Meet the team

Alan Rides

Alan, with 40 years of commercial business experience runs the events that focus on International and local business, so is happy to help deliver advice and connections to help your business get better visibility, grow and improve your finances.

Alan back started his export career in Metal Box PLC export shipping department in West Acton, progressing to Diageo export customer services department dealing with global exports. Since graduating from the Institute of Export at West Thames College he has been a front line businessman 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. This propelled Alan’s career to Director level as sales grew and local offices were set up in 4 overseas markets. then on to set up his own Consultancy (ARC) and be a British Government (UKTI / DIT) Trade Officer.

Alan is also a guest lecture at King’s College London, Brunel University and University of West London plus local colleges.

Sally Smith

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.
Sally, the friendly day-to-day face of the Chamber, is the first point of contact for businesses.

Lisa Rides

Aya Nouwailati

Darius Ostovar

Chris Durkin

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.

Sardar Singh

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. Sardar was until recently our much loved and respected President and now holds the position of President Emeritus.

Gillian Stafford

Gillian has worked in industrial B2B marketing for over 20 years, starting her career at Caterpillar Inc where she worked with eCommerce, websites, events and Six Sigma and eventually became Head of Marketing Communications.  She was in charge of a large team of marketing specialists and project managers who provided marketing services for internal teams and the 180 strong global distributor network.  This was followed by 13 years at oil and gas giant Shell International based in London, where she led the Europe and Africa Marketing team before moving into change and project management roles on large scale global transformation programmes.  These days she runs her own Marketing Consultancy specialising in Social Media strategy, training and management for both SMEs and corporate businesses.

Andy Bell

Andy took over as the BID Manager at Fulham Broadway BID at the end of November 2021. Andy has a varied background having worked both within businesses on the High Street and in business engagement on behalf of local authorities. Having started his working career in communications, Andy worked with big brands including SEGA, Blue Dragon and Morphy Richards, before moving into the sponsorship industry. After a break to run his own business, a volunteer agency working in sport, Andy went on to become the Marketing and Sales Manager of the largest importer, retailer and distributor of Korean food in Europe, before starting a new career in business engagement. Over the past 5 years, Andy has worked in business engagement, mainly within Richmond and Hounslow councils. Having also worked for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, west London is at the heart of his experience.

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.

Elsa Caleb

Elsa who specialises in business development support for entrepreneurs. Works extensively with businesses in a wide range of industries to improve effectiveness, productivity, results and the ‘bottom line’.

She has run her business for over 20 years and focuses on finding and developing unique opportunities to create value for money by enabling my clients to think outside of the box concerning their future business development ideas.

She enjoys developing strategic business plans by challenging business owners to dream and make their dream become a reality by gaining access to financial services and new markets.

As former Chair of The Institute of Business Consulting (London Region) she has been instrumental in the development of Business Consultants and business owners.

Elsa specialises in strategic business development, and currently provides on behalf of Branduin one-to-one business advice and support.

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.

Dr Renu Raj

Dr Renu Raj non practicing qualified medical doctor.Qualified Solicitor, accredited International Mediator from London. Founder and CEO of RADANKS UK international legal tourism. Multiple Award Winner. RADANKS is a leading Mediators training CMC registered-course and Service provider. Multiple prestegious Award Winner. I have been invited as an international Mediator expert by Rajya sabha indian Parliament to discuss mediation bill to amend in India. I came up with the revolutionary concept of legal tourism Globally. RADANKS is the world’s first integrated Legal care and support platform. I am a skilled and experienced International Accredited Mediator. I have a strong track record in alternative dispute resolution, spanning corporate, commercial and property areas and am accustomed to undertaking a structured mediation process as a neutral third person working with multiple parties, whilst ensuring legal arguments are understood. Masters in International Economics law Justice and development and possess a strong knowledge of the UK and international law. Registered at BCI and Delhi high court and a member of various renowned associations internationally. An international mediator for Construction industry Arbitration Council by CIDC.I am well equipped with a strong business acumen and an excellent understanding of commercial challenges, which I use while working within high profile networks and operating with elite contacts. Always reliable, hardworking, and driven to achieve goals. I aim to live up-to all the promises made. Despite being British and living in London my company and my job requires me to frequently travel internationally.. My objective is to make an international platform providing the best mediation from all parties across Pan Asia, UK and many more areas. Mediators Training centers are running in UK ,INDIA & OTHER COUNTRIES. The fundamentals of success are self-investment. mantra of life is always treating yourself with the three C’s— CONCERN, COMMITMENT and CONFIDENCE, which is my key for Success.

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.

Shankar Devarashetty

Qualified Chartered Accountant and Financial Advisor with over 15 years of experience. He is the managing director of Oasis Accountants and Oasis Wealth Management Ltd and got knowledge and experience to help in various financial aspects of SME business. He is a also a property developer with expertise in property tax planning.

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.

Anisha Sharma

My name is Anisha Sharma, and I became a franchisee with McDonald’s in June 2022. I now own and operate the Ironbridge McDonald’s in Hanwell. My background is in Investment Banking so this is a totally different field with new and exciting challenges.

However, before my corporate career, I was heavily involved with my parent’s Snooker and Pool Club in Chiswick, West London, where the desire to own my own business began. Having grown up in Norwood Green, I am delighted to join the Advisory Board for WLCC representing Southall.

