#FridayFive from the Executive Director: 8 August 2025

Its #FridayFive time again and I’m writing this from Kuala Lumpur; let me explain…

1. Soaring High: Lucy and I met the brilliant team from Emirates in Singapore, talking routes, cargo, trade and engagement across our community. Loved their interactive retail store, and managed to put my feet up for 2 mins in their 1st class pod! Head down there if you’ve not already been! Thank you Jansen Sng and Deidre Chin for the warm welcome. ✈️ ✈️

2. IPO: Highlight of the week was meeting Adam Williams, CEO of the Intellectual Property Office UK. A brilliant discussion covering IP agreements, NDAs, IP-based funding mechanisms, IP Transfer, AI generated copywriting, infringements, supply chains and enforcement. Thank you to Desmond Tan for your support locally here in Singapore. Much more to do together to support UK businesses and particularly SME’s too. 👩‍💼💪

3. New Accelerate Programme launched: we launched our Accelerate programme, which brings together a select cohort of ambitious early-career professionals (5-12 years experience) for 8 weeks of intensive leadership development starting on the 16th September. A brilliant programme run by our Leadership & Talent Development Committee. Details copied in the comments below. 👩‍🏫🎓

4. Great network: so many great meetings and thanks here: Mark Worthington (thanks for your epic brain and ideas); Oliver Wickham (great to meet you and share ideas and thanks for your office view!), Haslam Preeston (for our weekly catch up, excellent counsel and super coffee!); Amanda L. and David Stepat, MSID (fellow-ORN members); Steven Parker (your vision is always a delight to explore, even if you were on holiday); HMTC Martin Kent (always a brilliant update on our quarterly calls across the British Chambers of Commerce network in APAC… especially with the UK's Industrial and Trade strategies launched... thank you). 🙏 🤝

5. A fond farewell: and finally why I’m in KL… A huge fond farewell to Jennifer Lopez, CEO of the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC). 7 years of brilliant leadership and friendship. It was brilliant to celebrate your achievements, and as it was said, you don’t need luck in your next role when you’re as brilliant as you are. You will be missed. Fab to meet friends, colleagues and new connections too. What a warm and impactful network here. 🇲🇾👋

So as I head back to the Lion City, we head into Singapore National Day tomorrow (this weeks 5-letter link). Wishing Singapore a Happy 60th Anniversary. Majulah Singapura.

British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham)