April 2021
Business Advisory Group meeting
London First’s Business Advisory Group was established in response to the pandemic to connect the business voice with government at all levels, articulating London’s recovery needs and harnessing the power and collective insight of London’s business leaders to help shape a vision for London’s recovery. The meetings are hosted by our Chairman Paul Drechsler.
2021 Mayor of London Business Hustings
The London Business Board and Bloomberg invite you to join us for our 2021 Mayor of London Business Hustings with candidates Shaun Bailey AM, Sian Berry AM, Rt Hon Sadiq Khan and Luisa Porritt.
As part of the London Business Board
Shifting gears - business planning for a return to growth
AlixPartners is a global specialist in helping business solve complex and critical challenges. In working with some of the biggest firms in the world, AlixPartners have a unique perspective on how business leaders should plan in times of uncertainty.
In this roundtable Jeff Drake and Glen Fietta, AlixPartners Managing Directors, will set out a scenarios-based planning approach to help CEOs and boards plan ahead. Members should leave with practical ideas and next steps to help navigate their own firm-level planning.
In collaboration with AlixPartners
London First Chair & CEO virtual roundtable - April
These informal virtual roundtables provide senior business leaders — chairs and CEOs — in membership with the opportunity to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on business, the capital and the economy and to look ahead to what business and the government will need to focus on to support the capital’s recovery. All discussions take place under the Chatham House rule.
Data for London – a briefing on London First’s data strategy and its role in recovery
Last year London First successfully launch the recommendations of the London Data Commission, which set out a new vision for how to promote more data collaboration between the public and private sector to solve civic challenges and make a positive impact on the lives of Londoners.
This webinar is briefing on how the data agenda is progressing in London, and a chance for members to hear more about how data is being put at the heart of the London’s recovery planning.
Housing Partnerships Working Group
COVID-19 has added a further layer of complexity to the challenges that London’s housing market already faces. Government has taken action to support housebuilding but the industry must think creatively as to how they can deliver more housing. Partnership working is one such model which can be used to help secure new investment and deliver efficient mechanisms to keep the pipeline of new development in London going.
March 2021
The Future of the CAZ
The Future of the CAZ is a study undertaken by Arup, Gerald Eve and the London School of Economics for the Mayor of London on the economic future of the Central Activities Zone.
In collaboration with Arup, Gerald Eve LLP and London School of Economics
A focus on Digital Skills in partnership with Future Dot Now
An ongoing events series (currently virtual) to discuss key skills issues, for members to promote their good practice, and to foster better collaboration between business and education. The monthly sessions showcase data/evidence to frame the discussion, members present on what they are doing to tackle the challenge in their organisation and network; followed by discussion and questions on how this good practice could apply to other organisations. This group is open to all, so if you would like to get involved please contact
Future Dot Now
Business Advisory Group meeting
London First’s Business Advisory Group was established in response to the pandemic to connect the business voice with government at all levels, articulating London’s recovery needs and harnessing the power and collective insight of London’s business leaders to help shape a vision for London’s recovery. The meetings are hosted by our Chairman Paul Drechsler and our CEO Jasmine Whitbread.
Considering the case for private investment into affordable housing
This virtual meeting will examine the case for attracting further private investment into the affordable housing sector, as well as the public policy changes that are required to facilitate this. You will gain access to exclusive market insights and hear expert analysis from investors and key public sector stakeholders, including the Regulator of Social Housing. There will also be an opportunity to give your views on this subject during the breakout sessions towards the end of the meeting.
In collaboration with Arcadis and CBRE
Roundtable with Cllr Simon Miller, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Housing Development London Borough of Waltham Forest
Councillor Simon Miller will lead a roundtable discussion with members regarding the work that Waltham Forest is doing to increase house building in the borough. Members will be able to put their questions to him after the discussion via the Q&A session.
Partner roundtable with Robert Peston, ITV’s Political Editor
Robert Peston, ITV’s Political Editor will join us for the next event in our exclusive Partner Series, taking part in an in-depth discussion.
In collaboration with EY
Transport in London: The future and funding of TfL
The pandemic has broken TfL’s funding model and the traditional levers are unlikely to be sufficient to fill the gap. Arup and London First have proposed four new ideas to help: a London Vehicle Ownership Duty to replace VED; smart road user charging; a London Mobility Service; and a fully integrated fares system.
In collaboration with Arup
Chair and CEO virtual roundtable
These informal virtual roundtables provide senior business leaders — chairs and CEOs — in membership with the opportunity to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on business, the capital and the economy and to look ahead to what business and the government will need to focus on to support the capital’s recovery. All discussions take place under the Chatham House rule.
February 2021
The Future of London’s Roads
London’s roads were strained before the pandemic with behavioural change fuelling congestion and new technologies from electric vehicles to ride hailing apps challenging long-held approaches. Covid has accelerated many of these trends and led to a reassessment of how we allocate road space in the capital.
