An opportunity for attendees to expand their networks, to connect with more than 120 exhibitors and to boost the skills they use in their careers.
who’s exhibiting?
Suppliers will be represented from the fields of business travel, corporate gifting, workplace solutions, event planning services and many more.
what about activities?
There will be a range of opportunities including speed networking sessions and the return of The PA Show Passport, an initiative that encourages delegates to visit suppliers for the chance to win prizes and collect a goody bag. This year it’s sponsored by Thorntons.
how about on stage?
The Keynote Theatre is free to attend on both days, with highlights on the programme including Lifting Your Potential: Strongwoman Stories To Help You Say Yes To Success from coach and speaker, Zoë Thompson, and Lead Up: How To Move From PA To EA And Beyond by keynote speaker, trainer and coach at The Like Me CIC, Jasmine Mbye.
The event will offer plenty of networking opportunities
CPD-accredited content
that’s not all is it?
No. The event is well-known for its CPD-accredited sessions, which can be accessed at the event for an all-inclusive cost.
Firstly there’s the Tech Theatre. Running both days, highlights include Crafting Precision: Advanced ChatGPT Prompts For Proactive Assistants with Paul Pennant of Microsoft MVP and Using AI To Supercharge Your Social Media from Kati Noakes, founder of KN Comms. The event will also host a Personal Development Theatre on both days.
Then, on the first day the show will also host the VA Content Stream for virtual assistants including VACT Limited’ s VA trainer and mentor, Amanda Johnson with a talk entitled Be The Boss Of Your VA Future and Shelley Fishel, founder of Tomorrow’s VA on Saving Money And Boosting Efficiency With Microsoft Tools For Virtual Assistants.
The second day will see the event host the EA Leadership And Progression Conference Stream offer sessions on Mastering Business Skills For Growth And Leadership from Clare Lucas of UK Ducks In A Row Ltd and From Uniform to Suit: Boot Camp For Executive Assistants by Claudine Martin, senior EA at BNY Pershing.
Marketing director at Mash Media, Charlotte Fewlass
register for The PA Show now
they say…
“We’ve added a theatre stream specifically designed for executive assistants aspiring to leadership roles,” said Charlotte Fewlass, marketing event director at Mash Media, organiser of The PA Show.
“These sessions will equip attendees with the strategic thinking, resilience, and communication skills needed to excel in today’s evolving workplace.”
who’s supporting?
In addition to Thorntons, the event’s 2025 headline sponsor will be train travel specialist SWR Business Direct.
It’s also supported by meeting and event space provider Convene and business travel management firm Corporate Traveller.
anything else?
The show’s sales and event director, Lisa Farnfield, said:
“The PA Show offers unparalleled opportunities for skill development, networking and career growth.
“Our exhibitors provide cutting-edge solutions tailored to executive support professionals, ensuring attendees leave with actionable insights and valuable connections.”
Sales and event director at The PA Show, Lisa Farnfield
key details: The PA Show 2025
The PA Show Spring 2025 is set to take place at Excel in Royal Docks from February 26-27, 2025.
Exhibition and Keynote Theatre passes are free for PAs, EAs, VAs and office managers.
Full access including all CPD-accredited content costs £199 for one day or £239 for two ex VAT.
Group discounts of 20% for five+ delegates are available.
“I’m still so passionate about it, 20 years after we started,” said Natasha Hart. “NASSA is one big family – once you set foot in there, you don’t want to come out.
“We have volunteers who started with us when their children were small – they’ve grown up and left, but their parents are still helping out.
“The young people who have been through our hands stay in touch, even two decades later.”
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the day Natasha took her two sons to Balaam Park in east London to teach them basketball, offering to make it a weekly treat.
They invited their friends, word got round and soon she was coaching groups of more than 30 kids.
The demand was there.
With £20 in the bank she registered Newham All Start Sports Academy (NASSA) as a charity and never looked back.
In 2008, her son, Anthony Okereafor, launched NASSA’s Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign in response to the fatal stabbings of two of his friends within weeks of each other.
Its work, tackling knife crime and gang culture, while breaking down barriers between youngsters and the Metropolitan Police, has seen more than 100,000 young people aged 10-18 attend its sessions.
In that time NASSA’s teams have also won league titles, its initiatives have been recognised with a multitude of awards and Natasha has received an MBE as its CEO.
But the demand for the charity’s blend of sports and education is unrelenting.
The pandemic and cost of living crisis have taken their toll and its work is sorely needed because it’s ultimately about more than a child learning the discipline of sport – it’s in the business of creating community.
NASSA is celebrating 20 years of work in Newham in 2025
addressing a need
“NASSA is always attracting young people,” said Natasha.
“Some want to meet new friends, some want to play sports, some want to be away from something and others want to progress and develop.
“We are always learning from them because it’s not only about the child.
“They’re a brother, a sister, a son or a daughter.
“Once the young person trusts us we find the whole family joins in.
“From a single session they get involved and the ball starts rolling – we’ll be asking how are they doing in school, what life is like – then after a few weeks you build that trust.”
Those relationships allow the charity to help address a wide range of issues facing those living locally.
It works to tackle domestic violence, addiction and unhealthy peer pressure and knife crime through a blend of mentoring, coaching, support and education.
“If we can find a solution to a problem then we will, or we can refer people on to specialists who can help,” said Natasha.
“We always want to be growing as a charity, to reach more people and embrace new ideas. For example, when we first started our workshops with the police, the relationship with young people was poor.
“Now each year we play a friendly game with serving officers and that builds trust – the young people can see they are human and that they play basketball, which is so important because they are the people you need to call when you’re in trouble.”
The charity addresses a wide range of issues through its programmes
NASSA: creating community
Over its first two decades NASSA has been successful in securing support from the likes of Excel, Tate And Lyle, UEL, Sport England, L&Q, London City Airport, the Mayor Of London, Newham Council, the Royal Docks Team and Basketball England.
