BUSINESS LINK FOR LONDON APPOINTS ASIAN CHAIRMAN
(November 4, 2003)

Business Link for London, the small business advice and support service for the capital, has appointed Asian, Afzal Akram as it's new non-executive Chairman to succeed Alan Coates. Afzal, at 35 years of age, is one of the youngest people to be appointed as Chairman of a private/public sector Board and is also an inaugural member of the Business Link for London board, having served as a non-executive Director since its inception in 2000 when the nine London Business Links merged.

Afzal is also the Managing Director of the DeltaClub Group, a Waltham Forest based business working across the capital. The Group provides networking and events management services for small and medium-sized businesses and also Learndirect branded ICT training services for both individuals and businesses. Prior to this, Afzal set up, and subsequently sold, a £1m premium turnover insurance business. It is the combination of this business experience and his understanding of Business Link for London, and its strategic direction going forward, that won him the job.

Afzal also brings a wealth of experience of working on publicly funded boards that serve both the public and private sector, which will bring additional benefit to Business Link for London. Such positions include his role as Deputy Chairman of the Learning & Skills Council London North, his Chairmanship of the London East Connexions Partnership, his non-executive Directorship of the Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust and his Governorship of Waltham Forest College.

Afzal will retain his role within the DeltaClub Group but may review his positions with other publicly funded organisations, for time commitment purposes, once he has started his new role of Chairman at Business Link for London on November 1, 2003.

Speaking on his appointment as Business Link for London Chairman, Afzal Akram said: "Having served on the Business Link for London board since its inception, I already have very good relationships with a large number of London's business support organisations, which is vital for the further development of the London Business Support Network. I also realise that the next few years are a crucial time at Business Link for London and its relationship with its many stakeholders and I look forward to further improving the good relationships that already exist."