What Next For London?

With the shape of the economic recovery still subject to debate, Mark Hilton (London First ED for People) spoke to Ant Mazen (Head of Skills and Capabilities at Lloyds Bank) about the pragmatic changes needed to support the capital's workforce now and into the future. Following the release of the Skilling London report, they talked about the need for reskilling to be made easier, for deepening expertise to be accompanied by a focus on "soft skills" and for this to be embedded into the education system, supported by business.

Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners (L&P), and Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, join London First CEO Jasmine Whitbread to discuss rebuilding confidence and returning to growth. From making space for cyclists, to a shift to risk-based international travel, via the return to the office, they discussed the decisions that must be made urgently for the capital to unlock, recover and grow again.

Kate Kenny, Jacobs' VP and Head of Sector for Cities and Places (Europe) talked to Laura Osborne and David Lutton about the choices that need to be made as we seek to build back better and why inclusive growth should be at the heart of those plans. They discussed levelling up in the UK and across London, addressing inequality in all its forms and the many benefits of more inclusive design.

Laura Osborne and David Lutton talk to London Night Czar, BBC Radio 6 broadcaster and author Amy Lamé about the recovery of the night-time economy in the capital. From planning and licensing reform, through the night tube and the future of cultural venues across the city, Amy makes the case for why we need to think about all 24 hours in the day when we plan for recovery.

Apprenticeship starts have been hard hit over the last few months: Sandy Lindsay MBE, North West Business Leadership Team, and London First's Mark Hilton discuss what's needed to get the system back on its feet and ensure that the apprenticeship "brand" bounces back. From innovative ways of using the apprenticeship levy to making the system easier for SMEs to use, now is the time for Government to make a real difference

Dr Mike Lynch, founder of Invoke Capital and artificial intelligence pioneer, joined John Dickie and Laura Osborne to explore the role of AI in London's recovery. From remote working technology, through to the jobs of the future, this episode digs into what new normal could look like and why there could be less to fear than we might think.

Caroline Artis, Senior Partner for the London Markets at EY and Neil Aitken, London and Southeast Lead at BT Group join Laura Osborne and David Lutton to talk about the future of doing business in London and what this means for digital connectivity and skills, as well as the traditional office. While things will no doubt be different in the future, there remains a core component of staff desperate to get back to their desks.

Mark Essex, Public Policy Director at KPMG, spoke to David Lutton and Laura Osborne about the trends shaping the capital's recovery – which ones are likely to be accelerated and which are too early to call. From how you harness the benefits of in person collaboration in a more online world, through to what next on Brexit, Mark gives us a tour of his current thinking on the city's big issues.

Mark Reynolds is the Group CEO of Mace and a London First Board member. In conversation with Jasmine Whitbread, London First's CEO, he shared his thoughts on the role of the construction industry in the COVID-19 recovery, what the crisis has meant for his business and the cross-sectoral lessons that we can all learn, as we chart the path back to growth.

The events industry was hit hard and fast by the COVID-19 crisis and has had to rapidly transform how it operates. Our guest, Elizabeth Forrester, has led events teams for many years and is currently the Head of Events at London First. She shares her take on how events will evolve, the lessons from virtual engagement and why the future of the events industry is so closely connected with the future of work.