“We’ve been very lucky with the supporters we have, the volunteers, the coaches and the sponsors who all enable us to deliver,” said Natasha.
“We have a rich history with what we’ve done in this community and a great track record in helping change and save the lives of people in this part of London.
“That we are able to do this is very satisfying for all those involved with the charity whether it’s our sponsors, our staff or me.”
To mark its 20th year, NASSA is planning a renewed focus on generating funds for its activities, with an ambition to roll out its mission to other parts of the capital.
A fundraising event is set to be held in June at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks as a celebration of the charity’s anniversary to help spread the word about the work its doing and offer businesses and individuals new ways to get involved in its activities.
“We want the event to help us reach new supporters and a new audience and for them to be able to come together with our existing sponsors,” said Natasha.
“It’s an opportunity for us to showcase what we have done over the past 20 years and what we are going to do in the future.
“We know we have expertise and I would love us to be able to roll that out to the surrounding boroughs.
“With knife crime the way it is in London, our work is needed more and more and I believe this is a model that could work across the city, helping to save more young people’s lives.”
Aspirational: NASSA uses the discipline of sport to effect change in young lives
key details: NASSA
NASSA, based in Royal Docks, is always looking for support from volunteers, businesses and organisations to help deliver its sport and education programmes.
Full details of NASSA’s fundraising event in June will be published in due course.
If you or your company think you could help in any way by providing resources or funding, you can contact the charity here
“It’s comforting, welcoming and inviting – many people watch Friends again and again and have told us it’s the last thing they see before going to bed,” said Kathleen Wallis, vice president of global themed entertainment at Warner Bros. Discovery and one of two people heading up the creation of a new attraction in east London.
Together with Stacy Moscatelli, CEO of OGX Productions, the pair have taken a space at Excel’s newly minted Immerse LDN waterfront strip and conjured forth a little bit of sitcom magic.
The Friends Experience: The One In London opened its doors this month (August, 2024), offering visitors the chance to pose and snap away in a series of painstakingly recreated sets from the show.
Not only that, there’s a chance to enjoy themed refreshments in a New York-style space after exploring the attraction and a gift shop.
That this experience should be launching some two decades after the final episode aired, is testament to the comedy’s enduring popularity – the fact it has found fresh fans as younger audiences fall for the trials and tribulations of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler and Joey.
A series of Friends sets have been painstakingly recreated at Immerse LDN
the mass appeal of Friends
“It’s got universal themes and many people use the show to learn how to speak English,” said Stacy.
“Everyone growing up experiences first love, room mates, navigating apartments, jobs, choosing careers, falling out – it’s just very relatable.
“The show was really well done and has held up – it’s still very enjoyable to watch.”
The attraction at Immerse LDN – which will house a number of visitor experiences as well as a food hall at the east London conference and exhibition centre – has its roots in a New York pop-up.
“We were talking around the studio about the 25th anniversary of Friends, so we decided to do something like a pop-up in New York City for 30 days in Soho,” said Kathleen.
“That was in 2019 and it was massively successful. I think everyone is a Friends fan on some level.
“We’ve been creating these live experiences in different locations for a few years now, so we see the emotional reaction people have when they come into the spaces.
“The novelty of that never wears off – watching people being in the space, their reactions and where they take their pictures.
“With this one, we started off by thinking about what a fan would be disappointed by if we didn’t have it in a location like this – what should be in London?”
Visitors can relax on the sofa at Central Perk
£20 entry to Friends The Experience
Visitors who pay the £20 ticket price will find a selection of sets such as the fountain from the title sequence, the characters’ apartments and a faithful recreation of coffee shop and sometime gig venue, Central Perk.
What’s fresh for this edition of the experience, however, are some significant nods to London including a tribute to Joey getting lost with his camcorder and Emily and Ross’ wedding.
“This is more than a pop-up, it’s a flagship creation here in London, where we bring to life all of the iconic sets and some of the fun from some of the episodes that people loved the most,” said Stacy.
“They get to immerse themselves in those places and relive what they loved about the show.”
Kathleen added: “While it’s a show that everyone has watched at some point, people haven’t stepped inside the physical spaces before.
“We start with the opening credits, the fountain, the music and then all the things you would expect.
“But we also fly visitors to London and we’ve got the interior of the chapel where visitors can recreate Ross’ wedding.”
While the altar isn’t real – you have to hop on the DLR to Shadwell to visit St John’s Church in Wapping, which was used for the location shoots in the series, for that – the romance certainly is.
“My favourite thing about these experiences we’ve created is the proposals,” said Kathleen. “We’ve had 270 across all our locations so far, which is amazing.
“I think it shows the emotional connection people have with the series, that it makes sense for them to do that in our sets.”
Locations from scenes in London have also been recreated
emotional scenes
Stacy added: “I’ve seen the doors open and people just break down crying because it’s so emotional for them to be here on a set.
“We really hope that people have a joyful experience.
“As you walk through, we have a lot of episodes playing and you can’t help watching, laughing and smiling.
“We’ve been around the world, and we still stop and laugh.
“We’re both Friends fans – my favourite episode is when Ross has trouble with his leather pants.
“We know we can’t disappoint people who love the show, so we created the sets with a forensic level of detail – we have to get it right, because the fans know – and we’ve worked really closely with Warner to make that happen.”
All this means that when you open the fridge in Monica’s apartment, Rachel’s traditional English trifle is right there lurking.
Jam, good. Custard, good. Beef, gooooood…
Kathleen Wallis, left, and Stacy Moscatelli of Warner and OGX
key details: Friends The Experience: The One In London
The Friends Experience: The One In London is now open, with bookings for dates all the way into February, 2025, available.
Tickets start at £20. VIP packages (including professional photography, which is typically extra) cost £65.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Despite a footfall of more than 4million visitors each year, the Royal Docks exhibition and conference centre has historically been somewhat inward-looking.
As a venue, it was built to contain and host temporary gatherings, often appealing to a very specific audience, rather than being a perennial attraction.
