they had organised a summer podcast schedule, giving local small businesses the chance to tell their stories on camera, raise their profile and win new clients. Communication skills trainer Tejas Kotecha was exhibiting at the Festival when he met Rob Marshall of No Stairway Creative. They crossed paths again at Chamber networking events. Then a fellow member of The Business Beanstalk, a group Tejas had recently joined, suggested podcasting, and there was only one option: Rob. The Business Beanstalk is a group of almost 20 West London microbusinesses that meet regularly to share ideas, collaborate and support one another, both inside and outside work. With almost 20 years at Sky News and Sky Sports behind him, Tejas knows how much a powerful, personal story matters. He wanted members to have a piece of content that told their story in their own voice. No Stairway Creative is based at x+why Chiswick Works, a modern co-working space on 100 Bollo Lane, Chiswick. Its podcast studio gave members the chance to try something new: sit in front of two cameras, answer

let’s talkbusiness

questions they had not seen in advance and tell their business story in their own words. With Rob’s help, the group secured a special members’ rate, making the sessions affordable for a range of entrepreneurs. For most, it was their first podcast. Some brought props to bring their work to life, and everyone had the chance to gain confidence on camera and explain why their business helps others. Those taking part included Jeannie Shapiro, founder of Chiswick Business Network; awardwinning colour analyst Sandy Lancaster; creative strategist Marjorie Gutierrez; Nicky McKenna of WSI Digital Advisers; creative director Jacky Douglas; digital marketing consultant Theo Ruby; and Lydia Plews of Mulberry Cancer Support who were celebrating their 25th year. Also offering their tips, advice and expertise were sales confidence coach Rob Dawkins; personal brand photographer Sadia Barlow; promotional merchandise specialist Stephen Tejas interviews Nicky McKenna of WSI Digital Advisors UK Snoding; cyber security specialist Don Mascall; nutritionist Rachel Alderson; careers coach and HR consultant Thais Altgott; and several more. The conversations reflected the variety in the group. Sandy, from House of Colour, brought colour palettes to show how the right colours and personal styling can change lives. Jane Parslow is one of three co-founders of Retirement Pathways, they talked about why

The collaboration is a reminder that networking is about more than swapping business cards or chasing an immediate sale. A connection made in passing can grow into an idea, a shared opportunity and real results for a wider group of businesses. With thanks to Sally and Aya at West London Chambers for creating the connections that make collaborations like this possible. Next year’s podcasts are already being planned...so watch this space! No Stairway Podcast Studio website: nostairway.com

With thanks to Sally and Aya at West London Chambers for creating the connections that make collaborations like this possible.

Better Connected:

better connected

How K4 Group helped keep a local landmark running smoothly Being part of West London Chambers of Commerce helps local businesses support the places that give the area its character. When Brentford’s The Musical Museum hosted the London Synth Show, K4 Group provided event security. Organised by Korg UK & Ireland back in October, the free event celebrated electronic music through talks, performances and hands-on instruments. Our security team supported the day, allowing the organisers to concentrate on the programme and the Museum’s team to focus on its visitors. A free event like that is a lovely thing to host, but it takes careful planning. Visitors arrive throughout the day, guests and speakers need looking after, and everything has to run without spoiling the experience. That’s where the K4 Group security team comes in. For K4 Group, supporting an event like this fits naturally with being part of the local business community. We’re proud members of West London Chambers of Commerce, and that membership gives us the chance to meet the people behind the area’s organisations: museums, charities, event teams and businesses of every size. When you know who’s working in your area, you know where your experience might be useful and who to turn to when you need support yourself. That’s the real value of West London Chambers of Commerce. Networking events and introductions are only the start. What matters is what comes afterwards: conversations that lead to practical support and local businesses

working together because they’ve taken the time to build relationships. The Musical Museum shows why this matters. Founded in 1963, it’s a registered charity preserving an important part of musical history. Its collection includes pianolas, music boxes and a mighty Wurlitzer organ, giving visitors the chance to discover instruments and technologies they might never encounter elsewhere. Events like the Synth Show bring new audiences through its doors, and helping

those events run smoothly is a practical way for a local business to contribute with event security support. So, if you’re a local business wondering whether West London Chambers of Commerce membership is worth your time, here’s our honest answer: go along to an event, say hello and see who you end up talking to. You may find it opens the door to something useful. www.k4group.co.uk let’s talkbusiness

arts & culture

Arts & Culture

Art On Your Doorstep

The National Gallery comes to Brentford Launched Friday 4 September 2026, on display until 14 February 2027. Life-size reproductions of some of the nation’s most treasured paintings have come to the streets of Brentford next week. Art On Your Doorstep, a new partnership with the National Gallery, launches alongside this year’s Creative Mile weekend. 25 reproductions of classic masterpieces from the National Gallery’s collection will be displayed across Brentford, each one life-sized, in fine detail, and in its frame, giving visitors the chance to get closer to a brushstroke than most gallery visits ever allow. Outdoors and free to view, the exhibition entwines art with the everyday - in classic Creative Mile style. Brentford is one of just twelve towns across the UK selected to take part in this national touring project, and the only

one launching its exhibition this year alongside a grass roots arts festival. Shaped by this year’s Creative Mile theme of love, by Brentford’s own people, landmarks and history, the exhibition will be across town. With a series of walks, talks and events taking place during the six months the artworks are on display. Mark Pearce, Event and Creative Director of Creative Mile, Brentford Art Trail said “We are looking forward to seeing the reproductions of some of the gallery’s famous art collection on display in Brentford. This project has happened because of the efforts and support of the people of Brentford. I hope the artworks bring a smile to people’s faces”.

Join Van Gogh, Turner and Degas on Brentford’s streets this September. The launch of the outdoor exhibition coincides with the Creative Mile, Brentford Art Trail weekend. This year there are 120 artists and makers exhibiting their work in 30 venues across the town. Some venues are not usually open to the public. The event is free to attend. Sally Smith, COO West London Chambers of Commerce commented: “my personal favourite to date is the Canaletto at Brentford Lock! Who would have thought we would have reproductions of these beautiful works in art in my home town! It is so special!”

New art studios to open in Brentford Brentford is set to have more affordable art studios available this autumn. Developed via a partnership with The Art House, Wakefield and Creative Mile, a range of studios for rent plus space for exhibitions, art classes and events at 27 Great West Road, previously known as the Sega Building, will be launching in September. Areli, who will be developing the site, have made the ground floor available for the support of creative and wellbeing use on a meanwhile basis for a minimum of 12 months. Lucy Juniper, Co Executive Director of The Art House, said “We are very excited about this opportunity, The Art House was established 30 years ago with an aim to make artists spaces accessible and welcoming to everyone, and this project is a huge step for us to realise that aim. We believe in the transformative power of art and creativity at the heart of the community, we wanted to work with a locally based arts organisation who has connections within the area and particularly with local creatives. That’s

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why we are so excited to be partnering with Creative Mile on this project.” Mark Pearce, Creative Mile Director said “This is a great opportunity for Creative Mile to expand its scope beyond an annual weekend festival. We are looking forward to working on this project with a focus on providing affordable art studios for locally based creatives and developing a programme of events and activities over the 12 months the space will be available. We are delighted to be partnering with The Art House on this project.” Sally Smith, COO West London Chambers of Commerce commented: “It is gratifying to see the private sector supporting the arts sector, which is notoriously

underfunded, but so important to our mental and physical wellbeing.” Anyone interested in having a studio space or wants to run classes or sessions should join the Creative Mile mailing list via their website www.creativemile.org so when more information is available you will be the first to know. www.the-arthouse.org.uk

arts & culture

Movie-goers in West London were in for a surprise when Prince William visited ActOne, a community cinema in Acton The Prince of Wales visited the independent, community-led cinema on Tuesday (22 September 2026), meeting the team behind ActOne. Prince William a film industry patron, spoke to young film makers and took time to mingle with visitors, even selling tickets and serving popcorn. He met with staff and local volunteers who, five years ago, transformed the old Acton library into a cinema and community hub. The prince was interested in the initiative and wondered if it could be replicated elsewhere.

“We celebrate our fifth birthday in a few weeks’ time and his visit underlined the importance of ActOne to Ealing and what a shining example it is – as he said while there it provides a great model for others who would like to create something similar in their own area.”

ActOne director Nick Jones said: “The visit of HRH Prince William was an amazing boost for ActOne! It showed his recognition and admiration for the achievements of the local residents in restoring the beautiful 120-year-old Passmore Edwards building and turning it into a hub for culture and the community.