Business Advisory Group - February
London First’s Business Advisory Group is made up of 20 leaders from cross-sector businesses to look at the big picture questions the capital needs to answer to secure London’s recovery from the COVID-19 and stay competitive into the future. The group is chaired by our Chairman Paul Drechsler and connects the business voice with government at all levels.
Data for London
The Data for London (D4L) Working Group continues the momentum created by the London Data Commission, and works closely with the GLA and the boroughs, lending a strong business voice for data-collaboration to solve city challenges. Our aim is to encourage purposeful data collaborations amongst public sector agencies across London and between the public and private sector to solve civic challenges and make a positive impact on the lives of Londoners.
Briefing with Councillor Jack Hopkins, Leader of Lambeth Council
As part of our series of events with the leaders of London’s most vibrant boroughs, please join us for a virtual briefing with Councillor Jack Hopkins, Leader of Lambeth Council.
This event will be an excellent opportunity to hear the Leader discuss both his priorities for Lambeth and the key challenges and opportunities for growth in the borough.
In collaboration with Foxtons
The Future of London’s Roads
London’s roads were strained before the pandemic with behavioural change fuelling congestion and new technologies from electric vehicles to ride hailing apps challenging long-held approaches. Covid has accelerated many of these trends and led to a reassessment of how we allocate road space in the capital.
In conversation with Rickardo Hyatt, Executive Director, Housing and Land, GLA
Join us for a briefing and discussion with Rickardo Hyatt, Interim Deputy Executive Director of Housing and Land at the GLA. As part of our regular engagement with key decision makers in London, Rickardo will discuss the main housing issues currently confronting City Hall including: the current state of the housing market in London; the latest steps being taken to support housebuilding in the capital; and the Mayor’s new affordable housing programme.
In collaboration with Peabody
London First AGM 2021 and Manifesto for London Strategy Session
The formal business of our AGM will commence at 8.30am, with the Manifesto session running from 8.50am for a 10.30am close.
Universities in the Covid-19 Era: What is the emerging picture of student occupancy telling us?
Universities started the Autumn semester with an understandable lack of clarity on student occupancy and finished it undertaking the mammoth task of mass student testing to return them safely home. As we enter the start of a new term, this roundtable will explore the emerging picture of how HE estates are being used.
In collaboration with JLL
Who lives in Build to Rent
This event will see the formal launch of the ‘Who lives in Build-to-Rent’ report.
In collaboration with: BPF and UKAA Our Partners: Apo Group, Dataloft, Foxtons, Get Living, Grainger and HomeViews
Chair and CEO virtual roundtable
These informal virtual roundtables provide senior business leaders — chairs and CEOs — in membership with the opportunity to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on business, the capital and the economy and to look ahead to what business and the government will need to focus on to support the capital’s recovery. All discussions take place under the Chatham House rule.
Transferable Skills: Why they are essential in the age of automation and Covid-19 Recovery, and how to deliver them.
January 2021
The Future of London’s Roads
London’s roads were strained before the pandemic with behavioural change fuelling congestion and new technologies from electric vehicles to ride hailing apps challenging long-held approaches. Covid has accelerated many of these trends and led to a reassessment of how we allocate road space in the capital.
Building London Summit 2021
Join London’s biggest gathering of built environment experts — Building London Summit 2021
2020 brought a sharp shock to our built environment sector. What needs to happen now for this vital sphere to build back better, and capitalise on opportunity as it does so?
Flagship Event
A 21st Century London: the route to recovery
Join us for a discussion on how to secure the best possible recovery for the capital.
Over the last few months, we’ve brought together your CEOs and Chairs, as well as our Business Advisory Group, to support us in creating a vision for a 21st Century London and to feed in their perspectives on how to get there. We’d now like to get your take on what these plans mean for your business, what’s missing and what you’d like to see us championing to secure a rapid and robust recovery in the year ahead.
Business Advisory Group - January
London First’s Business Advisory Group is made up of 20 leaders from cross-sector businesses to look at the big picture questions the capital needs to answer to secure London’s recovery from the COVID-19 and stay competitive into the future. The group is chaired by our Chairman Paul Drechsler and connects the business voice with government at all levels.
A 21st Century London: the route to recovery
Join us for a discussion on how to secure the best possible recovery for the capital.
Over the last few months, we’ve brought together your CEOs and Chairs, as well as our Business Advisory Group, to support us in creating a vision for a 21st Century London and to feed in their perspectives on how to get there. We’d now like to get your take on what these plans mean for your business, what’s missing and what you’d like to see us championing to secure a rapid and robust recovery in the year ahead.
In Conversation with CEO of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority
Join us to hear insights from Nick Smallwood, CEO of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, into how the Covid-19 crisis will affect the delivery of the UK’s infrastructure pipeline. What are the actions being taken by the Infrastructure Projects Authority, which sits inside HM Treasury, to help improve the way infrastructure and major projects are delivered?
