Welcome from the Mayor of Newham (CONFIRMED)

The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, attended this year’s Conference:

“The Council along with our partners in the Chamber of Commerce have always known that Newham had untapped potential and now, we’re seeing it happen. Exciting things are taking place across the borough that promise great opportunities for both our residents and local businesses.
 
I look forward to joining you all at the conference and hearing how we can work closer to help ensure that everyone can share in Destination Newham.”

Keynote – A FIRESIDE CHAT: Jack Sullivan, West Ham Director, Entrepreneur & Investor

JACK SULLIVAN
Jack Sullivan started work after leaving school at 16, and at 17 he was appointed managing director of the West Ham Women’s team, during Jack’s time with the women’s club they won two trophies, reached an FA Cup final at Wembley and had two TV series on the BBC.

After four years, Jack left the women’s team and shortly after became a board director of West Ham United becoming the youngest director of a Premier League team.

Jack has also had made several investments, is a serial start-up founder and owns a range of business across care, recruitment, property, drink distribution and intolerance testing.

PROFESSOR ANDREW TEVERSON
Andrew Teverson is Provost of London College of Fashion, and Professor of Cultural History and Critical Thinking. He joined LCF as Dean of Academic Strategy in 2019 and became Head of College in March 2022.

As Head of College, Andrew is steering LCF through one of the most significant points in its history, consolidating all six of its sites onto one. UAL’s London College of Fashion now sits alongside its new neighbours V&A, UCL, Sadlers Wells and the BBC as part of East Bank, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where he takes the lead in creating a new community with world class education and culture at its heart.

A widely published researcher and author, Andrew is passionate about storytelling, and his research ranges across the analysis of literature, film, visual culture, material culture, cultural history and critical theory all whilst balancing his day job looking after over 5000 students, 1000 staff and a brand new and award winning new piece of architecture in East London!

DR LIZ GEE FCA
Liz Gee is the Dean of UAL London College of Fashions, Fashion Business School, and as a psychologist, Chartered Manager and “big Four” qualified accountant, gained fashion knowledge across the Arcadia brands before her role as Corporate Treasurer in Debenhams.

Moving to Barclays plc her portfolio ranged across retail and wholesale businesses of all sizes and successes. As an entrepreneur in her own right, her move into education has championed the importance of understanding financial decision making in fashion business. Liz is a published author, has extensive teaching and research experience in finance, strategy and risk management and is UAL’s lead on UAL’s delivery of the governments Help to Grow Management programme for SME’s

ABDUL RAHIM – PANEL LEAD FOR INNOVATION THEME  
Abdul is the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Innovation District’s (formerly SHIFT) Chief Innovation Officer and is driving the Park as a catalyst for innovators in east London. Before joining the London Legacy Development Corporation, he built an open innovation and collaboration platform and has extensive experience in business development, strategy, and corporate governance. Working with startups, scale-up businesses, innovators and academics to improve outcomes and setting new standards for sustainable cities worldwide, Abdul is keen that local businesses evolve, innovate and develop creative solutions to local and national issues.

MATT DAVIES – PANEL LEAD FOR INVESTMENT THEME 
Matt is Head of Economic Development for the Royal Docks Team, a partnership between the Mayors of London and Newham that is overseeing the regeneration of the Royal Docks.

His role is to help steer the emerging economic ambitions of the Docks, supporting who (and what) is there currently, and planning to bring future growth and investment.

He has almost 20 years’ experience in socio-economic placemaking, mostly in London, having worked in Hackney, Enfield, Tottenham, Lambeth and currently in Newham.

DAVID WOODS – PANEL LEAD FOR INSPIRATION THEME 
David works for the UK Network (UKN) at the British Business Bank, the UK Government’s economic development bank. He works with intermediaries across London, from brokers and VCs to universities and accountants, uncovering how SMEs are finding access to finance. This data helps the Bank target resources more effectively.

Prior to working at the Bank, David worked for an R&D tax consultancy and as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Manager for a London university.

MARK KASS
Jack Sullivan will be in conversation with Mark Kass, CEO of East London small business growth specialists, Enterprise4Good, UAL Fashion Business School’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence and NCC’s Enterprise Development Director

TOYIN OWOSEJE
Toyin Owoseje is a journalist, author and founder of Toc Publishing, a dynamic publishing and media company dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and elevating brands through storytelling. Our portfolio includes published works, original children’s media content, and creative writing programmes that nurture young writers. From books like ‘Wonderfully Me’ to the youtube series ‘Convos with Children’ and the transformative Junior Writers Academy, we create spaces for authentic, diverse, and impactful storytelling. We work with educators, creatives, and organisations to inspire the next generation and bring powerful narratives to life.