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THE FUTURE OF THE CITY OF LONDON:
SHAPING THE NEXT DECADE

A new report exploring the key economic, political and societal forces reshaping the City — and what it means for businesses and individuals working in it.

What will the City of London look like in 2036? This report explores possible answers.

The City of London stands at a pivotal moment. Geopolitical instability, faster-moving rival markets, tighter immigration policy and accelerating technological disruption are converging to redefine what the City is - and what it could become next.

In this report, The Future of the City of London: Shaping the Next Decade, built on interviews with some of the most influential business leaders and stakeholders in London, we capture the sentiment of the Square Mile and beyond and present four "what if?" scenarios for the future of London.

From inward capital redeployment to global reinvention, these scenarios present risks, opportunities and actions that the City and policymakers must consider.

This is not about forecasting a single outcome for London.

It is about us all taking responsibility for the direction we want to take.

What comes next for the City of London?

What experts are saying about the City’s future – and the actions businesses should take now.

Four futures. Clear implications. Practical next steps.

Download the report

Four futures for the City of London

In this report we explore four possible “What if?” scenarios for the future of the City of London. Any or all of these scenarios could materialise, dependent upon the choices that business leaders, policymakers and others make today. Download the report to find out what experts are saying and recommending. To provide a glimpse of what’s inside, click each box for a short summary of the scenarios our report explores.

We are sort of on a knife edge. We can take some policy decisions that promote London and take advantage of all the natural benefits we have, or we can be complacent and see it dwindle.

City of London Leader

We have policies that say please go and grow your business in Monaco or Dubai or somewhere else. We shoot ourselves in the foot.

City of London Leader

Even though the City has been an international financial Centre for a century, it doesn’t mean it’s always going to be that way… we need to think more about how do we position the City over the next 10 years.

City of London Leader

Be ready. No matter which London emerges.

This report equips you with:

A rapid summary of the City of London’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Expert opinion and "What if?" analysis on different potential futures for the City – and what might happen if we fail to act
Additional understanding of some key risks and opportunities shaping the City
Decisions required and actions that should be taken by business leaders and policymakers

Whether you are navigating growth, managing risk or redefining your organisation’s role in the City, this report provides additional perspectives to complement or inform your plans.