Gapuma’s First Aiders Keep Their Skills Sharp
31 July 2026 Yannick Annor, Assistant Manager – Supply Chain, and Vaibhav Raj Thakkar, Procurement Consultant, have both completed a first aid refresher course with St John Ambulance. Both are also qualified Fire Marshals, adding a further layer of preparedness to the Gapuma team. Yannick reflected on the experience: “Thanks St John Ambulance and the trainer for this excellent first aid refresher course. I first completed the training three years ago, so it was a great opportunity to refresh my knowledge and reinforce the skills I had already learned. While I’m not an expert, this course was a valuable reminder of such an important life skill. I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep my first aid knowledge up to date.” Their refresher follows Jing Zeng’s own qualification as a trained First Aider earlier this month – a reminder that this is not a one-off effort but a standard the whole team is holding itself to. It is a small but telling example of Gapuma’s continuing commitment to the health and safety of its own people, and of the wider community around it – a trained First Aider, after all, may be called upon at any moment, without warning, to help.
Gapuma Welcomes Its Newest First Aider
23 July 2026 Gapuma Group is pleased to confirm that Jing Zheng, Procurement Officer, has qualified as a trained First Aider following an intensive course at the St John Ambulance training centre in Ealing/Hammersmith [wasn’t sure please emend as required]. Jing becomes the latest member of the Gapuma team to take on this responsibility, joining Yannick Annor and Ash Unadkat as one of three designated First Aiders at the company’s West London head office. Yannick returns to the same course next week – in his case, a refresher, to ensure his knowledge stays current. In the video attached, Jing talks through three key things she took from the day’s training. Reflecting afterwards, she had a simple message for colleagues: eat and drink slowly, walk carefully, and stay alert to your surroundings – above all, take responsibility for your own safety. It speaks to something wider than one course or one qualification: Gapuma’s continuing commitment to the health and safety of its people, and of the community around it, since a trained First Aider may be called upon at any moment, without warning, to help. Below she describes her experiences…
Full Time: Gapuma World Cup Sweepstake has its champion
20 July 2026 Weeks of predictions, no small number of upsets and plenty of office bragging rights came down to a photo finish. After a stiff, closely fought competition, Neha put in a dominant display against determined resistance, but held her nerve to push over the line in extra time and defeat Ash for the top prize. Spain’s number one was solid throughout with barely a shot getting past her all tournament. A solid wall of certainty, right to the final whistle. Neha now holds the Gapuma Sweepstake title for the next four years. On current form, she’ll be expected to be lead her nation once again come the next World Cup – when the tournament heads to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and Neha, fittingly, takes up co-host duties too. Congratulations, Neha – a worthy champion. And to Ash, runner-up by the finest of margins: there’s always the next time, but not for FOUR YEARS.
Messing About on the River: Gapuma’s Hawaiian Hula Cruise
16th July 2026 There is a particular kind of English absurdity in dressing several dozen commodities and chemicals professionals in leis and grass skirts, loading them onto a pleasure craft, and setting off down the Thames – but absurdity, handled properly, is close cousin to joy, and Gapuma’s Group Summer Activity aboard the SS Hibernia delivered rather a lot of both. The cruise began in Henley-on-Thames and headed downriver, tracing the Henley Royal Regatta course past Medmenham Abbey – two of the straightest kilometres on the Thames, cut a century ago because nothing straighter could be found. A fortnight earlier this stretch had roared with crews and crowds; now the grandstands were half-dismantled, the towpath quiet, the whole apparatus of the Regatta being quietly folded away for another year. It made for a strange, pleasant melancholy – summer’s grandest fixture undressing itself in real time. Off Medmenham, the boat ran alongside a livelier piece of theatre: the Swan Uppers of the Crown, the Vintners and the Dyers, out in their skiffs for the Catch and the Marking. It is one of the more delightful oddities of English river life that only these three parties may lawfully own or mark a mute swan on open water – a privilege the Crown has held since the twelfth century, and one it extended to the two City livery companies in the reign of Edward IV, when a 1482 statute restricted swan-keeping to the properly landed and well-heeled. It was never quite a case of reserving the birds for the royal table alone; rather, a swan in the fifteenth century was less a bird than a title deed with feathers, and the Crown meant to keep it that way. The Hibernia then reversed upstream, back through Henley, through Marsh Lock, and on into the hushed reaches beyond, turning for home just short of Sonning. Here the afternoon found its rhythm: the Gapuma Piña Paradise – commissioned specially for the occasion – circulating freely, the DJ moving deftly between cruising classics and tunes anticipating England’s clash with Argentina that evening, and a dancefloor that showed no inclination to empty. Deepa delectable food ran alongside it all without ever missing a beat. Bingo had been running throughout the day as a gloriously baffling ongoing competition, joined later by a Know Your Bosses quiz that revealed rather more about the leadership team than perhaps intended. It closed, as these things should, with an awards ceremony of high theatre and higher scrutiny: Shilpa crowned best theme-dressed woman, Luka taking the male honours, Kasia declared Queen of the Hula, and our guest of honour Kojo Jones-Mensah confirmed as its King, to absolutely nobody’s surprise. By five o’clock, on a balmy, sun-soaked afternoon perfectly suited to cruising and messing about on the river, the Hibernia was back alongside at Henley – leis a little wilted, grass skirts a little worse for wear, and the whole party thoroughly reluctant to disembark.
