The General Purposes Committee of Aldermen was scheduled to discuss the support for the UK's financial and professional services sector, alongside a refresh of the City of London Corporation's Competitiveness Strategy. The meeting also included a review of the previous meeting's minutes and a discussion on the relationship between the City of London Corporation and the Guild of Young Freemen.

Support for UK-based Financial and Professional Services - Innovation and Growth Quarterly Report

The committee was scheduled to receive a quarterly report on the City of London Corporation's work to support UK-based Financial and Professional Services (FPS) between January and March 2026. This report, compiled by the Executive Director for Innovation and Growth, was intended to provide an overview of the outcomes of various workstreams aimed at driving growth within the sector. The report highlighted the Corporation's contributions through programmes such as the Office for Investment: Financial Services, the Transition Finance Council, and the Mansion House Accord, all designed to maintain the City's role as an engine for the national economy. It also included a high-level review of the 2025/2026 financial year.

The report detailed activities under three key objectives: Open & Global, focusing on the UK as a global gateway for FPS business; Sustainable Finance, positioning the UK as a partner for sustainability goals; and Innovation in technology, ensuring the UK's financial system is globally leading in technology. Specific initiatives mentioned included the Lady Mayor's attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, visits to China and Japan, and engagement in the US. The report also covered the progress of the Transition Finance Council, its publications, and the Mansion House Accord's aim to accelerate investment into high-growth sectors.

Competitiveness Strategy Refresh

The committee was scheduled to consider a report outlining the proposed refreshed Competitiveness Strategy for 2026-2030. This strategy builds upon the previous 2021-2025 strategy and was developed in consultation with the Competitiveness Advisory Board. The refreshed strategy was planned to be structured around three pillars: promoting the UK's FPS offer, capitalising on investment into and across the UK, and strengthening the UK's ecosystem to drive investment and global positioning. The implementation of this strategy was intended to align with the five pillars discussed in the Innovation and Growth report.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to approve the minutes of the previous meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 17 March 2026.

Other Scheduled Discussions

The agenda also indicated that the committee would discuss the relationship between the City of London Corporation and the Guild of Young Freemen. Additionally, there were plans for presentations on The Order of St John Jerusalem, the Samuel Wilson Loan Charity, and supplemental charters for the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. The committee was also set to discuss the Livery Liaison Scheme and Key Committee Issues. The agenda included provisions for questions on matters relating to the committee's work, both in public and non-public sessions, and for any other urgent business. A motion was scheduled to be considered for the exclusion of the public from certain agenda items.