#FridayFive from the Executive Director: 10 October 2025 | British Chamber Of Commerce Singapore

My #FridayFive for the 10th October is another review of a full week, and its World Mental Health Day today, hence the theme. Here’s what has been going on in my world at the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham) ...

1. Singapore Grand Prix: great to see so much buzz around the Grand Prix in Singapore. An incredible event each year and whilst it was slightly quieter for me, still had a great weekend and good to bump into people within the network. I hope you enjoyed the race!

2. Promoting Trade: Thank you to Angeleine from Zuellig Pharma and Matthew Rawlings this week for your support as we continue to plan our healthcare and life sciences UK/SEA Trade bridge. For UK or Singapore companies interested in this, please contact Louise from our Trade Services team to find out more. It was also great to meet Michael Goh and Ya Ling Lee from IPI Singapore as we talked about collaboration (thanks for the introduction Steve O'Connor). We held our second Green Maritime Working Group meeting (thank you Toby Stephens, as always for chairing), as we look to build our activities for the 2026 Singapore Maritime Week. And, I was so pleased to welcome Graham Burchell and Edward Burchell from Challs International Ltd to talk about trade and exports - they were also winners of our 2021 Exporter of the Year Award. Safe travels back to the UK.

3. Education: The team supported a reception at Eden Hall for the University of Cambridge Cambridge Judge Business School for their alumni network. Thank you to Professor Gishan Dissanaike (Dean), and Richard Everitt (Head of Global Development … and great to see you again!) for coming into the Chamber.

4. An important discussion: Thank you to Nikesh Mehta who hosted Minister Seema Malhotra FRSA MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) for a discussion with UK firms on trade, talent, investment and the UK. Haslam and I always find it a pleasure and a privilege to represent British interests in sessions like this, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue. Thank you also to Nik and Steve Firstbrook for one of our regular catch-ups earlier in the week too between the UK in Singapore and the Chamber.

5. Knowledge Sharing: Thank you to the amazing Cameron McLean for your time and sharing this week – I love your energy. Sam Barrie, it was great to see you too (its been too long!). Good to catch up with Steven Lynch MBE and Soren online this week, together with Andrew McKeown (safe travels), and Carl Stanaway (thank you David Tay for the connection). Lots of good conversations.

So, "speak" up if there is anything on your mind – lots of challenges in a busy world that we live in, but as a connected network, lets all be there to support each other, and please feel free to reach out to me for a cuppa if there is anything you are struggling with or want to talk about. Have a good weekend and see you soon.