Alan Rides: Taking West London Businesses Global

Alan Rides: Taking West London Businesses Global
Alan Rides pictured at High-Speed Rail Station, exploring new trade links between West London and the Far East. Credit: The HamFul Staff Photographer

Alan Rides, Chief Executive of the West London Chamber of Commerce, is a driving force behind the region’s growing global presence. With decades of experience across international markets, from the Gulf to North Africa, Alan has brought that outward-looking perspective to West London. Under his leadership, the Chamber has expanded from just 300 members to over 2,200, reflecting his belief that local businesses thrive best when they think beyond borders.

Going Global from West London

Over the past year, Alan has sharpened the Chamber’s international focus. While global markets offer huge promise, he hasn’t lost sight of local priorities.

“It’s a constant balancing act,” Alan says. “We must weigh up what our members want to export from the UK with what inbound delegations are hoping to achieve by engaging with British businesses.”

Whether it’s hosting tech delegations during London Tech Week or supporting Indian firms setting up in the UK, the Chamber’s work is about opening doors. Alan understands that each market needs a different approach. “China is focused on manufacturing and export, India is domestically driven but looking outward, and the US is all about trade balance. Each requires a bespoke strategy.”

From showcasing Heathrow’s green innovations in Atlanta to supporting Moroccan solar farms that will soon power 10 percent of UK homes, the Chamber’s efforts are wide reaching. “It’s a brilliant deal,” he says of the Morocco project. “Build green energy abroad, and get clean electricity in return.”

Spotlight on the Arab World

Alan recently hosted a reception at the House of Lords focused on Arab entrepreneurship. His insight into the region is grounded in lived experience. “Libya increased trade with the UK by 61 percent in a single year. That’s extraordinary,” he says. He’s quick to highlight the contrast between wealthy Gulf states and nations still rebuilding after conflict.

Alan’s knowledge comes not only from policy work, but from having built businesses himself. Over a decade, he helped grow one company’s turnover from £5 million to £142 million, creating hundreds of jobs along the way.

Supporting Regeneration at Home

While Alan travels the world for trade, he remains rooted in West London. From Hounslow and Ealing to Hammersmith and Fulham, he is a key player in local regeneration and economic growth.

“The UK economy is growing at just 1 percent. That’s barely growth at all. But overseas markets are expanding at 5 to 8 percent, and that’s where our businesses need to look.”

He believes small businesses can take confidence from global success stories. “If companies like Pernod Ricard can grow exports to India from £250 million to over £1 billion thanks to a free trade agreement, smaller businesses can too.” His advice? Treat India not as one market, but a collection of states, each with its own opportunities.

Empowering the Next Generation

This year, the Chamber’s events have broken records, including the Festival of Business and the Regeneration Conference. And while funding from local authorities is declining, Alan believes success will come from within the business community itself.

“We’re getting less support now, so it’s about helping ourselves and each other. That’s what makes the Chamber effective.”

He’s not one for setting small targets. “If you set small targets, you stop when you hit them. I prefer to help as many people as I can. Growth follows.”

Alan has now joined the board of a local university to help bridge the gap between education and business. He’s also focused on helping SMEs adopt new technologies.

“Large companies have in-house AI teams. Small businesses don’t. We want to be the ones who help them make the most of it.”

West London as a Tech Hub

Alan sees West London as a rising global tech corridor, home to firms like Dell, IBM, Cisco and Sega. The region now has more data centres than anywhere else in the world outside Delaware.

But Alan’s focus is not just on the giants. At Chamber exhibitions in Hounslow and Ealing, he’s spotlighted young entrepreneurs and smaller firms helping to reshape the future of West London.

He reminds us of the area’s tech heritage, from Alan Turing’s early work on computing to DeepMind’s AI breakthroughs today. “This is a place of innovation,” he says. “And we’re just getting started.”

Alan Rides isn’t simply focused on deals and numbers. His real work lies in building bridges between boroughs, businesses and the next generation. And in doing so, he is helping ensure that West London remains one of the UK’s most dynamic and outward-looking places to do business.

Learn more

The West London Chamber of Commerce continues to play a vital role in supporting businesses of all sizes across Hounslow, Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham. From trade missions and business festivals to training, networking and practical support, the Chamber offers a platform for growth, connection and visibility. Whether you're a start-up looking for your first customer or an established firm ready to explore international markets, there's something for everyone. To learn more, visit www.westlondonchambers.org.uk.