Chiswick House and Gardens opens its Learning Hub The Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, officially opened the new Learning Hub at Chiswick House and Gardens.

The Hub will enable the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust to expand its work with schools and community groups across Hounslow and neighbouring boroughs, welcoming more than 7,000 people every

year. Along with the new Artist Studios, the Council contributed more than £1 million towards the construction of the Hub and Artists’ Studios through the Council’s Thriving Communities Fund. let’s talkbusiness

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When a Whatsapp message isn’t enough - the risks of informal agreements Sometimes business agreements are finalised quickly and informally A long-standing supplier relationship, a short email exchange confirming pricing, or even an agreement over Whatsapp between trusted contacts can feel sufficient when commercial relationships are strong and work needs to move quickly. However, B P Collins’ dispute resolution team has found that when circumstances change such as when margins tighten, projects run over budget or payment delays emerge, those same informal arrangements can quickly become the foundation of a costly dispute. This is not an uncommon scenario. Research from the Federation of Small Businesses indicates that around 70% of SMEs experience a commercial dispute at some point during their lifecycle, with contractual disagreements among the most common triggers. Litigation trend reporting from firms such as Gallagher also points to a rise in UK business litigation driven by economic pressures and increasingly strained trading relationships. In the South East, the risk is particularly acute. The region’s economy is characterised by tightly connected supply chains, active construction and property development markets, and a large concentration of fast-growing SMEs. In these environments, it may be tempting for businesses to prioritise speed and commercial trust over detailed paperwork. While this can help deals progress quickly, it can also leave critical terms including payment triggers, scope changes or liability allocation, unclear if a disagreement later arises. When an informal deal begins to unravel, the first priority is to establish what the contract actually is. This is not always easy to ascertain. Even where there is no signed agreement, legally binding

contracts can still arise through conduct and correspondence. Emails confirming pricing, purchase orders, WhatsApp messages discussing delivery timelines and evidence of work performed can all form part of the contractual picture. An early evidence audit is therefore essential. This involves gathering all available communications and documentation to reconstruct the key terms of the agreement. Understanding what was agreed and how it was performed in practice helps to assess enforceability, identify strengths and weaknesses in the case and determine the most effective strategy to resolve the issue. Once the evidential position is clear, the next step is typically a structured pre-action approach. Parties are expected to engage in reasonable pre-action correspondence before issuing court proceedings. A carefully drafted letter of claim can serve two important purposes: clearly setting out the legal basis of the claim while also

signalling that the business is prepared to pursue the matter if necessary. At the same time, commercial disputes are rarely just legal problems, they are also financial ones. As such it’s important to explore a settlement without damaging your litigation position. In many cases, once the contractual position is properly articulated, disputes that initially appeared entrenched can be resolved relatively quickly. Where liability is clear and the documentary evidence is strong, it may also be possible to pursue summary judgment, enabling the court to determine the matter without a full trial. The key lesson for businesses is that informal agreements are not necessarily unenforceable, but when they go wrong, resolving them requires swift legal analysis and a strategic approach. Acting early can often turn a potentially expensive dispute into a manageable commercial resolution.

For further advice and information, please contact B P Collins’ commercial dispute resolution team at enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk or call 01753 889995. www.bpcollins.co.uk let’s talkbusiness

discover fulham

Discover Fulham winners in the H&F Business Awards Nineteen local businesses were crowned the winners of this year’s H&F Business Awards, beating out more than 140 other applicants for the honours. They received their awards at a celebratory evening hosted in Hammersmith at the new Civic Campus and soundtracked by ZHL Strings.

Two businesses from within the Discover Fulham business improvement district walked away with awards, with others being highly commended for their contributions. The Fulham Business of the Year went to co-working space Huddle Fulham. The business offers co-working, hot desking, dedicated desk space, bookable event spaces, virtual offices, a rooftop garden complete with beehives and a members’ terrace. The second winner came in the borough-wide category of H&F’s Leisure Business of the Year which was awarded to new Fulham business GetSetSwim, and presented by West London Chambers of Commerce. The business has turned a previously empty building into a brand-new swimming pool with more than £1.5million of investment and now offer lessons for swimmers primarily aged 12 weeks to 12 years. In their first month almost 400 families visited the Fulham Broadway pool – a number that will grow to 2,000 a week once the venue is fully established.

The awards were judged by 24 experts who work in the local business community. They used their knowledge and experience to narrow down the 160 applications to a short list of 49 before selecting our 19 winners.

Cllr Zara Qayyum, H&F Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills, said:“H&F’s businesses bring character and life to the heart of our high streets. They also support the borough’s economy, invest locally, create new training and job opportunities for residents and deliver essential services.

Our business awards are a great way to show we recognise their impact, celebrate their successes and are grateful for the work they do to help us build a stronger, safer and kinder borough. Thank you to everyone who nominated a business and congratulations to our winners – I know that competition was fierce and you gave our judges quite the challenge.” Andy Bell, BID Manager for Discover Fulham, said: “We are proud of all of our businesses in Fulham, in the face of a difficult economic climate we have two winners in the H&F Awards who are relatively new to our High Street. Huddle Fulham have revitalised the centre of Fulham Broadway bringing new businesses and their staff to our area. GetSetSwim have had a refreshing outlook on how to work in partnership, and it is testament to their hard work that they have been recognised in a borough-wide award.”

Violence Against Women and Girls Conference

As part of our Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) work, Discover Fulham, Hammersmith BID and Safer Business Network partnered with the Metropolitan Police to host our second conference looking at different strategies to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) at Stamford Bridge.

Over 60 businesses, community groups and residents gathered to hear an update from an array of speakers looking at a whole range of factors which have an impact on the safety of those in society who feel vulnerable and in particular Women and Girls. The Metropolitan Police were joined by representatives from MET Engage

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and Football Liaison Officers to look at what the MET are doing across London, then more specifically within Hammersmith and Fulham – home to three professional football clubs.

Safer Business Network spoke about their London-wide work, and what support they can offer to businesses through their BCRP work with Discover Fulham and Hammersmith BID. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust offered indepth information about how businesses can protect their staff by looking at their practices, and how these could be adapted to residents. Finally, WalkSafe showcased their app which is active within Hammersmith and Fulham for residents and employees to be able to find safe havens on their way home, and notify friends and family of their journey home.

technology

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Is Over. Your Cyber Risk Is Not. by Michael Ramlakhan Chamber Patron Timeless IMS

October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month: a useful annual prompt for businesses to pause, reflect and improve how they protect their systems, data, and people. But by November, the posters come down, the internal reminders slow down, and it is easy to assume cyber security has been “covered” for another year. That is where many businesses get caught out. Cybercriminals do not work to an awareness calendar. They exploit the everyday moments when people are busy, rushed or unsure: an invoice that looks genuine, an email apparently sent by a director, a password reused across more than one account, or a colleague who spots something suspicious but does not report it because they are worried about making a fuss. For small and medium-sized businesses, cyber resilience is not about building an impenetrable fortress. It is about making sensible, consistent decisions that reduce the chance of disruption and make recovery easier if something does go wrong. This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme, “Don’t Make It Easy for Them,” is particularly relevant to SMEs. The objective is not perfection. It is to remove the simple opportunities attackers rely on, including weak access controls, delayed software updates, unclear reporting routes, and people who have never been shown what a realistic scam looks like.

Awareness must become behaviour. Most business owners understand that cyber security matters. The challenge is turning that understanding into day-to-day habits. a. A policy stored in a shared folder does not stop a fraudulent payment. b. An annual training session does not automatically help someone question an unexpected login request six months later. c. Buying another security tool will not help if staff find the safe process too complicated and work around it.

First, encourage people to pause before they act. Phishing emails and fraudulent messages increasingly look convincing. They may appear to come from a supplier, a senior colleague, a delivery company, or a trusted online service. A rushed request to change bank details, buy gift cards or approve a payment should trigger a second check through a known phone number or an established process and not to reply to the original message.

