What Next For London?

One week on from the Chancellor's Spending Review, our Programme Director Stephanie Pollitt is joined by Ian McDermott, Chief Executive of Peabody, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing housing providers in the capital and how the Government's stretching 1.5 million new homes target can be made a reality. The pair discuss all the latest on the Affordable Homes Programme, rent convergence, proposals to extend the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead and much else besides.   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.

  Our Competitiveness Director Matthew Fell sits down with Debapratim De, Economic Research Director at Deloitte, to discuss why Spring has not yet sprung for the UK economy and the roles that public investment, consumer confidence and policy certainty can play in accelerating growth. The pair also talk through findings from Deloitte's Chief Financial Officer Survey, which details how corporations are responding to the current trading environment, and what the evolving landscape for global trade could mean for the UK's prospects.    Follow us on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN and on Twitter at @_businessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.

Our Programme Director for Infrastructure John Kavanagh is joined by Chris Whitehouse, Technical Director at WSP, and Anna Hart, Senior Corporate Finance Manager at Transport for London (TfL), to discuss how new financing models can support delivery of much-needed infrastructure projects across the capital. The trio cover lessons learned from the Northern Line extension to Battersea, as well as the Elizabeth Line, outlining how a new way of taxing properties which benefit from infrastructure investments could help fund extensions to the Bakerloo, DLR and Overground lines, unlocking thousands of new homes and jobs in the process.  

Our Programme Director for Infrastructure John Kavanagh sits down with Daniel Kelly, Commercial Director for Public Sector and Next Generation Infrastructure at Boldyn Networks, to discuss how the company's neutral host model is helping to address the capital's connectivity challenges while significantly reducing the environmental impact, including through its planned £1bn investment programme via its partnership with Transport for London. The pair also talk through Boldyn's work in supporting Sunderland to become the smartest city in the UK, the importance of public-private collaboration, and how improved connectivity can drive local growth, attract inward investment and address social challenges and opportunities.

BusinessLDN's Policy Delivery Director Jonathan Seager unpacks findings and recommendations from our ‘Case for a new town in London' report with Kathryn Firth, Director at Arup, Ellie Evans, Senior Partner at Volterra, Craig Tabb, Board Director at DP9, and Karen Alcock, Managing Director at Kanda. The group discuss key considerations for the Government's New Towns Taskforce as it formulates its recommendations and the challenges and opportunities that London holds as a place to build thousands of new homes.   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.  

Our Programme Director for Infrastructure John Kavanagh sits down with BT Wholesale Directors Ian Cottingham and Steven Mitchell to discuss how the roll-out of 5G mobile networks, smaller, more localised data centres and enhanced cyber security measures are enabling London's businesses to embrace new innovations, including artificial intelligence. The trio also discuss the planning implications of the capital's digital transformation and what that transformation means for sustainability strategies Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.

Our Programme Director for Infrastructure John Kavanagh speaks to Martin Sudweeks, Managing Director for Cost Management at Turner Townsend, about what increased digitalisation means for delivery of major infrastructure and real estate projects, as well as sustainability strategies.      Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.

Our Programme Director for Transport Polyvios Polyviou sits down with Paul Lynch, Managing Director for Stagecoach in London, following the Chancellor's speech last week to discuss what the future holds for the capital's coach and bus networks.   The pair talk through the implications of a new fare cap, an ongoing fuel duty freeze, measures needed to help fleets achieve net zero and the importance of government at all levels working collaboratively with transport bodies to drive progress. Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.    

Our Chief Executive John Dickie is joined by Peter Hogg, UK Cities Director at Arcadis, to review findings from the group's new Sustainable Cities Index. The pair discuss what London can learn from other leading centres of commerce, and how thinking about cities as webs of interconnected systems can improve outcomes, in-line with the Government's new mission-based approach to policy. You can see the full findings of the index on the Arcadis website.   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.

