Sadiq Khan Announces New Business Advisory Board For London

Leading entrepreneurs and top business figures in London – the majority of whom are women – will form Mayor Sadiq Khan’s new Business Advisory Board.

Sadiq Khan vowed to be London’s most pro-business Mayor ever and has fulfilled a manifesto pledge to set up the board, which will tap into the capital’s leading business expertise as he works to find the solutions to London’s growth challenges, particularly following the recent vote to leave the European Union.

Membership comprises business leaders and entrepreneurs who want to contribute their ideas and experience to helping to improve London. It includes Nicola Mendelsohn, Vice President of Facebook, Inga Beale, Chief Executive of Lloyds of London, Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive Officer of the London Stock Exchange, Debbie Wosskow, founder and CEO of Love Home Swap, and Sarah Wood – CEO and co-founder of Unruly.

The Mayor is determined to challenge the underrepresentation of women in senior roles and in line with his commitment to gender equality, nine of the 15 Board members are female. In addition, four members are from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background.

Announcing the Business Advisory Board at the Bloomberg Markets Most Influential Summit today, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Having helped to run and grow a business, I know at first hand the challenges that our business community faces. However, our city has an unrivalled array of business acumen and I want to use their insight and knowledge to create policy that strengthens business and spread the opportunity that brings to all Londoners.

“London business is still coming to terms with the recent vote to leave the European Union and I am looking forward to working with the Business Advisory Board to strengthen London’s shield against the expected blows from Brexit and to seize our opportunities to show how London is open to jobs, growth and investment.

Nikhil Rathi, CEO, London Stock Exchange plc, said: “Being at the heart of London’s financial community, London Stock Exchange Group is committed to supporting access to funding for British and international entrepreneurs and businesses. I look forward to being part of the Mayor’s Business Advisory Board, as it champions London’s vibrant business and entrepreneurial community, supporting London’s status as a world leading global financial centre and a dynamic place to do business.

Debbie Wosskow – founder and CEO of Love Home Swap, said: “London is one of the most forward thinking capitals in the world. It is the home of the sharing economy, has fostered an environment for many entrepreneurs to set up and grow businesses, and with the help of the Mayor, it is now on a mission to be a fairer capital by supporting initiatives that make the UK the best place in the world to be a female entrepreneur.

“In this period of change, it is important to have initiatives and boards like this to advise and guide businesses as well as shape policy to ensure London retains this positive position and continues to be a progressive capital that is fair and full of opportunity for all.”

The board will advise the Mayor on the how his policy can deliver positive outcomes for London’s businesses, growth and job creation, and on how policy proposals from the Mayor’s office or elsewhere might affect these.

It will meet four times a year and will also provide insight on the impact of economic conditions, and policy decisions taken elsewhere, on business in London. The Mayor will chair meetings of the Board and the Deputy Mayor for Business, Rajesh Agrawal will also attend. In addition, the Mayor or Deputy Mayor for Business may call upon members of the Board, individually or in small groups, to provide advice on specific matters.