Transport for London is ready to herald the return to work June 14, 2021 When the nation entered the first lockdown in March last year, many Londoners put away their Oyster or travel card oblivious to just how long it would be before it would be used next. At the time, Government guidance was – and continues to be – to “work from home where possible”. Buses, trains and [...]
City has lost a great green advocate but the fight will continue May 31, 2021 Last week the City of London, and dare I say the world, lost a key advocate of the role the financial sector plays in the fight against climate change. Sir Roger Gifford, Lord Mayor of the City of London in 2012-13 and Chair of the Green Finance Institute, was instrumental in driving forward the green [...]
The City is opening up even more, let’s all enjoy it May 17, 2021 Like the rest of the country, the City of London is feeling a sense of anticipation as England enters the third step of the Government’s roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions. The return of indoor hospitality and reopening of cultural institutions is a welcome return to normality that will help the Square Mile regain the exciting [...]
City Recovery Taskforce: innovation and creativity must be at the heart of Square Mile’s restoration May 4, 2021 As history shows, the City of London is nothing if not adaptable and this remarkableability to reinvent itself in response to economic and social trends lies at the heartof its success. Throughout the centuries, the resilience of the Square Mile has meantthat, whatever adversity it is hit with – great fires, plagues or wars – it has alwaysmanaged to [...]
Fintech innovation will be at the heart of London’s recovery April 19, 2021 Over the last week I’ve been out in the City actively showing my support for businesses reopening after lockdown, including getting a long overdue haircut. Local shops, barbers, pubs and restaurants are of course the backbone of places like the Square Mile. But as we look to kickstart a strong, sustainable recovery post-pandemic, what’s also [...]
Life in the City has been far from normal for over a year but hope is now on the horizon April 6, 2021 As we prepare for a brighter summer, the UK is entering a new recovery phase of the pandemic with our successful vaccination drive leading the way. The economy is being gradually unlocked as shops, outdoor hospitality and – mercifully for many – hairdressers in England join those preparing to reopen next week in line with [...]
International policymakers must have regulatory coherence to support economic growth March 22, 2021 The vaccination rollout campaigns in both the UK and across the world have allowed us to start dreaming of life after the pandemic. As the global economy begins to open back up again, we will start to see the green shoots of our recovery. One important way that the financial and professional services sector is [...]
UK’s finance hubs can work together to power a levelling-up agenda March 8, 2021 The Government last week renewed its commitment to creating a level playing field for the UK’s nations and regions in the Budget. It also announced support for a new independent review by Lord Hill, recommending reforms to UK listing rules to boost growth and our capital markets. The two should not be viewed separately but [...]
Creative, civic and commercial organisations must work together for a cultural resurgence in London February 22, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has hit all parts of our country but sadly, the situation facing the City’s and London’s creative sector is nothing short of a cultural catastrophe. These two words paint a simple and bleak picture but, if we work together, I fully believe that we can spark a cultural resurgence. Prior to the [...]
London is a leader in green finance but we must strive for more February 8, 2021 The pandemic has propelled our global community towards a major crossroads in 2021, and we arrive knowing that the direction we choose will prove critical for the future of our societies and our planet. It has accelerated systemic changes in the global economy and demonstrated the absolute need for international collaboration across governments and institutions [...]