If you’re on the DLR or Liz Line, MCM Comic Con’s cosplayers are easy to spot when the show comes to town.
A gathering of property professionals or cardiovascular surgeons, not so much.
But all this is set to change, with Excel gearing up to attract an additional 2.5million people to east London with a significant change in strategy.
Excel’s director of immersive entertainment and events, Damian Norman
evolving Excel
“Excel can be very busy, whether it’s Comic Con or the World Travel Market, but then we have quiet periods when exhibitions are being put up or broken down,” said Damian Norman, director of immersive entertainment and events at the venue.
“That doesn’t work well for attracting quality hospitality businesses, because they need consistency of footfall.
“I joined Excel about five and a half years ago, with a background in consumer events, to look at capitalising on the arrival of the Elizabeth Line – the big transport game-changer for us.
“There are things that are done exceptionally well in London – theatre in the West End, Westfield’s shopping centres and live music at The O2, for example.
“So what is Excel’s niche? What do we want to be?
“I’d been thinking about an always-on entertainment offering and there are trends so I went to see an immersive Van Gogh art exhibition in Hyde Park.
“It was very impressive, with pictures projected on the walls.
“But there was also a light-bulb moment for me when I was watching a lady in her 70s and a child of about five – and I saw their interaction with the images and with the music that went with them.
“It clearly had universal appeal for different demographics.
“Something cool that was different to looking at a static painting with various elements blended together to make it immersive.”
Excel hosted Jurassic World: The Exhibition in 2022
testing the water
In 2022, Excel tested the theory, hosting Jurassic World: The Exhibition, which broke European records for ticket sales.
This was followed by Disney 100: The Exhibition – a celebration of a century of creativity featuring 250 objects from the Walt Disney Archives – which was a similar commercial success.
“These gave us the impetus to approach our owners with a strategic development opportunity to redevelop the waterfront,” said Damian.
“Previously it was an area that had been under-used, with little investment made in it. Instead we wanted to create spaces – we refer to them as chapters – that are blank pages for great storytellers to come and do their thing.
“We’ve found best-in-class operators who have committed to those spaces and that’s how we will set a new benchmark for immersive entertainment as a destination in the capital.”
The new district will feature immersive attractions themed around sitcom Friends and F1
the very first attractions
Initially Immerse LDN will launch with two experiences, one inspired by evergreen sitcom Friends and the other a collaboration with Formula 1, featuring rare cars and a plethora of singular exhibits from the history of the global motorsport brand.
“Friends has now become a multi-generational sitcom – not many have stood the test of time, but this one has,” said Damian.
“A similar immersive experience has been running in New York for four years with a consistent annual audience of about 230,000 people.
“The London one will be 40% bigger with a number of new sets for visitors to explore.
“It’s about going and being in that thing that you loved, grew up with and watched your children grow up with.
“It’s an experience that encourages visitors to open the fridge in the apartment, to buy a coffee in Central Perk or sit on the sofa.
“F1: The Exhibition was a long time in the making, with hugely successful runs in Madrid and Vienna.
“It has simulators for people to drive the tracks and unique cars for people to see. Going to a Grand Prix can be expensive – not accessible for a lot of families and enthusiasts.
“People might have a Sky subscription to watch the races, but not a physical connection to them.
“I think this brings that accessibility – something they can touch and feel – at a price point that will be really welcome.”
Immerse LDN is based down a one-kilometre length of Excel in Royal Victoria Dock
Immerse LDN: more than the experiences themselves
As welcome for local residents, visitors to Excel and those working in Royal Docks will be Waterfront Street Kitchen And Bar.
Curated by Kerb, this market hall will feature the likes of Duck Shed, Masa Taqueria, Nazari and coffee from Hej to help keep people refreshed.
Ambitions for the future include making use of floating amenities on Royal Victoria Dock to complement the brick arch frontage, inspired by the epic regeneration of Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross.
Damian said: “We don’t take this development lightly. We want to create jobs and boost tourism locally, which is very important.”
Further attraction announcements are expected in September and November, 2024.
Watch these spaces…
Immerse LDN launches in August 2024
key details: Immerse LDN
Immerse LDN is located on the Excel London Waterfront, overlooking Royal Victoria Dock. It’s most easily accessed via the Elizabeth Line or DLR to Custom House.
The Friends Experience: The One In London opens on August 12, 2024.
The first five days are sold out with tickets available from August 17 costing £32. Tickets start at £20 for other dates.
F1 The Exhibition opens on August 23, 2024. Tickets start at £25 with prices dependent on date.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Blockchain is one of those technologies that can be daunting in its vastness.
First conceived in the early 1990s, not much happened until 2009, when Bitcoin arrived and its profile rose as the system underpinning that and other cryptocurrencies.
Then there was the mostly art-focused explosion and crash of the non-fungible tokens or NFT market.
But quietly in the background – while the hype has raged – bright minds have been carefully considering what blockchain might most functionally and profitably be used for now and in the future.
What applications does an immutable, secure ledger for practically any kind of data, protected by encryption and distributed across a network of computers, actually have?
Set to be held at Excel from May 21-23, 2024, the event expects to attract more than 5,000 delegates in person who will be able to listen to more than 150 speakers and dozens of cutting-edge exhibitors working in the sector.
“Its purpose is to move the needle forward on enterprises and governments adopting blockchain technology,” said Alex Stein, conference director.
“What we want to do is cut through a lot of the conversations, which tend to be about cryptocurrencies.
“The event is about how useful the technology can be and its impact, looking holistically across different industries and government – we want to bring everyone together to move those discussions forward and educate people.
“We’ve held conferences around the world on this topic but last year we made the decision to find a home in London.
“It makes sense because it’s a hub for fintech, finance and regulation, all of which are very important for the technology.
“That’s why we’ve based it here and renamed it the London Blockchain conference.
“We want it to be the main event for businesses in Europe, and eventually globally, which will show people the practical applications of the technology – people who want to get together and talk about problems and solutions to them.
