Keynote lecture be held at Guildhall on the Suffragettes’ and Suffragists’ struggle in the City of London
The City of London Corporation has agreed to hold a series of events to commemorate the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918.
Senior City figures have approved the decision to recommend to the Court of Common Council, the City of London Corporation’s highest decision-making body, that a keynote lecture be held at Guildhall on the Suffragettes’ and Suffragists’ struggle in the City of London to win the right for women to vote.
Students from the City of London’s schools and Academies, and women from across the Square Mile, will be invited to attend the lecture.
The City of London Corporation is also actively considering other ways of marking the centenary.
The City of London is in a strong position to maintain its status as the financial capital of the world.
Many of the City’s strengths are deeply embedded and therefore “Brexit-proof”. Plus, it is in pole position to become the centre of global FinTech.
Nevertheless, with an increasingly globalised marketplace, steps must be taken to ensure London continues to be an attractive option for overseas companies. The City’s ability to attract global listings significantly contributes to its competitive position and is often overlooked. As they stand, the rules that companies must adhere to in order to list on the London Stock Exchange are too restrictive and risk major companies with dual listings in London moving elsewhere.
In a new report from the Institute of Economic Affairs, author and leading economist Gerard Lyons, argues that a more flexible approach to equity listing will make UK markets and indexes more accessible, and therefore more attractive to international companies. The race to win the Aramco share listing demonstrates how fierce the competition is and shows how vital it is for London to develop its dominance in this area.
In some instances, the regulatory burden needs to be eased where it can in order to attract global companies, retain dual listed companies and safeguard against competition.
With companies that have a dual listing in London and elsewhere, there is half a trillion dollars to play for. Losing their market capitalisation in London would result in a $235 billion loss; to retain it and attract additional capitalisation would add up to $494 billion.
In this vein, the UK listings Authority and FTSE Russell must be flexible in interpreting their rules to ensure continued access to the UK markets and indexes, such as the FTSE 100, for key international companies.
[Words: Institute for Economic Affairs]
City of London Corporation pledges to support HMT’s Women in Finance Charter
Catherine McGuinness, Chairman of the Policy Committee, is proud to signal the City’s longstanding commitment to supporting the progression of women into senior roles across the industry and to building a fairer and more inclusive City.
The City of London is getting taller
With 13 new schemes consented, under construction or due to start construction in its eastern cluster, the pipeline means that the City skyline will look a lot different in ten years’ time.
Around 60% of the City’s growth is expected to be delivered in the eastern cluster. As of September 2017, there was over 1.37 million square metres of office space under construction in the City with the potential to accommodate 85,000 workers. This compares to 1.22 million square metres in March 2016, before the vote to leave the European Union.
Two noticeable trends have emerged around new tall developments approved by the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee:
- Public viewing galleries
- Off-site consolidation
The City is internationally unique in its offer of so many free public viewing galleries in tall buildings, paving the way for tourists, school children and the wider public to enjoy London’s development from a great height.
Six of the 13 upcoming developments will have free public viewing galleries. These are 22 Bishopsgate (TwentyTwo), 120 Fenchurch Street, 6-8 Bishopsgate, 1 Leadenhall Street and 1 Undershaft, which will also host a dedicated Museum of London gallery at the top of the building, alongside interactive learning spaces and London’s highest restaurant. These six include 2-3 Finsbury Avenue, located north of the eastern cluster.
The City Corporation granted TwentyTwo planning permission on the condition that its deliveries are sent to an offsite consolidation centre. This is the first time an office tower has been subject to such a planning requirement. The City Corporation encourages the use of off-site consolidation to reduce the traffic, safety and environmental impacts of freight while improving safety and still allowing the City to receive the deliveries it needs.
Chris Hayward, Planning Committee Chairman at the City of London Corporation said:
It is unprecedented to see such a scale of development taking place at one time in the Square Mile. There are now more cranes in the City sky than in recent decades.
The City’s occupier base is becoming more dynamic, with SMEs and media companies choosing the Square Mile as their home. I am particularly proud that we are able to make available economically inclusive spaces with free public viewing galleries in City skyscrapers.
Over the next thirty years I expect that we will need to deliver office space for up to 100,000 extra City workers. Therefore iconic buildings such as TwentyTwo will lead the way in ensuring the City remains competitive as a leading financial centre.
