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SOUTH OF ENGLAND BUSINESS LECTURE
Come along and meet the most interesting person in the world
The Central London Network brought their programme for 2007 to a close by hosting this year’s south of England Business Lecture. This was a rare opportunity for 200 ACCA members and guests to hear Watt Nicoll, one of the world’s top motivational speakers.
Over the years Watt's unrelenting search for enhancement has brought him into contact with many of the world's greatest achievers. Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan all heard him speak and went on to win and achieve. Watt’s high-energy presentation drew on his experiences with David Beckham, English football premiership clubs, among others, and a wide range of clients both here and in America. During the course of the lecture it was apparent that the secret of his success was that he can excite an audience by simply giving them the realisation that they can shake off today’s mediocrity and live up to their potential. Listening to him gave you the ability to look for the hidden strengths within and the confidence to reinvent yourself. It was definitely more of an experience than a lecture and very, very entertaining.
Monica Liljeroth (CLN president) chaired the event and gave the welcome address. The vote of thanks was given by Richard Aitken-Davies, ACCA deputy president. The event was followed by a wine and finger buffet reception where delegates could network with Watt and their fellow professionals.
CENTRAL LONDON'S ANNUAL SOCIAL EVENT
The 28 June 2007 saw members of the Central London network taking to the river again. It is 3 years since they last cruised and it proved to be a popular outing this year too. Eighty members and guests shared a memorable trip along the River Thames from Embankment Pier to the Thames Barrier and back.
Sailing aboard the MV Edwardian, the epitome of classic elegance and style from that era, delegates enjoyed good food, drink and the opportunity to socialise with their professional colleagues. Keen observers spotted frequent exchanges of business cards so networking is still alive and well and working to advantage. An often overlooked facet of these events.
After the buffet Sabiha Chakera gave a résumé of Central London’s activities over the previous 12 months and warmly introduced Monica Liljeroth the incoming president for 2007/08. Monica thanked Sabiha for all her hard work as president during the last 3 years.
As we have grown to expect, this year, the weather didn’t perform wholly as desired but it was possible to remain on deck as we sailed away and spirits remained high throughout the evening. The stiff breeze that drove everyone for cover as we approached the Thames Barrier only served to bring people closer together. The consensus among the guests was ‘a great event and we are looking forward to next year’.
SIR GULAM NOON SPEAKS TO CENTRAL LONDON
ACCA UK’s programme of business lectures often features successful entrepreneurs sharing their thoughts on why they succeeded, the attributes needed to get a business up and running and the pitfalls.
Central London network invited Sir Gulam Noon MBE – “King of Curry” to speak to their members on 24 May 2007.
Sir Gulam epitomises someone who was determined to succeed. He powerfully put across the importance of tenacity and drive to overcome the hurdles that businesses can face. He also demonstrated how building a loyal workforce reaps reward as his team stood behind him when his factory burned down in 1994.
In his early years Sir Gulam became passionate about business and realised the important role accountancy played. He started learning accountancy before school and this equipped him to read and analyse the accounts of any company.
Sir Gulam had a desire to visit the UK and he landed here in 1966 for a short visit. He returned to India but came back to set up a small Indian confectionery shop in Southall, this particular business venture has gone from £67 turnover in the first week to 40 outlets. In 1984 he thought that the UK may be ready for Indian packaged food. He bought a plant in Southall and thought big. Initially rejected by Unilever persistence paid off and Birds Eye agreed to work with him, he anticipated an initial contract of £50,000 – it was £2.7 million. Subsequently Sainsbury’s called and other supermarkets followed. Sir Gulam has played a key role in making Chicken Tikka Masala our national dish.
His key messages were:
• work hard, be focussed and determined
• be prepared to take a risk, if playing safe there is no hope to seize opportunities
• important to select advisers properly
• focus on ultimate goal, have a vision – rise every time you fall
Sir Gulam was fiercely loyal to the UK feeling it was the best country to live, raise children and build business. He felt he had a social obligation to the country and he now sits on boards, such as transport for London. He has set up the Noon Foundation for the advancement of education, the relief of poverty, the alleviation of racial discrimination and the treatment of the sick and infirm.
ANNUAL BUSINESS REVIEW 2006
The Central London Members’ Network held their annual business review, on Friday 30 June 2006, at the National Liberal Club. 51 members and their guests met, in the historic smoking room, for an informal reception and then moved to the elegant David Lloyd room for dinner. Sabiha Chakera, president of Central London, opened the evening with a welcome and short review of the activities of the network over the previous 12 months. Heath Sinclair, panel member, gave a very entertaining history of the building and the club, which was founded in 1882. The building today is Grade 1 listed and boasts many historic features.
The visiting speaker for the evening was Jayne Morris from Laithwaites, the world’s largest mail order wine company. Jayne talked about the company and its phenomenal growth and how the passion for a product can influence a business’s success. She conveyed to everyone just how rewarding it can be working in an environment you love. Finally Jayne discussed the wines that were being served with dinner; a red and a white that we would probably not have chosen ourselves but went with the food surprisingly well.
An excellent evening was had by all. Some even rounded off the event looking out at the Thames from the ‘most splendid terrace in London’ as guests of a National Liberal club member.