The City of London Corporation has today (Thursday 5 May) elected Chris Hayward as its new Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Previously Deputy Chairman, Hayward will now lead the City Corporation’s work on policy issues affecting the UK’s financial and related professional services sector as well as the Square Mile’s ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. He will strengthen ties with political representatives and business leaders across London, the UK and internationally to ensure the City remains a world leading global financial centre.

Hayward’s role will also cover the City Corporation’s responsibilities as a local authority, overseeing the governing body’s open spaces, educational commitments and cultural institutions.

Prior to becoming Policy Chairman, Hayward had a career as managing director of companies in the construction, aviation, infrastructure and global events management sectors. He is now a non-executive director of various companies in the commercial property, public affairs and global infrastructure sectors.  

Hayward assumes the role after serving almost a decade as an elected Member. He replaces Catherine McGuinness, who has served her full five-year term.

Commenting on his election, Chris Hayward said:

“The City is an asset to London, the UK and the world. It creates jobs, drives investment and supports trade for the benefit of communities both domestically and overseas. As Policy Chairman, I will be Standing Up For The City to ensure it is globally competitive and engaged locally.

“I want to ensure that the City is the world’s most innovative, inclusive and sustainable business ecosystem as well as an attractive place to invest, work, live, learn and visit.

“The City Corporation has a critical role to play in realising this vision by combining the Square Mile’s principal business function with a thriving cultural, retail and hospitality scene. This will underpin the Square Mile’s future as a vibrant destination of choice for all.”

Outgoing Policy Chair Catherine McGuinness added:

“It has been an honour to serve as the City Corporation’s Policy Chair since 2017 and I wish Chris well as he now takes on the role.

“The past five years have been an exceptionally challenging period that has involved leading our response to the UK’s exit from the European Union, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. I am confident that the City will continue to rise to these and other challenges in the future.

“I am also very proud to have been able to play a small part in our work – encompassing education, employment, culture and many more areas – across London and the UK to help individuals and communities fulfil their full potential.

“I’d like to thank all the partners across London and the financial and professional services sector that we have worked closely with over the past five years.”

Hayward was elected to the City of London Corporation’s Court of Common Council in 2013 to represent the ward of Broad Street.

He will be tweeting from @citypolicychair

ENDS

Notes to editors

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

About Chris Hayward

Throughout his career Chris Hayward has worked in the construction, aviation, infrastructure and global events management sectors.

He is currently a Director at leading communications agency JBP, a Director at professional services consulting firm WSP in the UK and Director of Hayward Properties Limited.

He is a former Deputy Leader of Hertfordshire and Dorset County Councils.

As Policy Chairman, he will effectively operate as the political Leader of the City Corporation.