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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTom Sleigh\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChair of the Planning and Transportation Committee – City of London Corporation\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t<\/p>\nTom Sleigh on the Future of London\u2019s Financial Hub.<\/p>\n
1. Tom, it\u2019s been a few months since you\u2019ve taken on your role as Chairman of Planning and Transportation for the City of London Corporation, what has surprised you most about the position?<\/strong><\/p>\n
The scale of activity and its positive impact on developer and investor sentiment.<\/p>\n
A year-on-year increase in planning applications and decisions since pandemic lows \u2013 this shows insatiable demand.<\/p>\n
Read more: The City welcomes reforms to make London more competitive<\/a><\/p>\n
2. What does the City Plan 2040 mean for the future of the Square Mile?<\/strong><\/p>\n
City Plan 2040 is a framework for the City\u2019s future. We\u2019ve just completed the Examination in Public, which is a major milestone. The plan sets out a clear and ambitious vision:<\/p>\n
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- It will deliver 1.2m square metres of new office floorspace.<\/li>\n
- It will prioritise retrofit-first solutions.<\/li>\n
- It will ensure the City remains the most connected, competitive, and sustainable business district in the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The City isn\u2019t just reacting to change\u2014we\u2019re shaping it, with a solutions-focused planning department producing some of the most clear, progressive and data-driven policies in the world. We\u2019re experiencing demand surge for high-quality space. Grade A office vacancy is at just 1.5 per cent, and the Elizabeth Line is increasing footfall across the Square Mile. Our policies are turning aspiration into action.<\/p>\n
3. How do you balance growth with heritage in such a historic area?<\/strong><\/p>\n
With more than 600 listed buildings, 27 conservation areas, 48 ancient monuments and four historic parks and gardens, nobody cares more about heritage than the City Corporation. The City\u2019s heritage is one of its greatest strengths, and we work hard to ensure that modern development respects and enhances it. We listen to our consultees, even when we don\u2019t always agree, and we make the case that heritage and modernity can\u2014and must\u2014go hand in hand.<\/p>\n
Future buildings like 85 Gracechurch Street demonstrate how it\u2019s done. Upon discovery of London\u2019s ancient Roman basilica under the site, plans were revised to enable the public to access this unique piece of history. It\u2019s typical of our relationship with heritage groups and developers, as we work together to blend commercial vitality with leisure, culture, and public access. That\u2019s the kind of thoughtful planning we\u2019re championing.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n
\t\t\tCity of London unveils \u00a3600m Justice Hub at Salisbury Square<\/a><\/p>\n
4. What\u2019s next for the City\u2014and what role do partnerships play?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Partnerships are absolutely central, whether it\u2019s our Business Improvement Districts, City Property Association, local heritage groups, or community organisations. Beyond the buildings, we\u2019re building community\u2014supporting what businesses can\u2019t do alone, and bringing people together to make the Square Mile a place where people belong. From St Paul\u2019s Cathedral to 22 Bishopsgate\u2019s Horizon 22, Europe\u2019s highest, free to access public space, our skyline tells a story of tradition and transformation.<\/p>\n
The new City Business and Investment Unit (CBIU) plays a key role in this transformation, recently launched as part of our Destination City programme.<\/p>\n
As my colleague Policy Chairman Chris Hayward has said, we\u2019re in the midst of a renaissance. The Square Mile is not just recovering\u2014it\u2019s reimagining itself.<\/p>\n
5. How does the CBIU fit into the broader Destination City programme?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Destination City is our growth strategy\u2014a bold vision to make the Square Mile not just a financial powerhouse, but a vibrant place to live, work, learn and explore. The CBIU is a key part of that. It complements our work in planning, public realm, activation, heritage, and culture. These aren\u2019t add-ons\u2014they\u2019re how we drive investment and bring people back into the heart of London.<\/p>\n
The new City Business and Investment Unit (CBIU) plays a key role in this transformation, recently launched as part of our Destination City programme. The new Unit is about making sure businesses\u2014whether global firms or local entrepreneurs\u2014have the tailored support they need to thrive here. The Unit offers everything from market intelligence and relationship management to lead generation and talent partnerships. It\u2019s a proactive move to ensure the City remains competitive, connected, and future-ready.<\/p>\n
Our work through the CBIU, through Destination City, through the City Plan 2040, is all about building vibrancy by design, and doing so in a way that\u2019s inclusive, sustainable, and community-led.<\/p>\n
Destination City is the City of London Corporation\u2019s growth strategy for the Square Mile. We want to make the City even more attractive \u2013 to investors, students, workers and visitors alike \u2013 by showcasing all that it has to offer.<\/p>\n
Click <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a> to explore more.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n