Richard Burge LCCI
London is the jewel in Europe’s crown and its importance cannot be overstated. It’s a hub for global trade and is central to the performance of the UK economy.
O
ne of the key benefits of London’s economy is its diversity. There are around 800,000 businesses here, of which about 470,000 are VAT-registered. People who work here come from all over the world, not just the UK, and each of the 32 boroughs in the capital have their own strengths and challenges.
Better together Richard Burge, CEO of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), explains why it’s so vital that the Capital’s Chambers work together for the good of the economy… 18
This diversity means that it would be impossible for one chamber of commerce to oversee all of the business activity in London. One part of my role is to assist local Chambers in working together to support businesses and promote London as an international destination for trade. This is beginning to happen, although there are still challenges to navigate. Some of London’s boroughs don’t have any chamber coverage so that’s something which needs to be addressed. Parts of London are hampered by high unemployment and there are skills gaps in certain areas.
