Ruth Sunderland’s warning on the dangers of continually talking down London could not be more timely.
This is not simply a question of reputation. Confidence matters. When it ebbs, investment decisions are delayed, risk rises and growth slows, with real consequences for people’s livelihoods.
In house building – with major projects taking decades to come through and investors often committing hundreds of millions in capital on schemes that aid the city’s standing and people equally.
We know that confidence is key. In the last two years we’ve helped £2billion of capital to be invested in London – and we hope to bring £1billion-plus in 2026 to build the new homes and new places that the capital needs. And we could do with confidence on our side.
For much of the past decade, this pessimism about London has become so commonplace that it is rarely challenged.
This is a bizarre position for a city that continues to rank at or near the top of global league tables for places to visit, live, study and invest in. So let’s check those facts.
Appealing: London’s appeal rests on deep foundations: relative stability, legal certainty and financial infrastructure
What the data consistently shows is that London remains a magnet for talent, employment and opportunity.
As we approach the tenth anniversary of the Brexit vote, many of the dire predictions of 2016 have not materialised. Global firms continue to invest.
Skilled workers compete to come here. Graduates choose to stay. Far from hollowing out, the city has adapted and grown.
Nor is London’s appeal confined to its traditional strengths. It remains the world’s leading financial centre, but it is also now one of the foremost global hubs for AI.
That position is built on the depth of innovation in our universities, the concentration of venture capital and the fact that London hosts the largest ecosystem of AI companies outside San Francisco.
This is not just about prestige; it is about knowing the next generation of global companies, and opportunity, will be built here.
Beyond this, London’s universities continue to act as engines of social mobility and global influence.
The city’s music, fashion, art and sporting scenes also set trends that resonate far beyond the UK, reinforcing London’s status as a cultural as well as an economic capital.
Then there is safety. No global city is risk-free but, by international standards, London remains a safe place to live, work and raise a family and importantly, one where the picture is improving rather than deteriorating.
The city’s appeal rests on deep foundations: relative stability, legal certainty, financial infrastructure and this is why London maintains its appeal as a safe haven. These are traits that outlast market and political cycles and, dare I say it, governments.
Walk along the Thames on a sunny day, have a curry on Brick Lane or take in a show at the West End. You will see a city still attracting millions of visitors and supporting nine million residents; dynamic, diverse and very much alive.
This is not the profile of a city in decline. It is the mark of a city with the resilience to outlast market cycles, fads and political feuds.
We are backing London and we are proud to stand up and say so – to secure its success for future generations.
Adam Lawrence is the chief executive of London Square.
DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS
AJ Bell
AJ Bell
Easy investing and ready-made portfolios
Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves Lansdown
Free fund dealing and investment ideas
interactive investor
interactive investor
Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month
Freetrade
Freetrade
Investing Isa now free on basic plan
Trading 212
Trading 212
Free share dealing and no account fee
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.