Square Mile to strengthen Leeds links

THE CITY of London Corporation, a body representing the UK’s financial and professional services sector, has backed plans to double its regional expansion in the north of England.

In a senior meeting held by the organisation’s policy committee, chaired by Catherine McGuinness, members overwhelmingly backed the motion to build on its links with Leeds. This is in addition to the organisation’s existing partnership with Manchester, which was piloted last year.

The move will make the North of England the only area in the UK to have two of its major cities running separate partnerships with the Square Mile, one of the world’s leading global financial centres.

Policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, Catherine McGuinness, said: “Brexit made clear that there is still a high degree of disparity between London and other major cities in the UK.

“We will help to close this gap by creating deeper relationships and ultimately more tangible results between London and the country’s major financial and related professional hubs.

“Leeds and Manchester are recognised as international hubs for financial and professional services in their own right.

“It’s now time to link the great strengths each of our cities share to boost the sector across the country. We want collaboration – not competition – to cement the UK’s position as the world’s leading global financial and professional services hub.”