BusinessLDN

BusinessLDN
Formation1992
HeadquartersLondon
Chief Executive
John Dickie
Websitehttps://www.businessldn.co.uk/

BusinessLDN (spoken as Business London[1]) is a not for profit[2] advocacy group with a membership composed of leaders of businesses in London, United Kingdom.[3][4][5]

As of 2022, it represented around 175 London based businesses.[6] [7]

Its stated aim is "to make London the best city in the world in which to do business".[8]

History

London First was established in 1992 to meet a perceived lack of a unitary body to promote London after the dissolution of the Greater London Council. Its first chair was Allen Sheppard, Baron Sheppard of Didgemere.[9]

London First has supported plans to provide roofing over major roads in London amongst other transport infrastructure developments, a proposal that was under consideration by then London mayor Boris Johnson.[4] It has criticised the Cameron ministry's proposal to require a bond of £ 3 000 for some visitors to the UK.[5]

London First was a partner in the 2014 "Wikimania".[10]

London First was given its present name in July 2022 [11]

Leadership

John Dickie was appointed chief executive in May 2021.[12]

Its former chief executives were Jasmine Whitbread[13][14] and Baroness Jo Valentine.[4][5]

Leadership Team

Sources:[15] [16]

  • John Dickie - Chief Executive
  • Muniya Barua - Deputy Chief Executive
  • Dimitra Christakou - Chief Operating Officer

Board

Sir Kenneth Olisa succeeded Paul Drechsler CBE as Chair in 2023.[17][18]

Policy Response

In July 2021, London First urged firms to return to the office, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced an increase in remote work.[19]

Rebranding

On 12 July 2022, London First renamed as BusinessLDN (spoken as Business London).[20]

References

  1. ^ "London First looks to the future as BusinessLDN". BusinessLDN (previously London First). 2022-07-12. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  2. ^ "About London First". London First. 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  3. ^ Hill, Dave (27 March 2008). "London mayoral debate - Wednesday 26 March 2008". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Millward, David (10 July 2013). "Capital's major roads could be covered". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Jo Valentine (1 August 2013). "Poorly-designed immigration policies are damaging the London economy". City A.M. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  6. ^ "Business chiefs: Help London get back to work, Boris Johnson, as work-from-home guidance set to be scrapped". Evening Standard. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Member List". BusinessLDN (previously London First). 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  8. ^ "Our Mission". London First. 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  9. ^ Ben Pimlott and Nirmala Rao (2 May 2002). Governing London. Oxford University Press. p. 52. ISBN 9780191583650. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  10. ^ "Wikimania 2014 in London". Wikimedia Foundation.
  11. ^ "Lobby group London First renames itself BusinessLDN after 30 years". 12 July 2022.
  12. ^ "London First appoints John Dickie as its new Chief Executive". London First. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  13. ^ "London First chief Jasmine Whitbread goes to Travis Perkins". The Times. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Search is on for new CEO of London First". London First. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  15. ^ "London Influence: Filling the ideas vacuum — Fullbrook flood — Case for campaigners". POLITICO. 2022-10-20. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  16. ^ "Our Team". BusinessLDN (previously London First). 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  17. ^ "Sir Kenneth Olisa announced as new Chair of BusinessLDN". BusinessLDN (previously London First). 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  18. ^ "Our Board". BusinessLDN (previously London First). 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  19. ^ "Firms urge PM to back returning to the office". BBC News. 4 July 2021.
  20. ^ "London First looks to the future as BusinessLDN". BusinessLDN (previously London First). 2022-07-12. Retrieved 2022-07-12.