Our Competitiveness Director Matthew Fell sits down with Lai Wah Co, the Bank of England's Deputy Agent for London, and James Worsnip, Managing Director at AlixPartners, to discuss implications of the Bank's decision to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020, the thinking behind the Bank's improved growth forecasts for the UK and what could lie ahead for the labour market. The trio also assess which sectors could be set to outperform in the coming months and what a period of political stability could mean for businesses.      The discussion forms part of our quarterly economic insights series for members which we run alongside the Bank of England and AlixPartners. Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.

Our Programme Director for Sustainability Ioanna Mytilinaiou catches up with Stephen Thompson, UK Offsetting Lead and Associate at Arup, about latest developments in carbon offsetting: the means through which businesses reduce, remove and avoid harmful emissions which cause climate change. The pair also delve into key findings and recommendations from our recently published Blueprint for a UK Cabron Offsetting Fund: https://www.businessldn.co.uk/news-publications/news/uk-businesses-urged-to-join-forces-to-tackle-carbon-emissions.   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN Music is provided by Coma-Media

Our Chief Executive John Dickie sits down with John McTernan, former Director of Political Operations for Tony Blair, to discuss what the new Labour Government could mean for planning rules, public spending, private investment, cross-departmental working and much else besides. The pair also discuss the need to depoliticise devolution, deliver vital infrastructure projects, and reform a “ridiculous” system which sees local authorities forced to bid for funding from a patchwork of central government pots.  

Our Programme Director for Transport Polyvios Polyviou speaks to Geoff Symonds, Chief Operating Officer at Thames Clippers, about the role of London's waterways in supporting passengers, unlocking development sites and transporting freight. Following the re-election of Sadiq Khan as Mayor, the pair also discuss what more City Hall could be doing to maximise the river's potential. Follow us on Twitter @_businessLDN or on LinkedIn @BusinessLDN

Our Policy Delivery Director Mark Hilton sits down with Deputy Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University Gary Davies to discuss the cultural, economic and educational contribution of international students to London. The pair discuss the Government's current approach to international education, how the UK's offering compares to other major economies and the potential implications of the Migration Advisory Committee's forthcoming report on the Graduate Visa.

Our Programme Director Stephanie Pollitt sits down with Primera Chief Executive Ruth Duston OBE to discuss what the coming years hold for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the capital.  Launched in the early 2000s, BIDs give businesses within a designated area the power to pool resources to enhance local communities, create opportunities and drive growth.  They now cover 100,000 businesses and 800,000 employees across London.      Follow us on Twitter @_businessLDN or on LinkedIn @BusinessLDN Music is provided by Coma-Media  

In today's episode, we will be discussing small cells and 5G technology in the capital, with BT. Hosted by John Kavanagh, Programme Director for Infrastructure at BusinessLDN, we speak with Ali Akhtar, Head of Acquisitions and Contracts, and Ian Cottingham, Director of Mobile Network Operations and Digital Infrastructure, both from BT Wholesale, about small cells; what they are, how they work and how 5G can bridge the digital divide and drive social inclusion in London.   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN   Music is provided by Coma-Media

In today's episode, we will be discussing Gender Mainstreaming in the built environment with the planning and development consultancy Turley. Hosted by Matthew Fell, Director of Competitiveness at BusinessLDN, we speak with Lindsay Hart, Market Research Analyst, to learn more about how the safety and wellbeing of women and girls are key factors in planning and the built environment and understand how it is being adopted in businesses across the capital and UK.  Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN Music is provided by Coma-Media

In today's episode, we will be discussing the Thames Tideway Tunnel, also known as the super sewer – an extensive £4.5bn upgrade to London's sewer system to meet the needs of a growing population, with a current estimated completion date of 2025. Hosted by John Kavanagh, Programme Director for Infrastructure at BusinessLDN, we speak with Andy Mitchelle CBE, Chief Executive at Tideway to explain how this vital project will transform London for the future.  Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN Music is provided by Coma-Media

This week we sat down with Lai Wah Co, Deputy Agent for Greater London at the Bank of England, for an exclusive podcast recording about the economic forecast for the capital.  During the discussion, we asked Lai to share her insight on the economy, growth, employment and wages. She also looks at the long-term picture for the capital and what this means for businesses. Hosted by Matthew Fell, Director of Competitiveness at BusinessLDN, our latest episode explores the economic outlook to help the business community plan for the future.   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN   Music is provided by Coma-Media  

