John Dickie is the Chief Executive at BusinessLDN. Formerly the organisation’s Director of Strategy and Policy, he was responsible for the business membership organisation’s public policy development and its member management team. A former Deputy Leader of Camden Council in London, John was a member of the current Mayor of London’s London Finance Commission, the previous Mayor’s Infrastructure Delivery Board and is a member of the King’s College Commission on London. 

His previous senior roles include Head of Corporate Affairs at the BBC, Regulatory Affairs Director at the European Competitive Telecommunications Association and Managing Director of consultancy Prima Europe, later GPC London, where he provided political and policy advice to major international businesses. John started his career at Swiss Bank Corporation International and has degrees from Oxford University and the London Business School.

Peter Arnold is the Chief Economist at EY in the UK & Ireland providing knowledge, analysis and insight to help businesses and governments understand the economic environments in which they operate. He leads EY’s Economic Advisory policy team and has over 20 years of experience in advising public and private sector clients, both in the UK and internationally, on economics, policy, competition and regulation. 

Peter is the sponsoring partner for EY’s Economics for Business Programme which includes the EY ITEM Club, the UK’s leading independent economic forecast, and EY’s Attractiveness Surveys, recognised as a leading independent analysis of FDI performance. Peter started his career at PWC, having graduated from the London School of Economics, and spent time at Ofcom the UK’s communications regulator, before joining EY in 2004. 

Thomas Woldbye took up the role as CEO of Heathrow in October 2023, after 11 years at the helm of Copenhagen airports. As CEO, Thomas is focussed on driving innovation, improved customer service, sustainability and growth at the UK’s hub airport. This includes overseeing the airport’s multi billion pound investment plans to upgrade existing facilities, expand capacity and provide an even better service for passengers. Thomas is a member of His Majesty’s Sustainable Markets Initiative, the BritishAmerican Business Advisory Board and the Jet Zero Council. Under Thomas’s stewardship, Copenhagen Airport was consistently rated as one of the world’s top airports, both in terms of customer and retail experience as well as efficiency and profitability. Previously, Thomas worked for A.P. Møller-Maersk for 27 years. He started his career as a management trainee in 1983, and over the next 20 years, held several management positions in Indonesia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Denmark. 

Quentin is the Market Leader and Senior Partner for London, PwC UK’s largest geographical market. He is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the London Market and strengthening PwC’s presence and identity in the capital. In addition to overseeing the firm’s London based priority clients, Quentin acts as Senior Relationship Partner on a number of key client accounts and Alliance partnerships and is the lead for the Palantir Alliance. He continues to advise and support clients with significant financial challenges, complex cost reduction, crisis management and major transformation programmes. 

Ruth is one of the world’s leading experts in place partnership, with a 30-year career that has included the development of many successful place-based organisations to drive urban growth. To that end Ruth’s work has leveraged over £80m of private sector funding, which has been the catalyst for generating more than £6bn of further investment. Ruth advises governments and developers internationally on the development of successful private sector-led partnerships. In addition to her roles at Primera and London HQ, Ruth is Chair of the Management Committee for the Guards Museum and Wellington Barracks, Chair of The Passage Trading Services Board, a member of The Goring Hotel School Management Committee, a member of the Bank of England’s Decision Maker Panel and a member of the NLA’s New London Sounding Board. In 2018 Ruth was awarded an OBE for Services to Business.

Sir Andy Street served as the first Mayor of the West Midlands from 2017 to 2024, helping to establish the West Midlands Combined Authority and oversee a huge influx of public and private investment into his home region. Prior to that he was managing director of John Lewis (having started his career there as a graduate trainee), guiding the employee-owned business to one of the most successful spells in its history – culminating in the department store chain being named the most trusted brand in Britain. He currently chairs Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and previously chaired the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. He has also served as the lead non-executive director for the Department for Communities and Local Government, as well as a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group. He was awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to economic growth, and was knighted in 2025 for services to public service.

With over 25 years of business experience, she took over the role of CEO of the company in 2012, having held other positions of major responsibility in the companies of the family-run multinational. Internationally renowned as a virtuous example for the whole Italian ceramics district, she works constantly to promote environmental sustainability. Her vision and strategic planning, along with her extensive, in-depth knowledge of the subject, have allowed her to create and develop several revolutionary solutions in the ceramics sector. Her actions have always been based on the Group’s founding values: innovation, sustainability and excellent quality.

