London First

Contact John Dickie

London has been a beacon of economic success in the last 10 or 15 years. Our businesses, led by the financial services sector, have gone head to head with the world’s best. Now the world has changed.

London must fashion new success from the factors which continue to place it top of the global business location league tables: cosmopolitan city, international links, talent pool, internal transport systems, innovative business culture, time zone, language, ‘can do’ attitude... The same innovation and creativity that put London ahead can continue to ensure that London flourishes in the less-leveraged 2010s.

London First aims:

- Develop a manifesto for the General Election, setting out actions to improve London’s competitiveness which address tax policy, regulatory reform, public expenditure priorities and employability.  Find out about our new research - Supporting UK growth while balancing the budget

- Seize opportunities to support London business to mitigate the downturn, for example working with the Mayor and Visit London on promotional campaigns to support London’s retail and leisure sectors, and making London’s case regarding business rates.

- Support London’s financial and business services sector, helping to promote its reputation at home and abroad and implement the recommendations of recent competitiveness reviews

- Conduct research into London’s long-term strategic infrastructure needs, to identify gaps, opportunities for innovation, potential blockages and solutions to drive investment 

- Assist the London Business Network to increase contract opportunities accessible via the 2012 Games procurement website, CompeteFor.com

- Help shape London climate change policy and delivery

We also monitor

- London’s promotion overseas – contact Michael Rooney

- Funding of priority capital projects – contact John Dickie

- Strategic waste policy – contact Rob Fox