Finance director and business adviser Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam has been appointed as a Director of one of London’s leading Chambers of Commerce, where he hopes to use his experience to help support and champion local SMEs.
Romesh, founder of The FD Consultant, joins the board of Kingston Chamber of Commerce following an invitation to apply for the role.
Kingston Chamber of Commerce supports businesses across the borough through networking, events, business development and advocacy, helping local organisations connect, collaborate and grow.
For Romesh, accepting the appointment was an easy decision.
“It was simply too good an opportunity to turn down,” he said. “Being invited to apply was a huge honour and compliment, and I’m incredibly proud to have been appointed.
“The Chamber has an experienced and motivated leadership team with ambitious plans to continue supporting local entrepreneurship. We share the same values, and I’m looking forward to learning from them while contributing my own experience.”
The new role complements Romesh’s work through The FD Consultant, the Strive & Thrive podcast and his role as a judge for the Best Businesswomen Awards, where he regularly shares knowledge and supports SME business owners.
“I’ve always wanted to help, encourage, educate and support SMEs,” he said. “Joining the Chamber gives me another opportunity to continue that mission while using my experience as a finance and business leader to help the organisation achieve its goals.”
Romesh believes Chambers of Commerce have an increasingly important role to play as businesses continue to navigate economic uncertainty.
“Many SMEs are facing rising costs, increased regulation and a lack of confidence in the wider economy,” he said. “The Chamber provides far more than networking opportunities. It creates a community where business owners can share challenges, learn from one another, access support and have their voices heard.”
Looking ahead, Romesh hopes to help the Chamber continue to grow while creating even more opportunities for local businesses. “I want to help the Chamber continue to thrive because that ultimately creates more opportunities for businesses to learn, network and grow,” he said.
“I’m also looking forward to learning from the fantastic leaders I’ll be working alongside. If we can continue improving the Chamber and making it even stronger, everyone benefits.”
Romesh is encouraging businesses that are not already members to consider getting involved.
“We’re a welcoming community made up of businesses of all sizes,” he said. “The Chamber gives you the opportunity to meet people facing similar challenges, learn from their experiences and build relationships that can open new doors. It’s an investment that can deliver real value.”
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