OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR SOUTH EAST LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
HOSPITALITY
Rebuilding South East London’s hospitality sector with skills, innovation and festive energy.
ENVIRONMENT
Don’t be Linear, be Circular! Mark Jenkinson explains how businesses adopting circular practices find themselves better equipped to navigate market volatility and respond to change.
FINANCE
Shortlists, Not Shopping ListsDaren Wallbank, Chartered Financial Planner, Ginkgo Financial on Smarter Ways to Choose Professional Partners.
Kemi Madumere
Director and Founder of Brighter Futures, talks about helping people with learning disabilities have their chance to really shine
Partner with Brighter Futures Building inclusive Talent Pipelines
across London
Brighter Futures College is a DfE Section 41-approved specialist post-18 institution preparing young adults with learning disabilities for real employment and independent living.
Through Brighter Futures Recruitment, we connect trained, work-ready candidates to inclusive employers across hospitality, retail, floristry, and community services.
Forward-thinking partners including Claridge’s Flowers, Southern Housing, and Peabody already collaborate with us — gaining motivated team members, fulfilling social-value commitments, and transforming lives in the process.
Why partner with us:
• Access reliable, pre-trained candidates
• Boost your social-value and ESG impact
• Receive on-site job-coach support
• Join a network of employers reshaping inclusion in the workplace
Welcome to the autumn edition of Masthead, the official magazine of the South East London Chamber of Commerce. As we reflect on the past quarter, I’m proud to celebrate the energy, collaboration, and leadership that continue to shape our Chamber’s work across Royal Greenwich, Lewisham, Bexley, Bromley, and Croydon.
This summer has been a season of connection and impact. Our Summer BBQ provided a relaxed and lively setting for members to build relationships, while executive lunches with London Deputy Mayors Howard Dawber and Tom Copley offered valuable insights into the Capital’s strategic priorities. We also hosted Link ’n Drinks evenings, a Cybersecurity Webinar, and the Lewisham Giving Workshop, each designed to foster dialogue and strengthen our business ecosystem.
Editorial and General Enquiries
South East London Chamber of Commerce, Heron Room, The Nest Community Building and Library, 3 Cygnet Square, London SE2 9UH
We were proud to support memberled events including the elegant Vice-Chancellor’s Dinner at the University of Greenwich, the inspiring London Biggin Hill Sunrise Challenge, and the record-breaking Lewisham Business Awards, which saw over 2,200 nominations. We’ve also engaged with the Opportunity Bromley team, explored Bexley’s 2050 vision, and deepened our understanding of AI at the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s business breakfast.
As we move into the final months of 2025, SELCC continues to deliver a vibrant programme of events designed to connect, inform, and empower our members:
Link ’n Drinks Networking Evenings
• Greenwich – Tuesday, 4 November at Davy’s Wine Vaults
• Lewisham – Wednesday, 12 November at Everest Inn
• Bexley – Wednesday, 19 November at The Star, Sidcup Place
• Bromley – Wednesday, 26 November at The Bromley Court Hotel
• Lewisham – Chamber Christmas Lunch Thursday, 11 December at Everest Inn These informal gatherings offer a welcoming space for professionals to meet, share ideas, and explore new opportunities across boroughs.
We’ll also be continuing our executive-level engagements, building on the success of recent lunches with Deputy Mayors to ensure our members have direct access to London’s policy and planning leaders. Warm regards,
Christofi Christou President, South East London Chamber of Commerce
Publisher Ian Fletcher
Benham Publishing Limited
Aintree Building Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ
As I sit in front of my computer screen proofing Issue 36 of The Masthead, my mind has been drifting back to Autumn 2016 when I first met with Benham Publishing, specialist publishers of chamber and professional magazines. Prior to this the Chamber had had a printed newsletter called the Masthead for many years, some issues of which I edited until the Board made the decision to go solely digital and this worked well for many years. However, when I took over the role of President, I felt there was the need to have a hybrid: a quarterly premium quality hard copy business magazine which would in addition be available in a digital format Benham’s Sales Director Karen Hall came down from their Liverpool HQ for a meeting to sign the partnership and we began working on the first edition which was published in February 2017.
Since then, the Masthead has been a showcase for businesses across the five boroughs in
south east London. Each edition has ‘the big interview’ with a leading light in the local business community; it covers topics of general interest to business as well as news from the five boroughs; specific member company news and it provides information about SELCC events both past and future.
In case you missed them all previous editions of the Masthead can be found on Benham’s
website which can be accessed from the Chamber’s own website.
All good things come to an end, and it was with a heavy heart that I decided the time had come for me to end my 20 year+ long relationship with the South East London Chamber of Commerce.
Thus, it was that I stood down from the Board at the AGM on Wednesday, 8th October along with Louise Wolsey, LSEC; Yildez Betez, Thackray Willams LLP; and Neil Coates, LSEC who had been co-opted. Asfa Sohail, LSEC has joined the board along with Mary Ivers, University of Greenwich and Susan Collins, Thackray Williams LLP. Yildiz Betez has been co-opted by virtue of her specialist legal knowledge.
Helen McIntosh
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations; College Fellow London South East Colleges, Chair of LASER Education Foundation; Lewisham College Local Board; Christ the King Local Board; Former President, Strategic Partnership Director, Editorial Director of the Masthead, South East London Chamber of Commerce.
The Masthead has been a showcase for businesses across the five boroughs in south east London. Each edition has ‘the big interview’ with a leading light in the local business community; it covers topics of general interest to business as well as news from the five boroughs; specific member company news and it provides information about SELCC events both past and future.
WSUP celebrate with fundraising ball
Woolwich Services Users Project (WSUP) are celebrating the huge success of their Charity Ball which took place at Charlton House on Saturday, 20th September. Donations are still rolling in and their first fundraising ball raised £11,000 to continue their lifechanging work with the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Over the past 20 months, they have supported over 800 people and served over 17, 000 meals. In July and August this year they welcomed 49 new guests; of those, 41% were sleeping
rough, 10% were sofa surfing, 16% were living in temporary accommodation and 22% were women.
WSUP is the chosen Charity of SELCC and a number of members helped with food, wine, organising the ball and photography. One Chamber member, Diego Gomes, Fast Shield gave a large donation to fund the ball and at the event, he pledged £300 a month from the business to help WSUP to open for another service day which costs over £700 to open for one additional day of service per week. WSUP are looking for new Trustees and if you are interested in joining their Board, please contact: info@wsupwoolwich.org
A Fresh Taste of Success: Woolwich Works Welcomes New Catering Partners
Woolwich Works, South East London’s award-winning cultural and events venue, has announced a new line-up of catering partners, further strengthening its reputation as one of the capital’s most dynamic spaces for corporate hospitality.
The refreshed roster includes KERB, The Clink Events, First Choice Caribbean Hut, Dinner Ladies, London Basque Kitchen, and Boulevard Events – a carefully curated selection of suppliers chosen for their quality, innovation, and commitment to sustainability and social impact.
From street food collectives to fine-dining specialists, each brings a distinctive flavour and ethos. Long-term collaborators KERB and The Clink Events continue to combine great food with meaningful community engagement – supporting emerging traders and creating employment opportunities for prison leavers. They’re joined by exciting new partners including local favourite First Choice Caribbean Hut, known for its warm hospitality and authentic Caribbean dishes, and two women-led businesses: Dinner Ladies and London Basque Kitchen, both celebrated for their creative, globally inspired menus. Rounding out the list
is Boulevard Events, experts in large-scale, sustainably delivered catering for up to 2,000 guests.
Head of Events and Commercial Development, Nikki Smith, said:
“What unites these caterers is a shared passion for incredible food and genuine hospitality, coming together to make every event here unforgettable. Whether you’re planning a corporate celebration or a festive feast, this new ine-up promises something truly special.”
As the festive season draws near, Woolwich Works is making it easier than ever for companies to celebrate in style with its new Christmas party packages. For the first time, parties can be booked into the Visitors’ Book Café, offering an inviting and affordable way for
Reinvesting in the local community
The Albany is a a multi-arts centre based in Deptford. We are a hub for artists and cultural organisations, hosting events and performances, providing advice and support, and amplifying the incredible creativity incubating on our doorstep every day. Over the past three years, we have worked with more than 1500 talented artists and provided more than 4000 hours of paid work for local young people.
We offer an unparalleled variety of unique event spaces, from meeting rooms for two people to a theatre space that can host 250. We also have rehearsal studios, offices, a community café, garden and even a rooftop ball court! When you visit us, you can enhance your experience by adding a workshop with one
of our talented creative friends, or a catering package featuring delicious homemade food made from ingredients grown on site.
We’re committed to accessibility in all its forms, and were the first Arts Centre to achieve Gold on Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice.
As a charity and a social enterprise, all income from venue hire is reinvested into our work.
We’d love to help you shout about this, and we are able to report back to you on how your spend at our venue supports a variety of social impact KPIs. When you choose us and our spaces, you’re directly investing in the South East London community.
teams to come together for a fun evening by the riverside. Guests can choose from relaxed café gatherings with hot buffets and music to spectacular banquets in the historic Fireworks Factory, with packages starting from just £13.50 per person. It’s the perfect opportunity for businesses to enjoy great food, a warm atmosphere, and unbeatable value as they raise a festive cheer with their colleagues.
Keeping South London Businesses Connected Beyond the BT Switch-Off
The UK’s BT landline and ISDN network will be switched off by December 2026, yet more than 2 million UK businesses still rely on these legacy systems. Many risk losing their phone and broadband services entirely if they don’t act soon.
That’s where Palace Prime IT, based in Crystal Palace, steps in. Founded by Eamon Bradley - a South London local, lifelong Crystal Palace supporter, and telecoms industry leader with over 20 years’ experience at BT, Vodafone, and InMobi - Palace Prime helps local SMEs future-proof their communications and IT before the switch-off deadline.
We deliver seamless upgrades to fibre broadband, VoIP telephony, mobile solutions, Microsoft 365,and cybersecurity - all on one simple monthly plan. As trusted partners of Wavenet, Focus Group, Vodafone, and BT, we bring enterprise-grade connectivity with a community-first approach.
Don’t get caught out by the BT switch-off!
Book a free connectivity audit today and keep your business connected, secure, and compliant well into 2026 and beyond.
T 0203 475 4769
E info@palaceprime.co.uk
W www.palaceprime.co.uk
Photo
Photo by Elena Ledgister
Thamesmead shortlisted for Government’s ‘New Towns’ programme
Thamesmead has been shortlisted as a potential ‘New Town’, which could see up to 15,000 new homes built for local people.
The riverside location is one of just 12 ‘New Towns’ the Government is considering creating to help meet national housebuilding targets and its potential far exceeds the minimum target of at least 10,000 homes for each of the possible sites across the UK.
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: "This is fantastic news for Thamesmead and the borough. We have consistently demonstrated our ability to deliver quality affordable housing developments. This recognition shows the confidence the Government has in our track record of tackling the housing crisis and getting things done for residents."
Councillor Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, said: “We know how much potential there is waiting to be unlocked in Thamesmead, and we’re thrilled the Government also recognises what a key role it could play in delivering up to 15,000 new homes.
“Earlier this year, the council welcomed fresh investment for our long-championed campaign to extend the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead. The New Town regeneration and potential rail link would create new jobs, new housing and boost business to an area that benefits from better transport links.
"Thamesmead represents one of the largest regeneration areas in London and we will continue to work together with our partners the Greater London Authority, Transport for London, Peabody and Lendlease, to realise its full potential for existing and new communities.”
Thamesmead Waterfront is a joint venture between Peabody and Lendlease. The proposals would see the 100-hectare site developed into a modern, vibrant riverside community.
Refreshed grants for Lewisham businesses driving positive local action
New rounds of funding under the Climate Grant programme have been announced by Lewisham Council to help local organisations and businesses act on climate change and build a more inclusive, sustainable borough.
From improving energy efficiency and reducing waste to repairing second-hand items, growing food locally and helping people save money – these initiatives have proven to deliver meaningful benefits for the community.
There are two funding streams available this October. The third round of Community Energy Fund grants is now open for applications. With the second round of Repair, Reuse, Recycle business grants open from Monday 20 October, during Circular Economy Week. Both funding opportunities will close on Monday 8 December 2025.
The Community Energy Fund grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 and are available for local organisations (schools, community groups, charities and faith organisations) running projects that will:
• improve energy efficiency in homes or buildings
• promote clean energy solutions like solar panels
• reduce transport-related energy use
• educate and inspire action on climate change
There are nine Repair, Reuse, Recycle grants of up to £3,000 (as well as wrap-around support) available for businesses, social enterprises and CICs working to:
• reduce waste and single-use plastics
• grow food locally
• encourage repair and reuse
• develop innovative ways to repurpose waste
All projects must take place within Lewisham and demonstrate clear benefits to the local community.
Deputy Mayor Louise Krupski, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Climate Action said: “These grants reflect the Council’s commitment to innovative, inclusive and practical climate solutions. By investing in local action, we aim to reduce fossil fuel use, tackle fuel poverty and create conditions for lasting positive change within the community.”
Councillor Ese Erheriene, Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Skills, said: “In Lewisham, we are working to build a more resilient, inclusive and ambitious local economy. These grants enable businesses to contribute to that vision and lead the way with practical, innovative solutions.”
