BusinessLDN

BusinessLDN (spoken as Business London^[1]) is a not for profit^[2] advocacy group with a membership composed of leaders of businesses in London, United Kingdom.^[3][4][5]

BusinessLDN

Formation	1992
Headquarters	London
Chief Executive	John Dickie
Website	https://www.businessldn.co.uk/

As of 2022^[update], it represented around 175 London based businesses.^{[6] [7]}

Its stated aim is "to make London the best city in the world in which to do business".^[8]

History

London First was established in 1992 to meet a perceived lack of a unitary body to promote London after the dissolution of the Greater London Council. Its first chair was Allen Sheppard, Baron Sheppard of Didgemere.^[9]

London First has supported plans to provide roofing over major roads in London amongst other transport infrastructure developments, a proposal that was under consideration by then London mayor Boris Johnson.^[4] It has criticised the Cameron ministry's proposal to require a bond of £ 3 000 for some visitors to the UK.^[5]

London First was a partner in the 2014 "Wikimania".^[10]

London First was given its present name in July 2022 ^[11]

Leadership

John Dickie was appointed chief executive in May 2021.^[12]

Its former chief executives were Jasmine Whitbread^[13][14] and Baroness Jo Valentine.^[4][5]

Leadership Team

Sources:^{[15] [16]}

• John Dickie - Chief Executive
• Muniya Barua - Deputy Chief Executive
• Dimitra Christakou - Chief Operating Officer

Board

Sir Kenneth Olisa succeeded Paul Drechsler CBE as Chair in 2023.^[17][18]

Policy Response

In July 2021, London First urged firms to return to the office, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced an increase in remote work.^[19]

Rebranding

On 12 July 2022, London First renamed as BusinessLDN (spoken as Business London).^[20]