LoginAnalysis: Putting it Out There
The CTSI London Branch Race & Equalities Working Group is spreading the word about Trading Standards’ vital work, offering the next generation a glimpse of what’s possible
Vincent Searle, Trading Standards Officer, London Borough of Newham
Posted 16 June 2025 | JoTS Online
Content Tags: Analysis|Inside Trading Standards|London
A year on from last year’s successful ‘Inspiring New Recruits’ initiative, we returned to the 2025 REACH Society Careers Conference bigger, bolder and more determined to make an impact than ever before.
On 8 April, the CTSI London Branch Race & Equalities Working Group had the honour of taking centre stage at the REACH Society Careers Conference, held in Bloomsbury, London. REACH Society has spent the past 15 years inspiring young people, especially from Black and ethnically diverse communities, by connecting them with employers who truly value diversity at all levels
of their organisations.
The event this year was nothing short of transformative. More than 600 young people attended, eager to explore career paths that have a purpose and make a real difference. We introduced them to Trading Standards – a profession dedicated to fighting fraud, protecting consumers and ensuring businesses play by the rules. By the end of the day, many attendees were motivated to consider a future in the profession, discovering that it’s a career that makes an impact every single day.
More than 600 young people attended, eager to explore career paths that have a purpose and make a real difference
A year of growth
REACH Society’s 15th anniversary was a huge milestone. Since its inception, the organisation has inspired more than 50,000 young people across six cities. This year’s event, celebrated under the ReachSociety15 banner, reflected the society’s growth and evolution, continuing to offer young people aged between nine and 24 pathways to success through its key events: careers days, employability days and careers conferences. These events feature role models, corporate exhibitors, workshops and direct access to opportunities like apprenticeships, scholarships and summer schools.
We didn’t just show up – we showed what’s possible. One of the highlights of our involvement was a 45-minute workshop titled ‘Hidden Heroes’, which gave attendees an inside look at the crucial work done by Trading Standards professionals and why that work is vital to consumer safety. This year’s workshop showcased the remarkable achievements of Black and ethnically diverse professionals in the sector, with speakers like Karen Tillett, Giles Speid, Samuel Abdullahi, Theo Lamptey and Marcella Donegal taking the stage.
We also highlighted the importance of apprenticeships, thanks to the recent funding from the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC), which will allow up to 80 new Trading Standards apprenticeships across England. These opportunities are a game-changer for people eager to break into the profession, ensuring a pipeline of fresh talent ready to protect consumers and make a real impact in their communities.
A vital piece of the puzzle
We also want to acknowledge the role Environmental Health plays in supporting regulatory services. Lamin Tamba from Environmental Health, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, shared his journey with the attendees at the workshop, reminding everyone that regulatory services – whether in Trading Standards or Environmental Health – are open to all, no matter their background. Together, these two professions represent a collective force working to safeguard public safety, the environment and consumers.
The conference was a rare opportunity for today’s regulators to meet tomorrow’s change-makers – and the energy was electric. The room buzzed with excitement as young people left inspired, informed and full of new possibilities. It’s moments like these that show us the incredible potential of this next generation.
A special thank you to CTSI Chief Executive John Herriman, who supported us on the day, as well as our dedicated colleagues from Camden Trading Standards and beyond. Their involvement was key to making the event a success.
John Herriman said: “This was a truly wonderful and inspiring event to be a part of. Speaking with young people just starting out in their careers and showing them how rewarding a career in Trading Standards can be is a really powerful way of encouraging new talent to join the profession. It is so important that we continue to reach out to those who can bring new ideas and passion to our work protecting the public, and also ensure that Trading Standards teams are truly representative of the communities we serve. I’d like to thank everyone who made this event happen and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.”
We also want to give a special thank you to Karen Tillett and Marcella Donegal for organising another fantastic event. Your leadership and commitment continue to inspire us all.
Looking forward, we are committed to ensuring that the future of Trading Standards and the wider regulatory sector remains diverse, inclusive and full of opportunity. The success of this year’s event is a testament to the power of collaboration and the positive change we can create when we work together to open doors for young people from all backgrounds.
PLEASE NOTE: This content originally appeared on our standalone Journal of Trading Standards website (www.journaloftradingstandards.co.uk), which we are gradually migrating over to the Journal's new home on the CTSI website. Please bear with us while we complete this process. This will not affect the production of our Print Edition.
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Content Tags: Analysis|Inside Trading Standards|London
