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We're stronger together. And, together, we are CTSI.
If you'd like to share your story or experience - to inspire, empower or motivate others - or simply to let us know about a fantastic event you took part in (along with a few snaps!), or a community or cultural event you'd like to add to our calendar, then please let us know by emailing [email protected] (please include your name and, ideally, your membership number in your message).
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Marsha Bell
Posted: 26/09/2025
INTERVIEW : Marsha Bell - Trading Standards and Licensing Manager at Salford City Council - reflects on her journey into Trading Standards, highlighting the achievements that have brought her pride, the unique challenges she’s encountered as a Black professional, and the personal and professional significance of Black History Month.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Samuel Abdullahi
Posted: 26/09/2025
INTERVIEW : Samuel Abdullahi - Trading Standards Team Leader for London Boroughs of Brent and Harrow - reflects on his inspiring journey into Trading Standards, sharing proud career moments, challenges faced as a Black professional, and the significance of Black History Month. He also offers advice to aspiring Black professionals and thoughts on how the sector can become more inclusive.
CTSI CELEBRATES: Black History Month!
Posted: 25/09/2025
Black History Month is an annual celebration - marked every October, here in the UK - dedicated to honouring the achievements of people of African and Caribbean heritage, while also educating others on the importance of sharing and discussing Black history.
FEATURE: Look for the ‘Ubuntu’ in You
Posted: 24/09/2025
CTSI's Ubuntu Mentorship Programme : Encouraging open and honest conversations about societal issues is at the heart of CTSI's mentorship programme, says Giles Speid, Team Manager at Westminster Trading Standards.
FEATURE: Words of Power
Posted: 24/09/2025
Even those with the best of intentions can sometimes cause harm through their choice of words. Tendy Lindsay explores the role of language in making Trading Standards more inclusive, welcoming and effective in its mission.
FEATURE: Language Lessons
Posted: 24/09/2025
As Black History Month kicks off with the theme of ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’, Vincent Searle, Trading Standards Officer at Newham Council in East London and member of CTSI's London Race and Equalities Working Group, looks at how the language we use has the power to change our lived experience and celebrates those within the Trading Standards world who are making a difference.
FEATURE: Voices of Experience
Posted: 23/09/2025
To mark Black History Month, Richard Young from the Journal of Trading Standards spoke with three Trading Standards leaders - Tendy Lindsay, Valerie Simpson and Samuel Abdullahi - about discrimination, the challenges of implementing positive change, and why it is important to keep pushing for a fairer society beyond the Trading Standards profession.
CTSI Supports: International Day of Sign Language
Posted: 19/09/2025
23 September 2025 : International Day of Sign Language - celebrated alongside International Week of the Deaf - stands as a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all Deaf people and other sign language users. It exists as a testament to the power of sign language in breaking down communication barriers and fostering inclusivity for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
CTSI Celebrates: Navratri
Posted: 19/09/2025
22 September - 2 October 2025 : Navratri (nine nights) is one of the most significant Hindu festivals. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Navratri typically falls between September and October around harvest time and, as the name implies, this festival is celebrated for nine days. Navratri is also known as Durga Puja.
CTSI Celebrates: Rosh Hashanah
Posted: 19/09/2025
22 - 24 September 2025 : Shanah Tovah! (“Good year!”) to all of our Jewish members, friends and colleagues around the UK. Rosh Hashana - New Year in the Jewish calendar - is a time for celebrating the creation of the world, through reflection, worship and enjoying good food.
CTSI Celebrates: National Inclusion Week
Posted: 12/09/2025
15 - 21 September 2025 : National Inclusion Week (NIW), founded by Inclusive Employers in 2011, is a vital initiative celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion in workplaces and communities across the UK. CTSI is proud to participate in this year's NIW, joining thousands of professionals in celebrating diversity and promoting the continued importance of inclusion within the services we all provide.
CTSI Supports: International Day of Charity
Posted: 04/09/2025
5 September 2025 : Charity brings people together and can set off chain reactions of kindness, no matter how big or small the act. Observed every year on 5 September, the International Day of Charity aims to highlight how you can make a difference through even the simplest act of kindness.
