#FridayFive from the Executive Director: 09 May 2025

In another jam-packed week, here is my #FridayFive across the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham)…

1.  Valuing Female Leadership – thank you to Emma for connecting us with Natalie Ferguson from Powrsuit as we talked about #female #leadership and the awesome network that she has built championing careers, and providing a safe space for dialogue.

2. Ecosperity – a busy week for all things green… but a highlight was welcoming Howden colleagues Anthony Hobley (awesome climate champion), Charlie Pool (funding legend) and Daniel Fairweather (innovation star) as we recorded a podcast on climate change, engagement with governments and NGOs, de-risking climate challenges for business, and funding. If that wasn’t good enough, I was blown away by the amazing Vipul Shetty, Head of Energy Transition Solutions who doing some amazing things in CCS. Thank you to you all for stretching my brain!

3.  Scottish Trade – I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the Rt Hon Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland when I was last back in London. It’s a quick but good podcast and covers the launch of Brand Scotland - I’ll put a link in the comments below.

4.  Accelerating innovation - there have been a number of conversations about support UK innovation and partnership in Singapore. Lots of exciting activity, and thanks to Lloyd's Asia for hosting us (and the complimentary Hello Panda!). Also fab to meet Mukai Noiri and hear about his brilliant AI in brand promotion. Hope to see you back in Singapore soon, Sami.

5.  Keeping the conversations flowing: delighted to see Shahril Hamdan from GP Bullhound, catch up with David Douglass on some plans for next year, Simon Rawling from Olofsson Consulting , Patricio Silva, Claire Robley and Tom from NatWest Group, Shyong Lee, Pang Lei Wen and Angela Tien from OCBC, Steve Firstbrook from UK in Singapore and former President, Hugo Walkinshaw OBE. Thank you to you all!

Even squeezed in some of my happy time playing music with Ryan de Bruyn and Andrew Clark and was delighted to spend time with University buddy and former Finance and Fintech Committee Chair, Mike Rourke (thanks for the natter and support 🫂). Happy Vesak day on Monday for all those who celebrate. See you soon.