“This is the event for people with questions about blockchain to find answers – perhaps you’re the person who has been tasked with looking into a solution for your company or you’re a CEO or founder who would like to know more.
“The event is an amazing opportunity to be at the forefront of the technology and to meet people from startups, scaleups, investors and big companies.”
He’s an electronics and telecommunications engineer by background and a self confessed lover of low-level engineering – good products and good systems, as he puts it.
“As a technologist, I always look at things through that lens,” said Richard.
“As an exhibitor of applications on blockchain I think the conference is at the heart of what London has always been really excellent at – curating the many faces of financial service offerings both nationally and internationally.
“Tokenovate specialises in derivative trading – we’ve built the next generation life cycle engine.
“It’s a platform for how derivatives are getting tokenised, expressed as smart contracts and executing their life-cycle events on a blockchain.
“There is no doubt in my mind of the journey that’s under way in financial services – not just in London, but globally.
“We’re seeing something in the order of $16trillion of assets expected to be tokenised in the next five to 10 years – land, property, commercial real estate, bonds and more.
“This is probably one of the most exciting financial services transformations we have seen in 40 years – a real overhaul – and the economics that go with it as we adopt this new way of expressing value and building products.
“This conference touches on a lot of those really important characteristics.
“In my humble opinion, blockchain has been one of the slowest technologies to come to market.
“It’s been more than 15 years and there has been a lot of misdirection with the journey of cryptocurrencies – but now we’re seeing businesses and organisations around the world look at it as an infrastructure technology, really focusing on its utility value.
“That’s what this conference is about.”
Both Alex and Richard agree that the potential for the technology is huge, making discussion of its implications and regulation essential.
“It’s fantastic to have people like Richard at the forefront to push the boundaries of what this technology can do,” said Alex.
“There are so many sectors that can be touched by blockchain, such as supply chains and healthcare as well as local and national government.
“There are so many opportunities and we want people to be able to see how blockchain can be a part of their digital transformation.
The conference is taking place at Excel in Royal Docks
“The point of the technology is to make things quicker, cheaper and better. What blockchain gives you in terms of its scalability, speed and stability will eventually change the world.
“It will become the plumbing that everyone expects to be in place and relies on to do business. In 10 years we’ll talk about it in less depth because it will be there.”
Richard added: “As a technologist, I often think in terms of 100 years.
“We’re only 30 or 40 years into a meaningful part of the digital age.
“Built into Tim Berners- Lee’s World Wide Web protocol is the fact that the internet was conceived as a medium of exchange for data but not money.
“There has always been a gap for the right financial system to be plugged in and that’s part of the journey we’re on in society.
“Crypto has been a use case for the technology – it’s animated how smart contracts work, tokenising things and what a modern marketplace could look like and it’s certainly accelerated G20 regulators looking at blockchain and asking how it will apply to traditional instruments.
“I also echo what Alex says, that as a society we’re increasingly looking for provenance.
“In food, for example, using blockchain as an immutable, time-stamped record keeper, you could know when something was pulled out of the ground, when it was shipped, what the weather conditions were like and who the farmer was.
“I’m sorry to say this but we do live in a world where trust is being increasingly re-sought.
“We have a lot of disinformation and immutable record keeping is one mechanism we can use to help us re-establish that trust. I think it has an important role to play.”
The conference is pitched at all levels with the aim of including as many organisations as possible, so there’s very much a place for those whose understanding of the technology is rudimentary.
“On day one in the morning, we host a session called Blockchain 101,” said Alex. “We also have a session on what a smart contract is and so on.
“We’re located two minutes and 57 seconds from Canary Wharf or 14 minutes from Tottenham Court Road – there’s a whole expo floor and so much content and networking to get involved with.
“I just love bringing people together, out of the office, for face-to-face conversations.
“There will also be a fantastic, informal drinks reception on the first night, which will be really lively.
“Having lived through the pandemic, when conferences were digital, it’s great to be hosting live events.
“Before the Elizabeth Line was in place, Excel used to feel a little out of the way but now it’s so well connected to the rest of London.
“Our event will take place in its dedicated conference centre, which is perfect for the kind of programme we’re hosting – although we’re certainly looking to the future and will perhaps one day occupy one of its halls.”
Anyone interested in exhibiting at the London Blockchain Conference or participating in its event can find full listings and information online.
Excel is easily reached from Canary Wharf in less than three minutes via the Elizabeth Line
WHAT’S ON
There’s a wealth of potential topics, but what can delegates expect from the event at Excel in May?
“There’s also our spotlight stage out on the exhibition floor, so there’s great variation in what’s on offer.
“We’ll have session on the regulatory side of things, blockchain and AI plus blockchain and the Internet Of Things.
“We’ll be looking at business cases and opportunities to innovate in all of these areas.”
In addition to Richard, confirmed speakers include representatives from Channel 4, nChain, Business Kitz, Ayre Ventures, BSV Blockchain, Project Babbage, Gate2Chain and Family Office Venture Capital.
—–
key details
The London Blockchain Conference is set to take place at Excel in Royal Docks over three days from May 21-23, 2024.
Excel is easily accessed via Custom House station on the Elizabeth Line (less than three minutes from Canary Wharf) or Prince Regent DLR.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
The docks may have closed 40 years ago but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely defunct as a part of the import and export sector.
The Isle Of Man is currently on a mission to boost its foodie exports, including seafood, alcoholic beverages, salt and cheese, as it attempts to shift the balance of its economy and bring greater prosperity to its inhabitants.
These included the likes of shellfish from its sustainably managed King Scallop Fishery – available at a selection of top London restaurants, dairy produce from the Isle Of Man Creamery and hand-harvested sea salt from the Isle Of Man Salt Co.
Rick Dacey of Outlier
It’s especially apt that a space in a listed former sugar warehouse on the edge of a dock that was once a major receiver of imports should be used in this way– better still that one of the products on show should be a rum.
It buys-in cane molasses, but otherwise uses exclusively local ingredients to create its products.
