NCC Skills Group: Business Lunch Meeting – SAVE THE DATE

NCC Skills Group: Business Lunch Meeting kindly sponsored and hosted by ABBA Voyage, Tuesday 20th January 2026, 12.30pm – 2.30pm – SAVE THE DATE

ABOUT THIS EVENT

The first meeting of the Newham Chamber of Commerce Skills Group will be hosted at ABBA Voyage and will bring together employers, education partners, local leaders and industry specialists to explore the current and emerging skills needs across Newham.

Newham Chamber aims to create a collaborative space where businesses can share their experiences, highlight recruitment challenges and discuss the future skills required to support growth across a range of sectors. Through contributions from invited guest speakers, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of labour market trends and opportunities for workforce development.

Following opening remarks and presentations, participants will engage in structured roundtable discussions designed to encourage open conversation. These discussions will focus on identifying shared challenges, exploring the demand for new and future skills, and considering how training providers such as Newham College and UEL can support employers more effectively through apprenticeships, work experience, industry placements and  CPD upskilling initiatives. Each group will feed back their key reflections, allowing the wider Skills Group to identify common themes and agree on priority actions.

The event aims to establish a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration between the Chamber, the local training providers and the business community. By the end of the session, attendees will have contributed to shaping the initial direction of a Newham Skills Action Plan, supported by insights and a shared commitment to tackling skills gaps across the borough. The meeting will close with an outline of next steps and further opportunities for engagement, followed by a tour of the venue.

The event is invitation only, aimed at all Chamber and Non-Members with 5 or more employees.

JOIN THE CHAMBER HERE

DETAILS

Date: 
Tuesday 20th January 2026

Time: 
12.30pm – 2.30pm

Venue: 
ABBA Voyage, ABBA Arena, Pudding Mill Lane, London E15 2RU

Tickets: 

• FREE FOR MEMBERS ONLY (MUST BE CURRENT & FULLY PAID-UP)
• Maximum ONE FREE ticket per Member
• Member additional and Non-Member tickets £20+VAT
• Maximum TWO tickets per Business
• Light Lunch on arrival (Please state any dietary requirements)
• Entry capped at 60 tickets

Timetable: 

• 12.30pm Arrivals, Lunch & Networking
• 1pm – 1.10pm Welcome from the Newham Chamber of Commerce and ABBA Voyage
• 1.10pm – 1.30pm
  • Setting the Scene – Steve Lee, Director of Skills & Apprenticeships at Newham College
  • SME Perspective – Alex Dimsdale, Multi-Property Director of Human Resources at Aloft London Excel
    (Winners of the 2025 Newham Business Award for Staff Training and Development)
  • Large Employer Perspective – Jo Simovic, Senior Program Manager Global Youth Programs at AMAZON, Jo is also the National Chair of the T-Level Ambassadors network
• 1.30pm – 2.15pm Round table discussions regarding skills needs
• 2.15pm – 2.30pm Event ends with a tour of ABBA Voyage (optional)

Public Transport: 

• DLR Pudding Mill Lane

Car Parking: 

• NONE – Nearest commercial car park Westfield Stratford (15 mins walk)