Brentford Chamber Celebrates its Year

Over 80 people attended the AGM on 17th May at the Hock Cellar where after four years as President Suzie Betlem handed over the chains of office to David O’Connor of the Holiday Inn.

Jonathan Swaine, Managing Director of Fuller’s Inns, warmly and wittily welcomed us. He apologised for Richard Fuller’s absence who was at the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group Dinner. Jonathan is a local, born in Perivale Hospital and who lived for 8 years in Brentford [cheers] (at 22 Lateward Road). Unfortunately his family outgrew the house and they moved out to Isleworth [boos]. He’s also a Brentford FC season ticket holder. He knows that Brentford is a special place, full of outspoken people. He apologised for Fuller’s One over the Ait Pub being marketed as Kew Bridge rather than Brentford (a mistake quickly rectified) and hopes that Wilmott Dixon cease promoting the Lionel Road flats as in Kew. [Donald Kerr took note]. Jonathan’s aim is to pursue the trinity of commerce, life and pubs, all interconnected. Brentford is ever changing and south of the high street is a year off happening, as it has been for the last twenty years and we need the constancy that a good local can provide. Visit The Griffin.

Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, chose us over the Beer APPG knowing full well the food here, catered by The Griffin, would be superior. Ruth has been a Brentford councillor for over 25 years and attended many AGMs here, but is proud to be standing before us as our MP. There are positive and negatives for local businesses. We have great access to transport, both public and private. The number of small and medium businesses is constantly growing and we have low unemployment and low youth unemployment. On the other hand we have considerable problems with traffic congestion and air pollution. A lot of staff are on zero hour / minimum wage contracts and we have a skills shortage, both in private and public sector. We have a serious problem with a lack of affordable housing and although Hounslow is doing what it can the funding is not there. Ruth welcomed Sadiq Khan as a Mayor of London who does understand the housing crisis and further welcomed the freeze on fares and the bus transit fare to be introduced. Ruth is firmly in the Remain camp when it comes to the EU Referendum and encourages businesses to share their views with her. As MP she has had over 10,000 approaches from constituents and 5 staff to support her. Her main concerns are Heathrow, pollution, benefits, Palestine. Ruth co-chairs the Cycling APPG, is on the Women and Equalities Commission and will be on the forming Women in Work group. Ruth is very willing to help improve networks and “be used” by businesses so please get in touch. Visit The Griffin.

AGM 2016
Apologies were received from: Stephen Ingall, Jacqui McMillan, Cllr Mel Collins, Gerry Armitage, Leslie Feore, Emma Hadleigh-Sparks.
The Minutes of the previous AGM of 21st May 2015 were agreed and there were no matters arising.
The Treasurer, Brian Johnson, presented the accounts which were agreed.
The Executive Council retired and the following council were agreed:
President: David O’Connor
Vice President: Adam Shailes
Treasurer: Brian Johnson
Council Members: Donald Kerr, Nick Kilby, Jacqui McMillan, Jan Riley, Mike Sleeman, Matt Snowden.
Joe Bourke was re-elected Auditor and Stephen Ingalls, Vickers & Co re-elected as Honorary Solicitor.

Suzie Betlem, Outgoing President has enjoyed a wonderful four years as President. Along with her executive team, all have worked extremely hard for the benefit of Business in Brentford as a Chamber. Some of the fantastic array of successful events were the bus trips to Chelsea and Wembley to support our own Brentford football club, courtesy of RedRoutemaster, one of our most productive and exciting Brentford Chamber business members. The spotlight events highlighted several members, offering the real chance for us to see businesses in Brentford actively working hard. Teapigs last year provided Suzie with the opportunity to show off her work, along with Adam Shailes of Attend IT where together they helped with Nick and Louise to create a fantastic new office space and are currently working on their expansion. Nick will host a Brentford Teapigs Party later in the year.

We have many award winning small businesses in Brentford like Octink, Brompton bikes and Teapigs to name but a few and many large corporates, such as Sky and Fullers Brewery of course.

Our Brentford Dragons Den events have been our most spectacular over the past three years, and once again Suzie would like to thank all our members and the contestants, for making it happen and hopefully create the start of a new business in the future for Brentford. As a chamber we have formed a very special relationship with our very own Brentford University UWL who are hosting Brentford Dragons 2016 on 6th July in collaboration with Brentford Chamber who are donating this dragon trophy for the winner.

Suzie then welcomed David O’Connor on board as President and passed on her chain of office, giving presents of Albury Estate Champagne and flowers to the executive.

After the AGM Suzie added “Over my term as President my business turnover has increased by over £500,000 through Chamber connections and that’s involved spending over £250,000 on local suppliers and subcontractors such as kitchens, bathrooms, tiles, carpenters, electricians etc.”

David O’Connor, Incoming President, said that he came to Brentford by accident but fell in love with it: “So I first came to Brentford a year and a half ago. I was working for a relief agency and came to Brentford under the impression that they were looking for a relief reception manager.

“In actual fact, I was told they were looking for a sales manager. And I had never done that before, had no idea how to do it, or how to use the booking system. But I just settled down, got on with it and did the best with what I had. And you know, that is Brentford. It is a place that people come to, settle down, and make something of themselves.

“This is what I love about Brentford, and this is why I want to work on events over the next year which look to the future of Brentford and I look forward to meeting you all and working with you on those projects over the next twelve months”.

Jo Russell presented Suzie with a present to thank her for her hard work over these past four years and we all retired to partake of the magnificent feast and beer, thanks to The Griffin and Fullers.

New Members over the year were: BSkyB, Bianca Marton Chocolates, Brendons Auctioneers, Brompton Bike Hire, Clayton Hotel Chiswick, The Griffin,
Heston Hyde Hotel, Hilton Syon Park, Mango Vibe Ltd, Monique Parrish, My Plumber, Verdict Bakery

2016 Minutes AGM and Agenda and Accounts 2016 are available to download.