#FridayFive from the Executive Director: 30 May 2025 | British Chamber Of Commerce Singapore

What an awesome business community. Here’s my #FridayFive for this week (and a little bit of last) across the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham):

1. Baroness Jones – we were delighted to welcome Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, His Excellency Nikesh Mehta, HMTC APAC Martin Kent, and Thomas Tilley to meet members across the #tech sector. Chaired by President Haslam Preeston, we had a fruitful discussion on being agile in the sector, the UK as a broker of choice, cross-border flows, digital trade, exports and funding.

2. Outstanding Community – We held our AGM last night, and what a BRILLIANT evening. Sharing the successes of the last year, and launching two new initiatives from our committees (thank you Thomas Streatfeild-James, Peter Godfrey and James Price). It was a fantastic evening topped off with a social drink afterwards. Thank you to all who attended. Huge thank you to Alistair Scott and to JLR for sponsoring the evening.

3. Around the Table - His Excellency Nik Mehta hosted the British Community leaders at Eden Hall this week. Always great to connect with those who support and promote the British network here in Singapore.

4. Reaching the Community – I was delighted to meet with Mayor Alex Yam of the North West Community Development Council (CDC) with Kar Yee Lim, steered by Lionel Ch'ng and the ever-brilliant Lisa Ferraton. Super energising meeting on how our international networks can get more involved with the local communities in Singapore.

5. Dropping in to the British Chambers of Commerce – whilst back in the UK, I had the pleasure of popping in to BCC HQ to meet Steven Lynch MBE, the recently appointed Director of International Trade as we talked about opportunities to support UK companies and build stronger ties with Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific. Welcome to the team, Steve.

And so we welcomed the new Board of the Chamber. I look forward to working with: Haslam Preeston, Simon Middlebrough, Suzy Goulding, Christina Mason, Prakash Pinto, Damian Adams, Steve Firstbrook, Lissy Vadakel, Michael Buchanan, Emma Loynes, Rodney Kinchington, Gavin Sung 宋志鴻, Dr. Michael Yap, Andrew Clark, Andy Marr, Benjamin BIRKS, Ian Macdonald, Daisy Radford, Penny Murphy and David Haigh.

Thank you to our outgoing board members, Simon Bennett Lorena Paglia and Nick Magnus MBE: I really appreciate your support.

Last but not least, I finished this morning with a brilliant session back at Eden Hall with a Strategic Defence and Leadership Breakfast with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCB ADC, Chief of the Defence Staff. Thank you UK in Singapore and see you next week!