Wednesday 11 October 2023 

The Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, endorsed the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)’s policy proposal on the inclusion of women in trade deals at a joint LCCI and Chatham House fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Monday 9 October.

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister stated that women will be included in all future trade deals that could be negotiated by a future Labour Government.

"On gender equality,” continued Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, “I recommend the London Chamber of Commerce proposal to include women in the negotiations of free trade agreements... [It] is an excellent document from the London Chamber and I will study the proposals within”.

London Chamber’s Interim CEO, Karim Fatehi MBE, supported the statements made by the Shadow Cabinet Office Minister by saying that “Equalities is paramount to our future success... We shouldn't just look at the bottom line. We need to also look at our responsibilities”. To achieve it “a meaningful relationship between politicians and business is necessary so that values can be promoted through trade”, he concluded.

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanks the work of the Women in Business group for the policy proposal and its success.

ENDS

Notes to editors 

• Read the full report

About the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is London’s key hub for the business community, we support members’ businesses through a range of services, advocate on behalf of London’s business community in the most important forums of policy debate, and promote ‘Global London’ as the best city in the world to do business – whether that’s to trade, invest, learn, or find new commercial partners.

For more information, visit LCCI website.

About the Women in Business Group 
LCCI founded and leads a Women in Business Group which aims to grow the representation of women entrepreneurs in under-represented sectors and promote inclusivity. This group is chaired by Liz Henderson, Director of Membership and Events.

Media contacts:        

James Watkins – Head of Policy and Public Impact 
E: jwatkins@londonchamber.co.uk 
T: +44 20 7203 1949

Vittoria Zerbini- Media Assistant 
E: vzerbini@londonchamber.co.uk
T: +44 7831 637843