The Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley, has today launched a new global campaign to reinforce London’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations for investment and to stand up to disinformation. 

The Team UK campaign, in partnership with City trade associations, brings together a coalition of over 200 influential advocates from FTSE companies, industry associations and global partners, to promote a clear, confident and evidence-based narrative about the UK’s financial services strengths and challenge misleading narratives.

It follows concern that disinformation about London is increasing rapidly and risks undermining international confidence. Recent analysis by the GLA shows negative perceptions about London have risen by as much as 150–200% over the past two years. The reality is London remains the world's most desirable city to live, work and visit for eleven years running, according to a global Ipsos Mori poll. London’s homicides are also at their lowest level in a decade and London’s rates of violent crime lower than many of its global peers.

The launch will be announced at the annual Business and Trade Dinner at Mansion House attended by the Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle.

The campaign will ask businesses and institutions to act as ambassadors, amplifying positive, fact-led messages across global networks.

At its core, the campaign aims to:

* Counter disinformation and support evidence-based strengths with confidence

* Promote London’s global reputation as a stable, innovative and high-return economy

* Encourage greater investment, business expansion and entrepreneurship in the UK

* Build a coalition of advocates to champion the UK internationally

The campaign will highlight how the UK remains one of the world’s most competitive business environments, with strengths including:

* 2,760 fintech companies — the most in Europe

* A global insurance market larger than all other competitors combined

* The largest and most active capital market in Europe

* Europe’s leading destination for foreign direct investment in financial and professional services

Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley said:

“Around the world cities and nations are competing harder than ever for capital, talent and influence. They are promoting their strengths and telling their stories with confidence, clarity and conviction. We must stand up and do the same and not allow inaccurate stories to colour how the world perceives us.

“This matters because what starts online doesn’t stay online. It seeps into boardrooms and companies. Team UK is about bringing together the full strength of British businesses to tell a clear confident story about what makes our country exceptional and to ensure the world hears it. Because the truth is London is a fantastic City in which to live, work and invest - one of the greatest economic success stories in the world. It's down to all of us to tell the truth about our City, not because we are defensive, but because we are proud.

“Every positive investment decision in the U.K. creates a ripple effect far beyond just one company and creates real jobs. That’s why speaking up together for Britain is important, and I thank the trade associations and industry for their support for the Team UK campaign.”

Janine Hirt, CEO of Innovate Finance, said:

"The UK FinTech story is one of genuine, world-leading strength, and it is time we told it with confidence. The UK is the second largest market globally in terms of FinTech investment, behind only the United States, and has more FinTechs and unicorns than anywhere else in Europe. Our incredible ecosystem of diverse founders and innovators is second to none. Innovate Finance is proud to support the Team UK campaign led by the Lady Mayor of the City of London, which amplifies the evidence-based case for why London remains a fantastic city to live in, a leading business hub and the world's greatest place to build, start and scale a FinTech."

David Postings, Chief Executive of UK Finance, said:

“The UK is a global leader in financial services, which drives innovation and supports households and businesses across the country. Regulatory reforms are enhancing our competitiveness, and we are setting the pace in areas such as green finance, payments technology and more. We have a vibrant, strong financial sector, and it’s important that this strength is recognised.”

Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive Officer, TheCityUK, said:

"The UK is a world-class international financial centre, with London at its heart. At a time when capital and talent can move faster than ever before and markets are rapidly innovating, it’s vital that industry, government and regulators are talking up UK strengths and acting with pace and ambition to ensure its continued success.”

Notes to editors

For more information or to support Team UK, contact: teamuk@cityoflondon.gov.uk

ABOUT THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk