Lord Mayor of the City of London, Peter Estlin, will give a speech at the Bankers and Merchants Dinner at The Mansion House tonight (20 June 2019).

Addressing an audience of more than 350 guests including notable figures from the worlds of business, government and regulation from across the UK, he will speak alongside Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, and Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney.

An extract from the Lord Mayor’s speech is found below. Please check against delivery.

“As Lord Mayor, promoting UK financial and professional services the scale of innovation and the range of our offer are all vital parts of the role.

As is leading business delegations on international visits, helping them expand globally. But I think we need to go further.

Yes, our financial and insurance services have the largest trade surplus, outstripping all other UK services…

And yes, our international exports stand at £78 billion pounds, making us the world’s largest net exporter in financial services. However, this is a story told in fragments.

It’s a company to company or city to city narrative, when really, we need a united effort – a country-wide voice – telling and selling our success stories to international markets and indeed ourselves!

That is why the City of London Corporation and partner organisations have built a brand-new online platform to tell that story: the story of the UK’s global offer for financial and professional services.

It outlines, with new research, insights, and video content how the UK is the world's most global financial centre, and how we understand international business’s needs.

We are working closely with Her Majesty’s Government, London and regional financial services partners and Trade Associations to ensure this is a great platform.

It aims to focus on the whole UK’s regional offer, whether that’s Manchester or Edinburgh, or Belfast or Bristol, or indeed London.

But why is it important to tell our story, to have a unified voice? The reason is, I hope, obvious. As leaders of industry, we have a responsibility to support not only our customers, but all UK citizens.

Only three weeks ago, the City of London Corporation and the Government supported the launch of the Impact Investing Institute, an inspirational initiative led by Elizabeth Corley and Harvey McGrath, both here tonight.

The Institute will have a pivotal role in encouraging more funds to be allocated to projects which will see financial returns with a social or environmental purpose.

And the City’s work on skills is also part of this greater purpose…

Whether through our substantial support to the Skills Taskforce that, you, Chancellor, announced at this dinner last year…

…or my mayoral programme – Shaping Tomorrow’s City Today – which through our coalition is working to ensure that everyone has the digital skills to work and thrive in our increasingly digital world.

The more opportunities like this we create, the better.”

The new website can be accessed here: https://www.theglobalcity.uk/

--ENDS--

Notes to editors

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