#FridayFive from the Executive Director: 9 October 2026

This week feels like it has whizzed by and its been a busy one! This is what’s been going on across the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham) for my #FridayFive: 

1.  Receiving New Members: It was brilliant to welcome new members of the Chamber for a New Member Briefing this week. Always good to see new members join the network and share how we operate between the bilateral brilliance of Singapore and the UK, and update on benefits of the Chamber to businesses and individuals. THanks for joining us: Deepak Pitta Chloe Willsmore-Ang (CTA-ATT) Joe Low Michelle Lim, Lydia Elder Laura Barrett Khairia Kassim Jinesh Timbadia

2.  Around the World: What a privilege to hear from and meet Dame Barbara Woodward, former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations from 2020 to 2025, at the British High Commission, talking about geopolitics and resilience. It was amazing to unpick her journey, but also to see how the wider Chamber network can support UK exports and growth. Thank you Dame Woodward for all of your sharing.

3.  Creating Opportunities: throughout the week, there has been time to look at our AI planning, our engagement in supporting new-to-market British firms, and work on a programme of trade missions for 2027. Lots to come (and a lot more to do!), but the BAU stuff this week has been genuinely interesting. The next few weeks are really busy, but the momentum of what the Chamber is doing is also exciting. 

4.  Emily Woodburn: delighted to welcome Emily to the Chamber where we had a slimmed down version of our #Geopolitics committee. Thank you to Jay Gadar, Yuen Chong Chim and Colin Tungung for supporting a discussion on support for businesses. Emily, thank you so much for your engagement this week – great to see you again. 

5.  Yesteryear – when I was younger, I used to be glued to the TV, watching some of the most talented drivers, race some of the most gorgeous F1 cars – with thanks to His Excellency Nikesh Mehta, I was able to meet one of those legends, Jacques Villeneuve – its not often you get time to meet a sporting hero and have the chance to ask all the questions I wanted to ask 30 years ago! Thanks Jacques for being the driver you always appeared to be on TV all that time ago. Fab pictures with Jack Mullan and fellow Canadian Christie J.. Great to see @Andrew Denton from STEM Racing too! Welcome back to Singapore! 

Have a great weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix for all those who are going! See you there, and next week is another bumper week to look forward to as we go up the gears again!