BusinessLDN advocates for a planning system in London that is pro-growth to support our mission and maintain London's reputation as a great place to work, live and play. The planning system in London is unique in many ways. We work with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Planning Officers Society London to ensure the business community's voice is heard in the planning policy debate and that any national reforms work for the capital.   In today's episode, we will be discussing Planning in the capital as well as the winners of this year's Building London Planning Awards with Ransford Stewart, from Stewart Management & Planning Solutions Ltd and Mike Kiely, Planning Officers Society London.   Follow us on Twitter at @_BusinessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN   Music is provided by Coma-Media

BusinessLDN's flagship Place Commission of cross-sector business leaders has set out a new vision for how the capital's places and spaces should evolve following the pandemic to enable people to thrive and businesses to succeed. Developed after a year of deliberations with the 20 senior businesses that form the commission and backed by in-depth research and analysis from Deloitte, it explores the evolution of the capital's urban environment through the lenses of people and spaces, sustainability and innovation.   In today's episode, our Chief Executive, John Dickie, sits down with Commissioners Annelie Kvick-Thompson, Partner at Grimshaw and Kathryn Firth, Director at Arup, to discuss place-making and sustainable design in the capital and our report recommendations. Read the report at businessldn.co.uk    Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN   Music is provided by Coma-Media

Build-to-Rent developments - high quality, professionally managed homes designed specifically for private rent - are now an integral part of London's housing mix. In today's episode, we are joined by Sandra Jones from Dataloft and Matthew Pullen at Apo Group to discuss the findings in our latest ‘Who Lives in Build-to-Rent?' report and share their views on how Build-to-Rent is a vital piece of the housing crisis puzzle.   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN Music is provided by Coma-Media  

The built environment is the backbone of our city and is vital to London's economic success and global competitiveness. In today's episode, we are joined by Simon Burnett and Hayley Parkinson-Roberts at Deloitte to share their views on the challenges and opportunities of the built environment through the lens of spaces and people, innovation and sustainability. Deloitte is BusinessLDN's research partner for the Place Commission, a group comprised of senior business leaders from across the capital to answer the question: ​‘how should London's built environment evolve to help people thrive and business to succeed?'   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN Music is provided by Coma-Media  

In our latest What Next for London? episode, we're focusing on the next generation of leaders in a new mini-series, sponsored by Ashurst, that explores the challenges the capital faces and the opportunities on offer from a fresh perspective. Joining us today is Christina Achkarian, Senior Associate at Ashurst and Michelle Letton, Project Director at Lendlease. They shared their views on the speed of planning and the impact this can have on the built environment, and how Gen Z and millennials want to see more action on critical issues such as sustainability.

Retrofitting rail arches with The Arch Company All across London, empty railway arches are vacant spaces that can meet a variety of business needs. Craig McWilliam, Chief Executive at The Arch Company, the UK's largest small business landlord, joins us on today's episode to explain how they transform these spaces to operate in a sustainable way that meets the needs of business and rail lines. We discuss the challenges facing retrofitting and what this means for the future of London.   For more information, visit: https://www.Businessldn.co.uk   Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN   Music is provided by Coma-Media

In the first episode of our new series, we speak with Peter Hogg, UK Cities Director, and Rebecca Harlow, Net Zero Carbon Proposition Lead from Arcadis, about sustainability in London. Our guests talk about the importance of sustainable travel in London, the challenges of retrofitting a city and reaching net zero and discussing London's global ranking in the Sustainable Cities Index and the lessons London can learn from higher-ranked capitals. For more information, visit: https://www.Businessldn.co.uk Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN or search on LinkedIn: BusinessLDN   Music is provided by Coma-Media

In our latest episode, we spoke to James Manning, Senior Transformation Manager in Sustainability and Innovation and Nicola Rochfort, Senior Community Engagement Manager at Grosvenor, about the launch of People Positive, their new social impact strategy. They shared insight into how they have developed an insight-led strategy to ensure they work closely with communities to maximise impact. They also shared how having social impact strategy-related personal goals across the organisation is vital to ensure the business moves forward as one.