In collaboration with the Nichols Group
Chair and CEO virtual roundtable
These informal virtual roundtables provide senior business leaders — chairs and CEOs — in membership with the opportunity to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on business, the capital and the economy and to look ahead to what business and the government will need to focus on to support the capital’s recovery. All discussions take place under the Chatham House rule.
December 2020
In Conversation with Sir John Armitt: Reflections on the National Infrastructure Strategy
The Government’s National Infrastructure Strategy is expected to be published alongside the spending round in late November. This webinar on Wednesday, 16th December will give London First members a chance to hear reflections on this Strategy from the Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, who oversaw the publication of the first National Infrastructure Assessment.
Following a speech by Sir John, the rest of the session will be devoted to a Q&A.
In collaboration with Mott MacDonald
Inspirational Leaders Series: Dame Cressida Dick DBE
Please join me for a special leadership event with Dame Cressida Dick DBE, Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service, in conversation with Sarah Sands, who recently joined the London First Board and formerly was editor of the London Evening Standard and the Today programme on Radio 4 .
Business Advisory Group - December
London First’s Business Advisory Group is made up of 20 leaders from cross-sector businesses to look at the big picture questions the capital needs to answer to secure London’s recovery from the COVID-19 and stay competitive into the future. The group is chaired by our Chairman Paul Drechsler and connects the business voice with government at all levels.
The Data for London (D4L) Working Group
The Data for London (D4L) Working Group continues the momentum created by the London Data Commission, and works closely with the GLA and the boroughs, lending a strong business voice for data-collaboration to solve city challenges. Our aim is to encourage purposeful data collaborations amongst public sector agencies across London and between the public and private sector to solve civic challenges and make a positive impact on the lives of Londoners.
Chair and CEO virtual roundtable with Tom Ilube CBE and Naeema Choudry, Partner, Eversheds
These informal virtual roundtables provide senior business leaders — chairs and CEOs — in membership with the opportunity to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on business, the capital and the economy and to look ahead to what business and the government will need to focus on to support the capital’s recovery. All discussions take place under the Chatham House rule.
November 2020
Skills London 2020 Virtual Debate
Join us for London First’s Virtual Skills London debate 2020, where we will be bringing together educational experts, business leaders, London Government and young people to debate the questions: with fewer than ever opportunities available due to Covid-19, what can business, education, government and the third sector do to help? How can we ensure boosting diversity and inclusion in London’s workforce is key in this process?
Sponsored by ExCel
Delivering growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc
In early 2019 we convened a group of experts to discuss the Government’s plans to deliver one million new homes between Oxford and Cambridge by 2050 to boost it as a ‘world-leading economic place’, and to ask what this could mean for London.
In collaboration with Turley
Briefing with Councillor Mark Allison, Leader of Merton Council
As part of our series of events with the leaders of London’s most vibrant boroughs, please join us for a webinar briefing with Councillor Mark Allison, Leader of Merton Council.
This event will be an excellent opportunity to hear the Leader discuss both his priorities for Merton and the key challenges and opportunities for growth in the borough.
In collaboration with Dar
Chair and CEO virtual roundtable with Minister for London, Paul Scully MP
These informal virtual roundtables provide senior business leaders — chairs and CEOs — in membership with the opportunity to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on business, the capital and the economy and to look ahead to what business and the government will need to focus on to support the capital’s recovery. All discussions take place under the Chatham House rule.
Build Back Better: What are the opportunities for London in a post Covid world?
London is now 8 months on from initial lockdown and all parts of industry have been affected by the pandemic. Working within the constraints of a Covid-19 world, what are the opportunities for London to build back better and cement its role as being the best city in the world to do business?
In collaboration with FTI
October 2020
London Infrastructure Summit 2020
LIS2020
London Infrastructure Summit 2020
London Infrastructure Summit 2020 is going digital
Immerse yourself in our virtual event experience and join London’s infrastructure leaders across our two-day conference focussed on London’s Post Covid-19 recovery and beyond.
Join the debate on the most pressing issues in the sector today at London’s biggest gathering of infrastructure experts. We’ll be talking investment, resilience, data and more.
Flagship Event
briefing with LocatED - delivering new schools and homes in London
Join us for a briefing with LocatED, an arms-length body to the Department for Education. It is responsible for buying and developing sites in England to help deliver new school places for thousands of children.
Chair and CEO virtual roundtable
These informal virtual roundtables provide senior business leaders — chairs and CEOs — in membership with the opportunity to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on business, the capital and the economy and to look ahead to what business and the government will need to focus on to support the capital’s recovery. All discussions take place under the Chatham House rule.
In Conversation with Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development
Join us in conversation with Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development at the GLA.
In collaboration with Peabody
Attack the Skills Opportunity – The Government’s Plan for Jobs supporting business for a skills-led recovery
London First webinar with the Department for Education kindly hosted by Grant Thornton
In collaboration with Grant Thornton