The CLA Summit - 2026

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Central London Alliance hosted its annual Business Summit at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster, just moments from the seat of Government. 

Bringing together 45 exceptional guest speakers and panellists, the Summit debated a wide range of pressing issues that are currently impacting London’s business community and are predicted to do so in the future.

The programme was varied: from the proposed ‘bed tax’ keeping hoteliers up at night, to the threat of a prolonged downturn in business for sectors that have long been the beating heart of the London economy, and to the impact of new technology on employment and London’s future prospects.

Read an overview of the day on City AM.

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Highlights from the day

A speaker in a pinstripe suit gestures with his hand while speaking into a microphone, seated next to a panelist reviewing notes, in front of a red and white 'London Alliance' backdrop.

Panel 1: London's Hospitality: The issues keeping hospitality leaders up at night

Speakers:  Andrew Sangster (Journalist and Founder of Hotel Analyst and the Operational Real Estate Summit) Naomi Smith (Chief Executive, Best for Britain) Mark Williams (Deputy Chief Executive, HOLBA) Cedric Horgnies (Area General Manager, Threadneedles and Monkey Island Estate) Sally Beck (Deputy Managing Director of The Landmark Collection and Managing Director of The Landmark London) Rajesh Vohra (Director, Sarova Hotels) Cllr Tim Barnes (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning, Westminster City Council)

Two panelists seated in armchairs in conversation, one leaning forward speaking into a microphone with an animated hand gesture, in front of a red and white 'London Alliance' backdrop

Panel 2: AI, Media and the Creative Sector. Opportunity or threat to London's economy? 

Speakers: Pratik Dattani (Managing Director, boutique economic consulting firm EPG) Thanh Catachanas (Collaboration & Acquisition Director, JCDecaux UK) Lee Russel (Founder and CEO, Minimal Viable Launch) Azeez Anasudhin (Editor, London Daily) Cary Rajinder Sawhney (CEO & Programming Director, London Indian Film Festival) Rajesh Agrawal (Former Deputy Mayor for Business) Asif Alidina (Founder and CEO, Inntelo AI) Tarun Ghulati (Chairman, President, CEO, Strategic Advisor, Board Member, Serial Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Politician) Vishal Bhatnagar (General Manager, UK & Ireland, Orion Innovation)

Five panelists seated in a row of armchairs on stage, mid-discussion, in front of a red and white 'Central London Alliance' backdrop with water bottles on side tables

Panel 3: Retail, Entertainment and Events: Irreparably damaged or repaired and renewed?

Speakers: Gareth Hughes (Partner, Keystone Law) Thanh Catachanas (Collaboration & Acquisition Director, JCDecaux UK) Pratik Dattani (Managing Director, boutique economic consulting firm EPG) Mark Bithrey (Founder & Director, B3 Designers) Andrew Hilston (Managing Director, Ardent)

Three panelists seated in armchairs on stage, one speaking into a microphone with his hand raised, in front of 'Central London Alliance' branded backdrop panels

Panel 4: Doing business in London. Tax, regulations, finance, diversions and (dis)incentives

Speakers: Dave North (Head of Hotels, Lloyds Bank) James Quarmby (Creator and Founding Partner, Stephenson Harwood LLP’s Private Wealth team) Khalid Talukder (Co-founder and CEO of DKK Digital FZE and Co-founder of DKK Partners) Laura Timm (Regional Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in London) Mary Doogan (Director, MJD Consult) Tony Matharu (Founder and Chairman, Central London Alliance)

Two panelists seated close together in armchairs, one holding a microphone and papers while speaking, the other listening with hands clasped, against a plain backdrop

Panel 5: Planning for Growth. The future for London's property and development sector

Speakers: Alice Black (CEO and Founder, ArtULTRA) Nia Fraser (Partner, Newmark’s Planning and Development team) Barbara Marino (Development Director, London Commercial) Jacqueline Chambers (Director of External Affairs, London Heritage Quarter and Primera) Simon Gartshore (Deputy Managing Director, Kanda Consulting) James Macfarlane (Director, Colliers)

Five panelists seated in armchairs on stage in discussion, in front of a red and white 'Central London Alliance' backdrop with water bottles on side tables

Panel 6: London's Voice - Who speaks for London? Is Londonism an irrelevance in a devolved UK?

Speakers: Annabel Singh (Founder and Director, The Inward Group) Rt Hon Shailesh Vara (Former Member of Parliament) Austin Williams (Director, the Future Cities Project) Sally Taplin (Consultant) Tony Matharu (Founder and Chairman, Central London Alliance)

Two panelists seated close together in armchairs, one holding a microphone and papers while speaking, the other listening with hands clasped, against a plain backdrop

Panel 7: Destination London. Shaping the future of the capital

Speakers: Dinesh Dhamija (Entrepreneur, Author & Philanthropist) Jessica Berk Ross (Managing Partner and Global Public Affairs Practice Leader, FINN Partners) Lord Leigh of Hurley (Senior Partner, Cavendish) Rt Hon Lord Ross Kempsell (British Conservative Political Consultant and Policy Adviser) Matthew Jaffa (Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Family Business UK) Tom Sleigh (Chair of Planning and Transportation Committee, City of London Corporation) Alastair Moss (Partner, Hill Dickinson LLP) Her Honour Judge Anuja Dhir KC, Alan D Miller (Co-founder and Chair, The Together Association)


London Talking Podcast

Building on the momentum of London – Opportunities and Obstacles for Growth, in December 2025, Central London Alliance launched a new podcast series - London Talking, providing a complementary space to continue these conversations, offering accessible, expert-led discussions on topics crucial to London’s economic and cultural vitality.


The podcast’s aim is to provide actionable insights for a broad audience of business leaders, investors, visitors, policymakers and the public at large, helping them navigate the complexities of London’s economic landscape, together with members of the public.

Listen now on spotify

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