Second, protect access properly. Passwords remain a weak point when they are short, reused, or shared. Every business should be working towards strong, unique passwords. ideally managed through a password manager and multi-factor authentication on email, finance, cloud storage, and other important systems. Multi-factor authentication is not a silver bullet, but it makes a stolen password far less valuable to an attacker. Third, keep the basics maintained. Updates can be inconvenient, especially in a busy organisation. Yet delaying them can leave known weaknesses open for longer than necessary. Establishing a simple process for updating laptops, phones, applications, firewalls, and cloud services is less glamorous than buying new technology, but it is fundamental to reducing avoidable risk. Finally, make reporting easy and blame-free. A colleague who reports a suspicious email quickly may prevent a wider incident. A colleague who stays silent because they worry they clicked the wrong link may unintentionally allow the problem to grow. Businesses need a clearly communicated route for raising concerns, and leaders need to reinforce that early reporting is a positive action, not an admission of failure.

Cyber resilience is a leadership issue. For SMEs across West London, cyber security should not be treated as a specialist IT topic discussed only when something breaks. It is a business-continuity issue. A compromised account can delay invoicing. A ransomware incident can stop access to customer files and operational systems. A fraudulent payment can directly affect cash flow. Poor handling of an incident can undermine client confidence at exactly the moment a business needs trust most. •

That is why the most effective leaders ask straightforward questions:

The best approach is practical. Keep the message clear, make the secure option the easiest option, and give people confidence to ask questions or report something early.

•

Which systems are essential for us to operate?

•

Who has access to them?

•

Are we confident we could spot and respond to an attempted fraud?

Four habits are especially worth carrying beyond October.

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And if the worst happened tomorrow, how would we continue serving customers?

Image by pixabay

The answers do not need to lead to an expensive or complicated programme. They should lead to priorities, ownership, and steady improvement.

A November checklist As October is now behind us, take 30 minutes to ask four questions: 1. Have all staff been reminded how to identify and report suspicious messages? 2. Is multi-factor authentication active on the organisation’s most important accounts? 3. Are critical devices and applications being updated regularly? 4. Does everyone know what to do, and who to contact, if they think something is wrong? Cybersecurity Awareness Month should not be the finish line. It should be the prompt to build safer habits into everyday business. Because the goal is not to make your organisation impossible to attack. It is to make it harder to compromise, quicker to respond and more resilient when it matters. For West London businesses, the most valuable next step is not necessarily more technology, it is an honest view of where a simple weakness could create a costly interruption. Michael Ramlakhan is Founder of Timeless IMS, a security-first managed IT and cybersecurity provider helping SMEs strengthen cyber resilience, protect business-critical systems, and maintain continuity.

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

international trade conversations, and I’m looking forward to nurturing these relationships and returning to the US in 2027.” For Avalon Insights, the mission offered a different export opportunity. The company, co-founded by Thomas Akintan, provides human-centred AI training and research, helping organisations understand and adopt AI practically, safely and responsibly. Its work ranges from AI adoption training and readiness through to AI Governance implementation and AI visibility (GEO) making the US and Atlanta’s growing business and technology ecosystem, a natural market to explore. Thomas Akintan, co-founder of Avalon Insights, said: “This trade mission has given us a valuable opportunity to connect with US businesses, understand their challenges and explore how Avalon Insights can support their AI journey. We’ve been particularly encouraged by how open Atlanta is to international collaboration and the opportunities for UK businesses to build relationships here.”

West London businesses take on US market as Chamber strengthens Atlanta trade links West London Chambers leads only European trade delegation to Atlanta’s Go Global Conference, opening doors for SMEs in one of America’s most business-focused cities West London businesses have returned from a major trade mission to Atlanta, where West London Chambers of Commerce led the only European trade delegation attending the 2026 Go Global Conference. The mission brought West London entrepreneurs face-to-face with potential US buyers, partners and investors, giving smaller businesses the opportunity to explore how they could take their products and services into the American market. Held in Atlanta from 30th September to 3rd October, Go Global is designed around international trade and practical business matchmaking, with companies taking part in pre-arranged meetings with buyers, suppliers and investors. For West London Chambers, the visit was about more than attending a conference. It forms part of a growing relationship between West London and Atlanta, creating a two-way route through which businesses on both sides of the Atlantic can make connections and explore new markets. The visit builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by West London Chambers of Commerce and Atlanta Black Chambers in 2024, which established a commitment to strengthen trade links, collaboration and business opportunities between companies in Atlanta and West London. BIST played a key role in supporting the West London delegation’s visit to Atlanta, including hosting a reception at the residence of the British Consul General, bringing together delegates with influential business leaders and partners from across the city. Alan Rides, CEO of West London Chambers of Commerce, said: “Cities have always been about trade, and ports (whether seaports or airports) – ports are fundamental to that. In West London we have Heathrow on our doorstep, while Atlanta has the world’s busiest airport. These are gateways that connect people, businesses and markets. What we want to do as a Chamber is make those connections meaningful for our businesses. For an SME, entering a market like the US can feel daunting.

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By going as a delegation, opening doors and putting businesses directly in front of the right people, we can make that opportunity much more accessible.” Among the businesses joining the mission was AMARI AMARI, a British sustainable fashion brand specialising in contemporary luxury socks. Founded by Linda Mngwali, the brand produces statement socks using natural fibres including Himalayan cashmere and Egyptian cotton, combining traditional manufacturing techniques with an emphasis on sustainable production. Linda outlined how Atlanta provided an opportunity to explore the potential for a distinctive British fashion brand in the US and make connections with prospective partners, buyers and retailers. Linda said: “Taking AMARI AMARI to Atlanta was a fantastic opportunity to test the brand in a new international market. We were really encouraged by the response, generating sales and interest from potential retail partners. West London Chambers of Commerce gave us an invaluable platform to make new connections and explore opportunities that could help take AMARI AMARI beyond the UK.” Also joining the delegation was SkinRi, represented by founder Lettica Phillips who said: “Joining the West London Chamber of Commerce trade mission to Atlanta was a real milestone for SKINIRI, it was our first trade mission, and a fantastic opportunity to introduce the brand to a new audience in the US. We’ve been proud to serve customers in the US for a number of years, so this trip was an important step in building a stronger connection with them and making our products easier to buy. During the mission we made valuable connections with local entrepreneurs and service providers, as well as representatives from JAMPRO, Jamaica’s national trade and investment agency, which is a particularly meaningful connection given our Caribbean roots. Our conversations validated SKINIRI’s unique position in the market and pointed to a strong opportunity for expansion. We’ve already had several follow-up

A key message from businesses taking part was Atlanta’s openness to international companies and its appetite for creating new commercial relationships. That is backed by the structure of Go Global itself. Rather than simply bringing delegates together for speeches and networking, the conference centres on curated B2B matchmaking, connecting businesses directly with prospective buyers, suppliers, partners and investors. The relationship also has a natural connection through aviation. West London is home to Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s busiest airport by passenger numbers. For the West London delegation, this created opportunities not only around the wider Atlanta economy but also to share expertise developed by companies working in and around Heathrow with one of the world’s most important aviation hubs. Alan Rides added: “Atlanta is incredibly open to business. There is a real sense that if you arrive with a good idea, product or service, people want to talk to you and find out what can be done. That is exactly what a trade mission should achieve. It isn’t about travelling somewhere, exchanging business cards and coming home. It’s about creating relationships that businesses can build on and, ultimately, turning those relationships into trade.” The relationship will now continue in the opposite direction, with a delegation from Atlanta due to travel to London for West London Festival of Business in Brentford in March 2027. The visit will give Atlanta businesses the opportunity to meet West London companies on their home ground and continue conversations started during the US mission. For West London Chambers, the ambition is to create a long-term trade corridor between the two business communities rather than a series of standalone visits. Alan Rides said: “This has to work both ways. We have taken West London businesses to Atlanta and next February we will welcome an Atlanta delegation to Brentford. That continuity is important. Trade is built on relationships and trust, and our role as a Chamber is to create those relationships and then help our businesses turn them into real commercial opportunities.” For more information, visit West London Chambers – Supporting Business Across The Boroughs https://westlondonchambers.org.uk

international trade

Central Asia’s Mineral Exits: A Deal to Mine Is Not a Route to Market By Lord JD Waverley • office@msmeworldunion.org • West London Chambers of Commerce under the patronage of Lord Waverley Central Asia exports more than $15 billion of critical minerals a year, and every tonne mustcross a neighbouring states border to reach the sea. With both southern exits operationallyjammed in 2026, the routes that stay politically usable will decide who processes the ore andwho holds the leverage. Central Asia’s challenge has never been a shortage of minerals. It is getting them out that continuesto be the issue. The five states export critical minerals worth is about $15.7 billion a year, according tothe Oxus Society, which tracks the trade. Kazakhstan accounts for about $14 billion of that, mostlycopper and uranium. Every tonne must cross at least one border, and often several, before it reachesthe sea. In 2026 that geography turned from a cost into a crisis. The US–Israeli war with Iran began on 28February, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, and in April the US blockaded Iranian ports. An Aprilceasefire broke down in May with a framework deal following on 14 June. For months, the southerngateway Central Asia had counted on was shut. The Afghanistan–Pakistan border, meanwhile, has been closed to trade since 12 October 2025. It is still shut, stranding the mostdiscussed alternative before a single rail has been laid. The result is a region with more corridor plans than ever and fewer reliable exits. Which routes survive will decide who processes Central Asia’s minerals, who earns the transit fees and who holds theleverage.