Available in Harrods or to buy online, it is at present still a small concern.
“Hoolie is our 41% white rum and it’s the first one made in the British Isles to be sold at the department store,” said co-founder Rick Dacey.
“That’s not bad going for a couple of guys working in a shed on a farm.
“We’re called Outlier because we are that, both philosophically and geographically.
“We’re doing our own thing – we’re not interested in producing millions of bottles.
“We want to have fun with it and we’re happy to be quite polarising.
“Some people don’t like our bottles and I’m happy about that because at least they have an opinion.
All milk produced on the Isle Of Man is processed by a cooperative
“The way we produce it is laborious – two middle-aged men in a Rocky montage chopping wood and throwing it in the still – so it’s a proper craft product.
“We make it from scratch. The Isle Of Man has very clean air and water which is good for the booze and it’s going down well with the rum crowd so why deviate from that?
“The Isle is a small place, but it has some great producers so it’s great that it’s getting some government support.”
“We’re a cooperative of 28 dairy farmers on the island,” said Findlay Macleod, its managing director.
“We bring in all of the milk that’s produced there and process it into cheese.
“On the Isle Of Man, our cows are out eating grass for a minimum of 200 days every year, which means they’re enjoying a natural diet.
“That makes for a healthier milk and provides a better base for our award-winning cheese that regularly wins national and international recognition.
“We export to Canada, the USA, Australia and the UK as well. We’re hopeful to find further distribution in London in independent stores and in top restaurants.
“My favourite is our Vintage Red Leicester – it goes with anything and it’s a beautiful cheese. A really wonderful product.”
Isle Of Man Creamery’s Grass Fed Vintage Red Leicester
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
On a dark day, it might be tempting to look at the state of the planet and be discouraged.
Globally we’ve had the warmest February on record, yet ministers seem content to water down green policies.
Populist politicians and commentators bewail what they see as the madness of abandoning coal and gas.
Others argue that the UK’s emissions are so small in comparison to other parts of the world that there’s no point in making any changes at the supposed expense to our quality of life.
Early withdrawal symptoms for a culture hopelessly hooked on fossil fuels?
Perhaps. But nevertheless the voices have become a potent lobby.
The eastern extension to ULEZ hardly raised a peep when it came to Docklands.
But west London was a different story, with opportunistic politicians hijacking a poorly articulated campaign to target the Mayor Of London and, arguably, scrape a by-election win in Uxbridge.
There’s danger here. People like the status quo and yet, ULEZ has seen some pollutants fall by as much as 46% in its first year in central London.
That’s cleaner, fresher air – with around 290,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions prevented from fouling the atmosphere and contributing to the heating of the planet.
Will this single measure save us? No. Not on its own.
But it’s a measure taken in a major capital city, that’s delivering myriad benefits.
This is a strong recipe for inspiring others.
The RDCS is based at UEL’s Royal Docks campus
It matters what we do here because the ideas and technology necessary to address the massive problems we face, need both places of generation and implementation.
Part-funded by the Mayor and Newham Council though their Royal Docks Team initiative, the facility provides space for projects, will be open to the community and will soon boast a “vibrant cafe”.
But beyond the, doubtless, sustainable coffee, it has another role.
Its task is to bring people and organisations together to improve sustainability in an area that’s undergoing billions of pounds of regeneration in a borough fighting deprivation.
“If I could have one wish, it would be that this centre has a driving influence on the Royal Docks, that the innovation created here really plays out and makes sure that this community and London itself become exemplars,” said Robert De Jong, RDCS director and the man whose job it is to steer the facility as it evolves and develops.
“We have a regeneration scheme in the docks that is forecast to grow significantly over the coming years and it should be sustainable.
“The centre’s role is as a convener, both for our schools at UEL, our research centres, the local community and industry.
“Our aim is to bring them all together through effective programming and setting themes for ourselves.
“I would like to see ambitious goals set for the Royal Docks such as the establishment of a clean-tech cluster so the businesses that come through here are really innovative and set up for the future.
“Also that the plan for urban design – the way the buildings are made and how transport and urban connectivity flow through the docks – is really low carbon.
“There’s a lot of talk about this but, when it comes down to reality, there can be stark differences in what’s delivered to what was mooted. We have a real opportunity here to unleash these ideas and ask what we can do differently.
“How can we engage with the waterways, the transport system and boost biodiversity as well?”
To address some of these questions, RDCS comes fully equipped with some powerful tools and facilities, namely a Sustainability Research Institute, a Sustainable Enterprise Centre, an Augmented + Virtual Reality Centre, a Renewable Energy Lab and a Maker Space.
The Mayor Of London, Sadiq Khan officially opened the centre earlier this year
Then there’s a Data Centre, a Living Lab, a Living Library, a Careers Office, a Hackathon space, Business + Community Tax And Law Clinics and more besides.
It stands as both a physical connection to UEL’s schools as well as a conceptual one, aimed at spotlighting the work the university does and mixing it with ideas and influences from other organisations and groups.
“We take a holistic view,” said Robert.
“Sustainability means that we’re governing with an ethical outcome for society and the environment, that we’re thinking outside of our own jurisdictions and that we’re also really understanding the stewardship of products and striving to improve how we use resources.
“We can’t just keep creating pollution and heating the globe.
“We need to think about how to manage the whole balance of our ecology.
“At the moment we’re at a certain rate of growth, so we need to ask if that is sustainable.
“The centre is based on a number of things – firstly collaboration and creation in the holistic sense of sustainability, driving it across east London, around Newham and in Royal Docks in particular.
“In a couple of years’ time, I would like to see this centre established at the forefront of pushing the sustainability agenda – that we’re able to make a measurable impact in terms of social outcomes.
“At UEL we already have great diversity in the student body, among staff and in our policies, but how far can we go?
“That’s not just looking at employment, it’s in the supply chain and it’s driving that wider agenda and our goal of a healthier planet.