Alys Denby is Opinion and Features Editor of City AM. She has appeared on the BBC Politics Live, Sky News, LBC, Times Radio, Talk TV GB News and written for The Telegraph, the i newspaper, The Critic, The Big Issue and CapX

Charlie Hodgson is the Executive Managing Director for Transport and Infrastructure in the UK and Ireland as well as WSP’s Israel business. He is a member of the UK Executive Committee, UK Advisory Board and the UK Strategic Leadership Team. He joined WSP in November 2020 and is responsible for the operation and financial performance of the six key disciplines in his area of the business, setting and implementing business strategy, operational efficiency and people leadership, all to ensure the best outcomes are achieved for clients and 2,900 staff members. Charlie has over 20 years’ experience of leading large transportation projects, both in the UK and internationally. Prior to joining WSP, Charlie spent 9 years working for a large passenger transportation provider where he was Chairman of their Nordic and German businesses and Managing Director of Rail Development. He led the rail strategy and business development functions and held Board positions in 10 operating subsidiaries. Earlier in his career Charlie spent 5 years working in strategic consulting for a ​“big‑4” accounting firm. He brings strategic advisory skills from high profile client facing roles. Charlie is committed to driving excellence in our client consultancy and is passionate about recruiting and developing new talent while supporting our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Charlie started his career as an Economist working in the UK Civil Service and holds an Economics degree from Manchester Universit

Mark is responsible for leading our Connections Directorate, which makes sure all our customers – including businesses operating major infrastructure upgrades and large scale commercial renewable energy sites – can connect to our network.

He also leads on sustainability, working with the carbon trust to have our sustainability targets verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative. Mark joined London Electricity in 1992, one UK Power Networks’ predecessor organisations. He’s enjoyed a diverse career across several operational, engineering and commercial roles. 

Mark is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Business Management from Warwick Business School, as well as a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Leicester. 

Manish Gupta is the Group Corporate Finance Director at Transport for London (TfL), which he joined in March 2025. In this role, Manish plays a key role in strategic financial management of one of the most complex integrated transport networks globally and an important facilitators for London economic growth. Previously, Manish worked for 19 years at EY LLP in London, where he was one of the lead Infrastructure sector Partners. He has also worked with the US Infrastructure developer Bechtel Enterprises in London and Mumbai. 

Throughout his 30+ years of career in Infrastructure development and financing, Manish has worked with Governments, Corporates and Infrastructure Funds advising on Strategy, Project Structuring, M&A and Capital Raising. As an Infrastructure professional, the projects and businesses Manish has been involved with have a direct positive impact on living standards and contribute to long-term economic growth.

Manish also serves as a Non-Executive Director & Chair of Audit and Risk Committee for Translink (Northern Ireland) and is Treasurer/​Board Member for Pratham UK, a highly reputed India centred charity with a primary focus on child education.

Jennie is Head of ESG and Sustainability at Landsec, leading the implementation of the sustainability strategy across the company’s £11bn portfolio.

A 20-year veteran of corporate sustainability, Jennie has helped companies translate ESG opportunities and challenges into actionable advice and real results. Jennie’s roles have been varied, from Responsible Business Director at Capita to sustainability roles at RSA Insurance Group, Kent County Council and Linklaters.

Zephaniah is a Director in the Local Public Services team at Microsoft UK, overseeing mayoral regions and councils across England. With over a decade of experience in the technology industry, he is deeply passionate about inclusion, community, and the economic impact of technology and digital skills in transforming communities, cities, and nations. 

At Microsoft, Zephaniah has held several impactful roles. He served as the Business Manager for the CEO of Microsoft UK, led the UK Data business, leading the commercial business, marketing and partnership strategy. He also spearheaded the commercial distribution business for Microsoft Surface hardware devices. 

In addition to his professional contributions, Zephaniah is committed to fostering inclusion and diversity. He is the Chair of the EMBRACE Employee Resource Group at Microsoft UK, which champions ethnicity and cultural diversity within the workplace. 

• Zephaniah also serves on multiple advisory boards, including:
• The United by 2022 board, overseeing the legacy of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
• London’s, Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)
• Kubrick Consultancy, Data Advisory Board, providing strategic guidance to in data, AI, and next-generation technologies Born and raised in London, Zephaniah is an alumnus of Aston University. 

He now resides in the West Midlands with his wife and two young children.

Carmine Ventre is a Professor of Computer Science and Chair in Computational Finance in the Department of Informatics, King’s College London. He gained a Laurea degree and a PhD in Computer Science, both from Università di Salerno. He subsequently worked at the University of Liverpool, Teesside University and the University of Essex before joining King’s in September 2019, to lead the Finance research hub in the Department of Informatics. Since July 2023, he is the director of the King’s Institute for AI. Since August 2024, he is the Head of the Department of Informatics. Professor Ventre’s research interests include algorithmic game theory, microeconomics and the internet, AI for algorithmic trading and finance and cryptography and security.

Advising Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, Matthias Stausberg leads public advocacy on a broad range of global issues, including human rights, criminal justice, and drug policy reform. He also works closely with Virgin Group companies around the world, developing strategies and programmes to translate advocacy into tangible corporate engagement. 

Matthias joined Virgin in 2012, after more than a decade at the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. A native of Germany, he holds a master’s degree in mass communication from the University of North Carolina’s School of Journalism. 

Richard in the CEO for Change the Race Ratio, the UKs leading business campaign to accelerate racial and ethnic minority representation on boards and in executive teams. 

Change the Race Ratio (CtRR) is the campaign partner to the government backed Parker Review, they regularly convene business leaders and support progress through the sharing of good practice and lessons learnt. CtRR also provides members with a strong voice to policy makers in government and key regulators. 

