Message from the Executive Director - February 2019

Dear Valued Members,

As we come to the end of one New Year and commence another one, this affords a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what has been happening in and around the network in 2018.

Throughout this past year the Chamber team have been hard at work creating value for our 400 corporate members who today represent close to 3,600 professionals from diverse backgrounds.

In 2018 the Chamber underwent a significant transformation in the way we communicate and the platforms in which our members can engage with each other. We began publishing the Orient Magazine in digital version, allowing for greater accessibility and increasing our readership. We further launched a new Chamber website, allowing for a more seamless user experience. 

We also moved offices into our new premises on Telok Ayer Street where members can continue to make use of the facilities on offer. 

This past year we welcomed the proactive engagement of members in our 11 Committees and saw the launch of two new committees: Leadership, Talent & Professional Development and Financial & FinTech. We further launched our campaign on the Future of Work, exploring and offering insights from members on workplace and workforce transformation.

The Chamber has continued to provide a relevant and vibrant events calendar in 2018, covering topical issues from cyber security to renewable energy, along with delivering our core flagship events, including our Leaders in Business Lunch series and our Formula One networking. We also partnered with the British Club for the first time to celebrate all things British during the festive season at the Great British Ball.

Our 19th Annual Business Awards once again recognised the achievements of our members and was presided by our Guest of Honour Mr. Chan Chun Sing, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry.

We have also looked to enhance our role in representing your views on issues impacting your business. In 2018 we held a closed-door session with former Minister of Manpower, Mr. Lim Swee Say. We also welcomed key UK Ministers and representatives of the British Government, including Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox MP.

The Chamber has focused in particular on the UK’s trade agenda this past year. We held a trade policy dialogue between members and the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT), as well as providing a submission to the Department’s call for responses on whether the UK should seek to join the CPTPP. We continued to open doors for future growth and increased trade between the UK and Singapore with numerous Trade Missions and assistance to UK exporters.

We also supported members as you look to expand and grow in ASEAN, providing opportunities to meet with our network of British Chambers in the region and welcoming the UK’s H.M. Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Ms. Natalie Black.

As we look ahead to 2019, we are preparing ourselves for an important year. 2019 is the 200th anniversary of the relationship between both nations and a significant year for the Chamber as our Annual Business Awards reaches its 20th year.

The Chamber will be working closely with the British High Commission and DIT to continue to strength the ties between Singapore and the UK in the year ahead, looking to highlight our close trade relations and celebrating the successes of our members and British companies in Singapore.

The Chamber team and I wish to thank members for your continued support. A note of recognition as well to our Annual Partners who have supported the Chamber in 2018. Our successes as an organisation are, after all, made possible by your engagement.

Regards,

Olivia Widen

Executive Director