Croydon awarded £21.5 million to boost community spaces
Croydon has been selected for major investment through the Government’s new Pride in Place Programme, aimed at revitalising high streets, improving public spaces and strengthening community pride. The borough will receive £1.5 million over two years through the Pride in Place Impact Fund, supporting improvements such as refurbishing community buildings, enhancing green spaces and upgrading district centres.
In addition, New Addington North has been named as one of only two London neighbourhoods to benefit from the long-term Pride in Place Programme, receiving up to £20 million over 10 years to regenerate the area.This builds upon the work the Council has already been doing in the area – £223,000 of improvements in the district centre through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF); nearly £100,000 invested in community safety activities for young people since 2023; restoring pride through our blitz clean as well as longer opening hours at New Addington Library.
Croydon also held the first New Addington culture programme this year – ranging from music workshops with young people, to the National Gallery visiting as part of the Art Road Trip project.
It is understood that the Pride in Place programme will be led by a Neighbourhood Board, bringing together residents, councillors, MPs, businesses, and community organisations to shape a 10-year vision for New Addington North. The Council awaits full details and the governance arrangements around the scheme.
Funding will focus on three key goals: building stronger communities with a sense of belonging and safety; creating thriving places with vibrant high streets and quality local amenities; and empowering people to shape the future of their neighbourhood.
The board will develop a regeneration plan which will set out priorities based on what communities choose on how and where funding is spent. Plans are expected to get under way by late 2026, with delivery beginning in 2027.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “I’m delighted that New Addington North has been recognised for long-term investment. We’ve already made progress alongside local residents and partners and I am committed to continuing that collaboration, to make improvements that will help our community to thrive.”
Image by Wikicommons
Ask an Expert
Partner and Head of the Private Client team at Amphlett Lissimore, Akilah McEwen, explains gifting a property and what needs to be considered beforehand.
What does it mean to gift a property?
A client will often ask whether they can transfer a property that they own to their children for inheritance tax purposes. They are doing this to reduce the size of the estate when they die. Although this can be done, as solicitors, we always stop to ask why.
Can I gift a property to a Limited Company?
A property can be gifted to an individual, to a trust, or to a Limited company if you don’t continue to retain a benefit from it. This means that you should not continue to receive an income from the property or dividends from the company once it has been transferred. If you continue to receive a benefit, then this will not be a valid gift for the purposes of inheritance tax and the property value will be classed as part of your estate on death.
When a property is gifted, do you pay taxes?
When a property is gifted to an individual or a company, capital gains tax is due. Capital gains tax on residential property is taxed at a rate of 28% on the gain after any allowances are deducted.
When a property is gifted into a trust, there is an immediate charge to inheritance tax on the amount over the nil rate band (£325,000) and inheritance
tax is charged at the lifetime rate of 20%. If you die within 7 years from the date of the gift, then the other 20% is due to equal the death rate of inheritance tax. Capital gains tax is charged on disposal of the property by the trust.
What should you consider when gifting a property to a family member?
We always consider why someone would like to gift a property to a family member. What is the reason? Can the goal be achieved in any other way?
When gifting any asset, you should consider your care needs in the future. If you apply for help with care costs later in life, then the local authority has no limitation on how far back they look. If they consider that you have deliberately deprived yourself of assets to avoid paying care fees, then they will include the value of the property in your financial assessment meaning that you may not be entitled to help with care costs from your Local Authority. It is always best to talk through your situation and options with a solicitor to avoid any nasty surprises further on down the line.
How can I leave my property to my child without inheritance tax?
At present, each individual benefits from a ‘tax-free’ allowance of £325,000 which
is known as the nil rate band. If you are married and you leave everything to your spouse, then this allowance will be carried over and on the second death the children have use of a nil rate band totalling £650,000. In April 2017 the government brought in the additional allowance for individuals who die, leaving a property, which they have lived in, to their direct descendants (children, grandchildren, stepchildren). This offers a further allowance of £175,000. If you are a couple this totals £350,000.
To summarise the ‘tax-free’ allowances for a couple with children total £1 Million (provided their estate is less than £2.35 Million). This combined allowance covers a large proportion of the population when it comes to inheritance tax.
Is it better to gift a property or leave in a will?
If you own a property that you do not live in and you do not need to collect the rental income from then it is better to dispose of this property during your lifetime, reducing the value of your estate - providing you have sufficient sums to pay the Capital Gains tax. If however, you own one property that you live in then it is far better to gift your property by Will.
Focus on Lewisham
RECORD-BREAKING AWARDS highlight value of Lewisham’s businesses within local community
Lewisham Council’s Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards are an annual chance to recognise the hard work, creativity and resilience of Lewisham’s business community. Lewisham is home to a vibrant mix of independent businesses that help drive growth and create opportunities for local communities. These awards celebrate their incredible impact.
With over 2,200 residents engaged in the nominations period earlier this year (nearly double the previous year’s total) and almost 7,000 votes already cast for this year’s finalists, it’s clear that residents and businesses alike are invested in the success of their local business community.
This year, there are ten exciting award categories:
• best sustainable business
• best online business
• best new business
• best in creative sector
• best high street business
• best café
• best restaurant
• best bar, pub or night time economy business
• best independent business
• best market
The awards strengthen Lewisham’s sense of pride and community. As Mayor Brenda Dacres put it, “Our local businesses are the heart of Lewisham. The Mayor’s Business Awards are our way of saying thank you (and to) shine a light on the people who make this borough thrive”.
Councillor Ese Erheriene, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Skills, recognises that Lewisham’s independent businesses are “driving local economic growth and creating opportunities for our communities”. By celebrating these achievements, the awards encourage investment, innovation and collaboration across sectors.
Part of this collaboration is through sponsorship opportunities, where businesses align their brand with this celebration of local excellence, gaining exposure through banners, digital screens, printed materials and
hosting opportunities. This not only supports the awards financially but strengthens the mutual support that runs through Lewisham’s business community.
The ceremony itself, held in November at Catford’s iconic Broadway Theatre, is a high-profile event that brings together entrepreneurs, sponsors, council leaders and community members. It’s a chance to network, share ideas and build partnerships. Last year’s event drew over 300 attendees, and this year’s promises to be even bigger.
But the impact goes far beyond the ceremony. The awards help raise the profile of local businesses, giving them exposure across council channels, social media, and local press. Shortlisted businesses receive marketing toolkits, posters, postcards and digital assets to help promote their nomination, boosting their online and offline visibility and customer engagement. This kind of recognition can be a game-changer for small businesses trying to stand out in a competitive market.
Over the last two years, past Mayor of Lewisham Business Award winners have been featured as faces of the Council’s flagship ‘shop local’ campaign, Discover Lewisham. Originally launched in 2022 to promote the borough as an events destination during the London Borough of Culture programme, Discover Lewisham has since evolved into a wide-reaching initiative that champions local businesses, visitor attractions and events. The campaign has achieved significant visibility, with over 40 billboard sites this year alone, including a major site in Waterloo with an average daily footfall of around 650,000 people, and press in neighbouring boroughs. Online, the business spotlight feature films accumulated over 40,000 views and a swell of positive local engagement.
So, the Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards are far more than a pat on the back, they are a platform and opportunity to help businesses grow, connect and thrive, while reinforcing Lewisham’s reputation as an exciting, impressive and entrepreneurial borough, with a lot to offer.
Investing in our communities and businesses
By Executive Mayor Jason Perry
Croydon was the first borough in London to launch a local Growth Plan earlier this year – backed by nearly £40m of funding from the government, Growth Zone funding and other sources. It is all about kickstarting regeneration and restoring pride in our borough.
Our Plan is already making a real difference – not just in the town centre, but across our district centres with funding from UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). We have invested £3.2m on 15 projects, with a further £1.4m committed for this financial year, bringing the total to £4.3m. All the projects support my commitment to creating a cleaner, safer Croydon and to help restore pride in the borough.
This year we teamed up with the Thornton Heath community to transform an overgrown patch of land in into a new learning garden for local school children. Colliers Water Garden is now a secure green space with bug hotels, raised beds filled with edible and sensory plants, and areas for play and exploration.
Other UKSPF-funded projects were in Purley, with new public art, lighting, and green space upgrades, in partnership with Purley BID (Business Improvement District); a history project and new wayfinding signage in Selsdon; the refurbishment of the market square in New Addington, and electrical works to support a new night/weekend market with London Road Traders Association in West Croydon. All projects were shaped by residents and local groups, focusing on community, local businesses and skills.
In our plans for 2025-26, we will continue to help Croydon’s businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive – by offering 1-2-1 business support and workshops and specialist support for female entrepreneurs. Opportunities will be created for vulnerable young people who are not in education or work (NEETs), whilst those looking to start a business can access advice and events through my Executive Mayor’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy, for 18-35-year-olds. I established the Academy with our partners in 2023 to support Croydon’s next generation of entrepreneurs and I look forward to meeting the next cohort and finding out about their ideas.
We will also be making improvements to town centres and public spaces in New Addington, Thornton Heath, Coulsdon and South Croydon. It is vital that the regeneration of our high streets happens across the borough, benefiting all our residents and businesses.
Reviving historic Allders building
As part of the regeneration of our town centre, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has launched Allders Parade – a new selection of shops and places to eat, located in Croydon’s landmark Allders building. It’s a big step forward for The Croydon Project – URW’s wider plans for the revitalisation of the North End area of the town.
The first to open was Miniso, a lifestyle and cosmetics store, and Sky. I was delighted to see long queues of shoppers through the town on opening day, and to experience the buzz that the project has returned to the town centre. Further new shops will be opening in October including, Abaci, a women’s fashion brand, Isle of Flowers, Coco & Nut café, and Meltin’ Moments, an ice cream shop that was once part of the original Allders store.
Take off for London Gatwick project
The Government has given the go-ahead for the Northern Runway Project at London Gatwick –a big win for jobs and growth in South London. We’ve built a strong relationship with the airport, officially signing an economic growth charter in 2024. Since then, we’ve been working together to open up opportunities for Croydon – from jobs and apprenticeships to investment and support for local businesses.
In 2024–25 alone, 131 young people from Croydon had the chance to apply for apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and internships. Croydon-based businesses also benefited from retail supply chain opportunities, bringing in £265 million to our local economy and supporting 3,680 jobs for residents.
With the runway expansion now moving forward, we’re excited about what’s next – more jobs, more investment, and even more opportunities for Croydon and South London.
Croydon: Game On!
The Develop Croydon Conference returns to Fairfield Halls on Thursday 6 November 2025, and this year’s theme is all about momentum. Now in its 16th year, it’s time to hit play on Croydon’s next chapter - driven by fresh investment, bold ideas, and major infrastructure plans.
At the heart of it is my Town Centre Vision and Growth Plan, which tie in closely with the London Growth Plan’s aspirations to deliver new homes, boost inclusive growth, and create thriving, well-connected communities. I am really looking forward to joining local businesses, partners, and guest speakers to celebrate what Croydon’s achieved and to help shape what comes next.
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Noreen McKechnie tells Karen McLauchlan how, in the face of tragedy, she started Diamond Search Recruitment and with resilience and commitment created a company dedicated to excellence, finding new recruits who are the perfect fit all while being an inspiration to her own family.
There’s no doubting Noreen McKechnie’s passion for finding people their perfect job – or her drive to be the best in business.
With more than 25 years’ experience in recruitment, she talks enthusiastically about building strong relationships and finding people new career opportunities.
“I still get that same sense of satisfaction finding the perfect person for a role and being able to deliver the good news they’ve been offered the job,” said Noreen, who is Managing Director of Ashford-based Diamond Search Recruitment."
And it is that tenacity and determination, in even the most difficult of times, that led her to establish the company in 2017.
“The business was set up in really difficult circumstances when I tragically lost my husband,” explained Noreen. “Things were very financially challenging and I had two young boys aged seven and ten who were my priority –and still are.
“I needed to work but also be there for my children, so setting up the recruitment agency – using all I knew and was good at – meant I knew it would be a success and also give me a work-life balance.”
Experience, professionalism and quality have been at the heart of the company since day one with a real focus on customer care.
A corporate member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), Diamond Search Recruitment is also a Patron of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, which Noreen says is something she is “really proud of”.
The company’s team of seven has decades of experience, specialising in recruitment across a range of sectors including legal/professional services, sales and marketing, business support, technology, construction engineering as well as health and social care.
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“Running a small business is incredibly challenging in many ways but I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved. We get a lot of
recommendations and referrals which is testament to our great work.”
Challenges for the sector, for some customers, include the increase in the National Living Wage (NLW) and employers’ National Insurance (NI) contributions, presenting several financial and operational challenges for businesses. Additionally, the rapid advancement and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies mean that we are seeing some automation of roles, and technology evolving faster than educational systems and workforce training can keep up. However, recruitment is an exciting, busy market; it is highly competitive and rapidly evolving. Every industry needs great talent... and that’s where Diamond comes in.
In-demand areas for Diamond include legal services, where need accelerated during Covid. “Engineering is also very busy right now,” said Noreen, “according to a recent report, 20 per cent of engineers will retire in five years, so there is a big skills shortage and demand for new talent.”
“We have recently launched our health and social care offering, an area that continues to be busy. AI and cyber security will be future focus areas for us.”
