London First

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 an increase in remote work.[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. Millward, David (10 July 2013). "Capital's major roads could be covered". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  4. 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.
  14. "Firms urge PM to back returning to the office". BBC News. 4 July 2021.
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