The City’s success depends on our ability not only to compete, but to collaborate October 21, 2019 Just last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel remarked that the UK will join the likes of China and the US in becoming an “economic competitor” of the European Union after Brexit. There is, of course, no doubt about the competitiveness of the UK’s financial services sector, nor about the fundamental strengths of London. But looking [...]
The City Corporation is leading the charge for a greener, cleaner, plastic-free capital October 7, 2019 Brexit has been top of the agenda for many City firms in recent years, but one issue that could disrupt business models even more significantly in coming decades is climate change. In the words of Bank of England governor Mark Carney, the transition to a carbon-neutral economy poses an existential challenge – and it is [...]
In a world of data and digitisation, the City continues to hold the winning cards September 24, 2019 At a time when the spotlight is on London’s future as a global hub for finance, new data showing that the capital has extended its lead in global FX and interest rate derivatives trading since 2016 was a clear vote of confidence in the City. This was backed up by the latest Global Financial Centres [...]
As politicians argue over the EU, the City is poised and ready to trade with the world September 9, 2019 It has now been more than 1,150 days since the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union. Many in the Square Mile have understandably found this period of such prolonged uncertainty frustrating. While there have been many twists and turns in Westminster over the past week, it remains far from clear what will [...]
Results are in, now businesses across the City must level up to boost social mobility August 19, 2019 Last week saw pupils across the UK celebrate their A-level results. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into preparing for these exams – not only from the pupils themselves, but also from teachers, support staff, school governors, and parents. The City of London Corporation, which manages 10 high-performing academies across London’s boroughs, was [...]
The Brexit clock is ticking down again, and City businesses are crying out for certainty August 5, 2019 With the excitement of a new Prime Minister and so many changing faces across government, it is easy to overlook that we are now less than three months away from the next Brexit cliff edge. In other words, the risk of a no-deal Brexit is drawing dangerously close. And businesses need to prepare for that. [...]
We all have a part to play in bridging the UK’s disability employment gap July 22, 2019 Your first job interview can be a daunting experience. For disabled people, that first time can be even more challenging. Imagine having to take on a job interview where the preparatory material has been supplied in a format that you cannot read. Or imagine having that interview in the car park, because you can’t access [...]
It’s time for aspiration and ability – not birth and background – to dictate progress July 8, 2019 In the UK, our sense of fair play is a source of national pride. We like to think that if you study hard at school and work hard in employment, opportunities are there for the taking. We are, however, increasingly finding evidence to the contrary. Throughout the country, we see those at the top being [...]
Dagenham Dock could be the perfect new home for the City’s historic food markets June 24, 2019 Since the Middle Ages, three iconic wholesale food markets have served Londoners with a range of fresh produce, even as the capital’s population and culinary tastes have changed beyond all recognition. Individuals and businesses continue to purchase meat, fish, fruit and vegetables at Smithfield, Billingsgate, and New Spitalfields markets to this day. The City of [...]
By working together, we can clean up London’s air quality and stop pollution June 10, 2019 With state visits and political leadership battles dominating the news, it’s unsurprising that the environment – particularly air quality – isn’t at the top of the agenda. But Londoners are determined to see a major clean-up of the capital’s air, and we can’t afford to take our foot off the pedal. Much of central London [...]