Kingston Business Expo 2022
23rd June 2022
Kingston Business School
We are proud to host the 10th Kingston Business Expo - a successful event, which brought many businesses together, in one day, to connect, learn and network.
The Expo visitors had an opportunity to hear from guest speakers on the two keynote seminars, Future Skills, led by Kingston University, and the Transition to Net Zero presented by HSBC.
The Kingston Expo hosted 35 exhibitors, speed networking sessions led by Omni Business Development Network, and the popular Silent Stage business seminars, sponsored and led by Business Clan.
We would like to thank our Headline sponsors, Kingston University, Kingston Council and HSBC for their generosity and engagement for the Expo and broader Kingston business sector.
Careers Hub Launch Event – June
8th June 2022
Warren House Hotel
We were proud to partner with South London Careers Hub and Merton Chamber of Commerce to host this grandiose event, where we introduced careers leaders to local businesses so that they could work on improvement of links between business and schools & colleges to facilitate lasting connections and forge pathways to sustainable employment for borough residents. We are confident that’s just the beginning of our fruitful partnership. We were pleased that the meeting was well attended with a presence of several Councillors and the Mayor of Kingston. The gathering was summed up as a valuable and propitious reunion.
Wych Networking – June
8th June 2022
The Wych Elm, Kingston
Another productive networking meeting at the Wych Elm, this time with a focus on mental health in the workplace. Thanks to Giselle Monbiot and Anette Brown from Kingston Adult Education we heard about anxiety, its impacts and been advised how to reduce it. So many of us is struggling with the feeling of unease and is not able to name it, let alone deal with it. It was a very informative and helpful session.
AGM 2022
23rd May 2022
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Over 40 members registered to attend our first in person AGM since 2019 at Double Tree by Hilton in Kingston, where the audited report and accounts for 2021 have been presented. Also the past year has been reviewed and we looked ahead at 2022. Following AGM we have traditionally attended a networking lunch continuing the conversations initiated before and discussing further ideas.
We are very grateful to all our members who create the Chamber and feel privileged to work alongside so many hard working and generous people. Moving forward we warmly welcome new directors and simultaneously we say thank you for years of remarkable contributions to those who have retired.
We look ahead to the future enhanced with new objectives, endurance and good energy.
Women in Business – May
18th May 2022
Cento Uno, Surbiton
It was a pure delight to gather 32 powerful women for Women in Business Lunch at Cento Uno Surbiton, organised in partnership with Time & Leisure Magazine. Fantastic, sunny weather fostered women networking, swapping great ideas and sharing inspiring views. A very beneficial workshop was delivered by Katie Lovatt from Holland Hahn & Wills Financial Planning LLP, who advised that it's never too early to start saving and investing money. Katie's great personality and interactive form of the presentation got all women involved and made easy to openly share experiences. The swanky room of Cento Uno restaurant was left by energised, empowered and confident in their next steps women. Thank you to everyone who attended and very big thank you to Robyn Harper - a photographer, who so adequately perpetuated this event!
Networking Breakfast – May
12th May 2022
Kingston College
It was a fantastic networking breakfast event on Thursday morning at Kingston College with speeches from Mike Tweedale and Clive Lissaman, who outlined the amount of emphasis the College puts on finding working opportunities for their students. Kingston College offers a wide range of apprenticeships and work placements, which not only students but also businesses can benefit from! Noticeably it is a common practice and students of certain sectors are placed as early as a year in advance.
After receiving many positive feedbacks, we know that this meeting formed new connections and been propitious to many attendees.
Networking Breakfast – April
7th April 2022
The French Tarte, Surbiton
We had a pleasure to meet up at the French Tarte in Surbiton for a networking breakfast, where everyone enjoyed divine pastries, croque monsieurs, freshly brewed coffee and a good chat. Sarah Guignard, the owner of the café, shared her story of a lockdown struggle and revealed how their tasting menu was born - a truly inspiring adventure demonstrating the power of creativity, adaptation and resilience. We all learnt a lot that morning and left the place full of ENTHUSIASM, EAGERNESS and CONFIDENCE.
Networking Lunch – April
1st April 2022
Hawkers Bar & Brasserie, DoubeTree by Hilton Hotel
A marvellous lunch at Hawkers Bar and Brasserie on Friday afternoon with the opening from Daniel Rosier, Hotel Manager at Double Tree by Hilton, who shared how their business had to confront the challenging issues over the past two years and adapt the way they work to become more efficient and engaging to both customers and their own team.
Wych Networking – March
30th March 2022
The Wych Elm, Kingston
A very productive networking meeting at The Wych Elm, Kingston with a main speech from Delphine Koall talking about Personal Branding and advising on making our businesses unique, lucrative and stable.