Richard has a strong track record of leading businesses that provide career and professional development for business leaders and senior ED&I and HR professionals. Richard led the CBI’s business engagement work on the Future of Work, he was a director in a boutique staffing firm and the CIPD’s Chair for Cambridgeshire and an Executive Officer for CIPD in the East of England

Alex is the Chief Customer & Strategy Officer and has over thirty years’ experience in transport planning in London. He joined TfL in 2007 and has held several Director positions in the organisation since then. Most recently he was the Director of City Planning where he managed the single integrated planning function for TfL, including working with the Mayor of London to develop and deliver his Transport Strategy. He also played a key role in obtaining the consents and funding to deliver major projects such as the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, tube extensions and new river crossings. 

Prior to joining TfL, Alex also held several Chief Officer roles at the London Borough of Camden and Ealing respectively. 

Laura Citron is CEO of London & Partners, business growth and destination agency for London. Laura leads London & Partners in its mission is to create economic growth that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive. She runs inward investment and trade for the capital, supporting thousands of innovative businesses to grow in London and internationally. She leads London’s tourism industry to develop the destination and win visitors and events, including the Let’s Do London campaign and VisitLondon. 

Laura is a global advocate for London, regularly appearing in international media and events. Laura has been CEO of London & Partners since 2017, leading through both Brexit and covid. Before that she spent nearly a decade at WPP, where she was Managing Director of the Government & Public Sector Practice. 

Amanda is responsible for the development and implementation of Imperial’s Strategy, Science for humanity. Amanda has responsibility for communications, international relations, public affairs and the Imperial Policy Forum. Amanda is also Chief of Staff to the President.

Amanda joined Imperial as Head of Public Affairs before being appointed Chief of Staff to the President and Director of Public Affairs. Prior to joining Imperial, Amanda held senior communications and external affairs roles at a Westminster think tank and the Russell Group, and she was previously a broadcast journalist producing a range of documentary, political and current affairs programming including the UK’s first General Election Debate. She started her career working in policy and adviser roles in the Australian and UK Parliaments. Amanda is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and is a member of the Mayor’s Grow London Advisory Board.

James Rees boasts more than 35 years’ experience in event organisation and major venue management.

A recent ICCA President (the International Congress and Convention Association), James is currently the Executive Director of Conference & Events at Excel London, the UK capital’s largest event venue. 

His career began as a conference organiser for UK-based Water Research Centre organising a variety of national and international events. This was followed by a move to Wembley Stadium Ltd, managing international conferences and exhibitions, as well as concerts for artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson, and also the FA Cup. 

James’ next move was to London Arena as Sales & Marketing Director working with the executive team to establish the venue, before in 2003 moving to join Hilton Hotels and being responsible for booking £30 million worth of conferences worldwide annually.

Shortly after this he joined the Excel London team where he’s also a member of the leadership team.

During his career he’s also been Chair of the UK & Ireland Chapter of ICCA, an ICCA Board Director and President of JMIC (Joint Meetings Industry Council).

 

Patricia became CEO of VisitBritain/​VisitEngland in 2022.

Patricia is responsible for the day-to-day running of VB/VE overseas and its global network of offices. She is focused on building partnerships to grow the value of tourism across Britain and supporting and developing tourism businesses She works to ensure that overseas tourism is high on the political and economic agenda, and oversees the Media and Tourism Affairs teams. Patricia is also the Accounting Officer for the organisation.

Starting her career as a journalist working on research and technical publications, Patricia moved to edit Holiday Which? where she led on all of its research, campaigning and public affairs work in tourism, travel and transport. She launched and edited the Which? Guide to Hotels for many years.

Patricia is the Chair of the Tourism Industry Emergency Response group (TIER) which coordinates the tourism industry, developing plans and responses during specific crises. She is an observer on the board of the Tourism Alliance for VisitBritain/​VisitEngland.

Photo credit to Rachel Adam

Howard was appointed Deputy Mayor for Business and Chair of London and Partners in December 2023.
 
Before joining the Mayor’s team, Howard worked in business for thirty years, spending 17 years as Managing Director for Strategy of the Canary Wharf Group. At Canary Wharf, Howard was involved in the development of the Elizabeth Line and supporting the 2012 Olympic Bid and Olympic Legacy as well as commercial inward investment projects in tech, health and life sciences, and financial services.
 
He has been an active member of business organisations including Business LDN, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, TheCityUK and the London Property Alliance. 
 
He is a trustee of ​“The Line” art walk along the River Lea. Formerly Chair of the East End Community Foundation (2013 – 2022) he is now a patron of the charity, and a patron and former Vice-President of UK Youth. 
 
Howard was Chair of the Business Advisory Board for the University of East London School of Business and Law and has been a visiting lecturer at the School.
 
Howard was a Parliamentary Candidate for the Labour Party and is the Chair of Labour Friends of Bangladesh and Labour Friends of USA.