Diamond Search Recruitment predominantly looks after clients in the Kent community.
“There is nothing better than going on site to meet our customers, exploring their business, meeting the team and discovering their company culture first-hand,” said Noreen.
“Recruitment is a competitive sector, but being a small business with strong local knowledge means we can offer real insight of the market. In terms of our talent pool, not only are we aware of candidates who are new to the market and looking for roles, we know about passive talent, people who might not be completely active on the market but are open to hearing about an exciting opportunity.
“For us it’s all about being consultative, working as a trusted advisor and developing longterm relationships. It’s so much more than a person’s skill set, it’s whether they’llfit in with a company’s culture, its core values and do their goals align. It’s a fully matching process.
“You spend half your life at work, it’s got to be the right job. Which is why it still gives me such a great sense of fulfilment.”
Diamond Search Recruitment has been a Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce member since it was established but became a Patron at the end of 2024.
“The Chamber is great for business networking” said Noreen. “Face-to-face interaction is so important and we get out to as many events as we can. It’s helped us form vital business relationships.
“Being a Patron shows we’re a recognised and trusted expert in the recruitment and employment services industry and it means we can get even closer to businesses and work to support them. We’d love to be working with even more companies who need help or advice with recruitment.”
Noreen is also Co-Founder of Diamond Singles, a Kent based singles events business, launched in 2023.
Noreen says the years since 2017 have been a “real journey” and being a positive role model for her boys – now aged 16 and 19 – is what really matters to her.
“Working for yourself does give you that freedom and flexibility and you are able to concentrate on family as well as business.
“Plus, the reason for what I do is right in front of me. Everything I do is for my boys. They are my absolute motivator, they are what drives me.”“My eldest son now has the mindset to run his own business and is off to study business and entrepreneurship at university.
My youngest will also be studying business and mathematics A-Level’s from September.
I couldn’t be more proud of both of them.”
Businesses in Royal Greenwich grow from strength to strength thanks to UPKSPF government support
The Royal Borough of Greenwich continues to deliver business support to local SMEs and nonprofits in its mission to create an inclusive local economy built on enterprise, equity and strong social value.
The extension of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to March 2026 has provided another £191,000 for business support. This will enable the council and its delivery partners to maintain support for startups, stimulate high street spending, develop the cooperative sector, strengthen local supply chains and expand the number of accredited London Living Wage small businesses.
Since 2022, UKSPF has enabled Royal Borough of Greenwich’s cooperative approach to community wealth building, including support for food businesses hit hard during Covid and the cost-of-living crisis, a generative startup programme which provides seed funding and help the local supply chain do more business with the council and Anchored in Greenwich partners.
Over 900 local businesses have received advice and guidance, and 106 grants have been issued. A total of £30,000 has been paid directly since September 2024, with fifteen local businesses and community interest companies receiving microgrants in March this year –ranging from £500 to £1,000 – for equipment, materials, supplies, venue hire, training, volunteer expenses, community engagement, website development and even essential items for families in need.
There have been 32 grants awarded to local businesses for achieving London Living Wage accreditation via UKSPF and Royal Borough of Greenwich will be proudly supporting London Living Wage Week this November.
The council runs a series of Business Breakfasts, a free quarterly networking forum centered on a particular theme –such as sustainability, procurement and most recently, artificial intelligence – connecting local entrepreneurs and the third sector.
Gary Parker of CNT Associates, commissioned by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to deliver
support to businesses with a social purpose, was guest speaker at the event in July, which coincided with Cooperative Fortnight. CNT Associates has supported 45 non-profit startups and businesses so far, setting up eight new businesses last year and a grant programme which has allowed 25 organisations to access up to £2,000. This support has led to further success: Rooted Wisdom is an educational and youth development initiative specialising in anti-racism, Black British culture, family and individual therapy and mentoring. CNT Associates helped Rooted Wisdom develop an income development strategy and facilitate fundraising, including a £19,000 grant from the National Lottery.
UKSPF has resulted in over £600,000 capital investment in town centres and local shop parades, with improvements made to Cutty Sark Gardens in Greenwich, Leslie Smith Square in Woolwich and Arnott Close in Thamesmead. Cutty Sark Gardens had extensive lighting installed to improve visibility after dark. Leslie Smith Square was landscaped to transform an unused paved area into a vibrant children's play zone with planters introduced to separate it from the carpark. Arnott Close had a bespoke module ramp installed from Titmuss Avenue to the shop parade forecourt to improve accessibility,
particularly for wheelchair users. Royal Borough of Greenwich collaborated with Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency and Peabody to involve the local community in the co-design. The series of Eltham Weekender events, organised in conjunction with the Eltham Town Centre Partnership, not only attracts more people to the town centre but encourages visitors to shop locally and extend their stay to support the nighttime economy. UKSPF has also supported a way-finding programme, in partnership with Visit Greenwich and Volunteer Centre Greenwich, to recruit volunteers who help visitors navigate their way to Greenwich town centre whilst the Cutty Sark DLR station is closed for an escalator upgrade.
Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business, Skills and Greenwich Supports said: “We are committed to providing secure job opportunities, creating vibrant and prosperous high streets, attracting high value business and strengthening the voluntary and community sector.
“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has had a very real impact across the board, from enabling entrepreneurial endeavours to improving public spaces, providing financial support to helping employers pay their staff livable wage. It has been crucial in kickstarting economic growth and fostered a collaborative and empowering approach to business which has direct benefits to local people.”
Stay up to date with business news in Royal Greenwich: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/business-bulletin
FOCUS on Bexley Regenerating ERITH
The project to regenerate Erith has taken significant strides over the last few months with progress being made to secure more funding for the town.
Alongside the Erith Town Partnership and other partners, Bexley is working hard to deliver a better town centre to cater to the current and future needs of the town’s residents.
In July, Erith Town Centre was one of 12 London high streets selected to receive £50,000 in funding through the High Street Place Labs (HSPL) initiative. Meanwhile, a bid has been made to the Greater London Authority’s Green Roots Fund to develop plans over the next two years to transform London’s longest pier into a greener, more inclusive, sustainable and communityfocused destination.
The HSPL funding will support the borough’s plans to develop a high street engagement strategy to drive further regeneration in Erith. The Council has appointed an engagement specialist to work closely with residents, businesses, and town centre users as part of a series of workshops over the coming months.
It is hoped this initiative will act as a catalyst for further investment, helping to transform Erith into a more vibrant and thriving town centre.
The funding for the HSPL initiative has been provided by the Mayor of London. The London Borough of Bexley has submitted a £300,000 bid to the Greater London Authority’s Green Roots Fund to develop plans to transform London’s longest pier into a greener, more inclusive, sustainable and communityfocused destination.
This exciting project already has the backing of 17 partner organisations, including the Environment Agency, Thames Estuary Partnership, the Port of London Authority, the RNLI and WM Morrisons supermarket.
It will deliver a new multi-layered vision for Erith Pier and its surroundings, aiming to restore and enhance shoreline habitats to boost river biodiversity.
It aims to create safer and more inclusive access for all, strengthen climate resilience through new tree and shrub planting and open up opportunities for education and research that deepen our understanding of the Thames’ unique ecology.
In doing so, we hope to create a cleaner and healthier river, increase interest in this important natural resource,
deliver a high quality public area for everyone to enjoy and ensure the pier becomes a sustainable and well-run facility in partnership with the local community.
The Greater Erith regeneration programme is already delivering improved public spaces, such as Riverside Gardens, a new square at the pier entrance, improvements to Walnut Tree Road, and the opening of a new community space on Pier Road, named 68.
The improvement of the pier structure and associated habitats will be Bexley’s next step.
The pier has already seen various festivals on the site, proving popular among residents with events such as the Erith Pride parades.
Its location offers unrivalled opportunities for public access to the river and could become a fantastic destination for those looking to appreciate the Thames in all its glory.
Partners supporting the bid include: Environment Agency, Thames Estuary Partnership, Port of London Authority, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, WM Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Thames21, Orbit, London South East Colleges, The Exchange, GCDA, Erith Town Partnership, Peabody, London Borough of Bexley Public Health, Friends of Riverside Gardens, North West Kent Countryside Partnership, Cory Environmental Ltd. and Thamesmead’s Best Beaks.
A decision on the Green Roots Fund bid is expected in November 2025.
Bromley’s armed forces commitment achieves national Silver Award
Ongoing work to support the armed forces community across the London Borough of Bromley has led to further national recognition, with a Silver Award accreditation being achieved by Bromley Council just one year after the Bronze Award.
Bromley is one of only seven London authorities to achieve the Silver Award through the Employer Recognition Scheme from the Ministry of Defence, for championing veterans and the armed forces community. This prestigious award recognises an exceptional level of support to veterans, service personnel and their families, for instance through workplace and employment best practice. Work is now underway to enhance this support towards Gold recognition, which all builds on the re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in 2023.
Councillor Mike Botting, Armed Forces Champion said: “I am proud this important milestone has been reached as the council continues to develop its support for the armed forces community in Bromley. We rightly show our appreciation across the borough for those who bravely serve in our armed forces, including each year on occasions like Remembrance Sunday. But it is crucial that we go beyond this to make
sure the recognition and support is in place, so that those who have served and are serving, together with their families, feel welcomed and valued in Bromley.”
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said: “We are pressing ahead with this important work, including with our partners, as we strive to move beyond Silver recognition and ensure those connected to the armed forces are supported in Bromley when needed. I encourage other businesses and organisations across the borough and beyond who have not yet done so to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, so we can better come together and help support those to whom we owe so much.”
The Council was amongst 22 organisations to receive the award this year at a ceremony
held recently for the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. There are more veterans living in Bromley than any other London borough, estimated at 2.5% of the population at the last census, over 6,500 veterans. There are also dedicated Army Cadet, Air Training and Sea Cadet Corps also active across Bromley.
The council uses various channels to help share information to assist the armed forces community, including having shared reservist recruitment opportunities through the borough-wide Our Bromley magazine and by providing local armed forces information and advice online at www.bromley.gov.uk/ArmedForces
This is in addition to the employer best practice involved in the award, for instance on all recruitment adverts the Council states its involvement in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme and its status as forces family friendly organisation that welcomes applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners. Updates are also shared with Council staff relating to armed forces support, including on the progress from the Council’s Armed Forces Working Group and encouraging attendance at the Council’s flag raising ceremonies for Remembrance and Armed Forces Day.
Tax revolution ahead for the self employed and property owners
by Andy Fuller, Outsourced Business Services director, McBrides Accountants
Over the next three years, a revolution is coming for self employed people and property owners in the way they report their taxable income.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) will mandate most people who make their own income outside of PAYE (except for partnerships, trusts and estates) to embrace cloud accounting and say goodbye to paper receipts forever.
This is the biggest change we’ve seen in decades. It’s not just a case of ensuring that all your accounting records are maintained digitally, there’s a significant change in habit from April next year as people will need to make quarterly returns to HMRC rather than a single return once a year.
Who will it affect?
The income threshold (initially £50,000 gross) is applied to the following income types:
• Self Employment (excluding partnership income)
• UK property
• Foreign property.
The changes will also apply to smaller businesses and property owners in the coming three years as the threshold drops in 2027 and 2028, pulling in people earning £30,000 gross (i.e. ignoring costs) from April 2027, and £20,000 gross in April 2028.
What can you do?
The first step is to understand whether you are within the mandated change, and which stage in the next three years it’s likely to impact you.
If your 2024/2025 tax return includes combined income over £50,000 from the income types above, then change is imminent, and you’ll need to start maintaining your records digitally from April 2026 with the first submission required by early August.
It’s important to understand where you are on the journey of making your accounts digitally savvy, so that you can plan now and act accordingly.
Secondly, it’s time to tidy up your financial records. Do you have a separate bank account for your business? If not, then it's essential to set one up now, because you won't want to separate out your business transactions from personal ones each quarter.
If you own property and run a business, you should hold a separate property account. The good news is that you can include multiple properties in this account.
Which cloud accounting software?
Lastly, before moving to the new reporting process, you’ll need to explore software options and find the right one for you, so it’s a good idea to consult your accountant before deciding.
Good software options include Xero, which offers comprehensive accounting and reporting, and the smaller Dext, which holds receipts digitally for you.
Benefits
There are other streamlining bonuses too.
If you’ve been running a sole trader business and keeping manual records, chances are you have those records somewhere. From April 2026, you won’t need to keep receipts after you’ve scanned them. Cloud accounting is also all about efficiency and timesaving, so you’ll benefit from spending less time on accounting.
MTD in its current guise only covers individuals so LLP structures and partnerships, trusts and estates won’t have to act now. However, digitising receipts is an effective accounting practice and one we’d urge most people to embrace, regardless of whether they are being asked to ‘Make Tax Digital’ next April.
If you are digitally excluded or there are reasons why you can’t make the move to cloud accounting, then HMRC is currently allowing applications for exemptions.
Do speak to your accountant about this, sooner rather than later, if you’re worried that it’s not reasonable for you to use compatible software to keep digital records.
Overall, MTD for IT is a positive change for most people and provides opportunities. Embracing this mandated change can be to your advantage. With the change coming in April 2026, speak to your accountant to help you plan ahead.
Please contact Andy Fuller if you would like help with your transition to Making Tax Digital. You can reach him on 020 8309 0011 or andrew.fuller@mcbridesllp.com.