Chris Lukins

Chris is the owner and managing director of Venture X White City, a flexible office space provider located in Westfield London. Prior to opening Venture X White City, he spent 12 years working in various banking roles from equity derivatives trading to structured fund financing with posts in Sydney, Hong Kong, London and New York.

Ersel Oymak

Ersel Oymak brings in over 35 years of international experience at senior ICT industry roles with focus on co-creation, technological innovation partners, sales, strategic business development, digitisation and verticalization.

He is currently Strategic Sales Business Development Director for University College London (UCL), Board Member for PraxisAuril, Advisory Board Member and Technology Lead for West London Chambers, Head of Strategic Sales Business Development for AcoustoFab and Strategic Sales Business Development Advisor to Metasonixx. He was formerly Head of Strategic Alliances Directors and Corporate Relationships, and Strategic Alliances Advisor and Innovator in Residence for UCL, Advisory Board Member for CYENS Centre of Excellence and Advisory Board Member at Hounslow
Chamber. He has significant global technology sector experience with leading corporates including CISCO, working closely with government, industry and start-ups.

His career includes Head Network Design Consultant at KOCSISTEM (formerly KOC-UNISYS, 1995- 1998), Regional Technical Manager Turkey & Middle East at ENTERASYS NETWORKS (formerly CABLETRON SYSTEMS, 1998-2002), International Sales & Marketing Director at NEVOTEK (2002-2005) and Strategic Sales Business Development Manager at CISCO Enterprise Business Group EMEAR covering Retail, Consumer Packaged Goods, Smart Connected Real Estate, Smart Connected Communities, Business Energy Management, Sports & Entertainment, Hospitality, Museums, Gaming and Mega-yachts & Cruiseliners vertical solutions (2005-2013). He then served as an Innovation Technology Manager at CISCO Corporate Strategic Innovation Group (CSIG) as an overlay function to the UK & Ireland Innovation Team
(2013- 2018).

Most recently he was Head of Strategic Alliances Directors & Corporate Relationships at UCL (2019-2021) where he sought to develop Transformational Strategic Alliances with key industry partners to drive a step change across the twelve entities of UCL EAST, UCL’s largest campus expansion project in its 200-yearhistory that is aimed to create a world-leading innovation district in the UK. He also served as a Non-Executive Director & Advisory Board Member overseeing innovation and technology at Hounslow Chamber in London, UK (2017-2021).

He is the co-author of ‘University-Industry Partnerships for Positive Change: Transformational Strategic Alliances Towards the UN SDGs’ due to be published this October by Bristol University Press and Policy Press (https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/university-industry-partnerships-for-positive-change).

Ersel holds a MSc(Eng) degree in Microelectronic Systems and Telecommunications from the University of Liverpool and a BSc(Eng) degree in Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from Yildiz Technical University.

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.

Gerry Holden

Gerry is an accomplished Sales and Business Development manager who focuses on generating revenue by developing business partnerships, identify sales opportunities and turning cold leads into warm leads.  Based in Surrey Gerry has worked with many Boroughs and Chambers of Commerce using her expertise and networking to help her clients reach their forecasted yearly revenue.

James Holmes

Mrinal Madina

Neil Barham

Neil has over 25 years of experience in the Security market, covering all roles from Security officer. Neil has a proven track record of building and developing operations, sales, support and administrative teams to produce high levels of customer satisfaction. A business developer, within operations through innovation, and best practice who delivers service excellence and higher productivity and value. A leader who has shown strong financial management skills to provide cost control methods and opportunities and deliver team focus on profitable activity. Neil continues to improve his abilities with his Peers and to utilise his expertise in the industry to coach and guide all direct reports.

Nicholas Woolf

Nick was admitted as a solicitor in 1979 and became a partner in a London firm in 1981. He went on to set up his own firm in London’s west end and continued as a partner or sole principal in solicitor’s firms until 2021 when he became a consultant solicitor at the City firm Swan Turton LLP.

During his lengthy legal career, Nick has gained an unrivalled breadth and depth of experience. This gives him a rare ability to understand, and advise on, a wide range of matters. He has extensive international experience.

Nick has particular expertise is in advising upon shareholder, director and partnership disputes as well as other commercial and international disputes. He is also highly regarded in family law and family business law and has conducted a number of substantial cases.

In addition, Nick has written and had published numerous articles, advised and lectured widely other professionals, businessmen and foreign government representatives on a wide range of business-related subjects.

Nick is a member of Resolution, POCLA and the PNLA and is also a member of the Law Society Small Firm’s Committee in addition to being a trustee of a housing charity.

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.

Paul Kennerley

From South Yorkshire I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and worked in the commercial real estate market in the City of London for 45 years. I was heavily involved in the City both civic and commercial becoming Master of the Parish Clerks Company, chair of a City charity, governor of two schools and trustee of some charities including the Jubilee Sailing Trust. I was a member of the Reserve Forces for 35 years, both Royal Navy and Army. I was the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Hounslow for 7 years retiring in March 2022 and now a Freeman of the Borough. Now I am a Patron of the Mulberry Centre cancer charity by the West Middlesex Hospital and a Trustee of Chiswick Sea Cadets. Interests are current affairs, choral music and ocean sailing.

Sam Liu

Zoe Nixon