SIR KENNETH OLISA ANNOUNCED AS NEW CHAIR OF BUSINESSLDN
BusinessLDN, the capital’s leading campaigning business membership group, has today announced that Sir Kenneth Olisa, British businessman, philanthropist, and current Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, is to become its next Chair.
The extensive search for a new Chair was led by Mark Reynolds, Chairman and CEO of Mace, a BusinessLDN board member and Chair of the BusinessLDN Chair Nomination Committee, supported by Inzito Partnership.
Sir Kenneth succeeds Paul Drechsler CBE, who will step down at the end of the year after four and a half years in post. During that time Paul made the case for London on the key business issues facing the city, from championing London’s leading role in the global economy to tackling the impacts of Covid.
Sir Kenneth will take up the role in the new year, at a time when the organisation is focused on tackling challenges and seizing the opportunities to ensure London remains the best capital city in the world in which to do business, from the cost-of-living crisis, supporting the return of international travel, increasing the volume of affordable homes, to other measures that will help drive competitiveness and growth.
John Dickie, Chief Executive of BusinessLDN, said: “I am delighted to welcome Sir Kenneth as Chair of BusinessLDN. His business acumen and board experience will be great assets as we work to improve London’s competitiveness, in what are set to be choppy times, for the benefit of all Londoners and the whole UK. I would also like to thank Paul Drechsler for his leadership and support both to BusinessLDN and me personally over the past four and a half years.”
Sir Kenneth Olisa, Chair-elect of BusinessLDN, added: “It goes without saying that London plays a vital role in the fortunes of our nation. Given my other roles in supporting our capital, it is an honour to be asked to lead the premier business organisation as we play our part in driving a growth agenda.”
Paul Drechsler CBE, Chair of BusinessLDN, said: “It has been a great privilege to Chair the Board of this great organisation for the last four years and to meet so many business leaders committed to even greater success for London . I am delighted that Ken accepted the Board’s invitation to be its next Chair. I know that BusinessLDN will go from strength to strength under Ken’s guidance. I wish him and the organisation every success in continuing to champion this fantastic global capital city.”
Mark Reynolds, Chairman and CEO, Mace, added: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Sir Ken Olisa as the new Chair of BusinessLDN. The board were unanimous in its support for the appointment of Sir Ken, his vision and passion for London as the best city in the world in which to do business made him the perfect choice for our members. On behalf of the board, I would also like to thank Paul Drechsler CBE for his outstanding leadership and his personal engagement helping London’s business recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”