Dress codes to be relaxed at City banquets to make events more inclusive

Councillors have approved plans to relax dress codes at certain City banquets in a bid to make events more inclusive.

The City of London Corporation approved a trial that will see guests attend the Business and Industry Dinner in March in lounge suits rather than black tie.

Policy chair Catherine McGuinness said it was a “sensible” change and the corporation’s public relations and economic development committee agreed.

The move would ensure Mansion House “reflects wider society, is inclusive and accessible and maintains relevance to modern society and business,” the Corporation said.

It could also pave the way for a more flexible approach in future, although councillors were keen to make sure the dress was still dictated by the occasion and that awards dinners in particular remained black tie.

As the Business and Industry Dinner constitutes a business event it was deemed appropriate to change the dress code to lounge suits.

City campaigner and financier Dame Helena Morrissey told City A.M. it was “long overdue” and hoped to see more changes.

“I’d love to see other changes too at these occasions – the pomp and circumstance is alienating not just to those who don’t work in the City but to many who work there as well.”

But the Corporation noted a number of “risks”, including a perceived decrease in the status of the dinner, diminishing the Corporation’s influence and also making the events less attractive, in its initial report to councillors.

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as well as the Confederation of British Industry also supported the approach.