The Chamber Voice - St Albans Business Updates - November 2024
St Albans District Chamber of Commerce
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Celebrating the Successes of the St Albans Business Community
This month, we are looking forward to the upcoming St Albans District Chamber of Commerce Community Business Awards, a celebration of the exceptional achievements within our local business community. Held at the stunning St Michael's Manor, this prestigious event offers an evening of inspiration, entertainment and recognition for businesses and individuals who have made significant contributions to the District. I love this event, as whether you're an award nominee or coming along to show support, this event leaves everyone feeling uplifted and proud of our local business community.
These awards are more than just trophies—they are a vital tool for acknowledging success, inspiring others and fostering business growth. For businesses, being shortlisted is a great boost to team morale and motivation, reminding staff that their hard work is recognized and appreciated. It helps strengthen the internal culture of a company, fostering collaboration and enthusiasm among teams.
From a business standpoint, an award win provides an excellent opportunity for increased visibility and credibility in the community. St Albans’ business landscape is highly competitive, and standing out can be challenging. Being nominated for an award helps businesses catch the attention of potential customers, clients and investors. It also serves as a unique marketing tool—an occasion to generate buzz through press releases, social media and other forms of media coverage.
The process of applying for awards also offers businesses a chance to reflect on their journey, setting aside time to evaluate accomplishments and identify areas for growth. It’s not just about winning, but learning and evolving from the experience.
We still have a couple of slots available for sponsors in the upcoming awards. Sponsorship not only increases brand awareness but also demonstrates a commitment to the growth and success of the local economy. Contact us for more information on sponsorship opportunities.
All the finalists are winners in my eyes, as I know how challenging the selection process has been. Nominations have closed, but tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Join us for an evening of celebration and community pride by visiting the Chamber website for more information.
Don’t miss out on our festive Christmas Business Luncheon at the Old Albanian Sports Club!
This December, celebrate with your team in a wonderful setting, packed with festive cheer, delicious food, and prime networking opportunities.
What’s in store:
?? Welcome drinks on arrival
? Three-course festive feast – Enjoy a delicious three course Christmas menu, table wine and traditional mince pies to finish
?? Laugh out loud with Paul Boardman – Get ready for plenty of laughs with our special guest comedian, Paul Boardman. His quick wit and charm are sure to bring a festive atmosphere, making it an afternoon to remember
?? Networking opportunities – Whether you’re catching up with familiar faces or making new connections, our Christmas Luncheon is the perfect chance to catch up with local professionals and friends in a relaxed, festive setting
Omni Financial UK are a firm of independent financial advisers providing clients with independent financial advice they can trust. Their team focus on finding solutions to real life problems, supporting everyday people on their life journey. They understand that life has its ups and downs, and clients find that having their support can make a world of difference when they’re faced with difficult financial decisions.
Whatever your situation, their straightforward advice will help you to make an informed choice about your future. From finding the right mortgage to buying your first home, investing for your future, to planning for your retirement with the right pension plan, and everything in between.
Andrew James is an independent corporate solicitor who founded his company OnHand Counsel based in St Albans in 2008. He specialises in business sales, joint venture and shareholder arrangements, and all sorts of business deals. He is an experienced business advisor with over 35 years of accumulated experience, wisdom and insight, with hundreds of mergers and acquisition deals under his belt.
Andrew offers his clients a personal partner-level City lawyer service. For any given job, he can generally provide better value for money than more traditional law firms. He has developed an efficient, thoughtful, focused and cost-effective approach, and provides an appropriately proportionate service tailored for each deal within each client’s budget.
Christmas with The Pink Elephant
The Pink Elephant , a luxury event styling brand based in Hertfordshire, brings a touch of effortless sophistication to every celebration. Led by the creative vision of Ian Henderson , the brand curates unforgettable experiences, drawing inspiration from his global journey. From bespoke décor and grazing platters to sustainable wines and tailored entertainment, each event is thoughtfully designed to leave a lasting impression.
Newly launched charcuterie and wine tastings offer guests the chance to indulge in hand-selected artisanal meats, cheeses, and sustainable wines, all beautifully presented at tasting stations, ideal for both corporate and private events. For weddings, The Pink Elephant crafts each celebration to reflect the couple’s unique story, with attention to personal touches, from floral arrangements to family-style dining.
Growing your Business with your End Goal In Mind Workshop
Did you know 76% of SME business owners are looking for some form of exit within the next 10 years? Join Hertfordshire Growth Hub for their upcoming workshop where they will delve into the various options of succession and exit planning and hear from industry experts on how to develop your business for a successful exit.
How often do you take the time to reflect on the power and privilege you hold within your organisation?