The Caspian route takes the strain The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or Middle Corridor, has been the principal beneficiary of the year’s shocks, running from China across Kazakhstan, by ferry over the Caspian toAzerbaijan, and onwards through Georgia to the Black Sea and Turkey. Kazakhstan’s transportministry says it carried 4.12 million tonnes in 2025, including about 77,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of containers. Kazakhstan aims to lift the route’s capacity to 10 million tonnes a year by2027. Together with China, it targets 300,000 TEU by 2029. The war tested that ambition early. Rauf Agamirzayev, an Azerbaijani logistics analyst, put container demand on the route 450 to 500 per cent above the same week of 2025 within a week of the first strikes. He reported turnaround times at Aktau and Baku roughly tripling, with the weak points beingferry capacity, port depth and the Georgian exit. Port capacity on the Azeri side is not yet the binding one. The port at Alat, opened in 2018 with room for 15 million tonnes a year, handled 8.2 million in2025, and a World Bankbacked expansion would take it to 25 million. Kazakhstan began main dredging at Aktau in October. Georgia is the slower fix. Its Anaklia deep-sea port, meant to relieve Poti and Batumi, lost its Chinese-led consortium in July without an investment agreement ever being signed. Tbilisi now runs it as a state project. Belgium’s Jan De Nul began dredging in September, and the first phase is due in 2029. The South Caucasus is also gaining a second line. The US-brokered Trump Route for InternationalPeace and Prosperity (TRIPP) would cross about 42 kilometres of southern Armenia, linking Azerbaijanto its Nakhchivan exclave and on to Turkey. Turkey broke ground on a 224-kilometre

Kars–Dilucurailway to meet it in August 2025. Neither Baku nor Yerevan expects work on TRIPP itself before 2027. Yerevan insists on sovereignty over the route, while Baku wants unimpeded passage. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s June election win, which gave his Civil Contract party 64 of 105 seats, keeps the project politically alive.

Azerbaijan: the gateway, again Every westward option across the Caspian now lands in Azerbaijan. The same was true of oil twodecades ago. The Baku– Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, opened in 2006, made Azerbaijan the indispensable outlet for Caspian crude to world markets without crossing Russia or Iran. It also gave Baku lasting strategic weight with Western governments and energy majors. Rail and ports are now repeating the pattern. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway follows much of the BTCpipeline’s route, and TRIPP would add a second outlet through Nakhchivan to Turkey. Both begin atAlat. In August President Ilham Aliyev said Baku plans an international consortium for the Nakhchivanrailway, with investors guaranteed transport volumes. That is the BTC model again. The lesson cuts both ways. A single gateway brings investment and predictability. It also concentrates leverage. Kazakh, Uzbek and Turkmen exporters, and the Western buyers behind them, willincreasingly depend on decisions taken in Baku.

South through Afghanistan: the Pakistan option For doubly landlocked Uzbekistan, the prize is a direct line to the Arabian Sea. The Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) railway would run from Termez past Mazari-Sharif, through MaidanShahr and Logar to Kharlachi on the Pakistani border, connecting to Karachi and Gwadar. Published lengths range from about 570 to 760 kilometres. The price keeps rising. Tashkent’s earlier estimate was about $4.8 billion. In June Jasurbek Choriev,Uzbekistan’s deputy transport minister, has said it could now exceed $7 billion, with Pakistan putting it at $8.2 billion. The build would take at least five years, with a feasibility study due by the end of 2026. Interest is broadening. Russia, eyeing an outlet on the Indian Ocean, said in April 2025 that 8 to 15million tonnes of its cargo a year could use the line if the route proves competitive. On 30 September Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the UAE signed a memorandum to study a Central Asia–South Asia (CASA) rail corridor to Pakistani ports. It named no route, cost or investor. Kazakhstan had already offered, in January, to finance a different line altogether: west through Turkmenistan and Herat, entering Pakistan at Chaman. The obstacle is political. Pakistan and the Taliban have fought repeatedly along the Durand Line. On24 September Pakistani air and drone strikes hit ten sites inside Afghanistan. Multilateral lenders cannot easily finance a Taliban-run state. Gauge breaks between Central Asia’s 1520mm track and Pakistan’s 1676mm would also add trans shipment costs, which matter for low-value bulk ore.

West through Afghanistan: the Iran option The Iranian alternative is physically further ahead. Since 2020 a railway from Khaf in Iran has reached Rozanak in Afghanistan’s

Herat province. In October 2025 Afghanistan, Iran and Türkiye agreed tobuild a roughly 657-kilometre line from Herat to Mazari-Sharif, costed at about $780 million. Afghanistan’s central bank says domestic commercial banks will fund it. Iran’s own network is moving too. In late September the governor of SistanBaluchestan announced that track-laying was complete on the Chabahar–Iranshahr section of the Chabahar–Zahedan railway. For Uzbekistan, a Mazar–Herat–Khaf link would offer a path to Iranian ports and Turkey that avoidsTurkmenistan. For Tehran, battered by war, Afghanistan has become overland insurance against maritime pressure. The drawbacks are plain. Iranian ports and railways were exposed to strikes this year, and any Western-financed mineral project routed through Iran faces sanctions risk. Pakistan, meanwhile, hasbecome a back door into Iran: since April it has opened land routes for goods from Gwadar andKarachi to the Iranian border at Gabd and Taftan.

China profits from every exit Whichever exit prevails, China is likely to profit. It holds 51 per cent of the China– Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway venture. In August Uzbekistan’s transport minister, Ilkhom Makhkamov, put construction at 17 per cent complete and said it could finish at least a year early. On the Caspian, China Harbour Engineering is the general contractor at Aktau. Beijing is helping to build the very corridor Western capitals describe as a hedge. More important, China dominates processing. In 2025 it took 99.98 per cent, by value, of Kazakhstan’s exports of tungsten ore and concentrate. In Afghanistan, a consortium led by Metallurgical Corporation of China holds the concession for Mes Aynak, estimated to contain about 11 million tonnes of copper. Beijing reaffirmed in 2025 that it wants Afghanistan brought into the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. Washington is pushing back. Uzbekistan and the US signed a critical-minerals memorandum in February, and two US agencies, the International Development Finance Corporation and EXIM, followed with heads of terms for a joint investment framework. In Kazakhstan, Cove Kaz Capital, aventure announced at the November 2025 US–Central Asia summit, has signed definitive agreements with the state miner Tau-Ken Samruk for the Northern Katpar and Upper Kairakty tungsten deposits. But a deal to mine is not a route to market. Without a reliable westward exit, Central Asian ore stillflows east by default.

The Navoi test Uzbekistan’s Navoi region shows the gap between corridor rhetoric and practice. Navoiyuran, spun out of Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine (NMMC) in 2022, supplies an estimated 8 per cent ofthe world’s uranium by its own account. Its customers include Canada’s Cameco, and France’s Oranois a joint-venture partner. Yet when Navoiyuran hired a logistics firm in 2025 to move up to 6,000 tonnes of cargo to Malvési insouthern France, the route ran through St Petersburg. For radioactive freight, Russia remains theproven option.

NMMC itself, among the world’s largest gold producers, reported net profit of $2.38 billion for the first half of 2026. Its planned listing in London and Tashkent, for which it had sought a valuation of about $20 billion including debt, has been paused, Bloomberg reported in May. That leaves open how far Western capital will be invited into Uzbek mining. A shorter Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan rail link building on Navoi’s existing multimodal logistics centre,cargo airport, rail and road links and free economic zone, expanding them into a dry port and processing zone for critical minerals would help bridge this gap. If planned and structured with due thought and appropriate guidance, together with Navoi’s links south and east that would give Uzbekistan three export axes: north through Kazakhstan, west via the Caspian, and south and east.

