Manchester today welcomed a visit from the UK’s global financial services ambassador today (Friday 21) November), as the city played host to the City of London’s Lord Mayor Alan Yarrow.

The 687^th Lord Mayor was visiting the city as part of his first in a series of regional visits where he will look to build closer ties with financial centres across the UK and then sell them when he leads business delegations to key international markets over the next year.

Lord Mayor Yarrow said:

“Our great cities like Manchester are the backbone of the economy. With over 100,000 people in the greater Manchester area alone working in financial and professional services, the industry has a key role in helping support jobs and growth. A strong and vibrant industry benefits the entire country, and while our two cities vie for business in some areas, we really are stronger together when we compete on the global stage.

“This is why I want to hear from local businesses and policymakers so that I can represent their interests better during my overseas visits and help bring in new business for our world-class firms like those found in the North West.”

The visit, hosted by business development organisation pro-manchester, provides the opportunity for Manchester to showcase its talent and expertise in financial and professional services. Lord Mayor Yarrow was able to meet with key business leaders during his visit and it is now his plan to take what he has learnt overseas, as he leads UK business delegations to more than 25 countries over 100 days abroad.

During his visit Lord Mayor Yarrow will spend time at one of the city’s most iconic buildings, the newly refurbished Manchester Central Library, where he was given a private tour of the facilities and saw first hand the myriad of changes that have taken place. He also took part in a roundtable event with key representatives from the Manchester business community, before moving on to a pro-manchester lunch at the historic Midland Hotel.

Over lunch, the UK’s global financial services spokesperson will address more than 80 pro-manchester members focusing on the importance of Manchester’s financial and professional services to the overall UK economy.

The day culminates with a visit to Royal Bank of Scotland, headquartered in Spinningfields Square, the centre of financial and professional services in Manchester. The visit to Manchester followed a similar visit to Liverpool on the previous day (20 November) where the Lord Mayor met with business leaders in the area.

Speaking about the visit pro-manchester Chief Executive John Ashcroft said:

“It’s really great to once again welcome The Lord Mayor of The City of London. This is a real pro-manchester tradition, which we very much enjoy as an organisation but also is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the financial and professional sector here in Manchester.”

Ends

Notes to editors

Press enquiries

Henry Tanner, Senior Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 1835

E henry.tanner@cityoflondon.gov.uk

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 around 100 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. On average, the Lord Mayor will meet one head of state a month and will meet a prime minister or finance minister each week to discuss financial services, often in conjunction with senior City business representatives. The Lord Mayor, who is unpaid, lives in the Mansion House for the Mayoral year.