Peckham Business Forum appoints local resident and business owner as first Chair

Peckham Business Forum, set up 18 months ago by local charity Tree Shepherd, in conjunction with Mountview, LB of Southwark and GLA announces its first Chair, Gloria Douglas, local resident and owner of Satizfaction.

Since its inception the forum was set up to create a local voice for businesses big and small in the Peckham area. Creating a coordinated stakeholder voice, amidst a background of regeneration to supporting challenges local business owners face from sustainability to landlord issues.

Sandra Ferguson, CEO of Tree Shepherd, commented: “This is a milestone for the forum. Since we started working in Peckham, we have been identifying members and leaders.

“We had seven incredible candidates come forward for nomination, and we are delighted to have Gloria elected as our chair, along with committed and ambitious committee members to kick start the next chapter.

“We believe a business forum is only as effective as its membership, and whilst there have been previous attempts to create an independent group, there has been scepticism in the community, which is why we have been working hard to forge strong grassroot relationships with all businesses, bringing people together through networking events along with 1-2-1 business support.

“Gloria has been in business for nearly 20 years, she is well-known in the community and is able to guide the forum through both her professional and personal experience – which is a huge asset to the organisation.”

Peckham Business Forum brand and identity was co-created with the community and the Future Strategy Club. In a survey carried out with 70 businesses it has found that 97 per cent of businesses locally would like to join the forum, strengthening the need for the group.

Gloria added: “There are so many changes happening in Peckham, I’ve seen it myself over the last 20 years as a business owner here. Sandra and the team have galvanised the community with their ambition and vision for a united voice, working with businesses locally to develop trust, identify the challenges and set the groundwork.

“Already, Peckham Business Forum is a trusted group as its run by businesses for the businesses of Peckham. I’m delighted to be Chair, and I look forward to getting started to raise the bar of business excellence.”

Cllr Marin Seaton, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Business at Southwark, concluded: “The Peckham Business Forum has gone from strength to strength, and we welcome Gloria’s leadership to take it to the next level.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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