Since our creation 30 years ago, we have successfully campaigned for the London mayoralty, the Elizabeth Line and action to accelerate recovery — from securing changes to successive London Plans to helping secure funding for the Mayor’s Let’s Do London marketing campaign.
Now reborn as BusinessLDN, we have many things to celebrate about London’s post-pandemic economic performance. Tourism is increasing, and London is open to welcoming back international visitors to enjoy all the capital can offer. We have more jobs in the city than ever before, and our overall output is now above its 2019 level – the highest in our history.
We can’t deny there will be challenges ahead. That’s why we have looked at our agenda afresh and consulted with our members and a diverse range of stakeholders across the capital and beyond to develop this two-year business plan. During this period, will focus on four core areas, representing the eternal issues that affect London’s competitiveness:
- People: providing opportunity for Londoners and enabling business to attract diverse talent;
- Place: creating sustainable spaces that enable people to thrive and business to succeed;
- Connectivity: keeping London moving and connected — physically and digitally;
- Sustainability: accelerating the shift to net zero to create a cleaner, greener capital.
At the same time, we will address the immediate challenges London faces — from the cost of living crisis, to navigating economic volatility and addressing London’s role within the UK and its global standing.
New pieces of work include:
- leading the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) in partnership with other business groups to develop an ambitious blueprint for a data-driven skills system;
- Thought leadership on the future of the built environment through our Place Commission; and
- Creating new solutions to further the capital’s path to net-zero by 2030, including scoping a London-wide carbon offset fund.
And next month, we are excited to bring back the UK’s biggest jobs and careers fair, Skills London, showcasing the world of work to young Londoners from across the capital.
We look forward to working with members, allies, and stakeholders, including the new Government, to drive change, harnessing London’s strengths and tackling the challenges that lie ahead to ensure the capital is the best city in the world in which to do business, working with and for the UK.