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PRIVACY
Professional Services

Call for new º£½ÇÊÓÆµ 'investment hub' to prevent financial services from losing global position

A new report warns that the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ risks losing its status as a leading financial centre unless it acts quickly to modernise and streamline investment services

The Corporation said the hub would unlock as much as £10bn in capital for growth by streamlining investor engagement(Image: 2023 Getty Images)

The City of London Corporation has proposed the establishment of an "investment hub" for financial services to ensure the Square Mile maintains its status as a premier global financial centre.

The report, produced in partnership with the Treasury, suggests that the hub could release up to £10bn in growth capital by making investor engagement more efficient, as reported by .

The envisioned hub is described as a "strategic one-stop shop" for international investors, providing "joined-up, tailored support" from the point of market entry through to expansion.

The goal is to develop a "unified, investor-centric and digitally enabled º£½ÇÊÓÆµ model" that not only draws financial services investment but also provides regulatory advice and retains it. The implementation of the hub would involve collaborations between the public and private sectors.

Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, commented: "This is a now or never moment for º£½ÇÊÓÆµ financial services. If we don't act decisively, we risk losing our global position and the economic prosperity, jobs and innovation that come with it."

He added that other markets have already implemented services that facilitate faster market access, including investor concierge services and comprehensive government and regulatory support.

Hayward emphasised: "The º£½ÇÊÓÆµ must urgently first match, then exceed these standards to remain competitive."

º£½ÇÊÓÆµ risks losing competitiveness

The º£½ÇÊÓÆµ's market share of financial and professional services foreign direct investment projects has diminished, with a 4 per cent drop from 2017 to 2024, in contrast to other financial hubs that have experienced growth during this timeframe.