London First

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

London First is a not for profit[1] advocacy group with a membership composed of leaders of businesses in London, United Kingdom.[2][3][4]

As of 2021, it represented around 200 London based businesses.[5]

Its stated aim is "to make London the best city in the world in which to do business".[6]

London First was established in 1992 to meet a perceived lack of a unitary body to promote London after the dissolution of the Greater London Council. Its first chair was Allen Sheppard, Baron Sheppard of Didgemere.[7]

John Dickie was appointed chief executive in May 2021.[8] The current chair is Paul Drechsler CBE who was appointed in May 2018.[9][10]

Its former chief executives were Jasmine Whitbread[11][12] and Baroness Jo Valentine.[3][4]

London First has supported plans to provide roofing over major roads in London amongst other transport infrastructure developments, a proposal that was under consideration by then London mayor Boris Johnson.[3] It has criticised the Cameron ministry's proposal to require a bond of £ 3 000 for some visitors to the UK.[4]

London First was a partner in the 2014 "Wikimania".[13]

In July 2021 London First urged firms to return to the office, after the Covid-19 pandemic forced a record number of people to work from home.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ "About London First". London First. 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  2. ^ Hill, Dave (27 March 2008). "London mayoral debate - Wednesday 26 March 2008". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Millward, David (10 July 2013). "Capital's major roads could be covered". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Jo Valentine (1 August 2013). "Poorly-designed immigration policies are damaging the London economy". City A.M. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Business chiefs: Help London get back to work, Boris Johnson, as work-from-home guidance set to be scrapped". Evening Standard. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Our Mission". London First. 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  7. ^ Ben Pimlott and Nirmala Rao (2 May 2002). Governing London. Oxford University Press. p. 52. ISBN 9780191583650. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  8. ^ "London First appoints John Dickie as its new Chief Executive". London First. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  9. ^ "London First appoints Paul Drechsler, CBE, as new Chairman". London First. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Ex-CBI chief lambasts EU leaders and UK over citizens' rights post-Brexit". The Guardian. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  11. ^ "London First chief Jasmine Whitbread goes to Travis Perkins". The Times. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Search is on for new CEO of London First". London First. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Wikimania 2014 in London". Wikimedia Foundation. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  14. ^ "Firms urge PM to back returning to the office".

External links[]

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