#FridayFive from the Executive Director: 19 September 2025

A whopper this week of a #FridayFive (and a day late!), from trade to tech, this has been another mammoth week at the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham). Let me explain, but do check out the pictures which tell the story better…!

1. The Heartbeat: The week started off with our first Breakfast with BritCham; a new initiative for members to drop in and have a coffee with members where I can download whats in my brain, and members can tell us what’s going on in their world. A really collaborative session, and thanks all for joining. We will make these monthly, and hope we can bridge the gap on “we don’t know what we don’t know” in these sessions to add more value to members. Brililant start to the week and a selfie to prove it!

2. Representing the Chamber: Thank you to Daisy and Kay and the team at B-TA for the opportunity to talk tech and trade alongside HMTC APAC Martin Kent. Also met the amazing Sean de Cleene, had a catchup with DBS, and thank you to the ever supportive Simon Rawling for your time too as we consider to push forward on the “Chamber of the Future”!

3. Advancing Trade: We welcomed the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and their amazing companies in the second annual trade mission to Singapore. From AI to sports, PR to renewable energy, what an AMAZING cohort. We connected with mega Madeleine from Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore (URA), and thank you Scottish Development International for hosting us with their global Scots network at UK in Singapore.

4. Developing Leaders: the Chamber’s LTD committee launched the Accelerate programme, supporting the next generation of leaders. Bbrilliant agenda, & excellent to see the first cohort of 21 professionals. What a brilliant milestone for the Chamber as part of our Future of Work programme. Too many thanks, but particularly to Don and Karin.

5. Economic Zones: The Chamber hosted a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone event (thanks to KPMG Singapore hosting at their clubhouse). Delighted to welcome Minister of State Alvin Tan for a breakfast roundtable before the main session welcoming over 100 pax. Lots of interest, and thank you to my expert panel of Herman (EDB), Wee Kee Yap (KPMG), Tony (Arup), Tobias (Santa Fe Relocation), and Lavanya (OCBC). Great to also see the session published in the The Straits Times and Business Times too.

So a busy week and appropriate theme (there could have been many!), AND we squeezed in an exco meeting too as we prepare for our Board strategy afternoon in late October. I look forward to reconnecting with my British Chambers of Commerce colleagues next week as I’ve touched down back in the UK. Have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you soon.

PS: on the train to Stockport, Manchester, and sat next to a lovely couple who have travelled from Malaysia and Singapore… who knew there was super-connecting to be done on the Avanti West Coast Line… We’re staying in touch!