Lord Mayor tours London firms on City Giving Day
Shoes were shined, ties were straightened, balloons were inflated and cakes were freshly baked for the arrival of Lord Mayor Alan Yarrow at dozens of the Square Mile’s banks and financial institutions to mark City Giving Day, where he saw first-hand what they do to give back to society.
Joined by company leaders from UBS, Barclays, Linklaters and many more, as well as volunteers from the many charities these companies support, Yarrow did the rounds at a number of local receptions and offices, where each of the nine firms introduced the London initiatives they work with; from microbreweries funded by Mencap to charities that prepare young londoners for life in the fashion industry .
Of course, Yarrow’s favourite pit-stop was City A.M.’s offices, where the Lord Mayor helped himself to a few treats at a bake sale in aid of cancer support charity Maggie’s.
Lord Mayor Alan Yarrow said: “Wonderful work goes on in the City of London. But too often, it is drowned out by the bad behaviour of the few – bad behaviour that has stained the Square Mile. The idea of City Giving Day is to redress that balance and promote the activities that firms do to help people across London.
“If we can get people to talk more loudly about what they’re doing for good causes, then maybe more people will get involved. We should take pride in all that this City stands for.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be a real City do without an after party. Yarrow finished the day by presenting the awards at the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards, celebrating more good work in the Square Mile, at Mansion House. Happy City Giving Day, everyone!
BIG BUSINESS AND CORBYNITES BOTH GET DIVERSITY AWARDS
At last, hard-left activists and London’s biggest corporations have found something they can bond over – inclusion in the workplace.
Bosses from big businesses rubbed shoulders with an eclectic crowd last night at the European Diversity Awards, as they battled it out for brownie points for working towards stamping out inequality in the workplace, with many City big-wigs getting gongs for their commitment to improving their firm’s diversity.
Fiona Cannon, director of diversity and inclusion at Lloyds Banking Group, was named Diversity Champion of the Year for campaigning for a wider range of employees from all backgrounds, while a top award was also handed to Corbynite journalist Owen Jones at the prestigious event in London’s Natural History museum.
Over 600 guests attended the event, presented by TV personality and former Pop Idol presenter Nicki Chapman.
PwC scooped the Most Inclusive Employer accolade, while HSBC, picked up the Diversity Team of the Year award. Perhaps there is some common ground to be found between Capitalists and Corbynistas after all.