Who gains, who loses Azerbaijan is the clearest winner. Azerbaijan controls the Caspian landing point and stands to gain adirect link to Nakhchivan and Turkey. Turkey wins as the endpoint of both Caucasus routes.Uzbekistan gains leverage simply from having options, and Kazakhstan has backed every direction at once. Pakistan’s position is the most awkward. Its planning minister, Ahsan Iqbal, champions the trans-Afghan line, yet Islamabad’s conflict with Kabul is what blocks it. The Taliban, whose deputy railways minister Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada leads the technical talks, could gain transit fees and a measure of legitimacy. Georgia gains if Anaklia is delivered, and the departure of its Chinese consortium removes one complication from its Western pitch. Iran stands to lose its role as Azerbaijan’s route around Armenia, and Russia stands to lose China–Europe traffic. Turkmenistan risks being bypassed unless Kazakhstan’s line through Herat is built. The UAE’s re-export trade could lose ground to land routes, which may be why Abu Dhabi signed the CASA memorandum. Above them all sit Washington, which brokered TRIPP, and Beijing, which is building and buying on every side.

What would change the picture On the Caspian, the repairs are already under way. Alat’s expansion to 25 million tonnes and the dredging at Aktau address port capacity and depth, though not the ferries between them. Georgia’s state-led Anaklia is due to open its first phase in 2029, and TRIPP construction is expected to begin in 2027. To the south, the UAP feasibility study due by the end of the year will put the first firm cost on the table. It will not matter while Torkham stays shut.

Where the ore goes The question now is which exits stay politically usable. This year both southern doors, through Iran and through Pakistan, were jammed at once. That left a congested Caspian route as the only dependable westward option, with a Chinese contractor helping to build it. The trans-Afghan railway will not be decided in Tashkent, but at the Torkham crossing. Until Islamabad and Kabul stop fighting, Central Asia’s minerals will keep travelling where the rails already run: east to China, or north through Russia. Contributor opinion. Lord (JD) Waverley had no commercial relationship with CFI.co at the time of publication.◼

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international trade events

International trade and home events round-up

Evening at the US Embassy, where we had the pleasure of meeting the President and CEO of JAX Chamber, the Mayor of Jacksonville, and the Embassy’s Commercial Lead and team.

Indonesia Delegation Reception

Jax chamber and WLCC MOU signing at FFC with Stephen Cowan speaking

Lesotho trade and investment forum at IOD with Thomas from Avalon Insights Ukef And Dr Renu

London college of Homeopathy clinical meet for students at the Clayton hotel

LREF 2026 - Presentations covered West London Regional Park, Slough is Now, and Future Feltham.

Mayors brazilian beach party

Nepal Tech Roadshow 2026

Nepal Delegation Reception 9th September 2026

Nepal Embassy MOU Signing 3rd July 2026

Meeting new members at Upstream H&F at the Arc west London Fantastic presentations from ICL start ups

Opportunity Hounslow Conference 2026

Vietnam national day with Ambassador, and Radianna from Southside Chamber

WLCC at the Oman logistics and planning conference

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advertorial

From Overlooked Talent to Outstanding Growth: The West London Businesses Changing Lives and Industries How No More Recruiters, TechStart and Rosary Capital are proving that investing in people can be just as powerful as investing in businesses.

Karan’s own journey has also been supported by TechStart, which selected him as its first entrepreneurial case study. Through its entrepreneurs programme, he travelled across Asia, connected with influential business leaders, explored international opportunities and secured valuable investment support. In fact, Karan would not have known where to start or how to bring his idea to life if it wasn’t for fellow West London Chambers of Commerce director Sam Liu.

What happens when you give ambitious young people an opportunity, surround them with the right support and challenge them to disrupt an entire industry? In West London, the answer is No More Recruiters.

From West London to National Ambitions

In just six months since launching, No More Recruiters (NMR) has attracted over 250 residential care homes and 2,000 jobseekers to its innovative recruitment platform, challenging the traditional agency model and helping care providers recruit permanent and temporary staff directly, without any recruitment agency fees. Founded by local entrepreneur Karan Elvin, NMR was built around a simple belief: the money care providers and other businesses spend on unnecessary recruitment fees could be better invested in their employees, training and quality of business. But behind the company’s impressive early growth lies an even more remarkable story.

Seven Young People. One Shared Ambition. Rather than building his team through conventional recruitment channels, Karan turned to TechStart, an organisation supporting young people into employment and entrepreneurship. Many of those joining NMR had little or no previous professional experience. What they did have was ambition, determination and a willingness to learn. Today, seven young people recruited through TechStart are employed full-time at NMR, helping drive its growth, technology, operations and ambitions. “People often talk about wanting experienced employees, but how can young people gain experience if nobody gives them their first opportunity?” says Karan. “We’ve built something incredible together. These young people aren’t just part of the business. They’re the reason we’re succeeding.”

NMR’s progress is already attracting attention. The business has been named a finalist in the West London Chambers of Commerce Business Awards, while established wealth management firm Rathbones is hosting an industry breakfast event on 20 November, bringing together leaders from the residential care sector. The team has also benefited from the connections and relationships developed through the Ealing Breakfast Club and the wider West London business community. Beyond residential care, NMR is developing relationships with universities to create employment pathways for students and graduates, alongside plans to expand its recruitment technology into industries such as hospitality, technology, and construction. The ambition is to create a national platform that makes recruitment fairer, more affordable and more accessible across multiple sectors.

Rosary Capital: Investing in the Next Generation Behind NMR’s growth is Rosary Capital, an investment company backing the business and working towards a much wider mission: identifying and supporting promising entrepreneurs who might otherwise struggle to secure the funding, expertise and opportunities needed to succeed. Rosary Capital is looking to discover more ambitious young founders across West London, providing more than financial investment. Its vision is to give entrepreneurs access to capital, experienced teams, business guidance and strategic connections, helping transform promising ideas into successful companies.

Eligible early-stage investment opportunities may offer tax advantages through schemes such as SEIS, subject to the relevant qualifying conditions. The philosophy is profit with purpose: building valuable businesses while opening doors for the next generation.

West London’s Next Success Story Could Be Yours NMR’s journey demonstrates what can happen when investment, innovation and opportunity come together. With 250 care homes already registered, a growing workforce of talented young professionals, expanding university relationships and increasing recognition across the business community, the company believes its first six months are only the beginning. For Karan, the ambition extends beyond building one successful company. “If we can build something like NMR by giving young people a chance, imagine what we could achieve by helping another ten, twenty or fifty entrepreneurs do the same.” West London has the talent. It has the ideas. And through organisations like TechStart, NMR and Rosary Capital, more of those ideas could become the businesses of tomorrow. Care providers, entrepreneurs and potential investment partners interested in learning more are encouraged to connect with No More Recruiters and Rosary Capital.

karan@nomorerecruiters.com sam@rosarycapital.com

The approach is simple: find talented people with exceptional ideas, give them the resources to execute, and share in the value they create. Rosary is also exploring opportunities for investors who want their capital to support ambitious businesses while pursuing commercial returns.

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A vibrant lifestyle hotel in the heart of West London... The ibis Styles London Ealing 120 bedrooms boasts a prime location in the heart of West London, known as the Queen of Suburbs as it provides a welcome combination of greenery and historic buildings, as well as an excellent shopping scene. As a design-economy hotel, you can guarantee a high quality experience for family, leisure and business guests, to enjoy all that London has to offer on your next adventure or prepare you for a busy week of meetings. Boasting an exciting array of movie-themed rooms, each individually inspired by on-screen classics of past and present to provide a captivating experience for movie lovers and an exciting twist to your travels on a budget. Walking through the giant revolving doors, you will be met by a stylishly decorated interior, where you will be introduced to the ‘cast’ who are always on hand to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Treat yourself to a drink on arrival in their excellently stocked Studio Bar, or head on up to your room and find out which Hollywood hero will welcome you for a calming and comfortable stay. “I am thrilled to lead my wonderful team at ibis Styles London Ealing, where we have put our best foot forward in providing a unique yet highly enjoyable stay in this leafy West London district.

“As a General Manager I am responsible for creating the vision for the hotel and the atmosphere it provides for guests, so when it all pays off and there is a hotel full of happy guests there really is no greater reward.

“I have been lucky enough to spend 29 fantastic years in the hotel industry across various roles and locations around the world. I have a passion for developing and coaching talents and delivering a great service at every hotel I have been responsible for.

