Dear Residents,
Several years ago I was elected as the 3rd Chairman of the Belgravia Residents Association. Since then I have worked with my fellow members of the committee to protect the beauty and atmosphere of this most interesting part of London.
No one who visits us can fail to be impressed and intrigued by the many interesting streets and landmarks. From the bustling farmers’ market of Orange Square to the grace of Belgrave Square, we have so many hidden treasures and historic monuments waiting to be discovered.
Although we have spent much of the recent past working with developers and planning groups we are determined to broaden our reach over the next few years to include many other areas of social engagements and activities.
Local people and businesses are helping us to understand how we can support them even further to foster a warm and welcoming neighbourhood as well as encourage more of our local residents to join us in celebrating a local way of life that is, without doubt, extraordinary,
I look forward to meeting you at one of our forthcoming events.
Yours sincerely,
James Wright
Chairman
The Committee and Officers
James Wright
Chairman
​
Chairman of the BRA and a committee member since 1995. A local resident since 1989 and a self made businessman hailing from The isle of Mull in Scotland. James is a hotelier by profession and has extensive interests in property both in the UK, The Philippines and in India. Active in all sectors of the BRA's activities and has a good working relationship with WCC, TFL, Grosvenor and the Police. This has helped spearhead several successful campaigns which include keeping the red route out of Belgravia, Sloane Square campaign, Chelsea Barracks scheme; varying traffic calming schemes on behalf of members effecting changes to traffic flows (upper Eaton Terrace/Groome Place) and seeing the installation of zebra crossings, latest one in Pimlico Road.
Anthony Owen
Treasurer
​
Anthony is a specialist litigation lawyer practising in Fleet Street. He has been assisting the BRA committee for last 4 years, more recently taken on a role of Treasurer. Anthony has a life long interest in mathematics, music and chess.
​
Randa Hanna
Planning
​
Marie-Athena Papathanasiou
Sustainability
​
Marie-Athena is by background a Barrister and International Environmental Lawyer. Educated in France and the UK, she holds a doctorate degree in international law from the University of Paris II Sorbonne as well as a LL.M and PhD in International Environmental Law and Policy from the London School of Economics where she has worked as Research Fellow.
​
Clive Knott
Traffic
Clive has lived in Belgravia for over 30 years. He works as an IT Director and Consultant for Law Firms.
​
Ulviyya Taghizade
Secretary/Events coordinator
​
Ulviyya Taghizade was born in Baku, Azerbaijan. MS in International relations and regional studies.
Worked as a diplomat in her home country and in Czech Republic. Founder of AWAUK (Azerbaijani Women’s Association in UK). Westminster Active Award 2017 nominee and Wesminster Community Award Winner 2018. Interested in psychology. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy practitioner. Have twin boys. Loves living and volunteering in Belgaravia.
​
Helen Zayichenko
Partners and Partnerships
​
Catherine Kasimova
Mews Officer
​
​
What we do and Lobbying
The Belgravia Residents Association has a fine history of lobbying both for and against change in Belgravia. Over the past forty years we have brought residents together to discuss issues that affect our way of life. There is an art to lobbying and it’s an art we take very seriously. We work closely with City of Westminster and Grosvenor to ensure regular dialogue. This means we are ideally placed to understand the various objections and to work towards resolutions that benefit all parties.
Our main areas of involvement include:
-
Planning and applications and building developments in Belgravia
-
Review of local traffic problems and general road works
-
Residents parking and the impact of the congestion charge
-
Street cleansing, waste collection and recycling
-
Policing, crime prevention and noise pollution
-
Impact of local licensing legislation
-
Promotion of a greener environment with tree planting, provision of hanging baskets and the up keep and protection of the garden squares
-
Working to limit the impact of large scale public events in Hyde Park that generate unacceptable noise, disruption and environmental damage
-
Liaising with Transport for London and Westminster City Council for a fully integrated transport interchange system to replace the existing outdated Victoria Coach Station
Annual General Meeting
The BRA shall convene it Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year, at which the following items will be addressed:
Chairman’s Report on the previous year’s activities
Treasurer’s Report, including the presentation of financial statements independently verified by a qualified independent accountant
Election of the Chairman, Executive Committee Members, and any other matter(s) disclosed when calling the AGM
​
Indicative date and the venue for the next AGM will be announced in due course.
We look forward to seeing you there!