Member's Spotlight

1. What has been your biggest success of the year so far? I think my biggest successes this year have been setting up our student engagement programme here at Galvin at Windows and keeping the team together through a very difficult period.

2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months, how have you overcome it? One of the biggest challenges we have faced in recent months has been the recruitment issue. To overcome this we have looked at different pools of talent, for example, working with people who have served time in prison but are now looking to get back into work.

3. What motivates you each day? Coming to work every day knowing we are making a difference to people’s lives and working with my team, who are so amazing, motivates me every day.

4. What do you love most about your role at Galvin’s? I love that I am given the freedom to do things my way and the trust we have within the industry. Also, working with Chris Galvin and learning from him every day is something I really love about my role.

5. What helps you to find the perfect work-life balance? My children running around and my love of mediation and yoga.

6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the borough? My favourite spot in the borough has to be Kensington Gardens. I love my walks there and looking at the palace always reminds me of my first day in London. My favourite hidden gem is the team room on Wrights Lane, they do the best muffins in town, and I love a lunch at Kitchen W8, always feels like being back home.

1. What has been your biggest success of the year so far? We might only be a few months into 2023, but we’ve already enjoyed a great start to the year. After a busy Christmas, with shoppers returning to the West End to enjoy all of the wonderful festive experiences on offer, we saw spend in January that even outperformed pre-pandemic levels. While we’re well aware of the challenges ahead, we’re optimistic that we can weather the storm and have a fantastic year of growth in the West End.  We’re still on track to hit our key target of returning to an annual turnover of £10 billion by the end of 2025, having made strong progress over the last 12 months.
 
2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months, how have you overcome it? Of course, the Chancellor’s decision to overturn the reintroduction of tax-free shopping towards the end of last year was a major blow. While it’s great to see international tourists back on our streets, we could be seeing so many more if we had the most enticing environment for them to come back to – and that means having tax-free shopping back in place. We’re certainly frustrated, but undeterred. We’ve redoubled our efforts to persuade the Government to reconsider its position, in order to give our high streets the best opportunity to grow and thrive.
 
3. What motivates you each day? I feel very privileged to represent one of the most iconic retail and leisure destinations in the world. We work daily to make London's West End the most diverse, sustainable and inspiring place to visit and do business. On a personal note, striving to be a good role model for my children is what gets me up in the morning.
 
4. What do you love most about your role at New West End Company? The hugely varied nature of the role. Being a member organisation that represents over 600 businesses from retail to hospitality and leisure, means that no two weeks are the same at New West End Company. The services that we provide to the district – such as our cleansing and security, our destination marketing channels that drive footfall and spend, as well as our lobbying to the Government on behalf of our members for policies that create jobs and promote long-term good economic growth – all make me so proud. They allow us to make a valuable and tangible difference to the area and the businesses that we represent.
 
5. What helps you relax when you’re not at work? Although I work in the West End during the week, I love to come in at the weekend with my family and enjoy it as a visitor. Shopping with my two girls is their favourite pastime.  From a quick trip to the cinema in Selfridges to lunch at Market Halls in Oxford Street, there is something for every member of my family. Outside of the West End I also find running is a great way to relax and destress after a busy week at work.
 
6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the borough? The core streets are our backbone and I love nothing more than to take a stroll around the district to see how it is adapting and changing all the time. We have such a great selection of retail and food and beverage experiences on our doorstep, but my personal favourites are the Dyson Beauty Lab, where you can have a quick blow dry mid-shop, and Willows On The Roof at the top of John Lewis – it is such a great spot for a catch up with friends.

1. What has been your biggest success of the past 12 months? We have had a record amount of private chef placements in private houses and we have also carried out placements in super yachts, an area we invested a lot of time and energy in last year and it's been wonderful seeing this materialise.  

2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months, how have you overcome it? It's become harder to engage passive candidates as following the pandemic and the current world economy, markets have become uncertain. By being the expert in our field, creating great working relations and understanding the needs of our candidates we are still attracting top talented people.

3. What motivates you each day? My family.

4. What do you love most about your role at Galor Personal Chef? The buzz that it gives me every time we make a positive change in people's lives.

5. What helps you to find the perfect work-life balance? Having a well organised schedule is key to a healthy work life balance. When I'm working I'm working and when I'm with the family I'm 100% committed to that time.

6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the borough? We're lucky as there are so many great places to eat and drink in the borough; one which I'm currently enjoying is Pascor Restaurant on Kensington High Street.

1. What has been your biggest success of the year so far?

Having the full team back in the office together after the disruption of the last few years or just celebrating 25 Years!!

2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months, how have you overcome it?
The uncertainty of the ever-changing property market, continually thinking of ways to adapt, overcome by working hard together as a team and the loyalty of clients.

3. What motivates you each day?
Knowing I have my dog to keep happy and a team to guide.

4. What do you love most about your role at Susan Metcalfe Residential?
Being the boss!

5. What helps you to find the perfect work-life balance?
Time with my dog in the Kensington Gardens and when possible getting into the countryside.

6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the borough?
The Bullring, Royal Hospital, Chelsea or Chelsea Cellar or Stecca  (local restaurants).

