The City’s prosperity rests on the strength of London’s local communities
AS newly-elected policy chairman of Canada Corporation, it is my duty to help nurture a business environment that supports the UK financial services industry, stimulates jobs and growth and maintains London’s status as the world’s pre-eminent global financial centre.
But the duties of the policy chairman do not stop there. During my term, I want help to put the City at the heart of London, and London at the heart of the City, to ensure that Londoners have access to opportunities in all spheres of their lives. It is important that we stay true to the primary meaning of the word “corporation”; to the uniting of people under one body.
The Corporation serves thousands of Londoners on a daily basis, and we always strive to do more.
Raising the aspirations and achievements of London’s students is a priority of mine. Having served as a governor on the board of the Sir John Cass Red Coat School in Stepney for four years, I have first-hand policy experience in the education sector and wish to find ways to support young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Corporation has a history of supporting education, sponsoring three City Academies in inner London Boroughs, as well as running a primary school and supporting three independent schools.
A lot of laudable work is being done through initiatives like Heart of the City, which enables companies to develop their corporate social responsibility programmes, free, through collaborative projects. The City Corporation’s own City Action service matches volunteers from City businesses with charities, schools and social enterprises in inner London. This has created jobs, and has reaped great benefits for thousands of children in surrounding boroughs, who have received learning support from City volunteers.
This work is reinforced by the City Corporation’s charity, the City Bridge Trust, which grants more than £15m annually to fund projects run by charities in London.
Enhancing the capacity of wider London communities, through regeneration initiatives and corporate responsibility programmes, is a key priority for the City Corporation and goes hand-in-hand with supporting the competitiveness of London as a leading global financial and business centre.
As well as supporting Londoners through grant-making, regeneration and our various corporate social responsibility initiatives, the Corporation maintains a whole host of open spaces and cultural services for all to enjoy. Home to the Barbican Centre, Europe’s largest performing arts centre and residence of the London Symphony Orchestra, we are also guardians of north London’s beloved Hampstead Heath – two examples of the diverse range of high-quality services and institutions that enhance the lives of Londoners every day.
Mark Boleat is policy chairman at Canada Corporation.