THE QUIET POWER OF THE MASTER COMMUNICATOR
Mark Somers, Guest Columnist
ONCE-A-WEEK PILLS COULD TRANSFORM SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATMENTS
HOW CAN THE UK CLEAN UP ITS WATER INDUSTRY? CAN A MULTIALIGNED WORLD BE PEACEFUL?
SURFING AWAY FROM PLASTIC
SMS - WHAT DO THE LETTERS BEHIND A NEW ERA OF DIGITAL REGULATION MEAN?
Delivering “reach and range” so that our community can be empowered and enthused
It gives me immense pleasure to edit this Autumn Edition of our Lamwyk Journal This would not have been possible without the support of our brilliant Lamwyk team. From business sustainability movements protecting Dakar’s beaches to enormously talented emergency workers saving lives on London’s streets, this edition travels the world to celebrate brilliant ideas and exceptional people.
Lamwyk began as a series of illuminating roundtable think-tank sessions convening leaders in business, scientific and civic spaces. Our members enjoyed intriguing discussions where experts offered solutions to some of the most daunting challenges facing us all. The reinvigorated Lamywk Journal continues in that vein
If, like us, you love learning something new every day, then we hope that one of the articles on these pages grabs your attention I sincerely wish to thank the 90,000 of you who subscribe to our Journal Your enthusiasm encourages us to research an ever greater range of topics for each edition This Autumn edition also explores the challenges facing the UK’s water industry; the groundbreaking replacement of daily medication with oncea-week pills; the complexities of global peacebuilding; the meaning of Strategic Market Status for the UK’s digital markets; and so much more...
All that remains is for me to wish you a productive and joyful Autumn. Do try to enjoy the excellent weather while we still have it!
TomO’Brien
EDITOR
Curious minds will always find a happy home here.
From watching raw sewage spill into our seas and rivers for 3.6 million hours in 2023 & 2024 alone; seeing water bills skyrocket to unprecedented levels; and watching trusted regional providers collapse into failure under billions of pounds worth of debt; people across the UK are rightly shocked at the state of our water industry
The privatisation of the industry in the 1980s was supposed to herald a new era of high-quality water, customer service and value Sadly though, the industry has fallen short of these lofty expectations, with Sir Jon Cunliffe concluding that “the current system is not delivering what people expect and need”, and going so far as to say that “public trust in the water sector has been shaken”, in a recent interim report from the Independent Water Commission.
So, what can be done to clean up the UK’s water sector?
Firstly, greater government investment in Ofwat's successor is key to monitoring various providers’ performance. If regulators lack the staff and the technology to track both providers’ adherence to their environmental and social obligations, then these essential bodies will always be one step behind the firms that they are trying to regulate There is no point having regulatory bodies if they merely exist for appearances only and lack the teeth to hold companies to account in meticulously observing essential environmental and delivery standards
Regulation is not about preventing innovation Rather, it is about ensuring that the innovations demanded by our planet’s changing climate and economy take place safely.
Secondly, it is pleasing that the newly introduced Water Act restricts the payment of bonuses (in cash and shares) to executives of water companies which are not financially resilient or fail to meet consumer or environmental standards. These restrictions stretch back to 2024, allowing the regulator to claw back bonuses from executives who led water companies found to have committed wrongdoing A further important step would be for water companies to use the bonus schemes they do have to incentivise high levels of customer service, environmental performance and resilient long-term investment If executives in any company are incentivised to generate as much profit as possible, then that is what they will do. The last thing any employee wants to do is to work an 18-hour day and miss out on compensation. Channelling this drive for personal and professional growth into a drive to create a better, more resilient water system for everyone has to be the way forwards for the sector.
Thirdly, a sense of pursuing, promoting and acting in the public good must return to the water sector If an adhesive tape manufacturer were to sell a non-sticky version of their product, they would cause considerable inconvenience and frustration If a water company allows sewage to pour into our rivers, then both humans and wildlife could become gravely ill and die There is no margin for error here and giving people a reliable and affordable supply of safe drinking water should be any water company’s top priority.
Official reports, government action and outraged consumers can only do so much though. Ultimately, executives at water companies must accept that serious errors have been made, and work tirelessly to regain public trust. Water UK (which represents the industry) has acknowledged that: “Everyone agrees that the industry is not working” This is an excellent start to that journey
People suffering from schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric treatments can sometimes struggle to remember to take their medication every day This difficulty in regularising their medication can often make their fight against these conditions far more arduous than it need be. Recognising this difficulty as an area requiring urgent scientific research, a team of MIT experts have found a potentially life-changing solution.