The Kingston Borough Business Awards 2021
17th March 2022
All Saints, Kingston
The winners of the inaugural Kingston Borough Business Awards (KBBA) have been announced at a much-anticipated celebration evening at the historic All Saints Kingston. The event brought together finalists, sponsors and VIPs from around the borough to celebrate together the achievements of the local business community.
Networking Breakfast – Town House Kingston University
10th March 2022
Town House - Kingston
It was a pleasure to host our March Networking Breakfast at Kingston University’s new award winning landmark building, Town House. A great opportunity to explore the space in person.
Barwell Business Breakfast
4th March 2022
Barwell Business Park
A great morning networking at Barwell Business Park. An array of speakers ranging from council representatives to some of Barwell's larger resident businesses.
Networking Breakfast with the Mayor – Guildhall
10th February 2022
The Guildhall - Kingston
Thank you for your donations to the Mayor's Mobile Mop-Up Scheme. A great talk from a Kingston Council apprentice showed us all that it is more than a viable option for growing your company.
Wych Networking – January
26th January 2022
The Wych Elm Kingston
Another great networking morning held at The Wych Elm. A really helpful presentation By Emma Peries of Digial Mother on building an effective social media strategy.
Networking Breakfast – The Mitre Hotel
20th January 2022
The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court
The Chamber's January Networking event was held at The Mitre Hotel in Hampton Court. This was our first visit to the Mitre under its new ownership and we thank them for the excellent service provided.
Wych Networking – November
24th November 2021
The Wych Elm Kingston
Another great networking morning held at The Wych Elm, giving opportunity for freelancers, home-based workers and start ups in the Kingston area to share ideas and make contacts.
Networking Breakfast – November 2021
11th November 2021
Bentalls Kingston
For our November Networking we returned to the 3 Restaurant at Bentalls, more than 40 guests enjoyed some networking over coffee and an excellent breakfast.
Chessington Business Expo
27th October 2021
Chessington School
The Chessington Business Expo finally went ahead as an in person event on 27th October 2021 after a 2 year gap due to covid restrictions. It was great to see everyone back and doing business face to face again.
Networking Breakfast – October 2021
14th October 2021
Warren House Hotel
October saw a return to the wonderful Warren House. As always, great food and lots of networking!
Citizen Zoo Conservation Volunteering Day
17th September 2021
Coombe Wood Triangle
Chamber Members supported Citizen Zoo on a Conservation Action day in a local New Malden wooded area, mainly involving woodland management, creating pathway and rubbish clearance
Park Brewery Tasting & Networking
16th September 2021
The Park Brewery
A big thank you to the Park Brewery for inviting our members in for a tour of the micro brewery and tasting of their fantastic range of beers.
Networking Breakfast – September 2021
9th September 2021
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Back to in-person events! It was a pleasure to see people again and actually eat food!
Kingston Borough Business Awards Launch
7th July 2021
Warren House
The new Kingston Borough Business Awards (KBBA) were launched at Warren House on 7th July. With Headline Sponsor Kingston University, Gold Sponsors Kingston College and Kingston Council.
Photos by Annie Armitage
Online events
26th May 2020
Online
So one thing we miss about our face to face events is the opportunity to get some great pictures of our networking. So here is a selection of images showing what we've been up to from our own homes, from seminars on well-being & commercial law, Q&A sessions with our MPs and Council to networking, quiz nights and Gin Tasting !
Women in Business Lunch
28th February 2020
Crowne Plaza Hotel London Kingston
It was an absolute pleasure to have adventurer and entrepreneur Fiona Quinn join us for our Women in Business Lunch to talk about her new book: Ignore The Fear. Photos by Karen Barrett Photography.
Networking Breakfast with the Mayor
13th February 2020
Guildhall Kingston
Networking breakfast with the Mayor of Kingston was certainly popular with over 60 people booked in. We also had a very informative presentation by BrexitHelp.net on some of the ways Brexit would impact local businesses. Catering by Nikki's Kitchen. Photos by Trevor Aston Photography
Wych Networking – February
5th February 2020
The Wych Elm KIngston
Another busy Wych Networking for freelancers, home-based workers and start ups in the Kingston area. A great presentation by Jude Faultless of Faultless copywriting on how to write better copy.
Warren House Lunch
31st January 2020
Warren House, Kingston
What a way to end the month! Another fantastic lunch at Warren House hosted by our President Dr Martha Mador.
Photos by Trevor Aston Photography
January Networking Breakfast
16th January 2020
Surbiton Golf Club, Woodstock Lane, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 1UG
We kicked off the year at Surbiton Golf Club, guests appreciated the views over the green while enjoying a nice hot full english breakfast.
Festive Lunch
18th December 2019
Hawkers Bar & Brasserie, DoubeTree by Hilton Hotel.
Our final event of the year was a festive lunch at Hawkers Bar & Brasserie. It was definitely a social occasion but I am sure a little networking might have gone on as well!
