Spotlight on LCCI Network
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Building bridges through business
For the second consecutive year, the London Southside Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Bulgarian Women in Business, hosted the South London Business Expo at Staybridge Suites London Vauxhall, an IHG Hotel.
Connections
Bringing together
more than 25 exhibitors and over 100 attendees, the Expo celebrated entrepreneurship, innovation and cultural diversity, creating connections, sharing knowledge and opening doors to new opportunities for businesses and communities across South London.
The event included a fashion show supported by Silk Road Fashion London, and an educational presentation on neurodiversity and how to unlock talent. This session encouraged employers to consider how understanding neurodiversity can benefit both individuals and organisations.
Unlock potential
“ Our goal is to build a strong community through collaboration, inclusion and the courage to embrace our differences. By recognising diverse talents, including neurodivergent strengths, we unlock potential, build lasting partnerships and create a business community where everyone belongs and can thrive” said Radiana Vlahova, LSCC chief executive.
Empowering
Tinka Denisheva, founder of Bulgarian Women in Business UK added:“ The Expo is about turning diversity into opportunity, empowering entrepreneurs to believe in their potential, support one another and build bridges that create a brighter future for everyone.”
www. londonscc. co. uk www. bgwomeninbusiness. com
Creating a shared language for essential skills
The Commercial Education Trust( CET) recently brought together charitable partners, funders, employers and educationalists at its annual networking and drinks reception at the Impact Hub Euston in Triton Square.
Collaboration
Guests heard from Michael Englard, UK chief executive of Skills Builder Partnership, on the collaboration between the two organisations and the case for a shared language on essential skills. This is particularly important at a time when technology is re-shaping entry-level work and when the number of young people not in education, employment or training continues to rise.
Winners
The evening also recognised CET ' s 2026 award winners. Edward Harriman, asset manager at Mileway, won the David Coughtrie Leadership Award, with Clare Jenkinson, head of sustainability and social impact at Foresters Financial, named runner-up. Edna Bannor, underwriting assistant for Cyber at AIG, won the Young Leader Award, with Efetobore Efemini, equity index analyst at FTSE Russell, as runner-up.
Independent
CET executive director Mahad Ali set out the organisation’ s 2026- 2029 corporate plan, including a new three-tier grants pathway ranging from small grants of £ 500 to £ 10,000 through to long-term strategic partnerships.
" We are small, endowed and independent, which lets us back ideas earlier than most funders can," said Ali. " The other half of the job is getting people in the same room who do not usually meet.”
Established by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CET has awarded over £ 3.3m since 2002 to organisations developing Commercial Ability in young people
www. thecet. org