Self-reflection is essential for understanding our roles in creating more equitable workplaces, especially when addressing topics like equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). By acknowledging our positions, we contribute to environments where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Shelley Hayles , founder and CEO of LeeAnna's Wish CIC , has drawn from her lived experience and professional expertise to deliver EDI training workshops to local organisations. Organisations that champion inclusion are better equipped to adapt, innovate, and build stronger, more cohesive teams.
Reach out today to explore how EDI training can benefit your organisation at [email protected].
The latest edition of the Chambers UK legal directory has been released. Check out the updates from some of our members:
Debenhams Ottaway
Debenhams Ottaway celebrated as trusted adviser in Chambers UK 2025 - Debenhams Ottaway’s reputation as trusted adviser, helping businesses, individuals and families navigate legal challenges and make the most of new opportunities, is firmly established in the latest edition of the Chambers UK legal directory. This year five legal teams (including two in the top band 1) and ten lawyers (including two in the top band 1) are celebrated. A highlight this year is its insolvency and restructuring team being recognised for the first time.
Longmores
Leading Firm Again for Longmores in The Legal 500 - Longmores continue their long run as a Leading Firm with the release of The Legal 500 UK Solicitors 2025 directory.? Seven of the teams and 16 solicitors have also been recognised in the directory.
Rayden Solicitors
St Albans based Specialist Family Law Firm?Rayden?Solicitors achieves another Top Tier Rank in Legal Industry Guide - Rayden?Solicitors is delighted to announce that the firm has retained its top tier ranking in the annual Chambers and Partners UK Rankings Guide 2025 and that Senior Partner and Founder of the firm Katherine?Rayden?has been announced as one of the country’s Eminent Practitioners – one of only two lawyers ranked at this level in the whole Hertfordshire and Thames Valley region.
SA Law
SA Law achieves top rankings in both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners research - The latest Chambers and Partners UK Legal Guide, and The UK Legal 500 Solicitors Guide 2025, have once more ranked SA Law as a top tier law firm. Both The Legal 500, and Chambers and Partners have ranked the Corporate &Commercial, Litigation, Family, Employment and Real Estate practice areas within their top tiers/bands. 18 lawyers have also been ranked or recommended in their fields in each directory respectively.
Join us for an intimate in-person event at the Abbey Theatre on Thursday 7 November to witness a spectacular performance of Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale. Get ready to be captivated by this funny, bawdy play brought to life on stage with music and dance, joyously celebrating one of the first women actresses and the resurgence of the theatre after the repression of the Cromwellian era.
It is a love letter to theatre itself and has been chosen to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Company of Ten.
Proceeds from this night go towards the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline which supports and signposts victims, survivors, professionals, concerned friends and family members.
If you can’t make this date, the production will be running from Friday 8 to Saturday 16 November.
WMT joins Moore Kingston Smith
WMT officially rebranded to Moore Kingston Smith on 7 October, following a strategic merger that unites both firms’ strengths and ability to serve the St Albans business community and beyond.
Bringing WMT’s talented team and Moore Kingston Smith’s extensive resources together sets the stage for an exciting new chapter of growth and opportunity.
Both Moore Kingston Smith and WMT have deep-rooted connections to the St Albans market and look forward to building on those foundations together. Over the years, they’ve actively supported local businesses, charities and individuals, helping them navigate the complexities of finance, tax and business strategy.
Shout out to our supporting partner, Pearldrop Video Production
We’re thrilled to spotlight Pearldrop as our valued supporting partner at this year’s Community Business Awards 2024. Pearldrop turn visions into captivating visual stories that engage, inspire, and convert. Their professionalism has been integral to capturing the essence of our Community Business Awards and sharing these memorable moments. We’re grateful for this partnership and excited to continue working together!
?November Coffee Break
Tuesday 12 November, 09:00 - 10:00 @The Beech House
Enjoy your morning coffee break with the Chamber and colleagues from across our local business community. Come along to The Beech House on St Peter’s Street for a cuppa, pastries and informal networking!
??? AI Lunch & Learn Networking Event
Thursday 14 November, 11:45 - 14:15 Lussmanns Sustainable Fish & Grill Restaurants , St Albans
Join us for a focused AI Networking Lunch designed to explore the practical applications of AI in business. Delivered by Dee Overfield , Head of Digital at Wagada Digital | HubSpot Partner , learn what AI is, how it is driving innovation, improving efficiency, and shaping the future across industries.
This lunch & learn provides a unique opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch at Lussmanns, St Albans, connect with friends and like-minded professionals from our business community, exchange ideas, and discover how AI can directly impact your business strategies.
Your ticket includes a glass of wine or soft drink on arrival, a delicious main meal, hot drink and chocolate truffle to end.