As global power dynamics shift, businesses are navigating a world defined by volatility, competing interests, and rapid shifts in influence. This sharp, forward-looking commentary cuts through the noise to explore how geopolitical disruption – from fragmentation to rising instability – is reshaping the environment in which organisations plan, invest, and grow, and what it all means for confidence, risk, strategy, and leadership.

Political change – locally and nationally – could be poised to reshape how London is governed and how decisions are made. Coming so soon after the borough elections, Future London provides a unique moment to take stock of the results and what they signal for relationships between borough leaders, City Hall, Whitehall, businesses, and Londoners. This session analyses how evolving political dynamics could shift priorities, reshape partnerships, and influence delivery – and what they may foreshadow ahead of the next general election.

Hear from a select group of the capital’s most senior business leaders as they assess the political landscape, the pressures and opportunities it creates for London’s businesses, and share key insights from this morning’s CEO Breakfast.

In this interactive part of our programme, three leading investors share an unfiltered perspective on why London continues to attract global capital. With momentum building across housing, infrastructure, and technology, the discussion will delve into the fundamentals underpinning long-term confidence, where investors see the most promising opportunities, and how investment can deliver both strong commercial returns and wider benefits for the city.

• What core fundamentals continue to position London as a compelling investment proposition?
• Which sectors, projects, and partnerships present the greatest opportunity right now?
• How can investment strategies align strong returns with positive social and economic impact?

We kick off the afternoon with three high energy Lightning Talks to surface the big ideas shaping London’s next wave of productivity growth, before our panel digs deeper into the crosscutting themes.

London’s ability to innovate has long underpinned its competitive edge – but the challenge now is scaling that innovation. Our panel will explore how the capital can commercialise ideas faster, strengthen its R&D ecosystem, and help startups and high-growth firms expand globally. We’ll look at the conditions needed to unlock innovation led productivity, from deeper cross-sector collaboration to targeted investment and clearer, more enabling regulation.

Future productivity relies on people. With rising unemployment reshaping parts of the labour market, this session looks at how London can equip its workforce for AI-enabled workplaces, fast-growing industries, and shifting service sectors. We’ll unpack the forward-looking skills agenda – spanning lifelong learning, digital capability, and broader access to high value careers – and how employers, educators, and policymakers can work together to secure the capital’s growth.

How can London strengthen its digital foundations to support AI adoption, scale innovation, and attract greater investment? We’ll look at what it takes to modernise at pace – from upgrading infrastructure and setting clear standards to improving coordination across the public and private sectors.

London remains the UK’s most productive city, but its productivity growth has slowed. Our panel brings together leaders from business, government, technology, and skills to respond to the lightning talks and focus on what delivery now demands. The discussion will look at how better coordination – across innovation, talent, infrastructure, and planning – can unlock growth, boost productivity, and strengthen London’s competitiveness.

• How can innovation be scaled faster to drive productivity gains?
• What skills and talent interventions would have the biggest impact?
• How can infrastructure investment and planning reform better support productivity and growth?
• How can innovation clusters, vibrant centres, and strong cultural assets lift overall productivity?

London’s global brand remains powerful, but perceptions are shifting. Our panel will examine how the capital can reset its narrative and project greater confidence and trust. Drawing on London’s cross-sector strengths – from culture, sport, and major events to its world-class arts and heritage – the discussion will consider how it can translate its substantial soft power into growth, attract global investors as well as visitors, and present a clearer, more compelling case for investment.

• How can Central London stay vibrant and distinctive as it evolves?
• How can culture, sport, events, and arts and heritage actively drive growth, trade, and investment?
• How do we balance a strong tourism offer with places that feel safe, welcoming, and liveable for Londoners?

Inspired by the iconic satirical news quiz, Have I Got London News for You offers a lively wrap-up to our day – a humorous but pointed look at the stories shaping London, from politics and planning to investment and innovation. It goes beyond the headlines to test what’s real, what’s rhetoric – and where the capital should focus next.