On 20 June 2023 we welcomed leading figures from the private and public sector to our inaugural event Future London: Connecting People, Places & Spaces.
Combining our built environment and infrastructure conferences, the discussions focused on what needs to happen now and, in the future, to deliver the best outcomes for a thriving London.
It was a packed day with sessions debating the topics — what investment is needed in London?; how can the capital attract and develop its skills base?; how might the private sector help drive the net zero agenda forward; what’s needed for the next London Plan and how digital connectivity can lay the foundation for high-growth sectors.
If you couldn’t make the day or want to catch sessions you might have missed, please select a video below:
You can watch these morning sessions in our video -
- KEYNOTE ADDRESS & Q&A: WHAT ARE CITIES GRAPPLING WITH?
- PANEL DISCUSSION: WHAT ARE OUR INVESTMENT NEEDS AND HOW MIGHT THE PRIVATE SECTOR UNLOCK MORE OF IT?
- IN CONVERSATION: INVESTING IN FUTURE SKILLS – WHO IS GOING TO BUILD THE LONDON WE WANT?
Click here to find out more about the sessions and panellists.
Our morning sessions —
KEYNOTE ADDRESS & Q&A: WHAT ARE CITIES GRAPPLING WITH?
- Jeremy Castle, Director Deloitte
PANEL DISCUSSION: WHAT ARE OUR INVESTMENT NEEDS AND HOW MIGHT THE PRIVATE SECTOR UNLOCK MORE OF IT?
With constrained public resources and persistent low growth, how can we secure more private investment to make progress on the projects that London – and the UK – needs to create jobs, drive growth, deliver climate resilience and remain competitive? What are the innovative methods for funding, financing, and delivering projects to enable that capital to flow? And what is needed to take these models from ideas to reality?
- Siobhan Burton, Partner, London Real Estate Practice, Linklaters, Session chair
- Robin Dobson, Group Property Director, Network Rail
- Hayley Rees, Managing Director PIC Capital, Pension Insurance Corporation
- Allen Simpson, Managing Director Strategy and Operations , London & Partners
- Tom Venner, Managing Director, Development, Canary Wharf Group
IN CONVERSATION: INVESTING IN FUTURE SKILLS – WHO IS GOING TO BUILD THE LONDON WE WANT?
Whether it is major infrastructure projects or programmes to tackle small-scale climate adaptation, London needs to attract, maintain, and develop a skilled workforce. The requirements for world-class project delivery are constantly evolving with green and digital skills more important than ever. How do we ensure that projects are set up for success from the outset? And how do we ensure we learn the lessons from one project to the next?
- Peter Hogg, London City Executive, Arcadis Session chair
- Joana Filipe, Head of People & Culture, Vorboss
- Dr Philippa Lloyd, Vice-Principal, Policy and Strategic Partnerships, Queen Mary University of London
Our mid-morning sessions —
HOW IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVING THE NET ZERO AGENDA FORWARD?
The public sector has an important role to play in ensuring the right regulation, policies and market signals are in place to unlock net zero. However, the private sector will need to do the heavy lifting in terms of action and investment to deliver against ambitious climate targets. This session will see four quick pitches from leading industry figures on the one big initiative they are undertaking in the short term to support the transition to net zero and their one big ask of government to accelerate progress, followed by a panel discussion.
- Professor Anusha Shah, Senior Vice President and President Elect – Institution of Civil Engineers & Senior Director Resilient Cities and UK Climate Adaptation Lead, Arcadis Session chair
- Ian Cameron, Director of Customer Service & Innovation , UK Power Networks
- Helen Elsby, Chief Solutions Officer, Heathrow
- Andy Haigh, Director Climate Positive Solutions, Grosvenor Property UK
- Rebecca Harlow, Net Zero Carbon Proposition Lead, Places UK, Arcadis
LONDON’S PLACE IN THE WORLD
The UK is an island and London is its front door. The economy will not thrive without world-class global connections. How do we ensure that we have the right capacity and connectivity to do business internationally? And how can we ensure that these are sustainable?
- Howard Bassford, Partner, DLA Piper UK, Session chair
- Gwendoline Cazenave, Chief Executive, Eurostar
- Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive, London Gatwick Airport
INVESTING IN LONDON’S PUBLIC REALM TO DRIVE ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS
The return on investment for public realm projects is well evidenced. Which projects have proved truly transformational, what are the current obstacles to delivery and what lessons have been learnt from recent success?
- Christina Norton, Director, Soundings, Session chair
- Lydia Clarkson, Chair, WESt
- Dan Johnson, Founder, Placemaking
- Simon Loomes, Strategic Projects Director, The Portman Estate
- Sam Margolis, Head of Transport Strategy and Projects, London Borough of Camden
You can watch these mid-afternoon sessions in our video -
- TRANSPORT DRAGON’S DEN
- PANEL DISCUSSION: WHAT DO WE NEED FROM THE NEXT LONDON PLAN TO SUPPORT LONDON’S ECONOMY?
Click here to find out more about the sessions and panellists.
Our mid-afternoon sessions —
TRANSPORT DRAGON’S DEN
Three elevator pitches to tackle three major challenges that London’s transport network must address. the environmental, technological, and demand-based changes to how we use road space the changing nature of passenger demand on public transport, accelerated by the pandemic the continued need to unlock new housing and jobs to accommodate the capital’s growth.
- Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive, BusinessLDN, Session chair
- Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport and Deputy Chair, Greater London Authority
- Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development , London Borough of Southwark
- Neil McGonigle, Director, Head of Driver, Uber UK
- Daniel Philips, Senior Transport Planner, Arup
PANEL DISCUSSION: WHAT DO WE NEED FROM THE NEXT LONDON PLAN TO SUPPORT LONDON’S ECONOMY?
London’s spatial strategy has begun its lengthy review process – does it require tweaks or an overhaul? While the Government’s programme of planning reform remains focused on housing, it is vital that the London Plan continues to drive good growth in the round, including employment growth and all the new uses and services needed to support its expanding population, as well as driving housing delivery.
- Reena Patel, Partner, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, Session chair
- Alan Holland, Managing Director, Greater London,
- SEGRO Craig McWilliam, Chief Executive, The Arch Company
- James Rowbotham, Head of Workplace Development, Landsec
- Lisa Webb, Partner, Gerald Eve LLP
Our afternoon sessions -
PANEL DISCUSSION: HOW CAN WE JOIN ALL THIS UP?
Central to successful places is clear vision and strong leadership to deliver it. This session will hear from leaders within the public and private sectors about how they are looking at 21st century places.
- Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, London Borough of Newham
- Darragh Hurley, Managing Director, Mount Anvil Limited
- Dr. Nicola Millard, Principal Innovation Partner, BT Group
- Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Leader, London Borough of Hounslow
IN CONVERSATION: COMMITMENT TO CONNECTIVITY IN LONDON
- Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London, Greater London Authority
- Billy D’Arcy, Chief Executive UK & Ireland, BAI Communications