“You will not be disappointed during your stay at ibis Styles London Ealing, as the combination of our prime location, helpful staff and entertaining decor, provide a unique yet highly enjoyable stay.” General Manager, Sylvie Gallon

Contact me for corporate and group bookings and to take advantage of our best available rates: sylvie.gallon@accor.com

ibis Styles London Ealing 32 38 Uxbridge Rd, London W5 2BS T 020 3002 1529 E sylvie.gallon@accor.com

@ibisstyleslondonealing

accor.com | ibis.com | accorlivelimiltless.com

news

The King’s Awards for Enterprise : The UK’s Highest Business Honour

For any UK business, receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise represents the highest possible national recognition for outstanding achievement. It is a distinction that carries considerable prestige, providing an internationally recognised mark of excellence and placing the achievements of exceptional British businesses firmly on the global stage. Established by Royal Warrant in 1965 as the Queen’s Award to Industry, the awards have spent six decades recognising the ambition, innovation and commercial success of British enterprise. Following the accession of His Majesty King Charles III, they were renamed the King’s Awards for Enterprise in 2023, continuing one of the country’s most respected traditions of business recognition. Administered by the Department for Business and Trade, the awards are distinguished by the rigour of their assessment. Businesses are not simply judged against one another; applicants must demonstrate sustained and exceptional achievement against demanding criteria within their chosen category. There are now five categories. Innovation recognises commercially successful products, services and business models that demonstrate genuine innovation. International Trade celebrates businesses achieving substantial and sustained growth in overseas markets. Sustainability recognises organisations

where environmental and social responsibility are integral to their operations. Promoting Opportunity honours businesses creating meaningful opportunities and pathways for people from underrepresented groups. The newest category, Young Founder, recognises entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 who are leading ambitious, high-growth businesses. The awards are emphatically not confined to large corporations. Small and medium-sized enterprises account for the great majority of recipients, demonstrating that exceptional achievement can emerge from businesses of every size. Eligible organisations can have as few as two full-time employees. A King’s Award brings a range of significant privileges. Winners receive a Grant of Appointment certificate and a commemorative crystal trophy, presented locally by a Lord-Lieutenant. They may also fly the King’s Award flag and use the prestigious royal emblem on their packaging and marketing for five years.

The King’s Award application is a thorough process that takes time, focus and genuine collaboration across the business. It brings together different perspectives and expertise, from the story behind the company’s growth and innovation to the figures that demonstrate its success. It is globally recognised and gives customers a degree of extra confidence, especially when you are new to them or work in a different sector. It also gives you a rare opportunity to step back and reflect on what you’ve achieved together. For us, that made winning even more rewarding. It was a hugely proud moment for the whole Brompton team and a meaningful recognition of our commitment to innovation, while strengthening our brand both domestically and internationally. ROB FOWLER Director of Business Development at Brompton Technology received the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category on May 6, 2025, for its ground-breaking Tessera SX40 LED video processor

Yet the significance of the award goes beyond the formal recognition. It represents an independent national endorsement of a business’s achievement, leadership and standards. For employees, customers, investors and international partners, it provides a powerful signal of credibility. After 60 years, the King’s Awards for Enterprise remain the definitive national benchmark for British business excellence — a distinction reserved for organisations whose achievements have demonstrated that they stand at the very highest level of UK enterprise. Applications for KAE 2027 will open in May 2027 but start your planning and preparation soon before submission in September of that year To obtain more information on the KAE, please visit the DoB&T website: www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise

Brompton CEO Richard Mead and Mr Randeep Singh Lall DL

A night to celebrate Ealing’s young people and the organisations supporting them Behind every young person finding their voice, discovering their potential or overcoming a challenge, there is often someone cheering them on. At the Young Ealing Foundation (YEF) Awards 2026, it was time to celebrate them all.

Stepping Stones Together also winning Spaces for Young People. The Proper Project was recognised for Fighting Inequality, while the Violence Intervention Project (VIP) received the Big Impact Award. Behind every achievement were relationships built on trust, countless hours of dedication and a shared belief in young people’s potential.

There was a real sense of pride and excitement at ECC in Northfields on Thursday 1 October, as young people, youth workers, volunteers and community organisations gathered for the fifth annual awards. The evening was filled with applause, inspiring stories and performances from talented young people, celebrating the incredible work happening across Ealing, often quietly and without recognition. Thirty finalists were recognised across ten categories, each with a story of determination, kindness, creativity or commitment to making life better for others. Joining the celebrations were Ealing’s Deputy Lieutenant, Richard Kornicki; Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Faduma Mohamed; Deputy Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Louise Brett; Ealing Southall MP Deirdre Costigan; and London Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz. What made the evening particularly special was the role young people played in bringing it to life. YEF’s Ealing Young Champions helped produce the event, write the script and present awards alongside community leaders.

Young Champion Virtue shared how the programme had helped build confidence and provided a space where their ideas and experiences were valued, demonstrating the power of giving young people opportunities to lead. Throughout the evening, inspiring stories showed the many ways people are making a difference. Rafia Bhutta was recognised for volunteering, Alexander Frank for activism, Ivan Ratkovic for leadership and Omar Tibi for entrepreneurship. Brothers Jake Mcintosh and Luke Senior received the Overcoming Adversity Award, while Baylee Mitchell was celebrated for outstanding youth work. Community organisations were equally recognised. Stepping Stones Together, alongside Brunel University, received the Partnership Award, with

The evening was made possible with support from headline sponsor Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and category sponsors Freshwater Foundation, Let’s Leap and Helium Capital, highlighting the importance of businesses and community organisations working together. YEF is already looking ahead to the 2027 Awards and welcomes businesses interested in supporting next year’s celebration. To find out more, contact Tanya Taylor at Tanya@youngealingfoundation.org.uk. As the evening closed, one message stood out: whether winners, finalists or those working tirelessly behind the scenes, everyone’s contribution matters. “We see you too. Tonight is a celebration of all of you.” Young Ealing Foundation is a registered charity (number 1171554) working alongside 132 organisations to support 57,000 children and young people across Ealing. Find out more at www.youngealingfoundation.org.uk

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

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CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

health & wellbeing

Looking after our wellbeing

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

Creating space for Women to feel like themselves again After 25 years working with women, I have learnt how much can be shared during a facial. Behind a conversation about skin, there is often a woman juggling work, family and everyone else’s needs, with very little time left for herself. I’m Bal Kaur Gill, an award-winning holistic aesthetician and founder of Beauty Bar. Those conversations have shaped my business and the direction I am taking it today. My training in India, Singapore and Sweden has influenced how I care for my clients, bringing together advanced aesthetic treatments and holistic practices, including Gua Sha and facial lifting massage. I love helping women understand their skin, but I also want them to enjoy the time they spend with me and feel cared for. Having built my business in West London, I value the relationships that develop over years. I have worked with women through different chapters of their lives, including motherhood, career changes, perimenopause and menopause. Listening to their experiences has encouraged me to create more opportunities for women to put themselves first. Alongside my salon work, I offer wellness retreats and workshops featuring crystal sound baths, guided meditation, facial massage, manifestation and vision boards.

These sessions give women space to pause, explore what they want for themselves and turn those thoughts into achievable goals. Sometimes, having time to think without interruption is something we have been missing. That belief is also behind my latest project: refurbishing property in Ravenscourt Park to create wellness focused living accommodation for women. My plans bring together comfortable living, workspace and a dedicated meditation space, making wellbeing part of the everyday environment. The project is still in development, but it reflects something I feel strongly about: women need places where their ambitions and their wellbeing can both have room. I would welcome connections through West London Chambers with employers, local businesses and community organisations interested in wellness workshops and collaborations.

