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The ABCC’s third members’ networking event and the last for 2023 took place on Thursday 14 December at the Chamber’s Mayfair premises. These regular business focused meetings always prove very popular with members and non-members alike. The events enable member companies to make their pitches for their businesses and provide opportunities to share ideas with fellow attendees who may turn out to be potential investors, new customers or even future business partners.
During the networking reception, attendees can engage in one-to-one discussions, share ideas and get to know one another. On this occasion, our speakers representing a broad array of industries and areas of expertise delivered brief presentations before answering questions from the audience.Profiles of the speakers and their companies follow:
ALEKSANDRA DRASKOVIC – FOUNDER & CEO OF MONTENEGRO PROPERTIES LTD
Aleksandra was appointed a Senior Adviser in the Secretariat General of Government of Montenegro in 2006, which saw her represent Montenegro at international conferences, seminars and round tables. She has worked closely with her country’s Government for several years.
After founding real estate agency Montenegro Properties Ltd, she took part in numerous real estate expos together with Montenegrin Government Investment Promotion Agency to promote investments in Montenegro including EXPO 2020 in Dubai.
Aleksandra focuses on high-end residential and mixed-use properties, foreign investment, and development. Montenegro Properties has been recognised as the best agent, best marketing and best website in Montenegro by the International Property Awards, for excellence in the property industry worldwide.
PAUL HEWES- HEAD OF OPERATIONS, AREEN DESIGN LIMITED
As Head of Operations, Paul is responsible for driving organisational accountability, performance improvement and service excellence across Areen Design. With a depth of skill that combines architecture and project management, Paul is pragmatic and performance driven, a proven leader of complex teams and businesses and successful at delivering large-scale, fast-track, high-quality developments via all procurement methodologies.
With 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, Paul demonstrates excellent leadership skills, engaging all stakeholders within a collaborative, professional and system driven approach. A theme throughout Paul’s career has been a central involvement in complex developments from strategic decision making and business case development, to successful project delivery.
NOOR KADHIM – LAWYER, KADHIMS LIMITED
Noor is an English law-qualified Solicitor Advocate with 15 years’ experience in dispute resolution. Her core competencies are in litigation, arbitration, litigation funding, and art and cultural heritage. She has served as a Deputy Counsel at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, and as advisor to numerous litigation funds and insurance providers, including as in house assessor. Noor’s regions of focus are Turkey, France, French-speaking Africa, and the Arabic-speaking world. She has experience working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Paris, and London where Kadhims is based. Her clients include litigation funds, governments and state-owned entities, as well as international corporate and high net worth clients with projects across the globe. She speaks English, French, Arabic, and Italian.
RICHARD COLLINS – Founder & CEO, CSR-Accreditation
Richard aims to help improve the world for future generations, by reducing the negative impact we have on the environment and by building a better and cohesive society. An experienced brand strategist, Richard has pursued a passion for helping companies in the public, private and third sector to promote their CSR and sustainability efforts. Richard founded and launched CSR-A in 2018, which provides a global Environmental and Social Responsibility Accreditation Scheme.
CSR Accreditation now operates on an international stage with partners and offices being established throughout the globe. Richard is an international key- note speaker on sustainability. To compliment this, he also co-runs the International CSR Excellence Awards. He is president for the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce ‘Bucks’ Council, a member of the Society of Leadership Fellows, a Trustee for the Wycombe Arts Centre, a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability and is a senior advisor to the APPG for ESG
CSR Accreditation addresses ESG Compliance, Net Zero, building a culture that empowers employees to do environmental and social good, attract new talent, win tenders improve brand reputation and report on non-financial disclosure. We provide a range of sustainability workshops, webinars, training, social impact reporting and consultation.
MAYA SCHULZ – FOUNDER/ ARTIST OF MAYA SCHULZ
Maya was born in Sylhet, Bangladesh. She moved to the UK with her family in 1977. As a self-taught artist, she portrays the essence of different cultures in her work, highlighting the beauty in our differences and the connections we all share in the belief that art has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together.
Maya’s journey from a young migrant woman to a successful tech leader has been shaped by her passion for art, resilience and determination. Despite personal challenges, she has consistently pursued her artistic endeavours, leaving her mark in various industries including Design, Media, Fashion, Finance and IT.
Maya’s work captures the essence of different cultures, showcasing the beauty in our differences and the unity we share. Art has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together.
Maya’s recent work explores the potential of layering, with the use of gold layering and metal leafing adds vibrancy and texture, Maya is fascinated by the power of colour and how it can evoke a variety of emotions both deep and subtle.
BURCU OZCELIK – ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, AUDERE INTERNATIONAL
Audere is a specialist commercial intelligence and investigations company, headquartered in London, with extensive expertise spanning the Middle East, Africa, Russia, CEE, Central Asia, Asia Pacific, the UK, and North America.
The company focuses on sourcing and analysing previously undisclosed information and intelligence on individuals and companies. Its goal is to support clients during commercial negotiations, facilitate dispute resolution, and identify risks when investing overseas.
Whether it’s prior to market entry, during the life of an investment, or at exit, the company helps clients navigate potential challenges by identifying contingent or hidden liabilities that may arise with a particular focus in cross-border M&A transactions, where expertise and insights prove invaluable to clients seeking successful outcomes in complex global markets.
Audere’s approach combines the values of confidentiality, objectivity, and integrity with analytical thinking to provide bespoke services to clients.
IMRANALI KHAKI – MANAGING DIRECTOR INFOCUS OPTICIANS
Infocus Opticians is a local family-owned practice that specialises in providing tailored eyecare services. These services include professional and thorough eye examinations, a wide range of designer and high-end eyewear and quality lenses and contact lenses.
The goal of the company is to ensure that a client’s eyes are looked after to the best possible standards. To do this the company has a team of skilled optometrists who will look at the patient’s history and symptoms and then use a range of eye examination techniques and industry-leading equipment, to ensure that the patient’s eyes are fully looked after.