Business at Kingston upon Thames

London’s Deputy Mayor for Business Howard Dawber visited Kingston on Thursday 12 December along with colleagues from the Greater London Authority. Howard, who is also Chair of London & Partners and co-chair of the London Growth Plan, came to the borough to better understand the strengths and challenges faced by high streets and town centres like Kingston. He and his team spent time talking to councillors and council officers as well as some key representatives from the local business community. The event was held at TownSq Kingston, an affordable workspace opened earlier this year as part of a joint council, South London Partnership and GLA funded project to increase co-working space and regenerate the riverside. The delegation also took a walking tour of the town centre and riverside, visiting a number of key places. Discussions focussed on how the emerging London Growth Plan might support the borough - including boosting the visitor economy, increasing workspace, supporting skills development and businesses and making the most of heritage and culture. Much needed improvements to infrastructure such as power, digital connectivity, transport and housing were also discussed, including how the GLA could support the council to deliver local growth. London’s promotional agencies such as the GLA and London & Partners have a key role in supporting Kingston’s pitch for investment and its role in London’s economy, including helping the borough attract more visitors and promoting the experiences available here. Working closely with them offers great potential for enhancing the borough’s profile and adding value to the local economy. Transport links remain a key constraint, however. Improvements to rail and bus services must remain on the agenda for Kingston to be able to fulfill its potential, attract investment, and ensure residents and workers can travel more easily across south London and Surrey. As we look to the future of the borough, through the lens of the borough’s new Economic Development Strategy, we are working to ensure it will be increasingly recognised as a place where business flourishes, where investments are welcome, and where all residents and businesses can benefit from good growth, with a strong green economy at its heart. We’ll achieve this by working closely with partners and stakeholders, being ready for change in a fast-changing world and ensuring that no residents are excluded from the opportunities the future brings. https://lnkd.in/ekVRCReS #FairerKingston #KingstonTogether #ConfidentInKingston Business at Kingston upon Thames

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The Kingston Borough Business Awards (KBBA) 2025 are now open for submissions! With 16 exciting categories, the KBBA promises to be a thrilling competition providing entrants with an opportunity to showcase their achievements and celebrate their teams' efforts. This year includes a number of new categories, including the Best Cultural Enterprise Award which is sponsored by Kingston Council.   This award celebrates organisations, teams or individuals, who provide consumers with local access to visual arts, cultural heritage, theatre, film, music, radio, festivals or events. Learn more and can submit your entry for the awards here: https://lnkd.in/eSEcja9p

🔑 Project Completion 🎉 We have completed the construction and CAT A fit-out of Eden Campus, Unilever’s new UK headquarters, and handed over the keys to our Client, Cube RE. The site comprises two office blocks providing 290,000 square feet of commercial accommodation and a multi-storey car park in Kingston upon Thames, south-west London. Reflecting on the project, Michael Kieran, our Construction Director, said: "The success of this exceptional project is a testament to the collaborative approach adopted by our design team, supply chain partners, project delivery team and the employer’s agent. We are extremely proud of the completed project and wish Unilever good luck as they embark on their fit-out." Read more here: https://bit.ly/3Ds6wfb Francis Hunter Project Management Darling Associates Architects Cube RE Unilever #BuildingTogetherUnlockingPotential

Kingston Council is keen to understand if the community feel that they can access council services that they need when they need them and if they feel safe and valued members of the community. The Inclusive Kingston consultation consultation is for anyone who works, lives and studies in the borough of Kingston. All the views shared will help shape the strategy priorities. Please share thoughts on the Let’s Talk Inclusive Kingston Survey, which is anonymous and quick: https://lnkd.in/eppAZHpk

The latest local supplier directory has been published. Our local business directory is available to all staff as a resource for finding potential suppliers.  It is also shared with suppliers working with the Council looking to subcontract with local businesses. If you are looking to work with a local business, you can view the latest directory or add your business here: https://lnkd.in/eymCV3RX

What will be the biggest tech advancement in 2025? 🤖 We asked several tech experts and entrepreneurs for their predictions 🔮 What's yours? Comment below 👇 Massive Bio | Founders Forum Group | Grubtech |

🤝 KBS recently held an impactful workshop in partnership with the Unilever Global AI team and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Large Employers Forum! 🤖 "How leading employers can strategically embed Gen AI into their organisation" marked a significant step forward in how academia, industry and local government can collaborate to leverage #GenAI technologies for innovation and leadership. 🙏 With thanks to speakers Steve O'Connor and Giles Pavey and academic organiser Dr. Evy Sakellariou SFHEA, FIKE, FCIM.

Calling all SME care providers! Do you have apprentices or are you strongly considering taking one on? South West London Social Care Academy Hub are offering a free training programme designed to support the line managers of apprentices or those working with young people and entry level roles. The content is very practical, with no essays or assessment – built to suit busy line managers, especially those in frontline roles. It will include plenty of quick models for line managers to use in their day-to-day roles and a toolkit of techniques to make managing people easier as well as more effective. Next cohort to start in January. Places are limited. To register your interest please email [email protected]