Saturday 11 November 2023 

The war in Ukraine is featuring in today’s City of London Lord Mayor’s Show. The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry will present a vibrant float symbolising the unity between Kyiv and London, highlighting the ongoing support for Ukrainian refugees and Ukrainian SMEs.

Since the military invasion of Ukraine and the attacks on Ukraine began in 2022, LCCI has played a crucial role in helping refugees find employment and start businesses in London, while simultaneously assisting small firms in Ukraine to navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.

To design the float, LCCI collaborated with Big City Lab and Bickerstaff, two prominent agencies from Kyiv, and enlisted the expertise of Opcyon Design Company from London for construction. The float's design incorporates the bright colours of the Ukrainian flag, a mirror reflecting the City of London as a powerful statement of the established relationship between London and Kyiv, and the Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian People with a golden crack. In the Arch of Freedom in Kyiv, the crack symbolises the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, whilst the golden crack in the arch on the float represents the strong support between the people of the United Kingdom and Ukraine.

This marks LCCI's third appearance in the Lord Mayor's Show, with the previous participation in 1997 showcasing the Chamber's commitment to international markets and trade missions.

Ukrainian refugees will be on and beside the float wearing custom hoodies designed and manufactured in Ukraine.

The float not only signifies solidarity with Ukraine but also represents a continuation of LCCI's commitment to fostering international relationships. It is a testament to the Chamber's dedication to rebuilding and reinvigorating Ukrainian businesses post-conflict, promoting community engagement, and facilitating potential trade relationships and investments between Kyiv and London.

The parade will also act as the first official engagement of the newly elected Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Mainelli.

Interim CEO Karim Fatehi MBE extended his warm congratulations to the new Lord Mayor stating: 

“Alderman Mainelli assumes this prestigious role with a wealth of experience and a commitment to furthering the City's global standing. We applaud his dedication to public service and look forward to witnessing his impactful leadership.”

“Under Alderman Mainelli's leadership, we are confident that the City of London will continue to thrive as a leader and a centre for global problem-solving and collaboration.”

“The London Chamber looks forward to collaborating with the Lord Mayor in his capacity as an international spokesperson for the City.”

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

• Key individuals, including Igor Bartkiv, LCCI's Ukraine Project Manager, and James Watkins, will be available for live interviews on the day of the parade.

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 our website.

For more information on the work the Chamber has done to support Ukraine, visit the Ukraine Support page.

Media contacts:         

Vittoria Zerbini - Media Assistant
E: vzerbini@londonchamber.co.uk