The Board

Alan Rides - MD

Alan started his export career in Metal Box PLC export shipping department in West Acton, progressing to Diageo export customer services department in Regents Park dealing with global exports. Alan is well used to export documentation and banking presentations. Since graduating from the Institute of Export at West Thames College he has been a front line export salesman across Africa, Asia and the Middle East for 25 years working for UK Export trading companies with manufacturing arms who set up local successful offices and dealerships for UK companies. These include many blue chip firms including JCB, Rolls Royce, Terex, Land Rover, Hyster, Carrier plus multiple SME’s across the business spectrum. This propelled Alan’s career to Director level as sales grew from $5m to $140m and local offices were set up in 4 overseas markets then on to set up his own Consultancy (ARC) and be an International Trade Adviser with www.a-r-c.london.

Sally Smith - COO

Sally has been working for the Chamber since January 2001. Since her appointment, which started as part-time and is now full-time, the numbers of events and membership have increased dramatically.Sally directs the Chamber Membership initiatives, Events and all operations activities of the Chamber, including an online documentation service.   Sally, the friendly day-to-day face of the Chamber, is the first point of contact for businesses.

Lisa Rides - Admin Assistant

Sardar Singh - President

Sardar Singh was amongst the first turbaned uniformed customs officers to be posted at Heathrow in the early seventies. Today, Sardar is CEO of Lovell Properties Limited, which deals in buying, selling and property consultation in London with an impressive real estate portfolio. He holds an honorary doctorate from a US University and occasionally indulges his acting hobby having appeared in soap operas and TV shows.

Chris Durkin - Chairman

Having spent seven years in engineering, including a five year Indentured Apprenticeship, I transferred to the City of London. My career spanned more than three decades working as an Insurance Broker, specialising in Reinsurance. After semi-retirement I spent five years working for West Thames College, holding the Premises Managers position before retiring fully. My current commitments are: Chairman of the Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, with particular reference to Strategic Partnerships with Hounslow Council and large corporates, such as Heathrow Airport Limited and also Education Business Partnerships. Chair of the Medical Advisory Service, a charity which allows Nurses who are unable to work physically due to work related injury or illness to give professional advice over a dedicated telephone line. Chair of the Hounslow Town Centre Forum under the Localism Act, November 2011 Other involvements include various committees concerning Healthcare and the NHS Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

Samar Whitticombe

Samar was born in Iraq and having gained an engineering degree, She moved to London and worked for Bechtel and also Amec Oil and Gas. In May 2008 she founded Somer Industrial Projects (SIP) and advises many companies within the Middle Eastern region in matters such as strategy consulting, market entry into Iraq, sourcing and knowledge based training whilst ensuring compliance to standards and specifications. Samar was awarded a Women of Excellence Award in 2017 for her work with communities. In 2018 Samar was elected Executive member of al Kindi society of engineering.

Chris Gillie

Chris has worked in IT for over 25 years, starting his career at EuroTunnel. Working now as an independent IT professional, he now manages the IT for three small to medium sized organisations. He has lived in Brentford for over a decade.

Mel Bruneau

Mel is an expert provider in all areas of the transport and warehousing industry and as a qualified Health & Safety Advisor, Professional Trainer and Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor, Mel works closely with airlines, handling agents, freight forwarders, distributors and manufacturers to ensure clients meet all the requirements of the relevant legislation. Mel is also a qualified instructor for the CAA and a member of the ICHCA.

Mustafa Erdem

Mustafa is an architect and has worked on a variety of education projects including Primary, Secondary and Higher education sectors as well as several community and regeneration projects. He was also involved in the production of various masterplans. Mustafa has many years of experience as an Architect, Urban Designer and Landscape Architect.

Chris Greenwood

Chris Greenwood was the managing director of MAPMECHANICS, a Brentford based company, specialising in mapping and logistics optimisation for businesses around the world; which he has recently sold. After studying physics he took a research degree in plasma fusion and then joined PerkinElmer, a US BioTechnology company, to develop a range of analytical instrumentation. At MAPMECHANICS his skills in innovation and the application of technology to mapping and logistics have been instrumental in the company’s success. Chris has also managed a number of significant key sales including the introduction of a new mapping system for Experian and a sophisticated prescription and drug delivery solution for Boots. Chris is a Citizen Scientist helping research into eel migration and enjoys sailing.

Helen Roberts

Helen Roberts - Strategy and Business advice Passionate about growing businesses, Helen has been assisting CXO level executives of both national and international SME’s to shape their business, implement growth and build lasting infrastructure. Helen followed her own passions, and built her business on that foundation. In just over twelve months after starting her business, she had made one million+ and then went on to grow from strength to strength. Since then, she coached, mentored, trained and supported thousands of SME’s across the globe.

Soraya Lavery

Soraya Lavery - Business Expansion Consultant Soraya, COO of CPG is an Expert business, operations & people management strategist. With over 15 years + start-up & SME mentorship across multiple industries and verticals. She is an expert across FMCG / Retail / Food / Hospitality, Marketing & Sales & professional services

Raj Basra

Raj is a Senior Innovation & Strategy Manager at HSBC Global Banking and Markets. He has been recruited to the Chamber Board Advisory to improve the FinTech and Banking relationship the Chamber is able to offer to businesses.

