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Diversity and Inclusion
Scotland in London
Scotland House in Blackfriars – with its fabulous views along the river – was the venue for the launch of 2026 London St Andrew’ s book festival – now in its third year and a key initiative of the Scots in London group.
Showcase
Authors at the weeklong event in November include Val McDermid, Andrew Lownie, Bill Paterson and Jenni Fagan. Events include a poetry showcase, a lunch with former weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, and interviews involving media figures Robert Peston, Hugh Pym, Gavin Esler and Hugo Rifkind. Sports journalist turned novelist Gordon Simpson will also appear, talking about his golfbased thriller Four Deadly Swings and reflecting on his life in professional sport.
Human intelligence
Marcelo Rodrigues, managing director of Trinity Bridge Scotland, one of the corporate sponsors, was among the speakers at the launch event in September alongside Mark Boyce, head of Scotland House, events director Susan Pym and Reverand Angus MacLeod, convenor of the Scots in London forum while Esler joined by video link.
Rodrigues, a Brazilian now firmly established in Scotland, had the audience in stitches with his account of the Scottish football team’ s adventures at the World Cup – they were in the same group as his country of birth. He also came out with a most telling quote saying that this company were“ massive believers in sponsoring human intelligence.”
London St Andrew’ s book festival 16-22 November. Venues include St Columba’ s
Church, the Caledonian Club and Scotland House
www. standrewsbookfestival. org
Originals
LCCI’ s Asian Business Association took over the first floor of the Original Ivy in Covent Garden for an autumn reception. LCCI chief executive Karim Fatehi OBE welcomed guests and shared his experience of coming to the UK and taking the opportunities on offer to set up a successful business.
Guests also heard from Dr Walaa Bakry, director of executive education at the University of Westminster, programme partners for the association.
www. westminster. ac. uk