Ahead of last week's mini-fiscal event, Kevin Ellis, Chairman and Senior Partner at PwC, talked to BusinessLDN CEO John Dickie about how he sees the future of work, business priorities for the new government and the role of the capital as a global financial centre. Listen in for Kevin's take on the future of hybrid working, the skills challenge and recruiting at scale across the UK.

In our latest What Next for London? episode, we're focusing on the next generation of leaders in a new mini-series, sponsored by Ashurst, that explores the challenges the capital faces and the opportunities on offer from a fresh perspective. In our studio today is Joanna Fox, Planning, Environment & Safety Associate at Ashurst and Andrew Fox, Institute of Classical Studies, School of Advanced Study. They spoke to us about the philosophy of placemaking, the importance of healthy living within a space and how we should consider green and energy-efficient spaces in the future.

We spoke to Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, to explore what makes the capital an international success and how it can build on that into the future. Laura shared her insights into making the city a magnet - for talent, investment and creativity - building on the discussion at our Work, Live, Play conference.

Jan Walstrom, SVP, Office of Global Climate Response & ESG at Jacobs joins us the day after our celebratory Olympics event to discuss what working on the 2012 Olympic games meant for major projects of the future, for the development of ESG metrics and for her career. 

This episode is our first Place Commission special, talking to John Mulryan, Group Managing Director of Ballymore and a Place Commissioner, about how he sees the future evolution of the capital's built environment as we look ahead to the future. Listen in for his take on what changing patterns of work, travel and social activity might mean for the city.

Virginia Blackman, national head of Avison Young's Site Assembly and Compulsory Purchase team, talks to us about Avison Young's Cities Recovery Index and what it is telling us just over two years on from the first lockdown. Taking a look at retail, leisure, footfall and office occupancy trends, Virginia shares what this emerging picture might mean for how we live and work in the city in the future.

We spoke to Paul Barnes, CEO of the Association for International Retail, about the sector's potential to play a major role in the capital and the UK's recovery. We touched on what needs to happen now to make that possible, from reinstating tax free shopping for international visitors, to putting shopping into the country's tourism strategy.

London First CEO John Dickie and CEO of Grosvenor Property UK James Raynor discuss the role of the capital in the country's future success, the role for the built environment in recovery and the future of work. 

We spoke to Arup's Richard de Cani and Cathy Li about the new report, London Alive, and how the capital's public spaces could be reimagined for a post-pandemic future. We were joined by the Northbank BID's Alison Gregory, who shared her perspective on the evolution of Waterloo Bridge and Charing Cross, as well as the wider role of the Northbank in the city's renewal.

Laura Osborne and Mark Hilton spoke to Charles Oak, Hotel Director of the Londoner, a new super-boutique hotel in the heart of the capital. From opening a new 16-storey hotel in uncertain times, through to the importance of its art collection and cultural contribution, Charles shares the highs and lows of bringing this new iconic destination to the capital.

We spoke to Michele Pittini, Head of GLA Economics, and Graeme Smith and Lee Watson, Managing Directors, London at Alix Partners, on the current picture of London's recovery, what new data sources are needed to make this more accurate, how the city's businesses are responding to the unwinding of government support measures, the impact of disrupted supply chains and the importance of planning ahead now.

To mark 20 years of the leadership exchange, we are pleased to share this new podcast with Lord Davies and James Stokley, who were paired up via the scheme which brings business and public sector leaders together. Mervyn and James share what they've learnt in their very different successful careers, how they see leadership today and the value of grasping opportunities when they arise.

Lisa Mayhew is the co-chair of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), an international law firm. She spoke to Mel Hobson and Laura Osborne about the need for consistent messages, the importance of the Government boosting confidence and what the future of work might look like, informed by lessons learnt over the last 18 months. Lisa reflects on the purpose of the office, what work is best done where and the role employers play in their local communities. Lisa also shares how the pandemic has shaped her personal approach to leadership and what she's changed during that time.