Working with experts from one of the University’s spinouts, Lyndra Therapeutics, the team have created a capsule which only needs to be taken once weekly rather than daily. Once ingested, the capsule delivers risperidone into the stomach and releases its payload over the course of a week, providing the patient with a seven-day supply of the medication in one go It is designed to be too large to fit through the pylorus (the stomach’s exit), allowing it to stay in the organ and complete its good work
The central portion of the capsule is made from elastic, allowing the six arms of this star-shaped structure to fold and be taken as one single tablet. As soon as the capsule arrives in the stomach, this organ’s powerful acids breakdown its outer-layer, freeing each of the six arms so that they can deliver medication into the body. Over the course of a number of days, these arms then dissolve and are passed out of the patient’s stomach in the same way as any other medication would be.
Experts from MIT have made a potentially lifechanging innovation.
This innovation is groundbreaking for other patients too, as the capsule can house a whole range of medications. Treatments for malaria and HIV are some of the first in line to be explored alongside neuropsychiatric conditions. Over time though, this capsule’s list of treatable illnesses could expand massively, allowing a considerably greater range of treatment options for patients who loathe daily tablets but also wish to avoid injectable medications.
The MIT team’s work highlights the vital necessity for governments around the world to provide the institutions leading the way in scientific research with the resources and public support that their admirable ambitions and achievements require.
Our world is more fragmented than ever before, with a range of non-state actors - such as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan - creating state-like infrastructures, built on horrific violence and illegal smuggling (particularly in gold in that case). Not only are countries around the world opting for multi-aligned foreign policies (which might support an ally on one issue but oppose them on another), but non-state actors are also becoming multialigned, choosing flexible alliances based on whoever will best secure their interests at any one time.
A landmark report from leading international affairs thinktank Chatham House’s Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) team shows that these groups’ interests revolve around one thing: the accumulation of financial profits From there, these groups and their partners seize national, regional and global political influence These groups cannot, therefore, be assumed to be clients of particular states. The XCEPT report covered conflicts in Libya, the Middle East, and Sudan to show how multialignment is impacting our world in real-time. It details how the leader of one faction in Libya’s ongoing turmoil, who is said to have worked with Western governments in
order to fight militants who both he and they deemed a threat, has been more than happy to receive large arms shipments from Moscow to strengthen his own position. That position has only been more cemented by swapping drugs for human beings migrating for a better life with a notorious (and thankfully) recently fallen regime nearby, and supporting all sides of the war in Sudan to profit from a wide variety of smuggling operations. Ideologies and values seem to matter less to warlords than how much money (or other resources in the pursuit of profits) they can extract from different states and non-state actors around the world
Here we see approaches to peacebuilding from different governments not just mistakenly perpetuating the economic systems that sustain conflict, but also inadvertently worsening and broadening national conflicts into transnational conflicts
It is hugely challenging to identify parties to engage with in attempting to resolve conflicts which have left countries without an undisputed national government. Do states negotiate with an allied central authority based in a capital city, which may be a world away from areas which are powering conflict economies?
Do they support influential militias who may share their interests and bring stability (even temporarily) to conflict-ridden areas? A better approach is to centre responses around working with local populations to help them to build peaceful and prosperous livelihoods for themselves and their families through legitimate business opportunities. If a family has a choice between no work at all or working for exploitative warlords who will pay them to power a conflict economy - what choice is that?
Peacebuilding efforts should also address other drivers of conflict such as climate change, water shortages, and ethnic tensions which leave entire communities vulnerable to abuse and even attacks
Ultimately, respect for human life is integral to building more resilient societies around the world A resident of El Fasher (North Darfur’s capital) has just as much right to enjoy a happy life as someone living in Dresden, Dallas or Darwin. Influence is won through acknowledging people’s right to make a range of choices and providing them with paths away from conflict economies. The best way to defeat despicable individuals prolonging conflict to reap lavish profits from the most odious and profound human misery is to remove those profits.
