London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) CEO Karim Fatehi MBE and Chair of the City of London Chamber Alderman Prem Goyal OBE were delighted to represent LCCI and the City of London Chamber at a number of events at the Liberal Democrats party conference. One such event was the prestigious City of London Corporation Dinner last Monday. The event provided an opportunity to network with key organisations from the City, and hear from distinguished speakers, including City of London Policy Chairman Chris Hayward, and Sarah Olney MP.

Chris Hayward delivered an insightful speech highlighting the crucial role the financial and professional services (FPS) sector plays in the UK economy. He emphasised the importance of resetting the UK's relationship with the European Union, particularly regarding financial regulation, to ensure that the UK remains competitive in the global market. He also reiterated the UK’s position as the world’s leading exporter of financial services, contributing an impressive £92 billion annual trade surplus, and urged for a strategic shift in the UK's trade policy, recommending a stronger focus on services trade.

Keynote speaker Sarah Olney MP followed with a candid discussion of the economic challenges the UK currently faces. The MP, while acknowledging that the Liberal Democrats would not be the official opposition with their current 72 MPs, firmly stated that the party would position itself as the "best opposition" by offering constructive and forward-thinking policies. She expressed optimism about the Liberal Democrats approach, particularly their focus on economic growth, climate change, and sustainability and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to holding the government accountable for its economic plans and ensuring that climate action remains a priority. 

Throughout the evening, there were valuable opportunities to network and exchange ideas with prominent individuals, including Baroness Claire Tyler, Joanna Cound, Managing Director, International Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Blackrock, Matin McTague, National Chair, Federation of Small Businesses, Munira Wilson MP, and Luxembourg’s Ambassador to the EU, Georges Friden. The Chamber was honoured to be part of this significant event, which provided a meaningful opportunity to engage with influential leaders shaping the future of the UK’s financial and political landscape. We look forward to continuing our engagement with key stakeholders as we work to support London’s business community in navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead.