By: Chris Hayward

Chris Hayward is the Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, in which capacity he acts as a spokesperson, political leader and advocate for London as a global financial and professional services capital. With over 40 years’ experience founding and leading businesses across aviation and construction, he combines commercial leadership with a lifelong commitment to public service at both local and national levels

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London’s future will be determined by choices, not rhetoric

January 5, 2026

2026 will be the year the City moves from post-Brexit design to delivery, says Chris Hayward As the new year begins, London’s position as a leading global financial centre is often framed in binary terms: rise or decline. That is no bad thing. Competition sharpens performance, and financial centres that assume their leading position rarely [...]
Smithfield Christmas Meat Auction: London’s oldest festive tradition returns

December 19, 2025

One of London’s oldest festive trading traditions returns this Christmas Eve, as the gates at Smithfield Market’s Grade II listed Grand Avenue are set to open at 09:30, for the iconic Smithfield Christmas Meat Auction. The Auction began around a century ago, as traders prepared for their well-earned festive break and sold off excess supplies [...]
London Museum: inside the £400m cultural development at West Smithfield

December 9, 2025

The London Museum is set to open at West Smithfield in 2026. It is one of Europe’s largest cultural developments and is backed by more than £400m in funding from the City of London Corporation and the Mayor of London, of which the City Corporation is contributing £222m. I recently toured the museum and met [...]
City policy chairman: London must seize chance to lead on AI

December 8, 2025

Following the Budget, the UK can't afford complacency. From AI to pensions, here's how the City of London can lead, writes Chris Hayward.
City of London policy chairman: Bank levy should be wound down

November 24, 2025

Financial and professional services underpin the country’s global competitiveness. The Budget should support banks, writes Chris Hayward.
How the Square Mile is taking the fight to the fraudsters

November 19, 2025

Fraud has towered over our economy for too long and has reached the highest levels since first measured in the crime survey for England and Wales. This deceitful crime now represents 44 per cent of all offences or 4.1 million incidents, with more than £1 billion lost to fraud last year alone. Behind those numbers [...]
COP 30 is a chance for Britain to lead the world in transition finance

November 10, 2025

As world leaders gather in Brazil for COP30, London’s financial sector urges the UK Government to align public finance and policy to unlock billions in private investment for net zero – cementing the UK’s position as the global standard-bearer for credible, investable transition finance, says Chris Hayward As world leaders gather in Brazil for COP30, [...]
Innovative fashion flourishes at Studio Smithfield

October 31, 2025

London has long stood among the world’s great fashion capitals, home to innovative designers who compete daily with creative powerhouses in Paris, New York, and Milan. Iconic British brands such as Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Oswald Boateng and Alexander McQueen have all used London as a launchpad to grow their global influence and define contemporary [...]
These are the City’s four key recommendations for the Budget

October 27, 2025

Financial services should remain VAT-free. The bank levy and surcharge should be phased out over time. And stamp duty on UK shares should be abolished, says Chris Hayward A month from now, the Chancellor faces a selection of stark choices. The easiest among them should be whether to supercharge the UK’s financial services sector – [...]
IMF annual meeting is high-stakes for the UK economy

October 13, 2025

Amid global uncertainty, the UK economy needs a vote of confidence from the IMF at its annual meeting this week, writes Chris Hayward.

Lewis Moody seeking sponsors for 500-mile ride in aid of MND

Lewis Moody seeking sponsors for 500-mile ride in aid of MND

Inside the Wetherpoons pub with great Tower of London views

By: Chris Hayward

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