Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director & Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director & Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor outlining the proposed mayoral theme to be championed, subject to election, by the Lord Mayor of London 2024-25, Alderman Alastair King.

Alderman King reported that he had now hosted 19 Mayoral Theme events over the course of the past 3-4 months which had attracted approximately 250 attendees. The reported that the chosen Mayoral Theme for 2024-25 would focus on Inspiring Growth within the City – this would be delivered through three key strands, one of which would focus on pushing for regulatory and mindset reform, one would focus upon new technologies and another on celebrating the networks which make up the City.

Alderman King reported that his focus between now and November would be around developing a programme that would bring in elements of the City Belonging Project and also the Vision for Economic Growth published last year. Engagement with government and opposition would also be key. He reported that he was keen to organise a session specifically for the Court of Aldermen to launch his Mayoral Theme and to keep them regularly updated with progress against this thereafter.

An Alderman mentioned that the Quoted Companies Alliance who championed and advised the UK’s community of small and mid-sized businesses were also very focused on the Growth Agenda at present. He therefore undertook to facilitate introductions with the CEO. Alderman King commented that there was recognition across the current Mayoral continuum that growth would be a key theme across the next few mayoralties which had gone down very well with key stakeholders.

In response to a question regarding Permanent Secretaries, Alderman King confirmed that he was reaching out to these individuals across the various sectors to build relationships. He added that he would also be embarking on a series of meetings with them and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioners.

RESOLVED: - That Members note the draft Mayoral theme.