What does London need to do to remain one of the world’s leading cities?
That was the question at the heart of The Times Future of London Summit, where members of the PBC fundraising team, Jen Katan and Joseph Galliano-Doig MBE, joined senior leaders from across business, politics, culture, property and infrastructure to discuss the capital’s next chapter.
The conversation moved well beyond one sector or one challenge. How does London continue to attract talent, investment and innovation? How do businesses respond to changing economic and consumer behaviour? What role do transport, regeneration and development play in creating opportunity? And how does the capital protect its position as a global centre for business, culture and entrepreneurship?
For PBC, these are not distant policy questions.
They show up in the everyday reality of the entrepreneurs and small businesses we support.
A founder trying to reach more customers.
A growing business looking for affordable space.
An entrepreneur adapting to new technology.
A local business navigating rising costs, changing demand or access to finance.
Their ability to start, sustain and grow is shaped by the wider environment around them - from skills, transport and investment to digital capability, strong local economies and the confidence to respond to change. As a social enterprise working directly with entrepreneurs and SMEs, we see first-hand how decisions made at a city level can eventually become very practical opportunities - or very real barriers - for individual businesses. That is why being in rooms like this matters. It gives our team the opportunity to hear directly from decision-makers and industry leaders, understand the wider direction of travel for London, build new relationships and bring those perspectives back into the work we do with businesses and communities. Because supporting small businesses is not just about solving the challenge in front of them today. It is also about understanding the environment they will need to succeed in tomorrow. A great day of discussion, new connections and fresh perspectives - with the added bonus of getting up close to the Premier League trophy ⚽
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