Welcome The Kingston Chamber of Commerce magazine for all Businesses in Kingston to Borough BUSINESS

As I write this welcome, the Paris Olympics have just ended and I have been captivated on sports that I would seldom watch. From the astonishing nonchalance of Armand Duplantis in the Pole Vaulting, to the grace of Gabby Thomas in the Women’s 200m race, UK’s Emily Campbell and Emma Finucane in weightlifting and track cycling, the Olympics can teach us lessons in resilience, inclusivity, teamwork and self-belief. From recovering from serious injuries to being unranked, unsponsored and working in tech sales (read about UK’s Georgia Bell), sport can bring together higher values like nothing else.

The Future of Work Summit 2024, held on Friday June 7th was a great success. With over 160 attendees, it delivered a range of well-attended business seminars, a fascinating UK economic overview, networking opportunities and roundtable discussions on leadership and culture. The value of culture, in particular, opened many attendees’ eyes to what happens in Kingston. Thank you to all our speakers and sponsors who supported this Summit and to all the attendees who came to enjoy the day.

The Go Business support programme, be it for pre-start ups or businesses who are up and running, is going well and I would encourage everyone to sign up. The wealth of business advice, guidance and encouragement is fantastic and at your finger tips! See page 4 to sign up.

Kingston Chamber is delighted to announce the new Women in Business Forum on September 26th. The importance of women in business in the UK cannot be overstated. Despite facing numerous challenges, women in business continue to break barriers and redefine leadership. The Forum will feature our guest speaker, Tina Powley-Mapp of the Bentalls Centre,

19 16 followed by a series of workshops on key topics and a networking lunch.

We are hosting morning programme, AI in Action: Real world applications and impacts, on October 3rd at Chessington World of Adventures. This is sponsored by Barwell Business Park and in partnership with BIG South London and London Innovation Centre. The programme is designed to share practical advice to business leaders and decision-makers, to understand the impact and innovations of AI in our real business world.

For micro and small businesses, AI can be a powerful tool that can drive growth, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. The role of AI will only become more critical, making its adoption a strategic imperative for companies of all sizes, to stay ahead in a competitive market.

On October 31st, we will be hosting the EXPO24 at Chessington School and this is our first partnership with Merton Chamber of Commerce. Collaborations are vital in all our work so I am so pleased that we will be coming together to provide a comprehensive day of business support, exhibitors, networking and speakers. Save this key date in your diary!

I hope you have managed to get some breathing space, had a break and a chance to recharge your batteries. The first part of the year has been busy for many of you so it is important to get some rest. To return to those amazing Olympians, even they need recovery periods too.

Forbes Low CEO

Kingston Chamber of Commerce forbes@kingstonchamber.co.uk

Ian Fletcher

Published September 2024 © Benham Publishing and Kingston Chamber of Commerce

Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com

Design David Wright Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: dave@benhampublishing.com

Media No. 2032

Disclaimer

Borough Business is published for Kingston Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Views or any political comments expressed in Borough Business are not necessarily those of Kingston Chamber of Commerce which is apolitical. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2024. Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.