Celebrating 27 Years of Excellence: The Gapuma Anniversary Milestone 🥂
26th April 2026 Huge congratulations to Jack Bardakjian and the entire global team at Gapuma Group Limited as we proudly celebrate our 27th Anniversary! Reaching this significant milestone is a testament to our resilience, vision, and the collective dedication of our incredible team. Over nearly three decades, Gapuma has evolved into a dynamic and forward-thinking organization. We pride ourselves on being an agile force in the industry—continually growing and innovating to stay ahead of the curve. Even amidst ever-changing economic landscapes and global challenges, our commitment to “keeping up with the times” ensures we remain a reliable partner in a fast-paced world. Our Success is Your Success This journey would not be possible without the unwavering support of our esteemed, loyal clients and trusted suppliers. Your partnership is the foundation of our longevity, and we are extremely grateful for the continued trust you place in us. Going Above & Beyond 🚀 At Gapuma, our philosophy remains unchanged: we strive to “Go Above & Beyond” in everything we do. Whether it’s navigating complex logistics or fostering global relationships, we are committed to delivering excellence without compromise. Here’s to the next chapter of growth, innovation, and shared success!
Our greatest assets don’t appear on any balance sheet
9 April 2026 At Gapuma Group, we have always believed that our people are our greatest competitive advantage. Long service is not merely a milestone — it is evidence of something deeper: trust, expertise, and a shared commitment to excellence that compounds in value with every passing year. Today, we are proud to celebrate two extraordinary colleagues who embody that spirit. 🎉 2 Years — and a very special announcement. We are delighted to share that Jing Zhang, one of our Procurement Officers, has been officially granted the right to stay and work in the UK under the Skilled Worker route. Jing’s meticulous approach to procurement has made her an indispensable part of our operations, and we could not be more pleased that she will continue to grow her career here at Gapuma. ✅ Visa approved ✅ Paperwork survived ✅ Time to celebrate A huge and heartfelt thank you to Stephen Harris — a true fixer of everything — for his patience, diligence, and expert navigation of the Home Office Portal throughout what has been an exceptionally lengthy process. His commitment to getting this right made all the difference. 🏆 Yanish — 11 Years of Service. A remarkable testament to dedication. 132 months. 574 weeks. 4,017 days. As one of our Business Development Managers specialising in West African and francophone markets, Yanish has been instrumental in building and nurturing some of Gapuma’s most strategically important commercial relationships. The depth of knowledge, cultural fluency, and hard-won trust that come with eleven years in that role cannot be overstated — and are precisely the qualities that set Gapuma apart in the markets we serve. Congratulations, Yanish, on this extraordinary milestone. Human capital is the true currency of a successful business. Individual expertise, institutional knowledge, and personal dedication cannot be replicated overnight — they are built, year after year, by people who choose to invest themselves in something bigger. We are enormously proud of each person who makes up the Gapuma family, and profoundly grateful for the unique contributions that sustain our winning formula. May you always be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and the difference you make. 💙
🐣 The Gapuma Spring Lunch – A Q1 Tradition Every year, as Easter approaches, the Gapuma London team pauses – just briefly – to come together, take stock of the quarter behind us, and look ahead to what’s coming. This year, that felt more important than ever. Q1 2026 has been, by any measure, one of the most turbulent quarters in recent memory. Shifting trade flows, geopolitical volatility, and markets that have kept all of us on our toes. There is plenty to reflect on – and plenty to plan for. But first, lunch – and this year, there was rather more to celebrate than usual. The table did not disappoint. Coronation chicken and smoked salmon finger sandwiches, brie & cranberry and mozzarella & pesto vegetarian platters, chicken pesto pasta salad, falafel with hummus, mixed wraps, a rather magnificent spread of patisserie, chocolate éclairs, cream puffs – and, of course, the Easter eggs that have become something of a Gapuma institution. Raised glasses went to Neha Sampat, Head of Operations, marking a remarkable 15 years with Gapuma – a tenure that speaks for itself. To Stephen Harris, Operations Director, on his birthday. And to Mike Short and Saju Mullumangalam, who both celebrated birthdays on 1st April – a happy coincidence that made the occasion all the more festive. We were also delighted to welcome Luka Bouffard-Innes, our newly recruited Junior Trader, to his first Gapuma Spring Lunch – a proper rite of passage. And there was a very welcome surprise when Group Managing Director Jack Bardakjian made a flying visit, which lifted the room considerably. At Gapuma, we believe that a team which eats together, thinks together. Here’s to Q2.
Polymer Powerhouse: Mihael Nahmias Joins Gapuma
31st October 2025 Gapuma is delighted to welcome Mihael Nahmias as our new Head of Polymers — a pivotal appointment as we accelerate our growth in this dynamic and strategically important sector. Mihael brings extensive industry expertise, commercial acumen, and a forward-looking perspective on global polymer markets. His leadership will be central to strengthening our presence, deepening partnerships, and championing innovation across the value chain. At Gapuma, we recognise that the future of polymers must be responsible, sustainable, and grounded in meaningful action. We continue to invest in cleaner, greener, and more efficient material solutions, supporting circular-economy principles and reducing environmental impact through rigorous sourcing standards and global operational practice. With Mihael joining the Group, our ambitions in the polymers space have never been stronger. We look forward to achieving significant progress together — for our clients, our partners, and our planet. Please join us in welcoming Mihael to the Gapuma family.