My work has grown beyond the treatment room, but the personal connection remains at its heart. Whether someone joins me for a facial, a sound bath or a retreat, I want her to feel welcome, listened to and able to make time for herself.

www.beautybaruk.co.uk

Sometimes, having time to think without interruption is something we have been missing. That belief is also behind my latest project: refurbishing property in Ravenscourt Park to create wellness focused living accommodation for women. Bal Kaur Gill Holistic Aesthetician, Owner, Beauty Bar let’s talkbusiness

events

Past Events

A look back at some of our recent Chamber events

West London Chambers of Commerce

Summer Networking Evening at Fulham Pier 23rd July 2026

Out of Office Summer Networking Evening 20th August 2026

Acton BID Business Breakfast 11th September 2026

Networking Evening at Gunnersbury Park & Museum 16th September 2026

Hounslow BID Business Breakfast 18th September 2026

Advance for Growth Launch 24th September 2026

Women in Business Breakfast at Latymer School 7th October 2026

Ealing Festival of Business 2026 15th October 2026 Seminar

Ealing Festival of Business 2026 15th October 2026 Exhibit

Ealing Festival of Business 2026 15th October 2026 Breakfast

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Forthcoming Events Employment Law Webinar 10th November 10.00 am – 11.00 am

Fullers Brewery and Christmas Jolly

Via Zoom

Wednesday 2nd December,

Hammersmith Business Breakfast

4.30 pm - 10.00 pm

events West London Chambers of Commerce

11th November, 8.30 am - 10.30 am

Fullers Brewery Shop, Griffin Brewery,

Sam’s Riverside, 1 Crisp Road, London W6 9DN

160 Chiswick Ln South, London W4 2QB

Acton BID Business Breakfast 13th November, 8.30 am - 10.30 am ActOne Cinema, 121 High Street, London W3 6LY

Business Awards 2026 Friday 20th November 2026 Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, London W6 8DR

Women in Business Christmas Drinks Tuesday 15th December, 6.30 pm - 9.00 pm Fulham Pavilion, 81-83 Fulham High St, London SW6 3JW

Ealing Business Lunch and Networking

Libyan Reception

Tuesday 19th January 2027

23rd November, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle, Bryanston Street, London W1H 7EH

Chinese Delegation from Beijing 30th November Time tbc Spring Grove House, West Thames College, London Road, Isleworth TW7 4HS

ibis Styles London, Ealing

West London Chambers will be at The British & International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia, London Friday 29 & Saturday 30 January 2027

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

news

Think Outside the Bottle by Antonio Bertone, co-founder, Alileo Wines

Not long ago, confessing you drank boxed wine was a bit like confessing you ironed your jeans. Something you did quietly, at home, with the curtains drawn. Times have changed. Walk into a good wine shop today and the box has moved from the bottom shelf to eye level. Retailers are giving it more space for a simple reason: people are buying it. And many of those people are younger drinkers who care less about a heavy bottle and a fancy cork, and more about what’s inside and where it came from. That’s the world we built Alileo for. Our wines come from the wild west coast of Sicily, estategrown and certified organic. we’re a certified B Corp, and the wines have zero added sugar and very low sulphites. In other words, the stuff

you’d hope for in a good bottle, just without the bottle.Why a box? Because it’s simply the smarter container. The bag inside collapses as you pour, so air never gets in and the wine stays fresh for weeks after opening, not days. It’s lighter to ship, uses far less packaging than glass, and takes up less room in the lorry, on the shelf and in your fridge. Good for the planet, good for the margins. That last point matters for anyone running a restaurant, bar or pub. Wine by the glass is where a lot of money quietly goes down the sink. Open a bottle on Tuesday, pour two glasses, and by Thursday the rest is vinegar. With a box, the last glass tastes like the first. Less waste, steadier quality, and a better pour for the customer. It’s the most sensible upgrade a wine list can make, and nobody at the table needs to know, unless you want to tell them. We do want to tell them. We think the box deserves a bit of swagger. When Forbes put

together a list of recommended wines, ours was the only box on it, sitting alongside the bottles. Our ceramic Testa di Moro dispenser, inspired by the traditional Sicilian heads, turns a box into the centrepiece of the table. Sicilians have been sharing wine generously for a few thousand years. We’ve just found a better way to carry it. So next time someone offers you boxed wine, don’t hide it. Pour it proudly.

alileowines.com

H&F announces fund to open up affordable workspaces Local partners will help create inclusive economic growth for start-ups, growing businesses and enterprises Affordable workspace can be the difference between a good business idea and a thriving business. That’s why Hammersmith & Fulham is working with local businesses to ensure entrepreneurs have access to lab, office and maker spaces they can afford. To help, the council announced a new Affordable Workspace Activation Fund at an event at Huddle Fulham earlier this year.

The fund will support workspace operators, developers and property owners who want to breathe new life into empty or underused commercial buildings.

Partners on the day included Imperial College London, Olympia, Yoo Capital, West London Chambers of Commerce and workspace operators from the borough.

Affordable Workspace Operators Forum Local businesses are invited to help us create new spaces as part of our new Affordable Workspace Operators Forum.

Partners will be able to shape how the fund works in practice to ensure it is fair, inclusive and reflects what local businesses actually need. It’s part of our work to make Hammersmith & Fulham the best place to start a new business. Cllr Zarar Qayyum, H&F Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills, said: “We are determined to give innovative local businesses better access to suitable, affordable spaces to start and scale. It will help create social value, drive inclusive economic growth and open up new opportunities for budding entrepreneurs across H&F.”

Email affordableworkspace@lbhf.gov.uk to find out if you’re eligible to join.

Chambers UK awards B P Collins the highest rankings for several practices receive ‘Band 1’ rankings again, while corporate, litigation, family, employment and real estate litigation practices retain their high rankings.

Simon Deans Chambers UK, one of the UK’s leading legal directories, has announced its results for 2027 with B P Collins LLP retaining strong rankings for its practices and lawyers. For the first time, the Real Estate practice achieves a ‘Band 1’ ranking, while Craig Williams, a dispute resolution partner, is also awarded the directory’s highest ranking for his expertise in the construction sector. In addition, B P Collins’ construction, crime and environment teams all

Real Estate team’s ‘Band 1’ ranking B P Collins is delighted to learn its Real Estate team receives a ‘Band 1’ ranking, with one client explaining that, “B P Collins has both depth and quality across its commercial property divisions…The depth of resources within the department translates into high-quality advice and many decades of combined experience. We live in a world now where clients expect excellent service but also increasingly quick turnaround times and B P Collins delivers both.” Another adds, “B P Collins are open to exploring ideas and creative ways to overcome

B P Collins has offices across the Thames Valley and London with clients across West London and beyond. For further information, please visit bpcollins.co.uk. 42

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complexities. As a client, I feel that there is always a solution to a legal challenge we face.”

Individual ‘Band 1’ rankings David Smellie, corporate and commercial partner; Alex Zachary, environment partner; Jo Davis, employment partner; Craig Williams, dispute resolution partner and Rajiv Malhotra, construction dispute resolution partner, all maintain ‘Band 1’ rankings. Simon Deans, senior partner, explains what the rankings mean for the firm and clients: “Our recognition in Chambers UK is a testament to the trust our clients place in us. It also reflects our commitment to giving clear, skilled advice and achieving results that matter to the people and businesses we support.

news

The Duchess of Edinburgh visits UWL The Duchess of Edinburgh visits UWL to celebrate the Ealing SEND Partnership Charter Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh recently joined businesses, community organisations and charities at the University of West London to find out more about the Ealing SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Partnership Charter and to unveil a plaque, to launch the Charter. The Charter was established by Ealing Council, UWL, West London Business, West London Chambers of Commerce, Ealing Business Club and the Ealing SEND Network to help address the low employment rate among people with learning disabilities in Ealing, which stands at just 2.2%, compared with a London average of 7%. It encourages employers to create more opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including work experience, supported internships, apprenticeships and paid employment. During the visit, The Duchess heard directly from young people with SEND, employers and local organisations about the barriers to employment and how the right support can help people develop their skills and build successful careers. The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the talent of the local SEND community. The Duchess watched a boccia match involving UWL and PACE Charitable Trust, which enables people with disabilities to participate in sport and leisure, followed by a signed dance performance from IMPACT Theatre, a user-led charity that builds communication and self-confidence through the creative arts. The formal launch included a film and discussion exploring SEND experiences in the workplace, demonstrating how inclusive employment can build young people’s confidence and independence while giving employers access to talented and committed staff. It also highlighted the practical help available to organisations seeking to create successful opportunities. UWL’s Supported Internship Programme has already helped young people develop their skills and confidence through workplace placements, with graduates progressing into paid employment at organisations including Equans, Mencap and Next.

Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of UWL, said: “Every young person, regardless of need or background, should have the opportunity to develop skills, contribute to their community and access meaningful employment. UWL is proud to be a founding member of the Ealing SEND Partnership Charter. By working together, we can help talented young people with SEND to thrive, progress and contribute to Ealing’s future workforce.” During the event, the Duchess addressed the audience saying: “Thank you to Ealing and everyone in this Borough for doing what you are doing for these young people. You’re giving people chances and it’s making a world of difference to them, to their outlooks and to their families.”