Mark Somers Guest Columnist
In family offices, communication isn’t just about words - it’s about navigating complexity with precision and care Done well, it can align generations, translate values into action, and hold together diverse groups of stakeholders Done poorly, it can just as quickly unravel trust, spark disputes, and damage relationships
In today’s world of accelerating complexity, the ability to communicate clearly is one of the most powerful skills a professional can possess. It’s what consistently separates exceptional leaders from the rest. Nowhere is this more evident than in family offices, where the dynamics are not corporate but human: ecosystems of people, capital, purpose, and history. These environments thrive not on uniformity but on nuance and communication is the bridge.
Effective communicators don’t just ask what to say They ask to whom, how, when, and why Is the audience steeped in the subject, or will they need information distilled into essentials? Are they already engaged, or do they need to be inspired? By tailoring message, tone, and delivery to the listener, you not only drive progress but also build the trust that makes progress possible.
Generational shifts mean communication must evolve Dialogue these days is faster, heavily digital, and far more conversational What worked a decade ago - formal memos, structured briefings – doesn’t resonate with those who have grown up with instant access to information. Adapting tone, format, and cadence is no longer optional; it’s a baseline expectation.
Award winning family office thought leader, recruiter and human capital consultant
Discretion, while essential, is no longer enough In an era where almost everything can be surfaced with persistence and a search bar, missteps in external communications carry outsized risks Family office professionals must pair discretion with technological fluency, cultural awareness, and a finely tuned sense of how the outside world perceives the family’s values and intentions
Extraordinary cognitive strength often underpins commercial success but it may come with alternate processing styles This diversity of thought is a huge asset to any business but it requires skilled communication to translate across different ways of thinking. Professionals who can reduce friction, enhance clarity, and help teams function cohesively quickly become indispensable.
The best communicators aren’t the loudest voices in the room They’re the ones who bring calm to complexity, distil emotion into clarity, and make sure every person feels both heard and understood. These are rare skills but mediation, strategic listening, and authentic presence are also the qualities that elevate a professional into a trusted advisor.
If you are as comfortable at a family retreat as you are in a boardroom, you’re likely the person who will be trusted to elevate or expediate a difficult conversation. That’s not just a skill set, it’s a position of trust and intimacy. And in the world of family offices, there are few roles more valuable.
Innovations can come from the most extraordinary places Some come from the world’s universities; some can come from large corporations; others might come from exciting startups; but some of the most effective can come from local business owners working together to make a real difference and improve society.
One of these latter innovations is taking Senegal by storm. Babacar Thiaw was appalled by the sheer quantity of plastic polluting Dakar’s beautiful coastline, and in 2019, set out to eliminate this awful and damaging waste for good As the owner of Dakar’s Copacabana Surf Village, Babacar worked with his team to transform the Club into a single-use and single-serve plastic-free business Bamboo and metal straws, and re-usable glass bottles were sourced from Indonesia and Germany to provide guests with quality experiences which didn’t destroy Babacar’s beloved city’s coastline. He reached out to the environmental organisation Zero Waste Senegal to search the world for these materials and make his dream a reality.
Customers naturally had questions but responded well to the team’s initiative. They wanted to know why the changes had been introduced and were overjoyed to find that community
legacy-building rather than profit-seeking had motivated the team’s thinking. Then they began refilling bottles and embracing bamboo straws to do their bit to help. Babacar was not satisfied with improving just his own venue’s environmental impact though. He worked with local restaurants to introduce a three-stage certification process for becoming ‘Zero Waste Restaurants’. Level one involves removing all plastic bottles from their premises. The second extends this voluntary ban to plastic straws, and the third extends it further to coffee pods and all single-serve plastics.
As of last year, 24 restaurants across Senegal had successfully become ‘Zero Waste’ Babacar has gone even further still, and the Surfrider Foundation Senegal he cofounded in 2020 now monitors water quality in the Atlantic Ocean off Dakar’s coast It also cleans up local beaches His commitment to protecting the environment has received praise all over the world, including from the United Nations (UN).
Never forget that there is always something you can do to improve our world. If you want to change something in society, partnering with like-minded people, businesses and organisations can make the seemingly impossible an everyday reality. Our world will only change for the better if we pool our talents and resources to create progress. Babacar’s efforts are a fabulous testament to this
Many of us first came across the letters SMS when using the Short Message Service to text our friends, loved ones, colleagues and clients in the years before WhatsApp.
