Your London and South East regional roundup: June

It’s time to Seize the moment, and I’m not just referring to us enjoying the recent sunshine.

May might have quickly come and gone, but it brought us two much needed bank holiday weekends and the launch of the CBI’s new economic vision – Seize the moment. An economic strategy to transform the UK economy, the launch of our latest report re-establishes the CBI’s focus for the next five years. As always, we will continue to help support members with the day to day challenges facing business, but this strategy outlines our longer term focus, putting a spotlight on the actions required from both business and government to transform our economy and society, for the better, over the next 10 years.

If you managed to join us for our launch event on 24 May, we’d love to hear from you with your thoughts on the strategy and how your business would like to be involved in delivering and benefiting from the six prizes that we’ve set out (below).

If you haven’t yet had a chance to see the strategy or you missed our launch event, you can read our business executive summary, full report and catch Tony’s welcome address, introduction into the strategy and it’s aims.

This is very much just the beginning of our Seize the moment journey. We’ll be reaching out to our London and South East members over the next few months to hear your thoughts on the six prizes and shape the strategy further. For any immediate thoughts or to formally note your interest to be involved (or request further information), please do contact our dedicated inbox or connect with your CBI account manager.

Seize the moment prizes

The Seize the moment reports identifies six business-led opportunities – prizes – that the UK could capture by 2030, which are worth around £700bn.

1. A decarbonised economy, winning the global race to net-zero .
2. An innovation economy, breakthrough ideas and technologies, adopted by all.
3. A globalised economy, making the UK a trading powerhouse.
4. A regionally thriving economy, ensuring every region and nation has distinctive, global strengths.
5. An inclusive economy, where work enables all talent to progress.
6. A healthier nation, with health the foundation of wellbeing and economic growth.

The CBI will align its resources behind this strategy and do all we can to mobilise and support businesses across the country, working in partnership with the government, to put the UK on the path to prosperity.

Get Involved

Harnessing the power of London for global climate action

From 26 June – 4 July, London will celebrate its third London Climate Action Week (LCAW). A week to bring together Londoners, business and government, to discuss London’s role as an international leader in the race to Net Zero; tackling climate change, decarbonisation, sustainability and air quality.

Coming at the half-way point towards COP26, the week will provide an opportune moment for London’s business community to come together and discuss the action currently being taken, look at where we can go further, shape policy directing the trajectory of London’s ambitions to be a zero carbon city by 2030 and establish the legacy London should leave at COP26.

It will also provide an open space for firms to share best practice, learn from different sectors, discuss challenges, and gain a deeper understanding of the barriers and opportunities potentially facing businesses in your supply chain.

Join the CBI at one of our three dedicated LCAW events to discuss progress, learn from peers and shape the CBI and GLA’s work surrounding climate change, including a dedicated CBI and GLA LCAW Business Summit on 30 June 2021, 14:00 – 15:45.

Find out what other CBI LCAW activities you and colleagues can get involved in. 

CBI Summer Reception

Join Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, and Tony Danker, Director-General, CBI, at the CBI’s annual virtual Summer Reception.

Just past the recent mayoral elections and held during London Climate Action Week, the Mayor and Tony will discuss how, in partnership with business, the London government can tackle the capital's need to level-up within itself and help achieve this across the UK.

They will also explore how to enhance the capital’s international competitiveness and global presence, and the opportunities for London to become a world-leader in sustainability and in the race to net-zero during the year of COP26.

Alongside our strategic partners Cadent, this is your opportunity to hear first-hand from the Mayor on how we can seize opportunities for the growth, revival and protection of the UK’s capital city.

Why attend the Summer Reception?

Taking place at this pivotal moment, the Summer Reception will be one of the first opportunities for business leaders to:

• Hear first-hand from the Mayor on his goals and plans for the three-year term
• Understand his ambitions for his lasting legacy as Mayor
• Direct your questions to the Mayor during an interactive Q&A session

Register for the event

Thought leadership

We need to move to away from discourse which pitches the South against the North and move toward the recognition that we are interdependent.

Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Chair of Central London Forward reflects on why kick-starting the London economy is a vital step in UK-wide recovery. Discussing how we need to move to away from a simplistic public discourse which pitches the South against the North in a battle for resources, toward the recognition that we are interdependent. When London was thriving, its businesses made a surplus investment to other regional economies across the UK of over £125 billion through the purchase of goods and services.

But since then, nearly one in three workers in central London have been furloughed, while the capital has seen a staggering 161% increase in the unemployment claimant rate. The latest figures show that 2.5 million Londoners are now living in poverty.

An economically resurgent central London is essential if all parts of the economy are to be rebuilt and revitalised. We sink or swim together.

Read the full article from Cllr Elizabeth Campbell and Central London Forward’s pitch to government. If you would like to connect with Central London Forward, which is made up of the 12 most Central London local authorities, please contact Katy Recina, Senior Policy Adviser, London Policy.

In and around the region

Partnership opportunities

The CBI has a number of exciting partnership opportunities for CBI members in London and the South East.

Is your organisation looking to be a thought leader in central London’s economic and social recovery, or are you focused on the international position of the UK and forming new partnerships with international markets?

Are you and your clients or customers leading insights on the latest economic trends, major factors impacting the region, UK and global economy, and the implications for businesses? If any of these align with your business operations and focus, you may wish to consider partnership with the CBI on one of the following opportunities.

• An Audience with… As we emerge from the final stages of the government’s roadmap, we recognise the potentially long-lasting consequences for London’s city centre and the role of business in maintaining momentum in building back better. The first event of this series will examine emerging cultural, consumer and social trends, explore the opportunities and challenges currently facing firms in London, and discuss where business stands in the ‘new normal’. Drawing in leaders from business, government and market research, this virtual event will try to answer the question: what will it take to relaunch a futureproofed, thriving global city in a changed world? For further details on the opportunity, please contact emelie.forsberg@cbi.org.uk.
  
  
• International Briefing: The International Briefing is a business intelligence event looking to keep members informed on international markets and opportunities. CBI’s international offices at USA, Belgium, India and China bring to our members on the ground know-how that helps attendees navigate the global marketplace. We are keen on exploring an offer and theme that aligns with your business goals and CBI policy agenda. For more information, please contact berit.vain@cbi.org.uk.
  
  
• Economic Briefing: The Economic Briefing is an online event, with an expert speaker from our economics team. It offers businesses in the LDN/SE/TV region the opportunity to gain insights on the latest economic trends, major factors impacting the UK and global economy, and the implications for businesses. The Economic Briefing will deliver the most recent economic intelligence impacting the region and nation. In addition to this, we look to include a theme most relevant to attendees at the time of the event. We are keen on exploring an offer that aligns with your business goals and CBI policy agenda. For more information, please contact berit.vain@cbi.org.uk.