London First

London First
Name	London First
Type	Private sector membership organisation
Founded	1997
Headquarters	London
Location country	United Kingdom
Region served	Greater London
Leader title	Chief Executive
Leader name	David Bellamy

London First London First is a business advocacy and policy organisation representing major employers and investors in London. It brings together corporations, property developers, transport operators, cultural institutions and professional services firms to influence urban policy, infrastructure and investment across the Greater London Authority area. Working with political bodies, public agencies and civic groups, it campaigns on transport, planning, housing, skills and international competitiveness.

History

Founded in 1997, the organisation emerged amid debates over the creation of the Greater London Authority and the return of a directly elected Mayor of London. Early activities intersected with debates around the Docklands regeneration and the development of Canary Wharf. In the 2000s it engaged with administrations of Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson over projects such as the Crossrail scheme and the expansion of Heathrow Airport. During the 2010s the organisation addressed the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis and responses to the Brexit referendum result, coordinating with stakeholders affected by shifts in London Stock Exchange listings and international investment flows. More recently it has interacted with administrations at City Hall and national departments such as the Department for Transport on pandemic recovery and long-term strategic planning for London's built environment.

Mission and Objectives

The organisation's stated mission is to promote a competitive, inclusive and sustainably growing London that attracts global capital, talent and tourists. It aims to shape policy on major infrastructure projects related to Crossrail 2 proposals, airport capacity including Heathrow Airport and surface transport improvements involving Transport for London. Objectives include unlocking large-scale housing delivery in locations like Nine Elms and Elephant and Castle, improving skills pipelines with institutions such as University College London and King's College London, and enhancing London's financial services cluster centered on the City of London and Canary Wharf.

Campaigns and Policy Work

Campaigns have spanned transport, planning, housing, skills and international trade. The organisation advocated for delivery of Crossrail and supported business cases for Old Oak Common regeneration and new interchanges at Tottenham Hale. It produced policy proposals tied to housing delivery near London Bridge and along the Thames Gateway, often aligning with developers active in Canary Wharf Group projects. On skills, it worked with entities such as the Institute of Directors and the CBI to promote apprenticeships linked to Goldman Sachs and other employers. During the COVID-19 pandemic it advanced recovery plans coordinating with cultural anchors like the British Museum and Royal Opera House to revive the visitor economy. It has submitted evidence to inquiries led by the Commons Transport Committee and engaged with the Greater London Authority on London Plan revisions.

Members and Governance

Membership comprises senior executives from multinational corporations, property firms, financial institutions, retailers and cultural organisations. Typical members have included companies from the FTSE 100 such as banks, law firms based in Holborn, real estate developers active in Docklands and global consultancies with offices near St Paul's Cathedral. Governance is overseen by a board of directors drawn from member organisations and chaired by prominent business figures, with operational leadership from a chief executive who liaises with mayors, London boroughs like Wandsworth and national ministers. It convenes working groups bringing together representatives from institutions such as the British Museum, National Theatre, and major transport operators including Network Rail.

Funding and Financials

Funding comes primarily from membership subscriptions paid by corporations and from event sponsorships involving banks, developers and professional services firms. Additional revenue is generated through research partnerships with academic institutions such as LSE and think tanks like the Institute for Public Policy Research. Financial reports—circulated to members and regulatory bodies—detail staffing, campaign expenditures and contracted consultancy work with firms based in Canary Wharf and The City. The organisation's model mirrors other membership bodies that combine advocacy with paid services to members and stakeholders.

Impact and Criticism

Supporters credit the organisation with accelerating major infrastructure projects, influencing planning frameworks such as the London Plan, and mobilising private capital for housing near hubs like Old Oak Common. Critics argue it prioritises large corporate interests over smaller businesses and community groups in boroughs including Hackney and Southwark, and that its close ties to developers can skew planning outcomes in favor of high-end residential and commercial schemes. Academic commentators from institutions such as University College London have scrutinised its role in shaping public-private partnerships, while some councillors have raised concerns about transparency in policy influence during negotiations over projects like Heathrow expansion and Crossrail 2.

Category:Political advocacy groups in the United Kingdom Category:Business organisations based in London