Nurturing potential to change lives for the better
Kemi Madumere, Director and Founder of Brighter Futures, talks to Karen McLauchlan about helping people with learning disabilities have their chance to really shine.
Within minutes of talking to Kemi Madumere, you can’t help but be inspired by her drive and passion to put people with learning disabilities on the path to a better future.
She is Co-founder and Director of several businesses that provide education, support and opportunities for adults with special needs to help them navigate their journey towards greater independence and fulfilment.
“Seeing people with learning disabilities go on to thrive in the workplace is what I love to see,” she said. “Seeing them flourish as confident, reliable employees is wonderful –and what inspires me to do more.”
Kemi stepped into the often challenging world of special needs support six years ago – a decision that has led to the evolution of a number of inter-connected Woolwichbased businesses which she runs with fellow Director, and husband, Chris.
Her journey started with Compass Supported Living, a provider of residential care and supported living in an around London – for those with complex needs or challenging behaviour.
“While we were supporting people with a place to live, we’d ask what they did during the day,” she explained. “Often the answer was ‘nothing’, which didn’t make sense to me. Because of their challenging behaviour there was nowhere for them to go which didn’t seem right.”
To solve that challenge we created the Brighter Futures Project, a life skills hub based in Woolwich. Through therapies such as gardening, music, cooking, art and computer skills, it nurtures personal growth and development.
“This is a place to make friends, enjoy new activities and learn life skills,” she explained. “But we also had very young adults coming to us who didn’t need to be in supported living and didn’t need to be in a day centre. They had the ability to work, but traditional colleges weren’t suitable. They needed somewhere else that would offer them time and patience to reach their potential.”
And so the Brighter Futures Specialist College was launched, providing vocational training to equip students with the skills and experience to thrive in the world of work
“Students spend 70 per cent of their time working and learning on the job and 30 per cent in the classroom,” she said. “People work in areas such as floristry, barista skills and catering – all practical roles. The longerterm ambition is to see them move into employment with another business. That’s the goal.”
This practical work ethos saw the launch in May 2023 of the Camouflage Café in Thamesmead which is staffed by young people with learning disabilities, so they gain real-life work skills while providing a bridge to employment opportunities.
And it’s this hands-on learning philosophy that has led to further partnerships –including a new collaboration with one of the biggest names in the hospitality sector.
“It’s been a good year,” smiles Kemi, “we’ve secured some ground-breaking partnerships which have been transformational for us including a collaboration with Claridge’s, which I’m so excited about.”
The world-famous luxury Art Deco hotel in the heart of London’s Mayfair has teamed up with Brighter Futures so students can work with the hotel’s floristry team helping create beautiful displays throughout the hotel.
Brighter Futures has also signed a partnership with Southern Housing where it is taking over an entire floor of its Bentham House over-55s independent living scheme in Woolwich where students will help run a restaurant, café, salon and a gym at the site which is home to almost 250 residents.
“We are aiming to go live in November and our young people will be working with industry specialists Monday to Saturday,” said Kemi.
“It’s a very exciting development for us and we can’t wait to get going with it.”
Brighter Futures is also extending its links with Peabody Community Foundation which supported us by giving a home to our Café Camouflage at the Mooring Sociable Club in
❛❛Being part of the Chamber is invaluable, it’s the perfect place to bridge that gap between education and employment. The Chamber gives us the chance to meet, talk and connect with businesses – it’s a meeting of minds and making decisions together, which is so important. ❜❜
Thamesmead where we started our very first barista internship program.
“Peabody has given us a community garden,” said Kemi. “We are planning a floristry course with Claridge’s that they will certify for us, plus we can grow our own fresh produce.”
Other 2025 wins include setting up a recruitment company and seeing the college gaining approval from the Department for Education.
In recent year’s Kemi’s hard work was recognised by SELCC when they won the Best New Business in the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards 2023. They were given free membership of the Chamber for a year and they continue to be a member.
“Being part of the Chamber is invaluable,” said Kemi, “it’s the perfect place to bridge that gap between education and employment. The Chamber gives us the chance to meet, talk and connect with businesses – it’s a meeting of minds and making decisions together, which is so important.”
Despite a hectic 2025 Kemi is still ambitious for more. “I’d like our model to be more widely adopted, for it to be the norm – seeing young people taking a more vocational route, but also seeing employers be more open to collaborating with us.
“There’s only 5.1 per cent of young adults registered with a learning disability in employment, which is a ridiculously low number. My ambition is to grow the school, have more branches across the country as well as more skills hubs. We already have
new hub locations in Lewisham and Lambeth. So we are growing.
“I’d like to strengthen our recruitment arm, so we have more partnerships with other organisations. I’d love to see more companies come on board with us. Working with someone like Claridge’s sends out an important message. If they can work with us, then so can any business.
“And I’d love to set up more social enterprises like the café. It’s so important for changing people’s perceptions and for people with learning disabilities to be seen and show what they can achieve.”
She added: “I work with students who’ve often been out of education, excluded, or found school completely overwhelming. Many arrive with no confidence and very few practical skills. But after just a short time with us, you see a transformation. Suddenly, they’re beaming with pride because they can make a latte or a tea, or take an order at the till. For them and their families, it’s not just a coffee — it’s proof they’re capable, valued, and moving forward.
“Parents’ reactions are also powerful. Many have been told other institutions can’t look after their child, perhaps they may have been excluded or expelled. Then we see them in tears because they’re being served a cup of tea, and they can’t believe it’s their son or daughter doing that.
“It’s very emotional for me when someone leaves us and moves on to new employment, but there’s an incredible sense of pride and joy.”
Party Conference Newbie hits Liverpool and Manchester
Liz Giles, Policy and Communications Director
at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, shares her first experience of political party conferences
As a former broadcast journalist, my experience of political party conferences was limited to watching them unfold from a newsroom in London. Fast forward to now, and I’m on a train to Liverpool heading to the Labour Party Conference in person for the first time. I’ve attended many conferences over the years, but none quite like this - with protesters outside and airport-style security checks to enter the ‘secure zone’ at the ACC Liverpool. Thousands of delegates filled the
King’s Dock site overlooking the River Mersey, creating an atmosphere that was equal parts energetic and intense.
On Sunday afternoon, the London Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion featuring our CEO, Karim Fatehi. He outlined how London’s business community can help deliver Labour’s growth mission, while emphasising that stability and certainty are essential to achieving it. With the Budget just weeks away, there is little doubt among businesses that any further tax increases would be highly detrimental to confidence and investment.
Armed with the official conference app, I scrolled through a packed four-day programme of main sessions and fringe events. Topics ranged from the skills gap and infrastructure policy to international trade
and fraud. At one session with Lucy Rigby KC, Economic Secretary to the Treasury on the panel, there were joined calls for a stronger, better-resourced regulator to coordinate the national response to fraud and financial crime. On the main stage, speeches centred on economic growth, national renewal, diversity, and the fight against racism.
Beyond the headlines, Business Secretary Peter Kyle shared a personal account of being diagnosed with dyslexia in his twenties and how his time working with Anita Roddick at The Body Shop shaped his career outlook. Nearby, Chancellor Rachel Reeves struck a lighter tone, discussing pizza, red wine, and her enjoyment of the Raye song ‘Escapism’. Networking opportunities abounded, from the Heathrow Lounge, where I brushed
shoulders with MPs, CEOs and parliamentary aides, to the more relaxed setting of RIBA North, where Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram made the case for ‘real devolution’.
With ‘Starmer 2.0’ in full swing, the Labour conference was clearly designed to project patriotism, fairness, and social justice, while countering divisive rhetoric. The party drew sharp lines between legal and illegal migration, focusing on protecting vulnerable people and tackling trafficking networks.
A week later, 35 miles up the M62 in Manchester, the mood shifted sharply, from centre-left optimism to centre-right realism, at the Conservative Party Conference. The city was on high alert following the horrific attack on a synagogue in Heaton Park, and the heightened security presence was unmistakable: concrete barriers and armed officers surrounded the venue.
Inside the ‘secure zone’, I walked past banners and screens that said ‘Stronger economy, stronger borders’. If Labour’s theme was growth, the Conservative’s was resilience in the face of economic challenge. Announcements aimed at tackling the UK’s ‘fiscal gloom’ included abolishing stamp duty on primary residences, scrapping business rates for high street shops and pubs, proposals to leave the ECHR, recruiting 10,000 new police officers, and launching funds for town centre regeneration and antisocial behaviour reduction.
Across the fringe sessions, concerns repeatedly surfaced about London’s global competitiveness. Kensington and Chelsea Council Leader Cllr Elizabeth Campbell warned that the capital risks losing long-term residents and high-value professionals to rival cities like Milan and New York. Gareth Bacon MP argued for targeted planning reforms - building homes where they’re needed most, not just where it’s easiest.
Logistics UK underscored the sector’s £170 billion contribution to the UK economy and its 8% share of the national workforce but also highlighted deep-rooted challenges.
Policy Director Kevin Green pointed to border friction, planning delays, inadequate driver facilities, and fragmented coordination between authorities as persistent barriers to growth.
At a forum on skills and education, Cllr Louise McKinlay of Brentwood and Hutton called for better alignment between employer needs and workforce capabilities. Speakers championed compressed highereducation models to speed up entry into the workforce and urged employers to take a more active role in schools beyond traditional careers advice.
While Labour’s conference in Liverpool focused on national renewal, fairness and inclusion, the Conservatives in Manchester centred their message on fiscal discipline, tax reform, and competitiveness. Both parties sought to demonstrate economic credibility ahead of the next Budget, but through strikingly different policy routes.
Liz Giles attended the Labour Party Conference, which was held from Sunday, September 28 to Wednesday, October 1, and the Conservative Party Conference, which was held from Sunday, October 5 to Wednesday, October 8.
Beyond the headlines, Business Secretary Peter Kyle shared a personal account of being diagnosed with dyslexia in his twenties and how his time working with Anita Roddick at The Body Shop shaped his career outlook. Nearby, Chancellor Rachel Reeves struck a lighter tone, discussing pizza, red wine, and her enjoyment of the Raye song ‘Escapism’.
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REIMAGINE BANKING A NEW WAY TO BANK
Steve Chu, Head of Commercial Banking at iFAST Global Bank , talks to Sarah Dale about the benefits for SMEs to banking with a global digital bank and the value of face-to-face networking in the local community.
Reimagine Banking– that is the strapline of iFAST Global Bank. The global digital bank has been designed to make banking easier for SMEs by creating one account for transactions and savings with multiple currencies.
It is part of iFAST Corporation, a global digital banking and wealth management platform, which has its headquarters in Singapore.
Established in 2000, the Group offers a comprehensive range of investment products and services to financial advisory firms, financial institutions, banks, multinational companies, as well as retail and high-networth investors across Asia.
In 2022, iFAST Corporation acquired a UK bank and rebranded it as iFAST Global Bank. It provides multi-currency deposits, domestic and international payments, and foreign exchange services. Regulated by both the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), iGB operates across three divisions:
• Digital Personal Banking – enabling individuals, including those abroad, to open a UK multi-currency current account.
• Business Banking – Two dedicated sub-divisions were established to serve distinct client segments: Commercial Banking, serving SMEs and corporates with domestic and cross-border payment needs, and Transactional Banking, supporting regulated financial institutions including banks and NBFIs.
• EzRemit – delivering fast and convenient global remittance services.
Steve Chu, Head of Commercial Banking at iFAST Global Bank, said: “There are many ways our vision of iFAST is changing the landscape of banking. Our customers can have a multi-currency business account, which is very beneficial to companies which operate worldwide. Customers can also benefit from having their current account and savings account as one account which is particularly beneficial for SMEs and start-ups so they don’t have to juggle funds around accounts while earning interest.
“We want to simplify banking and make it easier for SMEs. What customers are looking for is a trustworthy bank.”
Face-to-face contact is important to us. We believe that even though we are a digital bank, the human connection is a key and valuable point to establishing a positive relationship with customers.❜❜
Steve worked in banking in Hong Kong in wealth management and investments before moving to the UK in 2021 to work for HSBC UK. He joined iFAST Global Bank in 2023 and built the personal banking team and, along with CEO Inayat Kashif, established the commercial banking team.
iFAST Global Bank is based in the UK at Canary Wharf and has a team of 70-80 employees. In November, they are moving to a larger office, which is double the size of their current space, within the same building to support their growth and are also recruiting to grow the team.
As well as the UK team, iGB has a team in Asia, including an IT team in Malaysia and an additional customer services team in Malaysia.
“Having customer service teams based in both the UK and Malaysia mean that our customers can reach us whatever time of dayit is and from wherever they are based,” adds Steve.
The company, which won the Best Newcomer Award at the British Bank Awards 2025, is on a growth trajectory, however, Steve says the challenge they face is raising awareness of how digital banking can benefit customers.
“Business banking can be quite traditional,” explains Steve. “Business owners are sticking with the separate current and savings accounts as they don’t realise there is an option like ours, which makes banking simpler. It is quite a new concept.
“We are new to the industry, but at the same time, we are actively listening to our customers. We are growing our business and growing our customers’ businesses.”
They joined West London Chambers of Commerce two years ago.
“We became Chamber members as we are quite new to the area,” adds Steve.
