BusinessLDN explained

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

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]}

, 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. It has criticised the Cameron ministry's proposal to require a bond of £ 3 000 for some visitors to the UK.

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.

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]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2022-07-12 . London First looks to the future as BusinessLDN . 2022-08-12 . BusinessLDN (previously London First) . en.
2. Web site: About London First. 2013. London First. 3 August 2013.
3. News: London mayoral debate - Wednesday 26 March 2008. Hill. Dave. 27 March 2008 . The Guardian. 3 August 2013.
4. News: Capital's major roads could be covered. Millward. David. 10 July 2013. The Daily Telegraph. 3 August 2013.
5. News: Poorly-designed immigration policies are damaging the London economy. Jo Valentine. 1 August 2013. City A.M.. 3 August 2013.
6. Web site: Business chiefs: Help London get back to work, Boris Johnson, as work-from-home guidance set to be scrapped . Evening Standard . 13 May 2021 . 3 June 2021.
7. Web site: 2018-03-15 . Member List . 2022-10-25 . BusinessLDN (previously London First) . en.
8. Web site: Our Mission. 2013. London First. 3 August 2013.
9. Book: [[Ben Pimlott]] and [[Nirmala Rao]]. Governing London. Oxford University Press. 2 May 2002. 52. 9780191583650. 22 May 2014.
10. Web site: Wikimania 2014 in London . Wikimedia Foundation.
11. Web site: Lobby group London First renames itself BusinessLDN after 30 years . 12 July 2022 .
12. Web site: London First appoints John Dickie as its new Chief Executive . 3 June 2021 . London First. 4 May 2021 .
13. News: 7 January 2021 . London First chief Jasmine Whitbread goes to Travis Perkins . The Times . 3 June 2021.
14. Web site: Search is on for new CEO of London First . 3 June 2021 . London First. 6 January 2021 .
15. Web site: 2022-10-20 . London Influence: Filling the ideas vacuum — Fullbrook flood — Case for campaigners . 2022-10-25 . POLITICO . en-US.
16. Web site: 2018-03-15 . Our Team . 2022-10-25 . BusinessLDN (previously London First) . en.
17. Web site: 2022-10-06 . Sir Kenneth Olisa announced as new Chair of BusinessLDN . 2022-10-25 . BusinessLDN (previously London First) . en.
18. Web site: 2018-03-15 . Our Board . 2023-03-06 . BusinessLDN (previously London First) . en.
19. News: Firms urge PM to back returning to the office . . 4 July 2021.
20. Web site: 2022-07-12 . London First looks to the future as BusinessLDN . 2022-07-12 . BusinessLDN (previously London First) . en.