25 July 2007
Leeds key to the UK’s lead in financial services, says City of
London Lord Mayor on visit
The Lord Mayor of the City of London this week highlighted the
role of Leeds in the UK’s world-beating financial services industry
- but he warned that more than 100,000 jobs in the region depended
on staying competitive and committing to new skills.
John Stuttard is Lord Mayor of the City of London which has
recently pulled ahead of New York as the world’s No 1 financial
centre. He said before arriving in Leeds on Thursday (26 July) for
a two-day fact-finding and business visit:
“Leeds’s 60% growth in this sector over the last decade shows
why it is the most successful local economy in England and has the
fastest growth of any city in the UK.
“But now that 100,000-plus jobs here are at stake it is even
more important we commit to higher skills and smarter practices to
stay ahead – the rest of the world is hoping we stumble.
“Financial services are fickle – and can go anywhere – so Leeds,
like the City of London needs to keep working at staying
competitive.”
The Lord Mayor, who spends more than three months a year abroad
as the UK’s global ambassador for financial services, said
Leeds-based firms also had a role on delegations he leads to
fast-growing global markets – and Leeds had an important part to
play in developing high-level financial and business skills.
“I also want to find out in detail about the latest work by the
Leeds Financial Services Initiative and others – as a well as visit
the Leeds University Business School (LUBS) and Leeds
Metropolitan University. A City Lord Mayor’s job is to
represent all of the UK-based financial services industry so
getting a regular and full briefing about the Leeds region in this
sector is vital,” the Lord Mayor said.
The Square Mile Lord Mayor has this year launched a
Government-backed initiative to develop post-tertiary skills and
training in the financial sector – a campaign that has been well
received around the world where many fast-growing nations wish to
strengthen their financial and business sectors.
Lord Mayor Stuttard, who sits on the high level financial
services group established by Prime Minister Gordon Brown while
Chancellor, works closely with UKTI, the Foreign Office and others
– both on global visits and in receiving delegations from
overseas.
As well as making a keynote address at the LUBS on Thursday
night, the Lord Mayor will meet key figures from Leeds Financial
Services Initiative, the universities, Pro South Yorkshire, the
Bank of England’s regional agency, Project Space Leeds,
Marketing Leeds and the wider business community including
accountancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Ends
Notes to editors
City of London: Lord Mayor John Stuttard promotes all UK-based
financial services, visiting some 25 countries with business
delegations. He travels with the rank of Cabinet Minister while
overseas and therefore wins access for himself and his team to
leading ministers, officials and business circles. He is the
elected head of the City of London Corporation which provides local
government services for the Square Mile, the financial and
commercial heart of Britain and is committed to maintaining and
enhancing the status of the business City as the world's leading
international financial and business centre through its policies
and services. Its responsibilities also extend far beyond the City
boundaries and include management of the Barbican Centre, Central
Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath,
three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port
Health Authority. Press contact: Greg Williams 020 7332 1455 or
07889 167 205
The Leeds Financial Services Initiative (LFSI) is a partnership
organisation and was founded by Leeds City Council and the Leeds
Chamber of Commerce together with a number of leading financial and
legal firms. Its primary aims are to promote the city as a
financial centre and to improve the cohesion of the financial
services sector in the region. Over 120 firms and organisations are
now subscription members, including the major financial and
professional services organisations in Leeds.
Press enquiries and requests for interviews to:
Andrew McKeon, Leeds Financial Services Initiative on 0113
293 9950 and 07802 484 155
or email.