DAC Beachcroft Senior Partner Virginia Clegg spoke to London First's Mel Hobson and Laura Osborne on the difference between emerging short-term work patterns and the longer-term future of work and cities. Virginia shared her experience of leading an international firm through a pandemic, as well as explaining why the firm adopted its Flex Forward initiative. The future is flexible – Virginia gives her take on why.

Jane Grant, UK Head of Learning and Development for WSP, joins What next for London? for a special edition on diversity and inclusion (I&D). Jane spoke to Laura Osborne about how WSP has approached inclusion, including the publication of its first official I&D strategy earlier this year, and the importance of being able to bring your full authentic self to work in a truly inclusive culture.

Martin Tufft, Sales Director at BT, talks to Laura Osborne about the role of technology in accelerating recovery and the benefits greater connectivity can deliver for the capital's businesses. Martin explains how 5G can support productivity, open up new technology and underpin smart cities, from enhanced clinical support for ambulance crews through to smart factories and organisational digital transformation.

We spoke to Jon Di Stefano, CEO of Telford Homes, about the impact of the pandemic on the capital, on the build-to-rent sector and on the future of international cities. Jon shared his thoughts on the future balance between commercial and residential properly in the centre of the city, as well as the potential for further regeneration in the outer boroughs.

MTVH's CEO Geeta Nanda talks to Laura Osborne about the role housing associations have played in their communities over the last 18 months, the importance of housing in recovery and the focus of the G15 under her leadership.

This week we spoken to Julie Baddeley, Chair of Chapter Zero, and Paul King, Managing Director Sustainability & Social Impact (Europe) at Lendlease, about the scale and immediacy of the climate change challenge and how all businesses, including those yet to make a start, can take steps today that can set them on a path to net zero. Listen in to get a sense of the big picture, as well as the practical steps firms can take to make difference.

Our CEO John Dickie spoke to Billy D'Arcy, CEO of BAI Communications, about Transport for London's decision to award BAI the contract to deliver high-speed mobile coverage across London's tube network, introducing uninterrupted 4G mobile coverage to ticket halls, platforms and tunnels on the London Underground network for the first time. Billy explains the difference this will make to productivity across the city and why it comes as such an important vote of confidence at this moment in the capital's recovery.

We spoke to Fujitsu's head of international trade and customs, Frank Dunsmuir, and CEO of international trade law and economics consultancy, Competere, Shanker Singham, about implications of the GB EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the future opportunities in international trade and tackling the existing pain points. Brexit is a process, not an event, and in this episode, we dig into the latest insight into what support traders need to be able to navigate it. In the podcast, Shanker mentioned Digital Trader Services. With customs experts and practical guidance, it's a first of its kind online portal for declarations management. Learn more here.

We spoke to Lucy D'Orsi, Chief Constable of the British Transport Police, and Inga Beale, London First Board member and former CEO of Lloyd's of London, about the value of good leadership, drawing on their experience of exchanging expertise across policing and business as part of London First's Leadership Exchange. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Leadership Exchange matches leaders from different organisations and cultures to provide a confidential sounding board for exploring shared challenges. Lucy and Inga shared how working together has shaped their outlook and leadership style.

Sally Jones, EY's Lead for Trade Strategy and Brexit and George Riddell, EY's Director of Trade Strategy, talk to London First about the adjustments businesses have made – and continue to make – to adapt to the new trading environment. They share their hopes for the future and the issues that still need to be tackled to make the UK's trading relationship with the EU smoother in the future.

If London is to remain the best capital city in which to do business, business leaders will need to continue to focus on their people and culture. With the continuing under-representation of Black executives and professionals in senior positions under the microscope, Harry Matovu, Founder of the Charter for Black Talent, spoke to London First's Chairman Paul Drechsler on how the Charter can help businesses to make clear, data-led, measurable commitments to improve the recruitment and promotion of talented Black professionals.