“I’d like to see this centre become a catalyst for enabling these things and also to act as a demonstrator.”
Part of the three-storey centre’s mission then, will be to constantly shine spotlights on the work being done in UEL’s schools, while simultaneously supporting and showcasing the work of businesses.
“There is sustainability in each of our schools but it’s hidden away and we’re not always good at shouting about it,” said Robert.
“For example, the Sustainability Research Institute is doing amazing work on bio-based building materials such as Sugarcrete, made from waste products when sugar cane is refined.
“But equally there are fantastic projects in engineering and fashion too.
“Then there’s the wider ethos around our campuses themselves, with a opportunity to embed sustainability in the governance of UEL itself and to ask how we involve every member of staff in that process.
Visitors examine blocks of Sugarcrete, a new material made with waste products from the sugar refining industry
“We’re also about to launch an accelerator programme, starting with a small number of organisations with combined interests.
“We have a focus on fintech and how to develop financial technology and also on entrepreneurship with a faculty looking at how we organise training around creating a business and skills development.
“We can all come up with business ideas but in reality growing a company and overcoming the hurdles of finance and development can take many years.
“However, with the right support and education, firms can really grow successfully.
“We want to create cohorts through these programmes, but we also want to talk with external partners to run some of them, so it’s not just UEL.
“Key to the whole project is that the centre is a place where we can bring in local stakeholders such as Excel, London City Airport and Siemens, which is leading on UEL’s work to achieve net zero.
“Before, we were promoting the story of how exciting the centre will be, but since it’s opened, the dialogue has changed.
“People understand its principles and how we’re really striving for local impact, employment and engagement as well as picking up new ideas.
“Those from the community, wider industry and UEL itself who have seen the centre, seem really pleased with the space and understand how it is relevant.
“There will be entrepreneurs and scaleups based here, but people can also come for advice with clinics that can be used free of charge by locals from the community.
“We also want to bring in more international organisations – we need the whole mix to be right – to ensure that what we’re creating here is a framework of approach so people will feel this centre is a new space of inspiration.”
There you have it, a beacon of innovation in the Royal Docks, that people across the world can look to.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
The PA Show is set to return to east London with a packed programme aimed at personal, executive and virtual assistants as well as office managers.
The 2024 event, which is sponsored by South Western Railway Business Direct, will take place at Excel in Royal Victoria Dock on February 28 and 29, three minutes from Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth Line.
The flagship event, which has seen significant growth in recent years – with a separate autumn edition now a fixture in the calendar – promises a show designed to boost learning, skills and the personal networks of those attending.
“The diversity of our sessions and the calibre of our speakers are truly exciting,” said Lisa Farnfield, sales director at The PA Show.
“We’re also thrilled about the networking opportunities that attendees will have, connecting with peers and industry leaders.
Lisa Farnfield, sales director at The PA Show
“We believe in empowering our attendees with knowledge, skills, and networks that not only enhance their current roles but also pave the way for future opportunities.
“This show is a catalyst for both personal and professional transformation.”
There are three ways for PAs, EAs, VAs and office managers to attend The PA Show 2024. The first is via a free visitor pass, which grants access to all exhibitors and the event’s Keynote Theatre.
This will host sessions throughout the show including Chief Of Staff: Top Five Skills Needed For The Executive Shift, where Sarah Howson and Marianne Whitlock are set to unpack the traits of high-performing executive assistants.
Also on offer will be The Power Of Adaptability, with Claudine Martin offering thoughts on embracing change as a catalyst for growth, and Menopause’s Impact On Financial Health: A Threat To Business, in which Tracey Louise Taylor will explore the issue in depth, finishing with a call to action for 2024 to be the year to confront the various challenges posed.
On the exhibition floor itself, visitors will find the likes of Toca Social, Prestige Hampers, Miss Jones Group, Hyatt Hotels, Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, Eurostar, Center Parcs, Crystal Corporate Travel Management and many more.
Attendees are once again encouraged to explore via the PA Passport scheme, sponsored by Qatar Airways.
Visitors collect stamps from participating exhibitors, with completed passports entered into a prize draw.
The PA Show features a packed programme across five theatres
Going deeper, full access conference passes offer admission to all five theatres, starting at £149 for one day or £199 for two.
Wharf Life readers can get 10% off by using code WHARF10 when booking.
These include seminars such as The Productivity Triangle at the Key Skills Theatre where Kathleen Drum offers advice on navigating time and energy management alongside strategic planning.
At the Personal Development Theatre, Career Management – Why And How To Be Proactive About Your Career will see Joanna Gaudoin host a session on the significance of proactively shaping a role for long-term fulfilment.
This includes practical steps on developing a career and ways to gain motivation in making it a positive, consistent aspect of visitors’ professional lives.
A highlight at the Tech Theatre will be Fiona Young’s How To Make AI Your Superpower, looking at generative applications and large language models.
The seminar explores how attendees can integrate the likes of ChatGPT, Bard, Bing, and Claude into their workflows.
The Office Management And VA Conference Theatre will host Maximising Your Potential Through Recognition And Reward, where Hana Gray will chair a panel of award-winning office managers – Caroline Rees Williams, Megan O’Connell, and Sarah James – who will offer insights and strategies for achieving recognition in the sector.
The event offers plenty of opportunity for networking
The theatre will also be the venue for Using Your Existing Network To Get Clients As A VA, a session with Caroline Marshall aimed at helping virtual assistants grow their businesses.
“Our aim has always been to mirror the evolving landscape of the PA/EA roles,” said Charlotte Fewlass, event marketing manager and deputy event director of The PA Show.
“This year, we’re focusing on sustainability, technological adeptness, and career progression, reflecting the current and future challenges faced by our community.
“Dive in with an open mind and be ready to absorb a wealth of information.
“Network, engage in sessions, and most importantly, enjoy the experience of being part of this vibrant community.”
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
In a world where people’s experiences and cultural references are increasingly diffuse, Disney100: The Exhibition prompts a conversation pretty much anyone can participate in.
