#FridayFive from the Executive Director: 3 October 2025

I was in the UK last week, so a bumper #FridayFive across the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham). Here’s what we’ve been up to:

1.  Supporting businesses: Pleasure to welcome the GP Bullhound team with Hugh Campbell to Singapore this week to support conversations on raising funds, with thanks to Harry and Matthew for your support. Great to separately connect with Jennifer Gray and Cassaundra Tan from Price Forbes, together with Garth Turnbull from JLR.

2.  Motor racing: We held a dinner and fireside chat with the incredible James Vowles from the Williams Racing team this week, over an hour of inspiring insights, from tech, to leadership, innovation to the global appeal of Formula One, through to building a competitive team. Thanks James and the team (Philippe Le Floc'h and Craig Woodhouse) for staying and engaging with our members. Wishing you all the best for this weekend.

3. Integral Partnerships: Haslam and I, together with Rhiannon Harries caught up this week with Isobel Stephen, Director General for Domestic and International Markets and Exports at Department for Business and Trade, talking about the Chamber and British High Commission engagement. Such a strong relationship. The power of the chamber network is incredible, and we talked about some of the initiatives in the planning to support the UK in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Thanks separately to Anne-Marie for hosting one of her regular British Chambers of Commerce global catch-ups online. It was also a pleasure to meet Rick Haythornthwaite together with Patricio Silva from NatWest Group on his visit, and dial into a brilliant catch-up with Paul McComb 麥冠明 in Hong Kong.

4.  Lots of meetings: Caught up with so many AWESOME people. Too many to mention, but thanks Mark Domitrak, the Board of the BCC (including Co-Chair Christopher Dottie MBE … told you you’re in!), Søren Nikolajsen (hope you like the “selfie we forgot to take” and thanks for your warm welcome to London), James Price, Wesley Mort from HSBC (congrats on your new role), the Hawksford team of Ian Shearer, Dario, Hamida and Ella. It was also a pleasure to meet Marc Armstrong and Omar Berrada last week when I was back in Manchester.

5.  EBP: The Chamber supported an event at Eden Hall where Gareth Davies Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business and Trade, and Swan Gin Beh, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore) addressed an industry audience as part of the 8th UK-Singapore Economic and Business Partnership Steering Committee.

Hana informed me and the team that it is World Smile Day today, hence todays theme – keep the kindness flowing everyone, and thank you Dominic for putting a much needed smile on my face this week with my new A350 swag (I’m easily pleased!). Have a great weekend and hope to bump into you at the Singapore Grand Prix.