What Next For London?

To mark 20 years of the leadership exchange, we are pleased to share this new podcast with Lord Davies and James Stokley, who were paired up via the scheme which brings business and public sector leaders together. Mervyn and James share what they've learnt in their very different successful careers, how they see leadership today and the value of grasping opportunities when they arise.

Lisa Mayhew is the co-chair of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), an international law firm. She spoke to Mel Hobson and Laura Osborne about the need for consistent messages, the importance of the Government boosting confidence and what the future of work might look like, informed by lessons learnt over the last 18 months. Lisa reflects on the purpose of the office, what work is best done where a...

DAC Beachcroft Senior Partner Virginia Clegg spoke to London First's Mel Hobson and Laura Osborne on the difference between emerging short-term work patterns and the longer-term future of work and cities. Virginia shared her experience of leading an international firm through a pandemic, as well as explaining why the firm adopted its Flex Forward initiative. The future is flexible – Virginia gives...

Jane Grant, UK Head of Learning and Development for WSP, joins What next for London? for a special edition on diversity and inclusion (I&D). Jane spoke to Laura Osborne about how WSP has approached inclusion, including the publication of its first official I&D strategy earlier this year, and the importance of being able to bring your full authentic self to work in a truly inclusive culture.

Martin Tufft, Sales Director at BT, talks to Laura Osborne about the role of technology in accelerating recovery and the benefits greater connectivity can deliver for the capital's businesses. Martin explains how 5G can support productivity, open up new technology and underpin smart cities, from enhanced clinical support for ambulance crews through to smart factories and organisational digital tra...

We spoke to Jon Di Stefano, CEO of Telford Homes, about the impact of the pandemic on the capital, on the build-to-rent sector and on the future of international cities. Jon shared his thoughts on the future balance between commercial and residential properly in the centre of the city, as well as the potential for further regeneration in the outer boroughs.

MTVH's CEO Geeta Nanda talks to Laura Osborne about the role housing associations have played in their communities over the last 18 months, the importance of housing in recovery and the focus of the G15 under her leadership.

This week we spoken to Julie Baddeley, Chair of Chapter Zero, and Paul King, Managing Director Sustainability & Social Impact (Europe) at Lendlease, about the scale and immediacy of the climate change challenge and how all businesses, including those yet to make a start, can take steps today that can set them on a path to net zero. Listen in to get a sense of the big picture, as well as the practi...

Our CEO John Dickie spoke to Billy D'Arcy, CEO of BAI Communications, about Transport for London's decision to award BAI the contract to deliver high-speed mobile coverage across London's tube network, introducing uninterrupted 4G mobile coverage to ticket halls, platforms and tunnels on the London Underground network for the first time. Billy explains the difference this will make to productivity...

We spoke to Fujitsu's head of international trade and customs, Frank Dunsmuir, and CEO of international trade law and economics consultancy, Competere, Shanker Singham, about implications of the GB EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the future opportunities in international trade and tackling the existing pain points. Brexit is a process, not an event, and in this episode, we dig into the latest...

We spoke to Lucy D'Orsi, Chief Constable of the British Transport Police, and Inga Beale, London First Board member and former CEO of Lloyd's of London, about the value of good leadership, drawing on their experience of exchanging expertise across policing and business as part of London First's Leadership Exchange. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Leadership Exchange matches leaders...

Sally Jones, EY's Lead for Trade Strategy and Brexit and George Riddell, EY's Director of Trade Strategy, talk to London First about the adjustments businesses have made – and continue to make – to adapt to the new trading environment. They share their hopes for the future and the issues that still need to be tackled to make the UK's trading relationship with the EU smoother in the future.

If London is to remain the best capital city in which to do business, business leaders will need to continue to focus on their people and culture. With the continuing under-representation of Black executives and professionals in senior positions under the microscope, Harry Matovu, Founder of the Charter for Black Talent, spoke to London First's Chairman Paul Drechsler on how the Charter can help b...

This week, we interview Matt Dillion (Arup), Annette Mees (Royal Opera House) and Hari Sothinathan (Gerald Eve) about the challenges and opportunities for the very centre of London as unlocking progresses and recovery begins. From their different professional perspectives, they share insights into what will help the heart of London rebound better than ever.

Pinsent Mason's Sue Chadwick (Strategic Planning Advisor) and Nicholle Kingsley (Partner) spoke to Laura Osborne and Sophia Wolpers about taking a holistic approach to recovery, particularly in planning terms. They dug into the future of smart cities, the London Data Charter, the politics of London recovery and the crossover of planning and data when it comes to safety in the city.

London First's Laura Osborne and John Dickie spoke to Alexander Jan, Midtown BID Chairman and former Arup Chief Economist, about the role of London in the UK's post-pandemic recovery, levelling up between people not just regions, and how central London can support getting the city back to growth.

LSE Professor in Practice Nick Robins and Natwest's Head of Sustainable Finance and Just Transition Rishi Madlani talk to Laura Osborne and Victoria Poku-Amanfo about why climate change action needs to drive greater equality. They explain the thinking behind and benefits of a Just Transition, the opportunities it presents and why, in this year of COP26, it is the moment to accelerate change.

Alix Partners Managing Directors Jeff Drake and Glen Fietta talk to Laura Osborne and David Lutton about the critical importance of planning ahead, as leaders transition away from survival to focus on value protection and generation. They outline the model of scenario planning they use to help clients look ahead and plan for the future.

After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, London's organisations are entering Brexit Britain and 2021 with a new set of regulatory and financial challenges. We talk to two representatives from organisations that are responding to this challenge by transforming legal services with technology: Emily Foges and Luminance's Clementine Fox.

The London Interdisciplinary School is a new university aiming to give students the knowledge and skills needed to address social and global problems in an increasingly complex world.  We spoke to Chief Executive Ed Fidoe to get his take on why interdisciplinary thinking matters, its relevance to recovery and the importance of developing the future skill sets businesses need.

Dr Nicola Millard, BT's Principal Innovation Partner, joined us to talk through her experience of the changing world of work and why we need to rethink the nature of work itself. She brought to life the consequence of rapidly accelerating trends, the opportunities to rethink business in a more sustainable way and the need for a new kind of leadership as we emerge from the pandemic.

We spoke to Caroline Artis, London Senior Partner, and David Storey, EMEIA Workforce Advisory Leader, about the significant research EY has been doing on the future of work. From where it will happen to the role of AI, we talked through people's differing expectations, what is shaping them and how employers can respond.

We were joined by Lyn Garner, CEO of the London Legacy Development Corporation, to discuss lessons from long-term planning and regeneration, and how these can be applied to a post-pandemic London. Lyn is passionate about the ongoing potential of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to enhance the lives of those in the communities living in close proximity, will also harnessing its potential as a global de...

Mount Anvil founder Killian Hurley spoke to Jonathan Seager and Laura Osborne about the lessons he has learned from 30 years at the helm of a partnership-focused property business. As we move towards recovery, Killian emphasised the importance of quality, of developing the skills needed for the next generation of construction leaders and the value of working with those whose values you share.

As eyes lift to the horizon with news of a vaccine on the way, we explore a critical element of recovery with PwC, what next for international trade? Beyond the immediate Brexit debate, we dig into the opportunities ahead for London and the whole of the UK, why we need to tell a new story about  our place in the world  and how we can make the most of the country's soft power. Sophia Wolpers and La...