The question: “What’s your favourite Disney movie?” is one that, perhaps, unites more people globally under the umbrella of a single producer than any other.
Its answers are frequently generational, surprising and in some cases contested – can Marvel and Star Wars really be counted when so much of the original development of those brands happened before they were brought into the fold?
But almost invariably, it’s a question that’s met with fondness and warmth – often a connection to a childhood remembered or time spent with one’s own children.
That, of course, is before we even consider the TV output, the theme parks and the theatre shows.
With such resonance in the public mind, curating an exhibition that celebrates the output of The Walt Disney Company to mark its centenary, is a mammoth undertaking.
Little wonder, perhaps, that this creative titan has risen to that challenge with characteristic zeal resulting in Disney100: The Exhibition running at Excel in Royal Docks until January 21.
“Selecting the exhibits was probably the biggest challenge we had because Disney has an embarrassment of riches in terms of the assets we can show,” said Matthew Adams, manager, exhibitions for the Walt Disney Archives.
Matthew Adams of the Walt Disney Archives
“We’ve had 100 years and we have so many different business units now which have all contributed to Disney’s success, so it was really difficult.
“The great thing about Disney is, because it’s been around for so long, I can’t think of another company that has left such an indelible mark on people’s lives.
“There are meaningful moments for baby boomers all the way up to the children of today and everyone in between.
“I think about all the films I watched as a kid including all the movies like Hocus Pocus that came out in the 1990s.
“I was also a big fan of Sword In The Stone – those are two that really resonated with me when I saw props from the movies, so I can imagine how other people will feel.
“I often joke with people that the archives are the keepers of their childhood memories – but I also really mean it.
“Many are unique and we have both a domestic version of the exhibition in the US and an international touring collection, so deciding what would be in each was challenging.”
With the exception of the first gallery – which tells the story of how Walt set up the company and created his first animations including the pioneering Steamboat Willie with its synchronised soundtrack – the exhibition is not arranged chronologically.
The exhibition features a host of exhibits from Disney’s first 100 years
Instead its nine galleries are thematic, each looking at a different aspect of the company’s operations.
“That really helped us narrow down what we were going to put on show,” said Matthew, who started off his career in theatre before going on to work at 20th Century Fox in themed entertainment and joining Disney when it bought his previous employer.
“Everything after the first gallery is based on the philosophy of Walt Disney – whether that’s storytelling, creating believable characters, adventure and discovery and so on, which helped us decide what to include.
“Then we were only selecting exhibits that were in service to that story of each gallery.
“For example, everything in the music gallery helps tell the story of how important the music and sound effects are in Disney films.
“One thing that Disney is really well known for and comes into clear view when you’re in the exhibition, is the attention to detail with everything the company does.
“For instance there’s a display about creating the sound effects and you would never think those noises were made in the way they were – the minds that came up with those ideas were pretty astounding.
There’s also an extensive gift shop selling official merchandise
“Another example is when you’re looking at the costumes for The Lion King stage show and the level of detail that goes into them, which audiences would never even see at a distance.
“It’s those things that make the Disney difference.
“In The Illusion Of Life gallery, we talk about all these individual characters and what makes them seem real.
“There are the minute personality details, which may seem obscure and unimportant, but combine to create the effect of a living, breathing character.
“To me, seeing those things is a ‘wow moment’.
“In the exhibition, you really get a sense that everyone, from Walt Disney up to the people who work for the company today, has been really passionate about the work and our history, our legacy, and the stories we continue to tell today.
“These people really believe in it and really love it.
“They realise what they are doing has made a huge impact on their lives and makes a real impact on other people’s lives – that’s why being part of the exhibition is really something special for me.”
That Disney100: The Exhibition is in the UK is apt.
Walt and the company he built has had a long association with Britain.
Its first live action film, 1950’s Treasure Island, was shot in Cornwall and Buckinghamshire with Robert Newton creating a host of immortal pirate tropes as the wild-eyed, one-legged Long John Silver.
Walt also traced his roots to the village of Norton Disney in Lincolnshire, visiting during filming and cementing the link by placing his family’s coat of arms above the archway to the company’s famous castle.
“This started something that was consistent with many of the company’s most famous stories like Mary Poppins and Bedknobs And Broomsticks, which feature in the exhibition,” said Matthew.
The exhibition features all kinds of exhibits including costumes from live action movies
“There’s a definite affinity with London and the UK. I hope that seeing the exhibition will reignite people’s passion and love for Disney films, parks and everything else we produce.
“There’s so much content out there these days – it’s over-saturated – but it’s really nice spending an hour or two going back and looking at those touchstone moments in our lives, saying: ‘I remember this being really important in my life’ and remembering.
“An exhibition spanning 100 years is a really huge moment that will only come once in our lifetimes, so we want everyone to feel inspired and happy when they leave, and hopeful about the future.”
Spare a thought, then, for the next generation who will likely have more than double the archive to draw on when 200 years have passed.
“The collection is huge and already spans multiple buildings and locations,” said Matthew.
“We have buildings that are dedicated to our three-dimensional assets, others that are dedicated to our photo collection – it is a pretty enormous operational undertaking.
“We rely on the actual creators and the production teams of those films or park attractions to tell us what’s important to keep.
“Similarly, with park attractions, when they are changed or updated, we ask what the fans’ most popular items are and which are worth keeping.
“We wish we could keep everything, but that’s just not possible when we have a finite amount of space and, with the advent of Disney+, output has increased significantly.”
Fortunately, thanks to the acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, there is potentially a solution.
That deal means it now owns the warehouse from Indiana Jones flick Raiders Of The Lost Ark – plenty of room for another century of stuff.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
It’s now less than a year until the latest extension to Excel in Royal Docks is due to open its doors for business, and the exhibition and conference centre’s CEO is buzzing with the anticipation of what it means for the UK, London and the local area.
To say live events have bounced back after the pandemic would be an understatement.