Thank you to Ealing and everyone in this Borough for doing what you are doing for these young people. You’re giving people chances and it’s making a world of difference to them, to their outlooks and to their families.”

In closing the event, the Duchess unveiled a plaque marking the launch of the Charter, as well as the opening of UWL’s new St Mary’s Road reception and the completion of the University’s campus transformation programme. Organisations signing the Charter can work with the Ealing SEND Network to identify suitable opportunities, match young people with roles and access continuing advice and job coaching. let’s talkbusiness

new members

Welcome to our New Members

Alesso Interiors Ltd

Sunny Virdee www.alesso.co.uk Premium fitted homes interiors such as TV walls, wardrobes and kitchens

Andrews and bar Ltd Lisa Andrews www.andrewsandbar.finance Mortgage and protection brokerage

Blue Garage Ltd Michael Korn www.bluegarage.org Innovation Hub/Production Site

Borderless Atelier Ltd/Royal Chou Janie Zhou https://royalchou.com Creating traditional Chinese silk embroidery kits, hand-embroidered scarves, and heirloom gifts

Born Again Productions PVT Ltd Sonia Gupta https://bornagainproductions.co.uk We facilitate full service on films, documentaries, short clips, videos and media production

Metteo Pefetti

Meena Jafferali www.northwoodtradingcentre.com

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Drowning in the lethal whirlpool of debt – our financial Charybdis by Justin Urquhart Stewart

West L Chamb of Com

“Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink” is a famous line from the 1798 poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A modern version would read, “Debt, debt, everywhere, nor any more to spend”.

Given that the USA will be having mid-term elections shortly, and closer to home our Chancellor’s Budget will be unveiled on the 28th October, perhaps both electorates should be made aware of the horrific levels of debt built up by both our nations. The numbers are almost mind numbing in their size. That means most of us don’t fully understand the danger of these figures. In fact, these numbers are not just large but potentially very dangerous. Essentially, the key numbers for both the US and UK are as follows:

this amount will be approximately £110 billion in interest, and again compare that with 2015. Then it was £34 billion - a mere trifle compared to today.

Before we flagellate ourselves for such inexcusable borrowing, however, we should recall that the globe had to go through the economic shut downs of Covid and the costs incurred managing our way through this. Many will castigate the politicians for being reckless in their spending to try to keep their economies afloat despite the global pandemic. Such is the wisdom of hindsight, but at that time no-one knew exactly what to do.

What is not just relevant but far more important is: how do we get out of the quagmire of debt pulling us ever deeper towards some form of financial default, not just domestically but around the globe? This will happen when there is a realisation that this debt level is unsustainable (much like the 2008 banking crisis and before that the dotcom bubble) and that this collective group of indebted nations are merely wealthy on paper. In reality, they are emperors without clothing. That then is the first sign of a global economic crash.

- US government debt is very nearly $40 trillion (or $40,000,000,000,000) and continuing to rise with no obvious brakes, controls or government policies being applied. That works out at $119,715 per citizen. Additionally, we should note that this costs $1.25trillion in interest each year which is approximately 18.5 per cent of all Government tax revenue – as recently as 2015 this figure was just $402 billion.

So, what can be done? The answer lies in that vital word “confidence”, without which no one will part with any hard-earned cash to prop up a discredited economic structure, be they a corporate or a nation.

- UK government debt is just below £3 trillion and rising, and to give some valid comparison, this works out at £43,165 per person. Obviously, the US figures are always going to be larger as it is the largest economy in the world, but the UK is still the 6th largest economy, having been recently overtaken by India. The servicing cost for

And we must find effective leaders ready to take bold decisions which are likely to be both painful and unpopular. One key issue is that our politicians generally have a horizon no further than the next election, whereas effective economic planning looks forward over decades, not years. This means that nations will have to learn the lesson of all households, which is to be

able to live within your means. So, what can a new order look like to try to rescue us from this peril which most have just ignored?

First, debt doesn’t have to be negative. If used constructively it can help an economy: borrowing to invest for the future of the country is good news. However, borrowing to service debt is simply wrong. Debt should never be seen as a salve to solve financial issues. Little is achieved by borrowing our way out one debt by applying another which may be more expensive – you don’t pay off your mortgage with your credit card! Secondly: tend the investment bed of your financial saplings – among these acorns will be the larger oaks of the future. Or to put it another way, the government should have the courage not to prop up yesterday’s aging industries (such as steel and car manufacturing plants), but to create the financial greenhouses (usually through providing tax breaks and incentives) to enable our seedlings to grow. It will require vision. Will any politician be able to step up to the mark?

Debt should never be seen as a salve to solve financial issues. Little is achieved by borrowing our way out one debt by applying another which may be more expensive – you don’t pay off your mortgage with your credit card! let’s talkbusiness

5 Who are you? Joanne Scully. A proud mum, businesswoman and owner of The Weir pub in Brentford. Hospitality has been part of my life for over 30 years, and with my family being in the industry for generations, it’s most definitely in my blood. However, above everything else, being a mum is my greatest joy to date. I’m also passionate about people, art, and music and this contributes to creating places where people genuinely enjoy spending time. I’ve always been independent and determined which, I feel, is needed in this line of work.

What’s your business all about? The Weir is an independent waterside pub in Brentford, full of history, character and individuality. For me, hospitality is about more than food and drink. It’s about atmosphere, attention to detail and making people feel truly welcome, whether they’re celebrating something special or simply enjoying a drink or two. As Brentford’s oldest pub, The Weir has an extraordinary history. J.M.W. Turner lived here in the late 1700s, and celebrating such artistic heritage is particularly important to me. We’ve recently refurbished our garden, Green Room and kitchen, and our next chapter is a ten-room boutique hotel with each room individually designed by an artist in residence. Overseeing this project and creating something that respects the building’s history is not only very exciting but a true privilege.

Three words to describe yourself? Passionate, resilient and fun. Being passionate about my projects means I give each one my everything. My determination and hard-work allows me to do that but I also know life is to be enjoyed so spending time with my friends and family is as important to

minutes with...

Joanne Scully Owner The Weir

me. Surrounding myself with positive, genuine people who inspire me bring me a huge amount of joy.

My grandmother taught me how to cook at a very young age - recipes I still use today.

Who is your ideal customer?

What is your philosophy in business?

Someone who appreciates and supports independent businesses and of course enjoys the experience of eating out, appreciates a seasonal menu, good service and beautiful surroundings - the whole package!!! I love that The Weir has customers who’ve been visiting for decades, with many becoming dear friends, and it’s a true privilege to be able to enjoy celebrations and special occasions with them.

Never stand still, never become complacent and always remember that people are at the heart of everything.

What is your biggest achievement? Without hesitation, my son. Watching him grow into the young man he is today makes me prouder than anything I’ve achieved professionally.

Who is your sporting hero? I don’t have a particular sporting hero, I admire anyone with discipline, dedication and resilience to reach the top of their game.

Seeing the pub full of people enjoying themselves chatting, laughing and returning year after year makes every challenge worthwhile.

The ability to overcome setbacks and keep pushing forward is something I really respect.

What is your biggest gripe?

What is your biggest tip for success?

Bad service, without a doubt! Great service isn’t complicated but you have to love what you do - A smile, a warm welcome and genuine enthusiasm is key. How you make someone feel is just as important as what you offer … and more. People with ambition, creativity and the grit and perseverance to follow their dreams. Art is another great passion. I love how it transforms spaces and brings people together. I’m also very proud of my Irish Heritage.

Being passionate about local independent business, and women in business, I try to support and encourage not only local business and the community but also women to pursue careers in hospitality. Above all, enjoy what you do. Life’s too short not to love what you’re building.

In business, I’m incredibly proud to have sustained The Weir for over 20 years. We’ve navigated recessions, the pandemic and rising costs, but we’ve continued to thrive.

Who or what inspires you?

Looking after your team is vital for a happy and successful business and every person in my team brings something fantastic to the party. You MUST also listen to your customers and keep evolving.

First and foremost you have to believe in yourself and your vision. Work hard and don’t give up when things get difficult… keep going. Be resilient, embrace change and trust your judgement. Surround yourself with people who share your values, stay close to your customers and never stop learning. For me, success isn’t just financial - It’s about building something to be proud of. And most importantly, remember to have fun along the way!

WEST LONDON HOSPITALITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2025 www.theweirbar.com • info@theweirbar.co.uk • 0208 568 3600 THE WEIR 24 MARKET PLACE BRENTFORD TW8 8EQ

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