“Face-to-face contact is important to us. We believe that even though we are a digital bank, the human connection is a key and valuable point to establishing a positive relationship with customers.”
Part of the ethos of iFAST is to give back to the community which they do in several ways, including supporting cultural events such as sponsoring the London Lunar New Year Fair, supporting the Miyabi Matsuri Japanese Summer Festival and this year, they will be sponsoring an Indian community event.
For the past two years, they have sponsored the Bessingby Park Rangers U9/U10 teams, and this year they will continue their support to encourage more children to enjoy and participate in football.
They also provide sponsorships for international student associations, helping students feel welcomed and supported in the UK.
https://www.ifastgb.com/en/commercial-banking
Elevating Our Mission: Introducing Elevare Civic Education Group
London & South East Education Group has entered an exciting new chapter in its journey, unveiling a fresh name and identity: Elevare Civic Education Group
The Group is a leading provider of education across the region, supporting more than 16,000 learners each year. It comprises a multi-campus further and higher education college, a multi-academy trust of 16 schools, and a charitable foundation – all united by a mission to transform lives through education.
This evolution reflects much more than a change in branding. It signals the Group’s ongoing commitment to raising aspirations, creating opportunities and driving social mobility across the communities it serves.
Why Elevare?
Elevare means to elevate or uplift, reflecting the Group’s vision of enabling learners of all ages and backgrounds to achieve their full potential. The addition of Civic highlights its role as a true anchor institution – a partner dedicated to creating long-term social impact, building community wealth and championing inclusive growth.
Dr Sam Parrett CBE, Group CEO, explains: “While our name is changing, our mission remains the same: to provide high-quality
education that transforms lives. Elevare captures both our heritage and our future ambition –supporting learners while opening new doors to opportunity.”
Over the past ten years, the Group has expanded significantly. It has seven college campuses and a 16 school multi academy trust spanning Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Surrey and East Sussex, with further growth planned in the year ahead.
The launch of the Group’s new charity, the LASER Education Foundation, has further extended its reach, funding projects that enrich education and expand opportunities in local communities.
What is staying the same?
While the Group’s overarching identity is evolving, its established entities will continue to deliver the same high-quality education and opportunities under their current names:
• London South East Colleges – providing further and higher education, apprenticeships, and skills training across the region
• London South East Academies Trust – a diverse network of 16 mainstream, special and alternative provision schools, enabling children and young people to thrive
• LASER Education Foundation – funding and supporting initiatives that create real social value and opportunities for local communities. This charity is chaired by Helen McIntosh, former President at the South East London Chamber of Commerce
Together, these organisations remain strong, established pillars of education, now proudly sitting under the banner of Elevare Civic Education Group.
As we look ahead, the Group is set to build on its strong track record of success. Its new name and identity reflect the progress made so far, and also highlight its ambition to continue driving transformation in education and beyond.
Digital channels are currently being updated to reflect the new identity. To learn more about Elevare Civic Education Group and its mission, visit: www.elevaregroup.org.uk
3000 Voices: Growing up in South East London
A major new report has captured the views of 3,000 children and young people across south east London, providing a valuable insight into their wellbeing and experiences of growing up
The study – 3000 Voices: Growing up in South East London – was carried out by the LASER Education Foundation, part of the newly renamed Elevare Civic Education Group.
Learners from across the Group’s schools and multi-campus college – aged 6 to 19, as well as 19–24-year-olds within specialist SEND provision – took part in the survey. Researchers used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including questionnaires, workshops and interviews, to build a rich and accurate picture of young people’s lives.
The report highlights the particular challenges faced by looked after children, LGBTQ+ young people and learners with SEND. Targeted support around mental health, family wellbeing and careers mentoring are among the key priorities identified.
Findings have been shared with local partners and stakeholders, with a roundtable discussion already held to explore the implications and identify opportunities for joint action.
These insights will also be used to directly shape the LASER Education Foundation’s future priorities and programmes, ensuring that support and investment are guided by what young people themselves have said matters most.
Key findings include:
• Loved and cared for: Most young people (87%) said they live with people who make them feel loved – a strong foundation of care and support. However, this figure falls for looked after children and those who do not identify as male or female, highlighting groups who need extra attention
• Family support: Over four in five (82%) felt their families had what they needed to support them. Yet for young people from lower-income families, LGBTQ+ learners and those studying English as a second language (ESOL), this support was less secure, showing where additional help could make a real difference
• Someone to talk to: A reassuring 78% reported having someone supportive in their lives, underlining the importance of trusted relationships. But there was a large drop of 30% in the percentage who agreed between the ages of 11 and 12/13, which is likely to be affected by the transition from primary to secondary school. Also learners with additional needs or in care were less likely to feel this, pointing to areas where more focus is required
• Education and aspirations: Three-quarters praised their teachers, reflecting the strength of relationships in schools and colleges. At the same time, many voiced worries about exams and careers – demonstrating both ambition and the need for sustained guidance as they plan for the future
• Wellbeing gaps: The majority reported positive wellbeing, but around one in five young people fell into the lowest wellbeing groups – a reminder that targeted support is vital to ensure no child feels left behind Dr Sam Parrett CBE, CEO of Elevare Civic Education Group, said: “We asked young people to tell us about their lives, their challenges and their hopes – and they have been incredibly clear. This report gives us a strong mandate to act, and we will be using their voices to shape the priorities of the LASER Education Foundation. By sharing these findings with our partners, we can work together to make sure every child and young person in south east London has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.”
The full report is available on our LASER Education Foundation website: www.lasereducation.org.uk
Rebuilding South East London’s hospitality sector with skills, innovation & festive energy
As the festive season approaches, hospitality businesses across South East London are preparing to welcome guests with immersive experiences, seasonal menus and community cheer. Twinkling lights, winter festivals and bustling venues will soon fill the boroughs with warmth and celebration. But behind the sparkle, the sector is undergoing a quiet yet powerful transformation –driven by workforce development, digital innovation and a renewed focus on resilience.
From the riverside charm of Greenwich to the vibrant high streets of Croydon and Lewisham, hospitality remains a vital part of South East London’s local economy and cultural identity. The sector provides thousands of jobs, supports local supply chains, and plays a central role in community life.
Yet, like many regions across the UK, South East London faces a complex set of challenges: staffing shortages, shifting customer expectations, rising operational costs, and the need to future-proof operations in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Navigating a changing landscape
Hospitality businesses in Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, and Lewisham are navigating these challenges with remarkable creativity and determination.
The most pressing issues include:
• Talent shortages and high staff turnover, which have intensified post-pandemic.
• Evolving customer expectations, with guests seeking more personalised, experience-led hospitality.
• Rising costs, from energy bills to supply chain pressures.
• Localised competition, as businesses vie for footfall and loyalty in densely populated boroughs.
Despite these hurdles, the sector is showing signs of renewal. Hospitality businesses are embracing new strategies to build resilience and drive growth.
❛❛Workforce development is at the heart of the sector’s recovery. Local colleges and training providers are working closely with employers to offer tailored hospitality training, apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities.
❜❜
Five key areas are leading the way:
1. Investing in skills and talent
Workforce development is at the heart of the sector’s recovery. Local colleges and training providers are working closely with employers to offer tailored hospitality training, apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities. Initiatives like the Hospitality Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) are helping rebuild the talent pipeline, offering jobseekers practical experience and pathways into long-term employment.
Chamber members are actively engaging with these programmes, recognising that investing in people is essential to delivering quality service and sustaining business growth.
2. Embracing technology
Digital transformation is reshaping the way hospitality businesses operate. From mobile ordering and contactless payments to automated booking systems and AI-powered customer service tools, technology is helping streamline operations, reduce pressure on staff and enhance the guest experience.
Many venues are also using data analytics to better understand customer preferences, optimise menus and tailor marketing campaigns. These innovations are not just about efficiency – they are about creating smarter, more responsive hospitality environments.
3. Fostering workplace wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of business success. Flexible working arrangements, mental health support and inclusive workplace cultures are helping improve staff retention and morale.
Hospitality businesses are prioritising employee engagement, offering training, recognition schemes, and opportunities for career progression. This shift is helping to build more sustainable teams and reduce the churn that has long plagued the sector.
4. Creating distinctive experiences
Experience-led hospitality is on the rise. Venues are leveraging South East London’s rich cultural heritage and diverse communities to offer unique, memorable experiences. Whether it’s themed dining, live music, art exhibitions or immersive pop-ups, businesses are finding new ways to connect with guests and stand out in a crowded market.
This approach not only drives footfall but also strengthens local identity and pride – turning hospitality into a celebration of place.
5. Strengthening local collaboration
Collaboration is key to overcoming shared challenges. The South East London Chamber of Commerce is playing a vital role in connecting businesses, education providers and local authorities. Through networking events, training programmes and advocacy, the Chamber is helping members access resources, share best practices and celebrate innovation. This spirit of partnership is fostering a more united and resilient hospitality community across the region.
Several hospitality members of the South East London Chamber of Commerce are setting the standard for excellence and innovation:
• The Clarendon Hotel, Blackheath
A historic hotel offering elegant accommodation and event spaces, known for its commitment to customer service and community engagement.
• Bromley Court Hotel
A long-standing venue with beautiful gardens, popular for weddings, corporate events, and festive dining experiences.
• The Kings Arms, Bexleyheath
Step into a world of festive entertainment at The Kings Arms! Our events lineup promises nights filled with laughter, fun, and unforgettable memories. Enjoy side-splitting moments at Comedy at the Kings, or test your luck and wit at our Bubbles and Bingo. For film aficionados, our Sunday Cinema Club offer a cosy retreat with handpicked holiday classics for families to enjoy. Music lovers can sway to the rhythms of live music performances, and for those with a competitive spirit, our Christmas quizzes promise both challenge and cheer.
• The County Ground Beckenham
This versatile facility offers conference and event organisers a range of options in its newly built function centre.
The redeveloped Beckenham Ground includes: a 2,000-seater stand, an indoor school with five cricket lanes which can also be used for netball, football, badminton etc., one 3G AstroTurf football pitch, two tennis courts, a basketball court & conference and banqueting areas that can host up to 200 guests.
• Celebrate the Magic of Christmas at DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich
This festive season, step into a winter wonderland as DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich transforms into a cosy holiday retreat. With twinkling decorations, heart-warming seasonal cheer, and the irresistible aroma of our freshly baked signature Chocolate Chip Cookies, the magic of Christmas is truly in the air.
Back by popular demand, our Festive Afternoon Tea returns with a delightful Christmas twist on a great British tradition. Indulge in a tempting selection of festive sandwiches, decadent cakes, and hot tea – the perfect way to treat your sweet tooth and warm up on a cold winter’s day.
Looking for something a little different? Unwind with friends over festive drinks and nibbles at the stylish O1 Lounge Bar, or go all out with a grand celebration in our dazzling O4 Room, ideal for unforgettable holiday feasts and festive parties.
Whether you're planning a cosy catch-up or a sparkling seasonal soirée, our specially crafted Christmas menus offer something magical for every occasion.
Let us make your Christmas one to remember—festive, flavoursome, and full of cheer. LONGW_CB@hilton.com
These members are not only delivering memorable guest experiences, but also actively shaping the future of the region’s hospitality sector through innovation, collaboration and leadership.
❛❛As Christmas draws near, South East London is preparing to dazzle with a host of festive events that showcase the sector’s creativity and community spirit: Greenwich Winter Time Festival, Bromley’s Christmas Lights & Market, Lewisham’s Festive Forest, Croydon’s Boxpark Winter Events, and Bexley’s Hall Place Illuminations.
As Christmas draws near, South East London is preparing to dazzle with a host of festive events that showcase the sector’s creativity and community spirit: Greenwich Winter Time Festival, Bromley’s Christmas Lights & Market, Lewisham’s Festive Forest, Croydon’s Boxpark Winter Events, and Bexley’s Hall Place Illuminations.
These events bring people together, drive footfall to local businesses and reinforce the role of hospitality as a cornerstone of community life.
Hospitality in South East London is more than a collection of venues – it’s a dynamic force in our economy and culture. This festive season, as guests gather under twinkling lights and enjoy seasonal menus, they’ll be experiencing the result of months of planning, training and innovation.
For Chamber members, it’s a moment to reflect, recharge and look ahead to a more resilient, inclusive and thriving future. With continued investment in people, technology and collaboration, South East London’s hospitality sector is not just recovering, it’s reinventing itself for the better.
The Kings Arms, Bexleyheath
Whether you’re planning a corporate meeting, team-building day, or a festive celebration, The Bromley Court Hotel offers the perfect setting.
Corporate Events & Meetings
Host productive sessions in our versatile conference spaces with natural light, modern AV facilities, and dedicated support
Day Delegate Packages from £45 per person | 24hr Rate from £185 per person
Team Building & Away Days
Boost morale and creativity with bespoke packages designed to inspire and energise your team.
Christmas Party Packages
Celebrate the season in style with festive décor, delicious dining, and sparkling entertainment for a night to remember. With elegant rooms, beautiful gardens, and professional service, we make every event effortlessly special.
Party Night Packages from £50 per person 02084618600 (option 2)
Whether you’re holding sales meetings, training sessions or a small conference, we offer a selection of packages and rooms for your delegates. Planning a larger conference? Create the perfect business setting and opt for our superb day delegate package.
