Webinars coming up:
Security: Cyber & Physical Webinar
Thursday 25th March at 10:00am - 11:00am


Nearly a quarter of SMEs could not survive cyber attack 
 
  • New research from Vodafone shows that nearly a quarter of SMEs said they would likely go bust if they were forced to deal with the average cost of a cyber-attack. 
  • 16% of businesses said they would need to lay-off staff to cover costs of a cyber-attack. 
 
Having been a victim of a physical scam back in July, I fully appreciate the risks, the emotional upheaval and the feeling of stupidity.
 
 
Speakers to include:

  • Timeless – Speaker tbc
  • Identity Destruction Ltd – John Cauchi, speaking on Identity Destruction's secure shredding service. Click here to see a message from John
  • Victim Support - Bernice Keshet will give a wider perspective on community safety and the intersection with the business community.
New markets - Focus UAE
Wednesday 31st March at 10:00 am - 11:30 am

The first of a series of four webinars to support London’s businesses navigate Brexit and continue trading in the EU and new markets, this New markets webinar will cover

Click here for more details.
Akoni Cash Matters
 
The 2021 Spring/Summer Budget revealed the unique way in which the government plans to get the UK economy back on track.
 Akoni’s Deputy Chairman, Yann Gindre provided a fresh perspective on the budget and shared his views on our new world. To finance the impact of COVID and Brexit, the Chancellor has in essence, taken a gamble or a bet between the Treasury and UK tax payers. In Yann's words: "He has traded an option and reached his decision on a probable future outcome".
 
Read more here.
The Bank of England has today published the March 2021 Agents' Summary of Business Conditions. Please see below the link to the digital version:
 
Greater South East Energy Hub - Energy Efficiency Retrofit Opportunity
 
The Greater South East Energy Hub installer Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Energy Efficiency Measures under Green Homes Grant: Local Authority Delivery Scheme Phase 2 is now live.
 
This is an opportunity for PAS2030:2019 and MCS accredited trades to access £69m energy efficiency measures to be delivered by local authorities across the Greater South East region in 2021. The Dynamic Purchasing System will be running until March 2026 and will be available for all local authorities and social housing providers in the Greater South East region to use to procure contractors for energy efficiency measures.
 
A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is public sector procurement tool for buying works, services and goods. The Greater South East Energy Hub Trades DPS is a two-stage process, the first stage is setup, all suppliers who meet the selection criteria are admitted to the DPS. Suppliers can join each month when the opportunity opens. Individual contracts for works are awarded in the second stage. In this second stage the authority invites all suppliers on the DPS (or the relevant category within the DPS) to bid for the specific contract. This is suitable for small to medium sized companies.
 
We are holding a free supply chain event on the 23rd March 2021 in association with the Built Environment Network to explain how it works, what the jargon means, pitfalls to avoid and how to get on board. Don’t worry if you are not ready to join the DPS this month as the portal for new suppliers will open every month. Register for the event now:
 
Not accredited to PAS2030 or MCS? – Free or subsidised training is now available for tradespeople or businesses who install energy efficiency measures or low carbon heating and want to carry out work under the Green Homes Grant schemes:
 
West London Local Chambers & Hounslow Chamber of Commerce are the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment from businesses in Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough