In October 2025, Central London Alliance hosted London – Opportunities and Obstacles for Growth at The Emmanuel Centre, Westminster bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and innovators for six panels on finance, entrepreneurship, property, infrastructure, and retail, promoting cross-sector collaboration and actionable solutions for London’s future.
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The opening panel explored how fiscal policy and innovation can drive London’s growth. Speakers stressed retaining high-net-worth individuals, preserving Business Property Tax Relief, and supporting Central London, which generates 12% of UK output, as essential for the nation’s economic health.
Speakers: Professor Tony Travers (London School of Economics), Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston CBE (Parliament), Rt Hon Shailesh Vara (Parliament), Peter Dunphy (Regional Director, The Family Business Community), Matthew Jaffa (Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Family Business UK)
This panel examined London’s role as a global financial hub. Charles Hall, Head of Research at Peel Hunt LLP, highlighted that capital markets represent over £1 trillion of UK wealth but are underutilised. Hall stressed the need to channel more investment into UK companies to support domestic businesses, safeguard jobs, talent, and tax revenue, with panelists calling for stronger incentives to encourage UK investment.
Speakers: Charles Hall (Head of Research, Peel Hunt LLP), Akash Kapoor (Managing Director, Union Bancaire Privee (UK) Limited), James Quarmby (Creator and Founding Partner, Stephenson Harwood LLP)
The forum discussed sector recovery, talent challenges, and sustaining London’s global appeal. Kate Nicholls, Chair UK Hospitality, highlighted that hospitality contributes £3.4 billion to the Exchequer and is the highest taxed sector, leading to price rises, staff reductions, and limited reopening, stressing the need for the industry to “fire on all cylinders.”
Speakers: Kate Nicholls (Chair, UK Hospitality), Piers Brown (CEO, International Hospitality Media Limited), Jessica Ross (Managing Partner, FINN Partners), Tony Matharu (Chairman, Central London Alliance)
The fourth panel explored fostering innovation and fair taxation to support growth. Speakers highlighted that high taxes are driving wealth creators abroad, with an estimated £17 billion of economic contribution lost. Panellists stressed the need for incentives to encourage UK investment, reform inheritance tax, and ensure business expertise in Government to safeguard London’s economic future.
Speakers: Rob Agnew (Partner, Isio Group Limited), Dia Chakravarty (Contributing Editor, Daily Telegraph), Tom Moore (CEO, WBR Group Ltd)
Panel five explored London’s cultural and retail sectors, highlighting their economic and social value. Speakers noted challenges including the exit of wealth creators, who traditionally support the arts, and stressed the importance of effective licensing and policy to enable these outlets to thrive.
Speakers: Charlotte Fletcher (Founder, CLF Solutions), Gareth Hughes (Partner, Keystone Law), Alice Black (CEO and Founder, ArtULTRA), Mihir Bose (Writer and Broadcaster), Cary Sawhney (CEO and Artistic Director, London Indian Film Festival)
The final panel highlighted the need for investment in housing and transport, alongside streamlined planning systems to unlock London’s potential. Speakers showcased the City of London’s efficient pre-application process and urged local authorities to retain business rates to accelerate development and support economic, cultural, and community growth.
Speakers: Andrew Hilston (Managing Director, The Ardent Companies), Annabel Singh (Engagement Manager at the City of London Corporation), Alexander Jan (Chair, Central District Alliance and Hatton Garden Business Improvement Districts), Michael Forward (Associate Principal and Architect, Populous), Nick Delaney (Partner, Daniel Watney LLP)
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.
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