Christmas at The County Ground
Whether you’re looking for a shared party night or a private celebration, The County Ground has a range of fabulous festive packages designed and wrapped up for you to enjoy. Blue light holders get a 5% discount. We would be delighted to show you around and discuss your plans. Our friendly and helpful staff will guide you through our different options to make your event unforgettable.
For the first time ever, our beautiful riverside Visitors’ Book Café is available to hire for private Christmas parties!
Looking for something bigger?
Host a show-stopping evening with dinner and dancing in the stunning Fireworks Factory and Courtyard.
From intimate gatherings of 10 to spectacular celebrations for up to 2,000 guests - Woolwich Works is the place to be this festive season.
Prices from just £13.50/person + VAT
WDon’t be Linear, be Circular!
October has effectively become Circular Economy month for the South East London Chamber of Commerce (SELCC).
By Mark Jenkinson, Director, Crystal Associates and Vice President,
e started the month with an introductory webinar on the circular economy and are due to end the month with a circular economy conference at IKEA Greenwich on Thursday 23rd October as part of London Circular Economy Week (#CEweek2025).
So, what is the Circular Economy (CE), I hear some of you ask!
Here’s a brief description from CE expert and fellow Chamber member, Elodie Baran.
“The circular economy is all about making the most of what we've got and keeping resources in play for as long as possible. It's a golden opportunity to rethink how we
SELCC.
create value, build stronger relationships, and uncover new resources, all while cutting costs.
Businesses adopting circular practices find themselves better equipped to navigate market volatility and respond to change. They discover fresh revenue streams, drive down expenses, and gain the satisfaction of
contributing to a more sustainable future. In today's business landscape, that's not just good ethics – it's smart strategy.”
Circular economy webinar
In the webinar on 1st October, Elodie and colleague Anne Barrett shared that in the UK we throw away £22 billion worth of edible food, £4.5 billion in clothes and £2.5 billion in furniture every year.
The linear economy, sometimes referred to as the take-make-waste economy, is a system where resources are extracted to make products that eventually end up as waste and are thrown away. It is a polluting system that degrades natural systems and is the driver of global challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss.
However, using resources more efficiently as part of a circular economy system approach has the potential to deliver a £25 billion GDP boost to the UK economy by 2035, as well helping the environment. We also heard of a simple case study of a café which avoided 85,000 paper cups, 1 tonne of waste and 4t CO2 by taking three circular economy principles of refuse, reduce and reuse.
If you missed the webinar, it’s well worth watching the recording.
New Sustainability page!
So where can you find the webinar recording? You can always go to the usual place under the helpfully named “RECORDED WEBINARS” section on the Main Menu of our website.
But now you have no excuse as we’ve created a new “SUSTAINABILITY” tab. (https://www.selondonchamber.org/ sustainability/)
Here you can find this and our other sustainability-focused webinars, as well as summaries and reports from our sustainability tours and events – such as the Greener Greenwich Summit –previous editions of this ‘climate column’, member case studies, links to what our five boroughs are doing in respect to sustainability and links to useful tools and resources.
Sustainability Tour - Cory
One tour you will see featured on the new web page is our visit to Cory.
On 7th August, SELCC Sustainability Group members and other practitioners made their way to Cory’s energy from waste (EfW) facility in Belvedere in the borough of Bexley where around 25% of London’s waste is turned in to heat.
As well as experiencing the waste journey in the Riverside 1 facility, we saw Riverside 2. When complete, the new facility will be one of the largest and most efficient EfW facilities in the UK, processing 650,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste generating enough electricity to power 176,000 homes each year.
We also heard about plans for a green innovation hub including a major carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, which could capture c. 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 per annum by 2030.
Anchored in Greenwich (AiG) Decarbonisation sub-group
On 1st September I chaired the first AiG Decarbonisation sub-group on-line meeting. Organised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, attendees included representatives from Alcatel Submarine Networks, London South East Colleges, South East London Community Energy, and the University of Greenwich.
Topics and projects discussed included the decarbonisation of homes (including skills development), decarbonisation of non-domestic buildings, the calculation of Scope 3 emissions, roll out of green travel plans and of course, circular economy!
What’s
next?
As already mentioned, we will be holding the Circular Economy conference at IKEA Greenwich on Thursday 23rd October as part of London Circular Economy Week (#CEweek2025) –possibly as this latest edition of The Masthead is at print.
On Wednesday 12th November, we plan to hold an ‘Introduction to Solar’ webinar with SELCC member Green Shield Group and SELCE (South East London Community Energy). Solar was one of the 17 initiatives proposed at the Greener Greenwich Summit 2024 and is hugely topical for a number of Chamber members.
And although 2026 may feel a long way away, I am super excited to share we will be holding an Executive Lunch on Thursday 29th January with the London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban MBE. Put the date in your calendar and check out the website to book your seat.
And finally (or not!)
Following a circular economy system approach isn’t just for one week or one month – it needs to become business as usual.
So maybe take Elodie and Anne’s advice shared in the webinar and take some simple steps: map your value chain, pick one opportunity to minimise waste and/ or maximise resource efficiency and then “learn and expand”.
Shout if you need help and make sure you join us at future events.
Shortlists, Not Shopping Lists: Smarter Ways to Choose Professional Partners
By Daren Wallbank, Chartered Financial Planner, Ginkgo Financial
Running a business means making choices every day about who to trust. Lawyers, accountants, IT providers, insurers — the partners you choose can make or break your success. And as we all know, labels don’t always tell the full story.
Biggest isn’t always strongest. Familiar doesn’t always mean right. And in financial advice, “independent” doesn’t always mean what people assume.
One of the first questions people ask us is: Are you independent or restricted? Independent sounds like it must be better — more choice, more freedom. But in reality, the difference is more about process than principle.
Think of it like hiring
When you recruit, there are two common routes.
One option is to handle it yourself. You advertise the role, review CVs, and build a shortlist of candidates you know or like the look of. That’s a bit like how many independent advisers work: they narrow the field themselves, drawing on their
knowledge, experience and perhaps a research tool such as Morningstar.
The other option is to use a specialist recruitment agency. They start with the full pool of candidates, apply structured screening and governance, and then present you with a refined shortlist. That’s closer to how Ginkgo Financial’s restricted model works. Through Quilter — one of the UK’s largest wealth managers — every provider and product is researched, tested, and monitored before it even reaches our panel. And if the panel isn’t right for you, we still have the option to go wider. Both approaches can produce strong candidates. The difference lies in who builds the shortlist, and what safeguards and resources sit behind it.
Why this matters for business leaders
The same principle applies in every professional decision. Too much choice can look attractive on paper, but what most business owners really want is quality over quantity — a shortlist they can trust, without wasting time on unsuitable options.
That’s why the process matters. Who is doing the filtering? How robust is their research? How resilient is the organisation behind them? Those questions are just as relevant when choosing an adviser as when appointing a supplier or senior employee.
How this plays out in financial advice
Independent advisers are free to recommend from across the whole financial marketplace. But in practice, no one adviser can realistically research every option for every client. Most create a personal shortlist of platforms and funds they know and trust — which they then use repeatedly.
At Ginkgo Financial, our shortlist is built differently. Quilter starts with the whole market, applies rigorous research and independent oversight, and produces a vetted panel. That gives our clients the reassurance of depth, consistency, and ongoing monitoring. And because we can step outside that panel when necessary, flexibility is never lost.
So both independent and restricted models involve curation. The real question is whether you prefer a list created by one adviser, or one backed by a team of experts with the scale, structure, and governance of a FTSE 250 company.
A final thought
At Ginkgo Financial, we believe restricted doesn’t mean fewer options — it means better ones. For our clients — many of them local business leaders in South East London like you — it’s about having confidence that every recommendation has been properly vetted, while still being tailored to your unique situation.
If you’d like to talk about how our approach works in practice, I’d be glad to explain it in person.
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Making the right connections
Each month the Chamber hosts a variety of events which offer members a superb opportunity to meet and chat to fellow business people. Here, we review a few of our past events.
Lewisham Link ‘n
Drink
at Everest Inn
Wednesday, 6th August 2025
Members and guests joined us for a lively Link ’n Drink evening at Everest Inn, Blackheath, bringing together a fantastic mix of local businesses for relaxed networking and conversation. Attendees enjoyed the chance to connect with new contacts, potential clients, and suppliers in a friendly, informal setting.
Bexley Link ‘n Drink at The Kings Arms
Wednesday, 13th August 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Bexley Link ‘n Drink at the Kings Arms. We met with both members and non-members from across the five boroughs we represent, and a special thank you to the Kings Arms for hosting us for our regular meetups.
Renewing Your Business Lease Webinar
Wednesday, 3rd September 2025
Our recent webinar, in partnership with Thackray Williams LLP, delivered valuable insights for business owners and tenants alike. Legal experts Yildiz Betez and David Hacker guided attendees through the complexities of lease renewals, covering everything from negotiating key terms and understanding protected versus unprotected leases, to managing dilapidations and avoiding costly pitfalls.
Business Breakfast with Gareth Bacon MP at BR6 Restaurant
Friday, 12th September 2025
In early September, members gathered for our Bromley Business Breakfast at BR6 Restaurant, hosted by London South East Colleges and joined by Gareth Bacon MP. As the first in our new political roundtable series, Gareth reflected on key developments since his last visit and engaged in a lively discussion on the current economic and political climate.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for members to share their perspectives ahead of the upcoming Budget while enjoying a delicious breakfast prepared by LSEC’s talented students. Our thanks go to Thackray Williams LLP for sponsoring, our hosts at LSEC, and everyone who joined us for an engaging and insightful morning.
Photos: Warren King Photography
Executive Lunch with Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business
Croydon Town Hall
Wednesday, 18th September 2025
Members and guests gathered in the elegant Croydon Town Hall for an SELCC Executive Lunch with Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business, and Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon. Howard shared his perspective on growth, investment, and the future of SMEs across London, while listening to local businesses discuss their challenges, opportunities, and ambitions for the years ahead.
The afternoon combined engaging discussion with great company, featuring a drinks reception, a two-course lunch, and valuable networking with organisations including London Biggin Hill Airport, Peabody, NatWest, Alcatel Submarine Networks Marine, Ravensbourne University London, University of Greenwich, Nat West and Drury Tea & Coffee Co Ltd. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for an inspiring and enjoyable event.
The Business Risks You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Wednesday, 24th September 2025
In partnership with Ginkgo Financial, members joined us for an engaging and insightful session exploring the financial blind spots that many business owners overlook.
Expert panellists Daren Wallbank, Catriona Bryden and Rachael Childs shared clear, jargon-free guidance on succession planning, protection, and exit strategies, leaving attendees with valuable tools to make confident financial decisions for the future.
Circular Economy, Unlocking Opportunities
Wednesday, 1st October 2025
In partnership with Elodie Baran of Circular Economy College, members took part in an engaging session exploring how businesses can turn sustainability challenges into growth opportunities.
Building on the success of the Greener Greenwich Summit, this webinar unpacked the principles of the circular economy, highlighting how innovative resource management can cut costs, open new revenue streams, and future-proof operations against changing regulations.
Photo: Diagonal
The Power of Solar: What You Need to Know
FREE WEBINAR
Wednesday 12th November 2025, 10.30 – 11.30
Join our upcoming webinar to explore how solar energy can benefit your organisation. Whether you’re considering installing solar panels or simply want to understand the practical steps and funding options available, this 60-minute session will offer expert insights to help you make informed decisions toward sustainability.
Hear from Andrew Ladbrook, Regional Director at Green Shield Group, and Daniel Beaton, Solar Projects Manager at SELCE, as they share real-world examples, practical advice, and opportunities for local businesses to harness solar power effectively.
Don’t miss this chance to learn how solar can reduce costs, boost sustainability, and future-proof your operations.
Lewisham Link ‘n Drink
at the Everest Inn
41 MONTPELLIER ROW, LEWSIHAM SE3 0TJ
Wednesday, 12th November 2025, 18.00 – 20.00
Whether you're a member or not, come and connect with fellow business owners, suppliers, and potential clients over a relaxed drink at the Everest Inn in Blackheath.
Expect friendly introductions, a supportive atmosphere, and the chance to grow your local business network.
Bexley Link ‘n Drink
at The Star
Wednesday, 19th November 2025, 18.00 – 20.00 & Wednesday, 4th February 2026, 18.00 – 20.00
We’re pleased to invite you to a new venue, The Star in Bexleyheath, for an evening of relaxed networking.
Join fellow professionals and local businesses to meet new contacts, suppliers and potential clients over a casual drink. The evening will include informal networking, short introductions from attendees and plenty of opportunities to connect and share ideas.
This event is open to both members and non-members and is a great chance to expand your network and get to know your local business community.
Bromley Business Summit 2025 At Bromley Old Town
Hall
30 TWEEDY ROAD, BROMLEY BR1 3FE
Thursday, 20th November 2025
15.00 – 18.00
Join us for the first Bromley Business Summit, delivered in partnership with Clockwise and Opportunity Bromley. This afternoon event will bring together business owners, managers and entrepreneurs from across the borough to explore the themes of Talent, Trade and Transformation.
Expect engaging talks, Q&A sessions, networking, and exhibitor stands from local partners, plus tours of the beautifully restored Bromley Old Town Hall. Whether you’re established, growing or just starting out, this summit will connect you with the insights and relationships to help your business thrive.
