The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Jeffrey Mountevans, is to lead a business delegation to Mauritius (28 February – 1 March) helping to make sure London and the UK remain the regional partner of choice when it comes to financial and professional services.

Acting as ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services, the Lord Mayor will be meeting with the Prime Minister, senior government ministers, the governor of the Bank of Mauritius, investment authorities, regulators and business leaders. Other notable events he will take part in include:

• Speaking at a conference titled “The City of London: Your International Gateway” with Government ministers and senior Mauritian business leaders to promote London’s financial services and promote UK qualifications as a way to grow the financial services sector.
• Launching the new Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment National Advisory Committee which will help firms to maintain high standards of competence, behaviour and integrity.
• Attending a dinner to promote and discuss financial good governance.
• Meeting with senior figures from the maritime sector to discuss the Port Master Plan and Mauritian plans to become a shipping hub.
• Attending as guest of honour for the launching the rebranding of the International Financial Centre and the launch of the Financial Services Institute.

Speaking ahead of his trip, Lord Mayor Jeffrey Mountevans, said:

“There is a truly an excellent bilateral trade relationship between the UK and Mauritius. The more that we work closer with Mauritius, the richer this relationship will become.

“The UK and Mauritius share so much in common: developed financial industries, similar banking, legal and insurance frameworks and we both act as gateways into huge markets – Europe and Africa respectively. Clearly there remain similar opportunities that we can grasp and challenges we will face.

“I am hoping that my visit will help cement these strong commercial and economic ties between our two countries.”

Notes to editors

About the Lord Mayor of the City of London

• The Lord Mayor is head of the Square Mile’s City of London authority for one year and the position is unpaid and apolitical. It is an exceptionally demanding role. The Lord Mayor spends some 90 days abroad and addresses some 10,000 people face-to-face each month (making around 800 speeches a year).

• The Lord Mayor represents City businesses and helps the City Corporation advise the Government of the day on what is needed to help the financial services sector to function well. The Lord Mayor frequently travels to represent the City; and travels overseas with the status of a Cabinet Minister.

• The Lord Mayor meets several international Heads of Government and Business each month to discuss financial services, often in conjunction with senior City business representatives. The Lord Mayor lives in the Mansion House for the Mayoral year.

Henry Tanner, Senior Media Officer, City of London Corporation

Tel: 020 7332 1835 / Mobile: 07717 797821

Email: henry.tanner@cityoflondon.gov.uk