Alan Coates

Alan spent over 30 years with United Biscuits, 18 of which was as a Board Director. He specialised in Sales and Marketing, as well as manufacturing and corporate affairs. He recently resigned as Chairman at Park Royal Partnership, where he completed 9 years in the post which now allows him more time to focus his role as Director at Knowledge Peers. Knowledge Peers is a directors network with a difference, providing practical guidance on business issues to established businesses, typically with revenues of £1m to £100m. He is a Trustee of the John Lewis Partnership Foundation, the BAA Foundation and the charity Fareshare, Chair of the Ealing and Hillingdon Educational Business Partnership.

Jane Jones

Jane has worked for EMC/Dell Technologies for over 15 years at its Brentford location on the Great West Road. She started work at EMC Computer Systems in 2007 as an Executive Assistant for a VP at the newly acquired company: Legato, covering Europe, Middle East. She then transitioned to working for Documentum another software division within EMC. Finally, moving to the core of the business continuing at an EMEA level until EMC was acquired by Dell Technologies in 2016. At which time Jane moved to a UKI role, which is where she is today.

Janet Leatherland

Janet Leatherland, Centre Manager of the Treaty Shopping Centre has over 20 years’ experience of shopping centre management. She has managed Windsor Royal Shopping, The Brunswick in Russell Square and the Spinningfields Development in Manchester. With experience working for Network Rail and other large property owners she has a great understanding of retailing and how it fits in the overall success of a town centre. She is also the Chair of Safer Business Hounslow and is a passionate supporter of Hounslow and its ongoing success. In her spare time she enjoys walking her puppy Ruby and is the Chair of the Streatham Festival, where she lives.

Mike Moran

Mike Moran is owner of a family-run business, “Top Hat Cleaners”, which in 2016 won the prestigious “Best Independent Dry Cleaners” award as the best in the country. In 2017, Top Hat Cleaners also celebrated their 50th anniversary. Mike is a key player in supporting local independent businesses in Devonshire Road.

Ersel Oymak

Ersel Oymak brings over 30 years of experience with focus on co-creation, technological innovation partners, sales, transformational strategic business development, digitisation and verticalisation. Following a diverse range of roles in his career, he is currently Head of Strategic Alliances Directors & Corporate Relationships, UCL EAST at University College London. Ersel holds dual citizenship (British, Turkish).

Ed Hussey

Ed Hussey have over 20 years of commercial HR experience across aviation, financial services, manufacturing and professional services sectors. He specialises in devising and implementing effective people and organisation strategies to help a business meet its objectives. Ed joined Menzies in 2008 after working for a number of blue-chip companies. Ed lead his People Solutions team who support many of the firm’s clients in effective people management and HR strategy development.

John Warchus

John Warchus is a specialist in all areas of commercial and technology law and provide advice to clients in these areas, including dispute management. John's colleagues and him always strive to be an extension of his client’s management or legal team as well as acting as their legal representative if they have no in-house legal team. John's clients are from overseas carrying out business in the UK and/or looking for advice on contracts governed by English law. Equally, he is able to assist UK clients who need foreign legal advice through good connections with a range of international law firms. In particular, he is President of The IT and IP Law Group Europe, an alliance of European law firms specialising in Technology and Intellectual Property legal issues.

Ferose Gazi

Ferose Gazi - Managing Director - Consolidated Logistics Services Ltd •I completed my business management degree in Sep 1995. •Started my 1st job at Heathrow Retail in January 1996 at Terminal-3. •I joined Heathrow Logistics role in Sep 1998 at Terminal-3 South wing development project with Wilson James Limited. •I was able to be part of Terminal 5 build, Terminal- 1 and Terminal 2 building construction projects. •Wilson James become framework contract for BAA to deliver Airport logistics operations. I was part of successful team to deliver all major projects between the Terminals. •I was appointed as a BAA Logistics PM role in 2006. I was delivering the supporting role for Terminal 5 Airside Logistics solutions. At the end of Terminal 5 go live, I was appointed at Terminla-1 and Terminal 2 logistics programme which was £4.6B projects. •I joined Consolidated Logistics Services Limited (CLS) in July 2013. •Best logistics company of the year by Hounslow chamber of commerce in year 2017. •Best community award by local MP (Hounslow) in 2018. •Board advisor for Hounslow Chamber of commerce. •Working in partnership with Hounslow Chamber of commerce since 2017 to support local SME’s. •CLS become a known supplier by HAL in August 2018 to provide passenger meet and greet service. This is something uplifted CLS capability in terms of customer service to the Europe buggiest Airport. •CLS become a preferred supplier to HAL in 31 October 2019 to provide professional services, small building work, Logistics and fire marshalling. This is our biggest achievement as a company. •CLS Achieved licensed to operate at Heathrow Gatwick and Stansted Airports.