Saturday 11 November 2023

On the stage of the City of London Lord Mayor's Show on 11 November, the City of London Chamber (CoL Chamber) and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) unveiled a striking float symbolising the unity between Kyiv and London, drawing attention to their ongoing support for Ukrainian refugees and SMEs affected by the conflict.

Since the commencement of the military invasion of Ukraine and Kyiv in 2022, CoL Chamber and LCCI have played a vital role in aiding Ukrainian refugees in London, helping them secure employment and establish businesses, while also assisting small firms in Ukraine to navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.

Collaborating with Ukrainian agencies Big City Lab and Bickerstaff, and enlisting the expertise of London-based Opcyon Design Company, the float's design is a powerful statement of the established relationship between London and Kyiv. As the parade marked the first official engagement of newly elected Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli, Interim CEO Karim Fatehi MBE took the opportunity to extend warm congratulations.

“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,” said Fatehi. “Under Alderman Mainelli's guidance, we are confident that the City of London will continue to thrive as a leader and a center 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.” This gesture from Karim Fatehi highlights the Chamber's commitment to working collaboratively with the new Lord Mayor, emphasising their dedication to fostering international relationships and contributing to the City's global success.

ENDS

Notes to editors 

• The photos attached show were taken at the Lord Mayor’s Show.

• Watch the interview by BBC and the LCCI float.

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.

Click here for more information on the work the chamber has done to support Ukraine.

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