Bromley Link ‘n Drink at the Bromley Court Hotel
Wednesday, 26th November 2025 & Wednesday, 18th February 2026, 18.00 – 20.00
Join us and fellow like-minded businesses for an evening of networking, and meet new business contacts, suppliers, and maybe even new clients, over a relaxed drink.
We will be holding our next Link ‘n Drink at the Bromley Court Hotel, where both non-members and members are welcome!
THIS EVENT IS FREE FOR BUSINESSES TO ATTEND
In partnership with:
Photo: Wikicommons
Bromley Office Drinks
Tax Efficient Succession Planning (Post-Budget)
At Thackray Williams LLP
15-17 LONDON ROAD, BROMLEY BR1 1DE
Thursday, 4th December 2025, 17.30 – 20.00
Join us for a timely and practical panel discussion following the November Budget announcement, sponsored by Thackray Williams LLP & McBrides Accountants LLP. Our experts will unpack the latest developments in inheritance tax (IHT), Wills and lasting powers of attorney (LPA), explaining what they mean for you and your business.
Gain valuable insights from Elliot Lewis (Thackray Williams), Masum Ahmed (McBrides Accountants) and Kamran Chughtai (Thackray Williams) as they share clear, actionable guidance on protecting your assets and planning for the future. Buffet and drinks included.
Exclusive to SELCC members and invited guests. Spaces are limited, so book early to secure your place.
Sponsored by:
Christmas Lunch 2025
At Everest Inn, Blackheath
41 MONTPELLIER ROW, LEWSIHAM SE3 0TJ
Thursday, 11th December 2025, 12.00 – 15.00
Celebrate the season with us at our annual Christmas Lunch. This festive afternoon is the perfect opportunity to connect with members, business partners and friends of the Chamber as we mark the end of another successful year and look ahead to 2026.
Hosted at Everest Inn, known for its exceptional Nepalese and Indian cuisine, the event will begin with a pre-lunch drinks reception, followed by a threecourse Christmas Lunch served with wine or soft drinks. Join us for an afternoon of good company, delicious food and a warm festive atmosphere.
MEMBERS: £50 + VAT
NON-MEMBERS: £60 + VAT
To book for our future events, please visit our website www.selondonchamber.org/events
Alcatel Submarine Networks: Greenwich's Global Leader
Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) based in Greenwich is a global leader with over 850,000 km of optical submarine cable systems laid across the world, nearly 21 times the Earth’s circumference. Serving telecoms, webscale providers, and offshore industries, ASN delivers bespoke turnkey undersea transmission solutions, supported by comprehensive project management, installation, and maintenance services. Its dedicated fleet of cable ships ensures reliable and efficient marine operations worldwide.
The French state, represented by the Agence des participations de l’Etat (APE), has acquired 80% share ownership from Nokia, securing ASN as critical suppliers in a unique and globally competitive market.
ASN continues to maintain its position as market leader and continues benefiting from the growth of the subsea cables market, as the demand for, and importance of, subsea cables has increased.
No matter where you are in the world, if you are using a device connected to the internet, there is a high probability that
you are using something that is made in Greenwich!
As ASN enters this new chapter of ownership, the Greenwich site continues to be of high importance for the future, with a strong forecast ahead. The anticipated rise in demand for these subsea systems calls for us to increase our sites operational footprint. To support this, ASN have taken a long-term lease of the former Meantime brewery site (Lawrence Trading Estate). The ongoing redevelopment of that site will occur in over the next few years.
No matter where you are in the world, if you are using a device connected to the internet, there is a high probability that you are using something that is made in Greenwich!
We are proud of the rich history that the Greenwich site shares for communication innovation from manufacturing the first transatlantic cable in 1858 to our global activities today. We are continuously investing and focused on the future, specifically new technologies that will help scientists combat climate change and enable carbon capture amongst other additions to our product portfolio.
On 9th October, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport added the Submarine Telephone Hauler and Gantry at Enderby’s Wharf to the Schedule of Monuments. We join the over 19,000 on the National Heritage List for England, which includes Stonehenge, Tower of London and Greenwich Observatory.
We are proud to attain this status, which serves as a reminder of the history of telecoms in Greenwich during the late 19th century. This site is a steel gantry and cable hauler situated on the jetty at Enderby’s Wharf, used for loading submarine telephone cables onto cablelaying ships moored in the River Thames. The gantry dates from between 1897 and 1907, while the cable hauler was installed in 1954 specifically to assist in the loading of TAT-1, the first successful transatlantic telephone cable, which went into operation in 1956.
In support of World Engineering Day 2025 (an International Day proclaimed by UNESCO), we produced a video with a
specific focus on our Greenwich site. This year’s theme is “Shaping our sustainable future through engineering”, highlighting the essential role that engineers, and engineering have in achieving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ASN are committed to sustainability and ensuring that, environmentally, we are responsibly installing cables and collaborating with suppliers to protect ocean ecosystems. This is in line with the
UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
ASN also recognise our significance the local/regional ecosystems and to that extent we work closely with the South East Chamber of Commerce to advance and accelerate innovation where possible and are a founding member of the Sustainability Group.
Peabody BUSINESS
FORUM
November Business Forum
How to out-story your competition with Jodie Newman
Are you an entrepreneur and business owner and leader looking for new innovative ways to tell the story of your business and gain competitive advantage in the marketplace? Join us for this eye-opening and practical session on how you can tell your brand’s story in a crowded marketplace.
Date:
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time: 5.30PM - 7.30PM
Venue:
Peabody Head Office, 45 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB
Register here:
Peabody x Newable Supply Connect Meet the Buyer Event
Peabody is partnering with Newable to deliver a Meet the Buyer event in South London (as part of the Supply Connect Initiative)
Date:
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Time: 9.00AM -12.30PM
Register here:
Hall Place & Gardens to be transformed into a fantasy lantern light trail
This November, Hall Place and Gardens will be transformed into a glowing world of fantasy as Alice and the Queen’s Beasts takes centre stage from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 November.
Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, this immersive lantern light trail invites visitors of all ages to explore a magical landscape of illuminated sculptures, playful characters, and interactive storytelling.
Funded by £100,000 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants, Night Visions brings together local arts and culture partners to deliver a series of light-themed events across the borough. Alice and the Queen’s Beasts is the first major installation in the programme, inviting visitors of all ages to journey through the rabbit hole and meet curious characters like the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, and more.
Produced in collaboration with outdoor arts company Same Sky, the trail will also feature bespoke lanterns created by Bexley schools and community groups.
Cllr Cafer Munur, Cabinet Member for Place Shaping, said: “Alice and the Queen’s Beasts
is a fantastic example of how we’re bringing our ambition for arts and culture in Bexley to life. Thanks to support from Arts Council England, we’re able to transform Hall Place and Gardens into a magical experience for residents and visitors alike.
“This event not only showcases the creativity of our local partners and community groups but also reinforces Bexley’s growing reputation as a borough where imagination and culture are part of everyday life. It’s going to be a brilliant night out and just one of many exciting moments in our #CelebratingBexley programme.”
Event details
Location: Hall Place and Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ
Dates: 13 to 16 November 2025
Time: 4pm to 8.30pm
Tickets: £12 adult / £8 child (3 to 15) / under 3s free
Riverside Café will be open for drinks, dinner, and snacks at the end of the experience.
Victorian chapel at Hither Green Cemetery reopens for services
With beautiful original tiled flooring and stained glass, the Victorian remembrance chapel at Hither Green Cemetery has now reopened after a six-year hiatus.
Built in 1873 by architect William Webster, the chapel has a gothic edifice and matching interiors. It can now be booked by mourners for funerals and memorial events. The venue is also available for hire for other events such as weddings or art exhibits.
Closed in December 2019 due to the COVID pandemic, the council saw an opportunity to invest in the building and update it, with modern audio-visual equipment and a more environmentally friendly building system.
Cllr Olaru-Holmes re-opened the chapel at a ribbon cutting ceremony on 17 September.
Bookings are now open for the space, which has a capacity of 75, with prices starting at £175 per event.
Cllr Oana Olaru-Holmes, Cabinet Member for Safer Lewisham, Refugees and Equalities, said: "This chapel has always been a special place for local families, and I’m delighted it can once again provide comfort and dignity at times of loss. Our investment protects its history while ensuring it meets the needs of today.”
People wanting to enquire about hiring the space can email bereavement@lewisham.gov.uk
Lewisham honours forgotten World War One heroes
Four forgotten fallen from WWI are set to be memorialised thanks to research by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and Lewisham Council.
During WWI, four soldiers sadly lost their lives after returning from duty and were buried in “pauper's graves” at Lewisham’s oldest cemetery, Ladywell and Brockley. These areas of the cemetery were common at the time due to the large numbers of casualties after the war and due to families being unable to afford a memorial, meaning their sacrifice was lost to time.
The men, whose records show were all from or lived in Deptford, were buried between 1919 and 1920 and now over 100 years later the locations of their burials have been found.
Researchers at CWGC have been collaborating with council staff to pore over death records, widows' pension records, old maps of the cemetery layout and together the teams are working hard to locate the exact locations of the graves within Ladywell and Brockley cemetery. The plan is to eventually install memorials at the sites to honour their names, ranks and regiments. It is known that their ranks include a Lance Corporal, a Gunner and two Privates.
The CWGC is now setting up an appeal to reach out to the families or interested parties of the soldiers to add to their memorials. Once the appeal has finished, the names will then be public on the CWGC website, and information added
to the headstones, which will be placed on their graves in a ceremony conducted by Lewisham Council.
The Friends of Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery have been involved in this drive to uncover the history of those laid to rest there.
Geoffrey, one of the members of the Friends group, said: “The Friends of Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries appreciates the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in locating graves which would benefit from the distinctive headstone. Members of the group have carried out extensive research of service personnel buried in the two cemeteries, as it is felt their service to the country should not be forgotten.”
Regional Operations Coordinator at CWGC Kevin Barnes said: “It is our first time working with Lewisham Council on commissioning war grave memorials. We are really looking forward to seeing what comes next.”
Cllr Oana Olaru-Holmes, Cabinet Member for Safer Lewisham, Refugees and Equalities said: “As a Council we understand the importance of remembering those who have sacrificed themselves for this country. We have been working hard to ensure that these men are remembered, and that future generations will be able to see their names memorialised within the beautiful peace of Ladywell and Brockley cemetery.”
Volunteer Centre Greenwich: at the heart of the community
Volunteer Centre Greenwich works with individuals and groups, utilising volunteering as a way to learn new skills, increase confidence and enhance employability skills. We help local people find volunteering opportunities through online and face-to-face signposting services. People volunteer for many different reasons, it’s fun, provides social connections and friendships. Our database and trained volunteer advisors enable people to find volunteering roles to suit their needs.
We also offer a range of services to notfor-profit organisations; the promotion of volunteering opportunities; sharing information, providing training and advice on recruiting and managing volunteers and giving guidance on best practice. This ensures that volunteers have the best experience.
At Volunteer Centre Greenwich our project work directly supports the local community in Greenwich providing dedicated time and resources to suit an individual’s needs. The Supported Volunteering Project works with adults with a learning disability or autism and pairs them with mentors who help them access volunteering opportunities, develop skills, and gain experience that can lead to paid work or greater involvement in community life.
The Emotional Wellbeing Project offers one-toone befriending support and community-based activities to reduce loneliness, tackle isolation, and promote mental wellbeing. Meanwhile, the
Women and Girls Health Project and Specialist Community Champions raise awareness of available support and work to reduce health inequalities across the borough.
For over 25 years, Volunteer Centre Greenwich has been at the heart of our community, connecting people who want to make a difference with the organisations and individuals that need them most.
By sponsoring or supporting us, you’ll be investing directly in the spirit of volunteering that strengthens our borough — from helping vulnerable residents to supporting vital local projects. Your partnership helps us continue building a more connected, caring, and resilient Greenwich. Join us in empowering volunteers and creating lasting community impact — together, we can make a real difference.
Support volunteering in Greenwich! Donate or sponsor Volunteer Centre Greenwich today every contribution helps our community thrive.
Email: info@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk
Website: www.vcgreenwich.co.uk
For volunteering opportunities, organisational support, or sponsorship, please get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.
Arts funding success set to light up the night in Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley, in conjunction with Bexley Culture Network, is delighted after successfully securing funding from Arts Council England to fund a light-themed evening arts festival that will start in the autumn.
The Council has been awarded a grant of £100,000 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants to bring together local arts and culture partners to deliver Night Visions, a celebration of local creativity that will use the theme of light to connect a series of unique events across the borough.
The programme will begin in October and run into the winter.
The Council has been working closely with its culture partners throughout 2025 to shine a light on the many incredible events and arts projects taking place around the borough through the #CelebratingBexley programme.
Cllr Cafer Munur, Cabinet Member for Place Shaping, said: "Throughout 2025, we have been working hard to show off what an amazing place Bexley is to live and visit through our fantastic #CelebratingBexley programme.
This funding success will help us to take our ambition for arts and culture in Bexley to the next level by working with our local arts and culture partners to put on some very special events in Bexley.
We expect that by working together through this project, our local partners and the Council will be able to cement Bexley’s reputation as a place where creativity flourishes and is woven into the fabric of local life.
