Baroness Karren Brady CBE shares business insights at Hammers Business Network event

The event, which was hosted by broadcaster and Hammers Legend Scott Minto, kicked off with a panel on business growth led by the Intuit QuickBooks, West Ham United's Official Accounting Software Partner. The panel chaired by Martin Dyhouse, Head of Sponsorship; Intuit QuickBooks featured key members from businesses associated with West Ham United including Danny Weatherall, Professional Services Consultant; Intuit QuickBooks, Nicola Savill, Partner; Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Mick Jennings, Group CEO; NWVA and John Lucas, Managing Director; CLP Insurance.

The on-stage discussion offered insightful anecdotes, experience and advice on business growth, challenges impacting SMBs, Income TaxSelf-Assessment preparation and marketing.

During the panel, Mick Jennings, Group CEO; NWVA said:

“When West Ham opened up the stadium here, we saw an opportunity and we needed a platform to compete with some more well known competitors. NWVA used to be a brand that didn’t get awareness or recognition, since partnering with West Ham United our brand awareness has gone through the roof and provided us a platform where we’re now number one when we’re going for tenders.”

John Lucas, Managing Director; CLP Insurance & Club London member added:

“Advertising wise we didn’t do anything at all until we partnered with West Ham, now we see CLP branding around the stadium and it's provided us with an all new perspective. When we’re on Sky television or other broadcasters, it’s going around the world and now we have people saying to us they saw us on the television, which is great for our international brand awareness.”

After the panel, guests were treated to an exclusive audience with the West Ham United Vice Chair, Baroness Karren Brady CBE, sharing her thoughts and experiences as a business leader including highlights from her three decade career in football.

The event comes hot on the heels of the annual Deloitte Football Money League Report which sees West Ham United ranked as the 17th most valuable club in world football, the eight in the English Premier League. The Hammers improved their overall ranking owing to a successful campaign on the pitch in the UEFA Europa League, coupled with enhanced commercial deals off the pitch which has seen the clubs overall revenue rise by 17% to €322m in the past year

The Hammers Business Network has been created to provide a platform for its members to connect, innovate and grow their businesses. The network is a space that encourages the sharing of ideas and offers the framework to collaborate with relevant businesses who are equally as passionate about success, both on and off the pitch.

Members of the Hammers Business Network are made up of existing West Ham United partners and selected businesses from within the club’s Club London corporate membership. From global organisations through to businesses earlier in their growth journey, this network houses the very best of West Ham United’s business community.

Reflecting on the event , Panel Host Martin Dyhouse, Head of Sponsorship; Intuit QuickBooks said:

“It was fantastic to see a room full of enthusiastic, like-minded business people at London Stadium this morning as we hosted another fantastic event, empowering businesses to thrive. The panel all brought superb insights, advice, and stories of success, which were truly inspiring for everyone who joined us. This is exactly what the Hammers Business Network is all about—creating a space for growth, collaboration, and innovation all with the vision of powering prosperity in the West Ham business community.”

“This, combined with the Q&A from Baroness Karren Brady, one of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs, offered a real life lens into leadership, resilience, and success which provided true inspiration for everyone in the room. We look forward to future events and networking opportunities in the months ahead.”

Baroness Karren Brady CBE said:

“Firstly let me say how delighted I am to be here and to thank the panel members, I thought it was excellent. Thank you for the very kind things you've said about West Ham, it makes me feel so proud. We do so much good in our communities, we are changing people’s lives through our values and purpose and that is what leadership is all about.”