1. What has been your biggest success of the year so far?
The biggest success of the year, has been winning a Bronze Award for Honey Corn’s Elemi & Frankincense Anti-Ageing serum in the Free From Skincare Awards. I’m delighted about it! Especially since it was our first time entering an award.
 
2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months, how have you overcome it?
The biggest challenge for me has been securing the right kind of investment to propel my business forward to the next stage. There is a huge appetite for UK products globally because of the care, quality and high standards of workmanship that goes into what we produce as a nation.
 
3. What motivates you each day?
Making my dreams a reality 
 
4. What do you love most about your role at Honeycorn UK?
Being my own boss and 100% independent
 
5. What helps you to find the perfect work-life balance?
Attending Kensington Chelsea & Westminster Chamber of Commerce events, it’s a great mix of networking and pleasure, I’ve met so many lovely people from different business sectors and the events are always fun!
 
6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the borough?
I do love the Mitre in Holland Park it’s a great place to eat, drink and watch people go by in the leafy surroundings. 

1. What has been your biggest success of the year so far?  Although I may be on the cusp of losing my Mojo, I’m told by clients and my Partners that I’m still a source of creativity, pragmatism, and “outside the box” strategies, something that is sadly becoming increasingly rare. Clearly word of mouth still counts, as I have lots of recommendations from happy clients of all sizes, as well as their advisers.

2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months and how have you overcome it?  “Cash remains King”! Can I say that?  No? “Cash remains Regal then”! Turnover is not all it’s cracked up to be …..Reminding clients of the value of the service we provide.

3. What motivates you each day? A cliché of course, but every day is different. Looking after some very high profile and challenging clients who expect the best. “Service” is paramount and my leading by example to my younger Partners and Staff. We must be creative, proactive, and commercial, giving clients “best advice”, yet remain ethically compliant at all times. We have the expertise and resources, as well as being a member of the Integra Network, to be a genuine alternative to the big firms of accountants.

4. What do you love most about your role?  I was the firm’s Managing Partner for a number of years, followed by Senior Partner for the last ten years (I believe I have been the longest in these combined positions?) during which time the firm has grown thanks mainly to my excellent Partners, especially Robert Moore my successor as Managing Partner, and Staff, many of whom are ex Russell Group. So, I guess, this might be encapsulated as a sound bite by “driving the firm forward with a vision and strategy that yields results”.

5. What helps you relax when you’re not at work? Although I live in Chelsea during the week, currently water-based activities at my weekend home at Shaldon in Devon, not just on the water but also perfecting my “tumble turn”! Also, Rosslyn Park Rugby.

6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the two boroughs?  “Brinkley’s” on Hollywood Road (natch !) and at the other extreme, Brompton Oratory where I was lucky enough to be married.

1. What has been your biggest success of the year so far?  
Rolling out the RBKC/Westminster Health Equality Project in a few weeks where we helped 17 local businesses.

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2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months and how have you overcome it?  
Rebuilding the PBC team as Interim CEO following the departure/retirement of several senior staff from late 2021 - mid 2022. We now have a fabulous, highly talented and motivated new team!

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3. What motivates you each day?
Operating in the vibrant Kensington & Chelsea business community and working with my great colleagues.

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4. What do you love most about your role at Portobello Business Centre?  
Helping businesses grow and overcome challenges.

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5. What helps you to find the perfect work-life balance? 
Still searching for that!

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6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the two boroughs? 
Difficult to name just one but I would say either Da Nadas (serving fabulous Argentinian empanadas) or Golborne Deli, both in Golborne Road.

1. What has been your biggest success of the year so far?  

 Timeless launched the Costa Coffee Drinkware Ecommerce Website, with fully managed warehouse integration for our client.

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2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months, how have you overcome it?  

Our biggest challenge has been to identify the clients that don’t respect and value our services. In order to overcome this, we review our prospects to determine which will work in partnership with us, to provide our service to.

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3. What motivates you each day?

Developing and cultivating the culture within the business so our team remains stronger, agile, and able to meet our client’s technology challenges head on.

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4. What do you love most about your role?  

The people! Relationships, respect and values amongst our employees, our clients, suppliers, and prospects! We like interesting people!

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5. What helps you relax when you’re not at work?

Socialising with good company and going to car meets

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6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the two boroughs? 

Kyoto Garden is a wonderful place! Very tranquil and such a beautiful place with the Japanese plants and a stunning waterfall

1. What has been your biggest success of the year so far?
Buying my house!

2. What is the biggest challenge you have come across over the past few months, how have you overcome it? 
Commuting into the city each day after moving, overcoming it by ensuring job satisfaction stays high and making the most of the city when here.

3. What motivates you each day?
For work, all my colleagues – we have a great team across the company.
 
4. What do you love most about your role at The Sloane Club?
Meeting new people and the fact that no day is the same!
 
5. Tell us an interesting fact about The Sloane Club most people might not know?
We celebrate our 100th Birthday this year!
 
6. And finally, where’s your favourite spot or hidden gem in the borough?
I adore Chelsea Physic Garden