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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The City is leading the charge against fraud

February 2, 2026

Fraud now accounting for 44 per cent of all UK crime, but the City is fighting back, says Chris Hayward Last week marked a generational milestone for policing – and one we must get right. In publishing her long-awaited White Paper, home secretary Shabana Mahmood set out a blueprint to modernise policing in England and [...]
Vibrance festival to light up City evenings this January

January 21, 2026

The City of London’s built environment – its streets, squares and landmarks – reflects nearly two thousand years of change and reinvention. Between 17:30 and 20:30 on January 29 and 30, the City will transform once more, with the award-winning Guildhall Production Studio presenting a brand-new – and free – festival of light and sound – [...]
Make your lunch break count: free learning and culture in the City

January 21, 2026

Setting a New Year’s resolution is one of those time-honoured traditions. Indeed, it’s a ritual that can be traced some 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonian times, with citizens celebrating the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu. One common New Year’s resolution was the return of borrowed farm equipment. While our goals may [...]
This is the City’s message for Davos

January 19, 2026

The UK is committed to advancing shared priorities at the World Economic Forum, showcasing the City of London’s role as a leading global financial centre through key policy initiatives, leadership in green finance and AI, and significant economic contributions to the country, says Chris Hayward As 2026 gets underway, geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty continue [...]
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 [...]

Brentford in talks to host Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League fixtures

Brentford in talks to host Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League fixtures

City festival with comedy and line dancing arrives in Square Mile

By: Chris Hayward

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