In 2025, amidst a digital era dominated by just a few major brands, these letters have taken on another meaning entirely. Strategic Market Status (SMS) is a new designation from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which allows the CMA to regulate tech firms more closely than ever before Under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC2024), the CMA can impose a series of limitations, restrictions and formal interventions on businesses to promote fair dealing, open choices for consumers and increased trust and transparency in digital markets
SMS designation is reserved for businesses which have substantial and entrenched market power in a digital activity linked to the UK; hold a position of strategic significance; and generate global turnover of more than £25 billion or UK turnover of £1 billion.
The CMA can impose Conduct Requirements (CRs) on SMS businesses, and if those measures would not be sufficient, Pro-Competition Interventions (PCIs) could also be imposed
CRs can either be Action or Outcome based Action-based CRs sit more at the strategic level of operations, giving businesses a certain level of flexibility over their implementation Outcome-based CRs are far more operational in nature, tying businesses to various targets in order to reduce anti-competitive behaviours
PCIs are designed to allow the CMA to take a much more active role to stop practices which they deem to be preventing, restricting or distorting competition. These Interventions might, for example, force greater interoperability between different apps and services or facilitate easier data transfers between providers.
Failure to comply with a CR or PCI without a reasonable excuse could result in a fine of up to 10% of an SMS organisation’s turnover Additionally, Company Directors may also face disqualification
This is a bold step by the UK government to introduce more competition into a digital economy which many smaller businesses feel disadvantages them Only time will tell if these measures increase both consumer choice and compensation for publishers whose work often depends on discovery through a major search engine.
The conclusion of the CMA’s investigation into Google (owned by Alphabet) will provide a fascinating case study of both the criteria required for SMS designation and the effectiveness of any consequently enforced measures in strengthening digital markets.
As Chairman of the Royal Humane Society, I am delighted to have a chance to introduce you to our charity
For more than 250 years, the Royal Humane Society has honoured those who risk their own lives to save others Founded in 1774, the Society is one of the UK’s oldest charities, and its mission remains unchanged: to recognise acts of bravery and resuscitation where a human life is saved, or an attempt is made to do so.
From its earliest beginnings in London, the Society has celebrated extraordinary courage. Over the centuries, more than 90,000 cases have been recognised. Today, with the continued patronage of His Majesty King Charles III and the dedicated leadership of HRH Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy KG GCVO, the Society ensures that those who step forward in moments of crisis receive the recognition they deserve.
Recent awardees include the heroes of the London and Waterloo Bridge terror attacks, a porter at Fishmongers’ Hall who fought off a terrorist with nothing more than a ceremonial pike, a 10-year-old boy who shielded his father from a gunman and even a crocodile rescue in Mexico These dramatic examples sit alongside thousands of quieter but equally vital acts, such as roadside resuscitations, suicide interventions and lifesaving CPR, each deserving of gratitude and respect
Every year, around 1,000 awards are made, honouring individuals who embody courage and humanity Awards are presented at the Society’s Annual General Court in London, an inspiring occasion where remarkable stories of bravery are shared, reminding us all of the strength of the human spirit
The Royal Humane Society receives no public funding. Its vital work depends entirely on the generosity of individuals, legacies and fundraising. In recognising bravery, the Society not only honours courageous men, women and children, but also inspires others to act selflessly when it matters most.
Whether in London, Antarctica, or anywhere in between, the Society continues to uphold its founding principle: that human life is precious and those who risk themselves to protect it should be honoured.
The Royal Humane Society invites you to support their mission, nominate a deserving individual, become a Governor or learn more about their work Together, we can ensure that bravery never goes unnoticed
Please do get in touch at : royalhumanesocietyorg uk With best wishes
The ubiquitous popularity of e-commerce has left many shops facing mounting financial struggles.
All around the UK, high streets are not what they were (and that’s putting it diplomatically). The overwhelming popularity of e-commerce has left many shops seeing their footfall drop and their financial struggles mount Mixed-use development, which combines office, residential, entertainment and retail spaces, could help these shops to flourish and create a better future for our high streets
Where anything and everything can be purchased online, consumers look for experiences that they can share with friends and loved ones whenever they enjoy spaces along local high streets Whether it’s coffee and a slice of cake, a meal, or a film; people rarely just go shopping purely to buy new things.
This is where mixed-use space is so valuable. Sometimes, people don’t want to walk through several streets from eateries to shops. Positioning shops next door to popular cafés and restaurants allows for local retailers to capitalise on impulsive purchases which wouldn’t otherwise happen.
