City of London Corporation

This week I’ve been in Scotland and Wales as part of the City of London Corporation’s commitment to unleashing growth across all parts of the UK.   During meetings in Cardiff, I discussed Wales’s remarkably strong financial services sector, with more than 49,000 jobs in the capital and specialisms in fintech, insurance, and cybersecurity.   Together, the UK’s financial and professional services sector is already making a huge contribution to growth.

🚀 Barbican Renewal: Shaping the Future of a Global Icon 🎭🌿 Big news from the Barbican. Today, we launch our public consultation and unveil ambitious design proposals to transform the Foyers, Lakeside, and Conservatory - breathing new life into this world-famous multi arts centre ✨ 🏗️ Led by architects Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Ltd., and engineers Buro Happold, the Renewal will celebrate the Barbican’s bold architectural legacy while making it more inclusive and sustainable. Landscape designers Harris Bugg Studio are reimagining the Conservatory planting. Key highlights: 🔹 Foyers: Restoring iconic Brutalist design, improving accessibility & creating flexible, creative spaces. 🔹 Lakeside: Upgrading fountains for passive cooling, enhancing biodiversity & reviving this unique public space. 🔹 Conservatory: A fully accessible, lush urban oasis, open to more visitors year-round. As we embark on this exciting journey to ensure every part of the Barbican Centre is restored, revitalised and relevant for future generations, we want to hear from you! Public consultation is now open—share your thoughts and help shape the future of the Barbican. 🗣️💡 📅 Visit the in-person exhibition from 1 Feb or view plans online until 17 Feb: https://lnkd.in/eWDhRkaB To find out more sign up to our webinar at 4pm today 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekN6nhZN Supported by a £191 million commitment from City of London Corporation, which represents 80% of what's needed for phase one, this is just the beginning—construction is set for 2027, with this phase complete in time for the Barbican’s 50th anniversary in 2032. 🏛️🎉 #BarbicanRenewal #Barbican #DesignForTheFuture #LondonCulture #Architecture #Plants #Sustainability #Brutalism #ArtsandCulture

Last night at the magnificent Goldsmiths’ Hall, the City of London Corporation hosted our second Investment Committee dinner. It has been an amazing year – from completing an in-depth overarching investment strategy review, to enhancing our governance arrangements and further making good progress on key projects such as the Markets, Salisbury Square Development and London Wall West. The dinner focused primarily on making the right decisions for our long-term future—a theme rightly echoed in the Chancellor's growth speech. Andrien Meyers CC, Chair of the Investment Committee, recommitted the City of London Corporation to investing in communities—because as an investment community, we have a duty to invest in people, planet, and place. A huge thank you to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama for their spectacular performance and Annie Warburton FCGI CEO of The Goldsmiths' Company, and 2023 winner of the UK Social Enterprise Impact Award for her excellent speech. As well as Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for his attendance and his support.

Our Vision for Economic Growth report charts an ambitious roadmap for fostering a digital-first economy by 2030. Central to this vision is the safe development of #AI, underpinned by flexible, outcomes-based regulation.   The financial and professional services (FPS) industry is leading the charge, harnessing AI to boost productivity, and enhance customer experiences. Significant investments are being made across the sector, reinforcing the UK’s position as a hub for digital #innovation and demonstrating the transformative power of AI.   I was delighted to welcome Feryal Clark MP, Minister for AI and Digital Government, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to speak at an official Road to Summit event at the Mansion House yesterday. The France AI Action Summit taking place in February will provide an excellent platform for the UK to assert its leadership on AI, particularly within #FPS.   Take the Summit’s Global AI Governance theme. The recently published AI Opportunities Action Plan demonstrates the UK Government’s commitment to ensuring that UK regulators across sectors can scale up their AI capabilities. To enhance this investment, the Summit marks a great opportunity to make progress towards a coherent global regulatory and standards framework on AI. The UK Government is a natural candidate to lead these discussions.   Another key theme of the Summit is Innovation and Culture—an area where the UK excels. Thanks to our world-class scientists, researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs, the UK’s AI sector is flourishing. The Government’s support provides a strong foundation to unlock even greater economic growth.   The future of AI in the UK is bright. By combining cutting-edge innovation with flexible regulation, we have an extraordinary opportunity to position the UK as the global leader in AI and use the AI Action Summit to shape that journey by bringing together the global expertise and vision required to navigate this exciting chapter.   Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eMyMJ3Ct

The AI Innovation Challenge 2024 tasked industry participants to address a use case that meets the current need of financial and professional services (FPS) by advancing the development of innovative AI solutions in the face of evolving digital threats.  Peter Allwood, Vice President, Cyber Security Innovation at Mastercard, explains why it was a simple decision for them to get involved. For more information about the Challenge and the City of London's work in innovation and technology, visit https://lnkd.in/dBaJ6CUq

Feeling unwell? Need to see someone quickly? Many pharmacies are open late and at the weekends and you do not need an appointment to see a professional. Find out more 👇 https://lnkd.in/ekskPEkH

Following the UK Chancellor's statement on growth. Read the City of London Corporation's reaction here: https://lnkd.in/e-ezfNx8

Day Two in Edinburgh:   Yesterday, I spoke at a roundtable on Nature Finance Investment, we organised with The Scottish Government and hosted by Phoenix Group. The session brought together private investors, policymakers, and nature finance leaders to explore how we can mobilise private investment into Scotland’s nature sector—a key priority of the updated Partnership Agreement I signed with First Minister John Swinney and the The Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor Alastair King on Monday.   We also heard insightful remarks from Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP, and I want to thank Irem Yerdelen, my lead member for sustainable finance, for chairing the discussion. Irem is serving as Deputy Chair and Lord Alok Sharma as Chair of the Transition Finance Council, a joint initiative by the City of London Corporation and the UK Government which aims to utilise the UK’s existing strengths in financial services to support a net zero future.   It’s inspiring to see our partnership with #Scotland flourish as we work to position the #UK as a global leader in #sustainablefinance.

I'm in Edinburgh this week meeting businesses, policymakers, and fintech leaders. Scotland is a pioneer in the fintech space, with over 200 companies based in the capital and over 11,000 people working in the sector. The City of London Corporation is committed to strengthening our relationship with our Scottish counterparts so that innovative firms are able to start, stay, and scale in the UK.  

A rare opportunity to learn from a great practitioner of the EMS art!!