We will also make sure there are some brilliant nights out for local residents and visitors.”
Bexley Culture Network is a collective of local organisations that share an ambition to grow and develop arts and culture in Bexley.
The network includes local institutions like Bird College and Rose Bruford College, heritage sites such as Hall Place and Lesnes Abbey Woods, National Portfolio Organisations such as The Exchange in Erith and Bow Arts in Thamesmead.
It also includes strategic arts partners such as Three Rivers Bexley, the borough’s Creative People and Places programme and Peabody who are leading the cultural strategy for Thamesmead as part of their long-term regeneration of the town.
Adriana Marques, Assistant Director of Cultural Programme and Strategy at Peabody and member of the Bexley Cultural Network, said: "Bringing some much-needed light to the darker winter days, Night Visions will see local audiences and local artists come closer together, and new memories made.
This fantastic programme is the first expression of Bexley Cultural Network’s recent manifesto, which pledges to make positive change across the borough through arts, creativity and culture.
We look forward to sharing these exciting new experiences with local people and encouraging a life-long love of culture which, as we know, can transform places for the better.”
Michelle Walker, London Area Director, Arts Council England, said: We’re thrilled to support the London Borough of Bexley and
its cultural partners through our National Lottery Project Grants.
Night Visions is a bold and imaginative celebration of local talent, bringing light, connection and joy to people across the borough.
It reflects the exciting and ambitious cultural work already underway in Bexley, and we look forward to seeing it illuminated this winter – and to the lasting impact this programme will have on artists, audiences and the wider community.”
The Council and its partners will announce the full Night Visions programme in due course.
The immersive lantern light experience ‘Alice and the Queen’s Beasts’ at Hall Place in November has already been announced. The Hall Place event will be part of the Night Visions programme.
To find out more about Night Visions, the ‘Alice and the Queen’s Beasts’ and many other arts, culture and entertainment events in Bexley, visit the Celebrating Bexley page and follow #celebratingbexley online to get the latest updates.
Dr Hilary has hip replacement at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham
TV doctor
Hilary Jones has been on a 360mile round trip for surgery – to bypass his local NHS waiting list.
The popular GP, 72, from Kent, underwent a second hip replacement at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham, almost 180 miles from home, to reduce his waiting time for treatment.
Now, he is speaking out about his own surgery to show others awaiting treatment that they can also fast-track themselves if they’re happy to travel.
He took advantage of NHS Patient Choice after discovering a hospital that had almost no waiting list in the middle of the country.
Patient choice in the NHS provides patients with a legal right to choose where they receive their NHS healthcare services, including hospitals and other providers.
This will include many private hospitals likes ours at Practice Plus Group. Although we have our private option, Wellsoon, which offers surgery in four to six weeks for those who choose to pay or use insurance, we also treat NHS patients and tend to have shorter waits than large NHS hospitals. As our Birmingham hospital is still new, they can currently see NHS patients in just a few weeks.
It doesn’t cost the NHS any more than a referral to a standard NHS hospital if someone has their treatment with us.
Speaking after his procedure at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham, Hilary said: “It was over 180 miles from my home to Birmingham – but as it’s a new hospital and it’s a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP.
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it.
“Patient Choice gives people real power – they just need to know it’s there.
“The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices.
“You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you’re facing delays locally.
“It’s free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital.
“For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner.
“People don’t want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives.
“My surgeon, Mr Kamran Shahid, certainly put me at ease and reassured me. I had absolute trust in him and when I was admitted, I was visited by the nursing staff, the catering staff, the anaesthetist and the doctor. So I was completely happy with communication throughout – it was 100%, so I knew exactly what was going on.
“Every single person that looked after me was amazing and couldn’t have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far."
Poll reveals people in need of NHS operations are willing to travel to get surgery quicker
It follows a poll of 1,000 adults suffering from chronic aches and pains – including those in need of hip and knee replacements – revealed that people in need of NHS operations would be willing to travel if it meant they could get the surgery they’re desperate for, sooner.
On average, respondents were happy to travel 60 miles if it meant they’d be seen to within three-to-four weeks, or 49 miles for a six-toeight-week timeframe.
And one in 10 would even travel over 200 miles if they could get the NHS surgery they need within a month.
Of those polled, 36 per cent are currently on a waiting list, and 17 per cent have been in a queue for more than a year.
But 55 per cent had no idea that under NHS patient choice, you can choose to travel to a hospital outside of your area that has a shorter waiting list – often a private hospital that treats NHS patients.
Those surveyed had similar motivations to Dr Hilary, with 55 per cent simply wanting to resume normal activities sooner, and 68 per cent wanting to avoid prolonged discomfort and pain.
For 63 per cent, avoiding the stress of waiting was also key.
However, 88 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, believed the option to choose your hospital needed to be promoted more widely.
The survey also revealed 35 per cent of those who would consider going private to beat the waiting lists would travel for more than 90 minutes if it meant saving £2,000 or more on the cost of paying for a hip replacement.
Jim Easton, chief executive of Practice Plus Group, said: “It’s fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10 year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences.
“To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner.
“It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible.
“Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital which currently can see people in a few short weeks. We’re proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.”
Welcome to our new members
As
AI Centra Ltd
86-90 Paul Street
London EC2A 4NE
Contact: Ellis Knowles
Tel: 020 4614 1965
Email: ellis.knowles@aicentra.io
All Well Property Limited
Unit 1, Limes Ave, Anerley
London SE20 8QR
Contact: Richard Thomas-Pryce
Tel: 020 392 09617
Email: richard@allwellpropertyservices.co.uk
Blue Ark Cyber
101 Quentin Rd, London SE13 5DG
Contact: Chris Ark Tel: 07748 080387
Email: chris.ark@bluearkcyber.com
Bromley Garden Designs Limited
1 Birch Close, Crawley, RH10 4UR
Contact: Vernon Martins
Tel: 07878 938265
Email: enquiries@bromleygardendesigns.co.uk
Convergence Live Ltd
Flat 6, 2 Deptford Wharf
London SE8 3PA
Contact: Steve Squires
Tel: 07968 119805
Email: steve@covergencelive.co.uk
Members
Electrical and Mechanical Services (UK) Ltd
Unit 65.1 Sienna, White Hart Triangle London SE28 0GW
Contact: Ashley Maude
Tel: 07795 385392
Email: ashley.maude@emsuk.net
ELZOMI Consulting Limited
19 Crawford Crescent, London CR5 3GL
Contact: Anthony Tripyear
Tel: 07738 680494
Email: at@elzomi.com
Fast Shield Packaging Limited
Unit 1, 08 Nathan Way, London SE28 0AU
Contact: Diego Gomes
Tel: 07970 104689
Email: sales@fastshield.com
Handy AV Limited
Unit F2, LEFA Business Park, Edgington Way, Kent DA14 5BH
Contact: Aubrey Wright
Tel: 020 8466 6500
Email: awright@handyav.com
Gather & Gather Limited
t/a Charlton Events
Charlton Athletic Football Club
The Valley, Floyd Road, London SE7 8BL
Contact: Tracy Skinner
Tel: 0208 3334 040
Email: tracy.skinner1@gatherandgather.com
Primatec Ltd
33 Whernside Close, Thamesmead
London SE28 8HB
Contact: Dado Bayagbon Tel: 07878 947497
Email: admin@primatecltd.co.uk
Rival Colour Ltd
Unit 1,
Greenwich Business Centre
53 Norman Road London SE10 9QF
Contact: Gary Smith Tel: 0208 2692 852
Email: gary.smith@rivalcolour.com
Sodexo Live UK Ltd
Kent County Cricket Ground Worsley Bridge Road, Beckenham London BR3 1DR
Contact: Matt Kingsland Tel: 07442 505696
Email: matt.kingsland@sodexo.com
Tesla Motors Ltd
185 Ashton New Road
Manchester M11 3DX
Contact: Reece King Tel: 07408 841014
Email: reeking@tesla.com
Refurbished Chislehurst Library now welcoming visitors Raising the green flag at Lewisham Park
Chislehurst Library is now open to the public following the completion of extensive refurbishment work, with over 1,000 visitors being welcomed into the space to enjoy the new facilities.
Chislehurst is the fifth library to reopen as part of the £11 million initiative to modernise libraries across Bromley through repair works and replacement of fixtures and fittings that have reached the end of their useful life.
Both existing and new library members gathered to celebrate the improved facilities which include a new roof installation, replacement of all windows, a new heating system, and an accessible public toilet. Children are also welcomed into their own space which has been redecorated with a bright mural which focuses on Chislehurst.
The renovated facilities are already attracting more visitors with over 60 new library members joining the library since Chislehurst library opened. There has also been over 1,700 library visits and 1,800 library books borrowed in just over a week of the library’s reopening, underlining how busy and popular the space is.
Leading the celebrations and officially reopening the library was the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Jonathan Andrews, who said, “It was a great pleasure to reopen this much-loved library, and it is fantastic to see further investments made into our libraries across the borough. It is also exciting to know that we are welcoming more visitors into these newly refurbished libraries, with over 60 new members so far at Chislehurst alone.”
Rebecca Gediking, Head of Libraries for GLL, said: “We were really delighted to host author Cerrie Burnell, formerly of CBeebies fame,
who brought some magic and sparkle to the launch of the newly refurbished Chislehurst Library. Cerrie read from her book, ‘Unicorn Seekers: Map of Lost Unicorns’ and told us how to spot a unicorn! It was a really magical event.”
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “We are making rapid progress on delivering these improvements and repairs across our much-loved library network. By making this investment now, we are able to reduce our future maintenance costs, while ensuring our libraries are equipped for years to come to deliver the high-quality services that residents deserve.”
The completion of Chislehurst’s refurbishment follows Burnt Ash, Beckenham, Southborough and St Paul’s Cray libraries, in addition to the major works at West Wickham Library. Orpington and Mottingham libraries will be the next to reopen following their closures for refurbishment earlier this year.
Lewisham Park has officially joined the ranks of the UK’s best green spaces – and the community came out to celebrate!
Brenda Dacres, the Mayor of Lewisham, Cllr Laura Cunningham and Cllr Liz Johnston-Franklin, Ladywell Ward Councillors, Year 6 pupils from St Mary’s Primary School, Glendale, and residents from Lewisham Park (Crescent) Residents’ Association, helped raise the park’s very first Green Flag Award, marking a proud moment for the borough. This brings Lewisham’s total number of Green Flag parks to 24.
The Green Flag Award is the cherry on top of a successful few years for Lewisham Park recently, with a £167,000 investment from Section 106 and NCIL funds to upgrade the popular park with a new playground. The playground, upgraded in December 2023, is both sustainable and inclusive. Equipment includes a You and Me swing, a timber agility trail, a basket swing for all abilities, sound, light and touch play panels, bug magnifiers and a new sensory path. There is also a climbing frame with two towers, a bridge and spider net plus a fairy tale throne.
To make sure older children (aged eight to 12) have just as much fun, the Residents’ Association helped design a new Trim Trail, funded by the Mayor’s Greening Fund, encouraging active play and physical challenge.
The park’s old municipal signs have been replaced with two new interpretation panels, also funded by the Mayor’s Greening Fund. Designed with input from residents, the signs tell the story of Lewisham Park’s journey from private gardens to public green space in 1965. They highlight seasonal beauty like cherry blossoms in spring and golden leaves in autumn, as well as the commemorative rose beds planted for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
Alison Munro, Chair of the Lewisham Park (Crescent) Residents’ Association said: “Over the last 12 years, Lewisham Park has been transformed into a beautiful park. It is much-loved by the local community. The Green Flag is the icing on the cake. It tells everyone that we now have one of the best parks in the country.”
And finally
And finally...
JAMES TURNER
Executive Director • Greenwich Theatre Ltd
I’m 43, I’m married with 5 children and I’m originally from Lancashire. I came to London in 2000 to study at Rose Bruford College. I was a jobbing actor for 4 years before falling into the commercial world. I eventually found myself working in TV & Film but joined Greenwich Theatre as Executive Director in December 2024 as theatre was my first love and it was too good an opportunity to pass up!.
What was your first job and what was the pay packet?
My first job was when I was 12 in a fish and chip shop. I was paid £2 an hour! I was allowed to take home anything we didn’t sell so towards the end of my shift I would intentionally give smaller portions…
What would you do with your last pound? Put it on red!
What is the biggest challenge facing your business?
Our biggest challenge is sustaining funding as public support for the arts declines, but it’s driving us to be more creative, collaborative, and resilient turning constraint into opportunity.
If you were Prime Minister, what would be your first decision?
If I were Prime Minister, I’d put the arts at the heart of national life — investing in creativity, education, and community, because a nation that values imagination thrives everywhere.
If you could do another job what would it be?
When I was a kid I wanted to join the Royal Navy. I’m probably too old now but I think that life would have suited me – I’m an early riser, enjoy physical exercise and I love to travel!
What book are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading ‘Into The Wild’ by John Krakaeur.
Into the Wild follows Christopher McCandless, who leaves everything behind to seek freedom in the Alaskan wilderness. It’s a moving, tragic story about adventure, idealism, and the cost of isolation.
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At London South East Colleges, we believe that investing in your workforce is the key to success in today’s competitive world. We work with local, regional, and national employers to identify their training needs.
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