The monarchy’s strength is the foundation of our prosperity in choppy waters September 12, 2022 The City is united in grief after learning of the death of Her Majesty the Queen. The Lord Mayor of the City of London spoke of our immense sadness and mourning. But it was also a time to reflect on Her Majesty the Queen’s momentous reign, one which was characterised by an unfaltering commitment to [...]
Let’s ensure London’s job market stays an attractive proposition for this year’s cohort August 30, 2022 We all remember that nervous feeling on exam results day. No matter your age, that trepidation never leaves you. This year’s A-Level and GCSE students faced challenges most of us could barely imagine. Months of learning remotely and little previous exam experience added to the usual pressure. Yet, this year’s cohort demonstrated remarkable tenacity to [...]
The City must once and for all leave behind its reputation for being just for work August 15, 2022 The City used to be seen as a staid place where people simply came to work before going elsewhere to have fun. The reality today is a transformed Square Mile in terms of access to retail, hospitality and culture. The next phase of this reinvention will kick off later this autumn with our a “Destination [...]
Britain’s sporting success will help economic growth August 1, 2022 Sport has had a busy summer in the UK as we marked England’s victory at the UEFA Women’s Euro and the start of the Commonwealth Games last week. It was with great pride that people across the country watched the Lionesses’ incredible performance and did us all proud. For many, it has brought back fond [...]
Public money, tied to political decisions won’t save us from the climate challenge July 18, 2022 We are now just over 100 days from Cop27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. It only feels like yesterday that many of us in the Square Mile made the journey to Glasgow for Cop26, working hard to ensure that financial and professional services played its part in helping keep climate change goals within reach. Yet with just [...]
Construction in the City will be sabotaged by a skill shortage without a long-term plan July 4, 2022 Two of the biggest long-term challenges we face are climate change and the labour market. The problems are well-known: holding to 1.5 degrees increase from pre-industrial levels and a shortage of appropriately skilled labour. For too long, problems such as these have been viewed in isolation, rather than stepping back to see the bigger picture [...]
Our labour market has been squeezed for the right skills and jobs for young people June 20, 2022 Right now, one of the most pressing concerns for City businesses is a shortage of workers with the right skills. According to research by London Councils, almost a quarter of all vacancies in the capital are due to a lack of applicants with the necessary talents. Meanwhile, the number of cases where employers have been [...]
If time is money, volunteering should form a central part of our economy and careers June 6, 2022 IT IS sobering to imagine what would become of the UK if, one morning, all its 16.3 million volunteers woke up and decided to no longer offer their support. Businesses, charities, community services, healthcare – every part of our economy would grind to a halt with the realisation of how much we take these dedicated [...]
The City should be a 24/7 destination outside of the Thursday evening drinks rush May 23, 2022 Tomorrow, Londoners will get their first chance to ride on the Elizabeth line as it finally opens in a major boost for the capital. Coming hot on the heels of the reopening of the Northern line’s Bank branch, the Elizabeth line will provide an economic shot in the arm – bringing an extra 1.5 million [...]
We weathered the pandemic, but London must be ready for the trials of the future May 9, 2022 What will the Square Mile look like in five years’ time? Unfortunately, I do not possess a crystal ball but – as I start my term as Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation – I do know that we are facing a critical inflection point after a period of unprecedented economic turbulence and [...]
