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Conference

The London Conference 2023: Is London in crisis?

Programme

Overview Programme Speakers Sponsors

Programme

9:00 – 9:30 Arrivals

9:30 – 9:35 Welcome to the London Conference 2023

  • Fiona Fletcher Smith, Chair of Trustees, Centre for London
  • Sam Ewuosho, Trustee, Centre for London

9:35 – 9:50 In-conversation with the Liberal Democrats Mayoral candidate

  • Rob Blackie, Mayoral candidate, Liberal Democrats 
  • Antonia Jennings, Chief Executive, Centre for London 

9:50 – 9:55 Community insight session

  • Rosario Guimba-Steward, Chief Executive, Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network 

9:55 – 10:00 What the data tells us – New Londoners

  • Josh Cottell, Head of Research, Centre for London 

10:00 – 10:40 Panel discussion: What New Londoners Need

London has been a migrant city for thousands of years, and new arrivals enrich all our lives. But as national policy makes the UK less welcoming to refugees and international students, and economic change makes us less attractive to people looking for work, how do we remain an open and welcoming city?

  • Chair: Shadi Brazell, Head of Cabinet Office, London Borough of Ealing 
  • Enver Solomon, Chief Executive, Refugee Council 
  • Victoria Chwa, President, Goldsmiths Student Union
  • Paulina Tamborrel Signoret, Lead Organiser, Citizens UK
  • Cllr Tom Bruce, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Development, London Borough of Hounslow

10:40 – 11:15 Morning break 

11:15 – 11:30 In-conversation with the Green Party Mayoral candidate 

  • Zoë Garbett, Mayoral candidate, Green Party 
  • Antonia Jennings, Chief Executive, Centre for London 

11:30 – 11:35 Community insight session 

  • Anna Taylor, Director, CPRE London 
  • Mathew Frith, Head of Policy, London Wildlife Trust 

11:35 – 11:40 What the data tells us – Families

  • Jon Tabbush, Senior Researcher, Centre for London 

11:40 – 11:45 Keynote from the University of London Vice-Chancellor 

  • Prof. Wendy Thomson CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of London 

11:45 – 12:25 Panel discussion: What Families Need 

London is a young city, but it’s getting harder to raise a family here. Schools are closing in parts of the capital as families are forced out by the soaring costs of homes. Childcare is the most expensive in the country. What can we do to keep families living here and give our children the start in life that they deserve?

  • Chair: Josh Cottell, Head of Research, Centre for London 
  • Joeli Brearley, Founder and Director, Pregnant Then Screwed
  • Catherine Ritman Smith, Head of Learning and Engagement, Young V&A
  • Cllr Claire Holland, Acting Chair, London Councils
  • Prof. Wendy Thomson CBE, Vice – Chancellor, University of London
  • Jon Tabbush, Senior Researcher, Centre for London

12:25 – 12:40 In-conversation with the Conservative Party Mayoral candidate 

  • Susan Hall, Mayoral candidate 
  • Antonia Jennings, Chief Executive, Centre for London 

12:40 – 13:35 Lunch 

13:35 – 13:40 Community insight session 

  • Megan Hale, Co-Founder and CEO, Team Repair 
  • Anais Engelman, Co-Founder and CPO, Team Repair 

13:40 – 13:45 What the data tells us – Businesses

  • Millie Mitchell, Senior Researcher, Centre for London 

13:45 – 13:50 Keynote from the City of London Corporation Policy Chairman

  • Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman, City of London Corporation 

13:50 – 14:30 Panel discussion: What Businesses Need 

Even with London’s recent problems, our businesses drive national productivity and raise money for public services across the UK. What should we do to keep them developing and innovating? And what will happen if we don’t?

  • Chair: Majeed Neky, Assistant Director (Economy), West London Alliance 
  • Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman, City of London Corporation 
  • Siân Foster, Corporate Affairs Director, Port of London Authority
  • Dama Sathianathan, Partner, Bethnal Green Ventures
  • Millie Mitchell, Senior Researcher, Centre for London 

14:30 – 14:45 In-conversation with a guest speaker

14:45 – 15:00 Keynote from Centre for London’s Chief Executive 

  • Antonia Jennings, Chief Executive, Centre for London 

15:00 – 15:05 Closing Remarks 

  • Fiona Fletcher-Smith, Chair of Trustees, Centre for London 

15:05 – 16:30 Post Event Networking