Wednesday 15 November 2023

In a compelling move to preserve London's status as a global cultural and business powerhouse, the All Party Parliamentary Group on London as a Global City launched its report on 15 November 2023, urging decisive action to bolster the capital’s arts, business, and consumer events sectors.

Titled Global London: Enhancing the role of business and consumer events for London and the United Kingdom, the report underscores the indispensable role played by London's events and arts in fueling economic growth and job creation across the city. Despite London's international acclaim, post-Brexit challenges have surfaced, prompting concerns about its standing as a leading destination for international exhibitions.

Revealing a significant decline in rankings—from the 5th most attractive city for conferences and events in 2015 to 15th place in 2022—the report proposes a series of recommendations. These include reducing barriers to visas, securing funding for the arts, ensuring frictionless movement of goods for events, and clarifying VAT regulations for overseas exhibitors and contractors.

The presence of Aldermen Gregory Jones KC, Alderman Christopher Makin, Alderman Professor Emma Edhem, and Alderman Prem Goyal OBE at the event, along with the attendance of Rehana Ameer FRSA, Common Councillor - Vintry ward of the City of London Corporation, emphasizes the high-level attention the issue is receiving.

Julia Onslow-Cole, Chair of the Board of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted London's reputation as an exceptionally stable place to do business globally.

The London Chamber Head of Policy and Public Impact, James Watkins, expressed gratitude towards Parliamentarians including Gareth Bacon MP for their leadership in producing this report. James also thanked Sir Stephen Timms MP for his work with the Chamber in addressing inequalities in the capital.

Jeremy Rees, CEO of ExCeL London who sponsored the event, stressed the economic impact of ExCeL, sustaining 40,000 jobs and contributing significantly to London's global prominence. He emphasized the importance of actively promoting London as the most attractive city for global business events.

Karim Fatehi, Interim Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed that swift action is imperative to ensure London's continued role as the global centre for business, emphasizing the critical link between acting on the report and sustaining jobs and business growth in the capital.

ENDS

About the City of London Chamber

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched the City of London Chamber, a business group within LCCI, to convene, support and champion businesses within the Square Mile as it is imperative that businesses operating in the Square Mile have targeted support to grow and prosper.

For more information visit the City of London Chamber.

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: londonchamber.co.uk.

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