These spaces also offer phenomenal opportunities for both social media apps and brands looking to bring their followers online into their shops.Physical spaces allow social media platforms to bring online experiences to life From themed photo opportunities through to exclusive sales of brands featured on their apps, social platforms can turn clicks into real experiences that invite users to enjoy 360° experiences both virtually and irl (in real life)
From offices to restaurants, shops, cinemas and aspirational apartments almost all tenants of mixed-use spaces can benefit from collaborations with social media platforms Rather than just inviting followers to engage with posts, why not thank them for their support with an exclusive voucher to enjoy in your restaurant?
Blending virtual experiences with real rewards is a very effective way of turning reactions and comments into new business Likewise, collaborating with a social platform to launch your new apartments to market gives the public a wonderful opportunity to grab those once in a lifetime selfies.
Even if they then don’t rent or buy an apartment, the traction generated by their posts will make your search for new residents considerably easier. Likewise, office launches are more likely to attract strong businesses by inviting them exclusive photo opportunities of receptions with a view than just by putting an advert on a billboard The world is social and partnering with these platforms transforms mixed-use spaces into allimmersive experiences
A further benefit of mixed-use spaces is that they can also include green spaces So many of our urban landscapes trap both residents and visitors inside walls of concrete. Green spaces provide crucial areas to relax, reflect and perhaps enjoy a warming coffee from a nearby café. These spaces can persuade people who would never normally visit an area to give it a go, enjoy the pleasant scenery and support local businesses while they’re there.
Many artists have called St Ives their home over the years Perhaps the most famous of these creative leaders was Dame Barbara Hepworth, who purchased and refurbished the community’s Palais de Danse in the 1960s to transform the historic cinema and dance studio into an arts hub The prototypes for some of Hepworth’s most famous sculptures, such as Oxford Street’s Winged Figure and the UN headquarters’ Single Form were created either in the venue or its grounds.
Following the artist’s death, the Palais de Danse was owned by her family and left almost untouched. In 2015, the Hepworth family donated the Palais de Danse to Tate St Ives, with the gallery then embarking on a hugely ambitious project to re-open the studio to the public. Thanks to significant support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside many foundations and philanthropic individuals, the team at Tate St Ives are well on course to re-open a fully refurbished Palais de Danse in 2026
The refreshed venue will include spaces both for creators and learners, with everything from seminars to artistic spaces available on site The renovation works will also restore the Palais’ famous 20-metre-long maple sprung dance floor, allowing dancing as well as painting to return to this iconic cultural staple of St Ives
While celebrating Dame Barbara’s career and legacy, the restored Palais de Danse is sure to give St Ives’ next generation of artists the tools they need to flourish.
Restoring cultural heritage places is crucial for bringing communities together. You’re never too old to learn something new, and cross-generational cultural exchanges can foster essential understanding and respect between different community groups
When you see an advanced trauma doctor, you may not even be aware that they’re treating you. These specialists attend the most severe road traffic accidents, as well as horrible scenes of violent crime to perform the emergency procedures that give victims the greatest possible chance of surviving. The London Air Ambulance Charity (LAA) treated 2,058 patients in 2024 alone, carrying out a range of life-saving procedures including open heart surgery and blood transfusions by roadsides. Since its founding in 1989, LAA has treated more than 50,000 patients, often finding them in critical condition.
The charity’s rapid response teams can reach patients more quickly than conventional ambulance services, enabling patients to receive emergency room procedures before arriving at A&E.
LAA also provides a number of resources to help those who they have treated come to terms with what may be new and challenging chapters of their lives after they leave hospital One, titled: 10 Patient Stories to Inspire Hope, includes stories from patients supported by the charity and details their journeys to recovery The booklet begins: “If you’re reading this booklet then your life has probably just been flipped upside down ” It then shows different paths forwards, positive impacts of different treatments and the inspiring mental strength of the patients treated by London Air Ambulance
The charity also provides resources to support loved ones of patients who didn’t survive despite the best efforts of doctors and paramedics Losing a loved one suddenly and unexpectedly is one of the most heartbreaking tragedies that you can ever experience These resources are intended to bring solace to bereaved families and help them as they navigate a challenging new world without the loved ones who brightened their lives
LAA has spent over 30 years providing care, hope and support in life’s darkest moments
Hopefully, you will never need them to treat you, but if you do, they will be there for you and your family for as long as needed
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