Fuelled by a period of almost total shut down, when meetings were deemed illegal, the demand and desire to reconnect is at an all-time high.
“This year will be 10% busier than we’ve ever been in the history of Excel’s business,” said Jeremy.
“There will be more events, more exhibitors and more visitors here than ever before – that’s a really strong catalyst for activities, innovation and ideas.
“It puts Royal Docks right at the heart of our trade agenda in the UK once again.
“Historically, it was an area where innovation was rife, where trade was a huge driver for the capital.
“That tailed off with containerisation.
“But it’s a great example of what London does, it adapts and changes into something else – so the Royal Docks began reinventing itself as a centre of excellence and innovation.
“Transportation links improved and, over the years, pieces were put in place to remove the friction of travel to get here.
“Now, with the Elizabeth Line, we’re a very strong proposition for our customers. Excel is three minutes from Canary Wharf and 15 minutes from the West End. It’s so accessible.”
Excel CEO Jeremy Rees says the benefits of increased space will bring increased growth and prosperity to Royal Docks, London and the UK as a whole
Riding the wave of that regeneration and infrastructure improvements, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), which owns Excel, has invested significant cash in expanding the venue.
When the doors to the extension open in October 2024, Excel will see its available space increase by 25% to some 125,000sq m.
The new facility will connect seamlessly to the existing centre’s eastern end, with landscaping outside, including a public park.
“We’ve designed a £220million building connected to the existing one, which will genuinely delight and surprise everyone with a world-class experience,” said Jeremy.
“The process of regeneration here is far from complete and that’s one of the reasons our expansion programme is so important – because it’s demand-led.
“Our customers in the corporate, association and exhibition markets – both nationally and internationally – have told us what they want.
“That’s the future of face-to-face events – a building that needs to be not just physically but also technologically fit for purpose and a place that’s sustainable and puts delegate health and wellbeing right at the heart of the proposition.
“The brands that are coming now care deeply about the experience and that’s something we’ve catered for really carefully.
“The expansion is a place where millions of moments will happen, where people will go away saying that their needs were fulfilled when they came to Royal Docks – whether that was for trade, fun or engagement.
The project will see Excel get a second main entrance
“It will be where their preconceptions of the area, of London and of the UK, will have been shifted.
“Our vision for the future is to add significantly to where we are now and this is deeply exciting.
“From a stakeholder perspective, from ADNEC downwards, I think it shows a belief in London and the Royal Docks.
“They’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds in our buildings and the experience.
“That’s being reinforced by our customer base who are signing contracts now for 2024, 2025 and beyond. We’ve got agreements in place for 2030 already.”
Take a step back and Excel currently generates about £4.5billion in economic impact for the UK, attracting around 4million visitors to the Royal Docks each year by hosting roughly 400 events.
“The expansion is necessary to ensure the virtuous circle of growth continues.
Jeremy said: “What our existing customers are saying is that if we can’t cater for them, they’re going to go somewhere else.
“There is a significant emphasis on investment internationally and cities are competing aggressively with each other.
“The difference with London is that most other cities in the world own their convention centres – here it’s privately owned, so all the investment coming through us is driving a vast ripple effect through the city.
“The economic impact is huge and costs the public purse nothing. In other cities, the events industry is asking for subsidy or support from governments whereas we are a massive contributor to the Treasury and UK PLC as a whole.
“Our investment is driven by the fact we believe there is a commercial need – it’s what our customers want.
“The benefit from this is also for the hotels, bars and restaurants – and so for the Exchequer as well – due to the increase in activity across these sectors.”
At a more immediately local level, the expansion will also benefit those living and working in Royal Docks in a variety of ways.
Put simply, the larger Excel becomes, the more potential there is for success.
The more successful the venue is, the bigger its economic impact will be, with greater and greater audiences coming to the area with needs to satisfy.
“From a successful exhibition perspective, it means that we’re generating more income, and that flows through to Newham, where tourism and hospitality are key pillars that drive job creation,” said Jeremy.
“As a business ourselves, there is no doubt we are already employing more people from the local area than ever before.
“Similarly the businesses we’re supporting and working with are also employing people, so you get this multiplier effect.
“The hotels locally are running at around 85% occupancy, very largely filled by people attending events at Excel.
“We aim to make sure that, we’re working harmoniously with the residents who benefit from hospitality, bars and restaurants.
“But it’s also the reason why we’re investing in transport links, why there are, for example, 5G networks here, and that infrastructure generally is being improved, because all the activity is here.
“That’s interesting because it changes the dynamics of the ecosystem.
“What used to be the case is that people came in, conducted their business and then left.
“That’s shifting and I foresee over the next five or 10 years that the dwell time here is going to be significantly greater within the Royal Docks.
“I think that the east of London – Royal Docks, Canary Wharf and all the other areas – have all got very bright futures. There’s absolutely no doubt about it.
“With the Elizabeth Line now in place, Excel is the natural home for events for companies on the Wharf – the journey is only three minutes now.
“It’s incumbent on all of us in this area to set the tone, develop, grow and do it in partnership.
“If we can accelerate this with our investments and support from Abu Dhabi, then we’re going to do that.”
One of the other things the venue is already doing is shifting its programme.
“We’ve been planning all this since 2018 and the final pieces of the puzzle were the arrival of the Elizabeth Line, a commitment from our investors to expand and, lastly, Excel’s complete adoption of immersive events and experiences,” said Jeremy.
“We’ve got truly world-class creators, innovators, production houses and agencies who are exporting immersive experiences to other countries, where they have residencies.
“There hasn’t really been a place where they can host them here, so we’ve observed and responded to the need – and we’ve done it very quickly.
“We’ve been really keen to work with some of the best brands globally to do this, which is the reason we’ve hosted Jurassic World and Disney100.
“These are world-class experiences and there will be more announced soon.
“Brands invest tens of millions in some cases and what we want is families and children to come here and be surprised and delighted by what they find so that they return again and again.”
In some senses, the countdown to the future of Excel has begun. In others, it’s here already.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
