The world believes in Britain, the government must too September 29, 2025 Business leaders remain laser-focused on delivering growth, now the Chancellor must create the conditions for them to do so, says Chris Hayward As the Chancellor prepares to address the Labour Party Conference, her desk in Number 11 Downing Street is doubtless already buckling under the weight of submissions featuring friendly advice about how to shape [...]
City Giving Day brings philanthropic flair to the Square Mile September 25, 2025 The City of London swapped suits for spandex, bells, and bingo this week as City Giving Day rolled out across the Square Mile. The annual celebration, now a cornerstone of The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, saw hundreds of firms and thousands of participants engage in activities that blended philanthropy with light-hearted competition. The Lord Mayor launched [...]
Shaping the Square Mile’s future September 24, 2025 Destination City Partnership Fund: Let’s Shape the Future of the Square Mile Together. It’s easy to let milestones—big and small—pass you by in a city as fast-paced and ever-changing as London. But this summer, I paused to reflect on a few of my own milestones—both personal and professional. On the personal side, I celebrated a [...]
Destination City: The future of London’s financial hub September 24, 2025 Tom Sleigh on the Future of London’s Financial Hub. 1. Tom, it’s been a few months since you’ve taken on your role as Chairman of Planning and Transportation for the City of London Corporation, what has surprised you most about the position? The scale of activity and its positive impact on developer and investor sentiment. [...]
Without the right tax framework, UK will drive wealth creators away September 22, 2025 Lord Mayor Alastair King will welcome leading family offices to Mansion House this week to explore how Britain can channel its £3.9 trillion in investment assets into scaling businesses, upgrading infrastructure, and keeping the UK globally competitive. Later this week, I will welcome leading family offices from across the globe to the first ever Global Family [...]
Taxing business is not the way to win the investment race September 15, 2025 Attracting investment is all about sending the right signals, and that starts with tax policy, says Chris Hayward Party conference season brings warm white wine, beige food and late nights. These festivals of politics tend to be high in rhetoric and low in substance. Businesses across the Square Mile seek more of the latter and [...]
Custom House hotel redevelopment gets green light September 9, 2025 The restoration and conversion of Custom House has been approved by the City of London corporation after sitting empty for four years. The Grade 1-listed building on Lower Thames Street will be turned into a new 179-room hotel, opening up the historic building to the public for the first time. The site will feature a [...]
UK should be the destination of choice for Asia-based investors September 8, 2025 A new sun is rising in our relationship with our Asian partners. My message to them is clear: whatever you want to do, London can help you, writes Alastair King.
Business execs should snap out of summer slump quickly this year September 1, 2025 As the Budget moves closer into view, it looks like business execs will be met with stark awakenings in post-August office reset.
Inside Finsbury Circus Gardens, the City’s biggest green space August 20, 2025 Our Toast the City Awards are celebrating the City’s top spots and takes place this October. This week: the redesigned Finsbury Circus Gardens. If the Square Mile were to be designed today, it would feature a lot more green space. It wasn’t until the middle of the last century that architects realised the importance of nature in [...]