Industry leaders consider future of business at London seminar

A local delegation including leading figures in business, education and local government has been in London this week attending an exclusive business seminar focusing on factors shaping business growth as we enter 2020.

 The event was hosted by London and Partners, the official promotional agency of the Mayor of London, and brought together leaders in Financial and Professional Services and Technology to have a wide ranging debate on how innovation is reshaping the business environment.

Titled ‘Beyond Innovation, Business Growth in the 2020s’ attendees heard from a panel of specialist industry speakers including Danny Corrigan, CEO, ED&F Man Capital Markets CEEMA Ltd Cyprus, John Healy, MD, Allstate NI, and Brendan Bradley, Co-founder Seismic Foundry.

They addressed a range of business challenges including Future Technologies and Skills, and the Global View, considering the impact of new megatrends in technology and data.

The event is the latest in a series of networking opportunities stemming from the close links that have already been established with the City of London. Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, headed up the delegation and said the seminar presented a fantastic opportunity for Council to promote the North West and its unique business proposition.

“We want to get across the message that the NW City Region is open for business with an exceptional offering of skills and talent that is second to none,” he stressed. “Northern Ireland is one of the world’s leading financial services centres for attracting FinTech investments. “We have established firm ties with the City of London and we recognise the importance of maintaining a strong bond with the financial sector, which is an area where we have strong representation and have much to offer in terms of both experience and expertise.

“I am delighted that our corporate hosts London and Partners have acknowledged the value of this relationship. Today’s seminar offered another opportunity to explore that partnership role further and to look to the future and how innovation will impact on business growth to the mutual benefit of the North West and the City of London. I am confident that our close collaboration will continue for years to come.”

Speaking after the seminar, a spokesperson for London and Partners said: “It was our pleasure to host the delegation from Derry City and Strabane District Council, as well as business and academic leaders from the North West City Region, and welcome future opportunities to build mutually profitable relationships.”

The event pre-empts a special visit by a delegation from the City of London, led by the newly vested Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell. He will arrive in Derry on November 29 and will accompanied by Alderman Vincent Kearney, former Sheriff of the City of London. The Lord Mayor will also be joined by the Governor of the Honourable Irish Society, Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley and Deputy Governor Peter Dunphy.

The Lord Mayor is the most senior representative of the UK’s financial and related professional services sector, and his year will focus on three key priority areas, namely Trade, Innovation and Culture and the opportunities presented in each sector. On his visit, which will be hosted by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Michaela Boyle, he will have the opportunity to meet with local leaders in business and education to discuss shared interests in the development of financial technology, cultural connections between the two cities and the strengthening of trade relations.