The Future of London as a Financial Centre 2018 | Chatham House | 12 November 2018 | Chatham House, 10 St James's Square, St. James's, London SW1Y 4LE, UK

In a recent survey, London was voted the world’s top financial centre for the first time since 2013. However, a majority of respondents also indicated that New York would regain its spot as the pre-eminent global hub within the next five years. With Brexit continuing to cause doubts for many financial services professionals and the shift of economic and financial activity towards Asia, it is more critical than ever that regulators and finance professionals consider the role of London in the evolving landscape of global finance.

But what exactly are the key characteristics of successful global financial centres, and how well is London equipped? In the wake of ongoing political and technological transitions, what are the risks, what are the opportunities and how should stakeholders respond? And how will the Brexit process impact the competitiveness of the City, and its relationship to Europe and the rest of the world? Chatham House will bring together policy-makers, industry leaders and finance experts to address the following questions:

• What are the most significant recent shifts in London’s political and economic activity? How will these continue to impact global risk and stability?
• What are the most important characteristics of global financial hubs? How does London differ from major competitors, and how should this influence regulatory decision-making?
• How will London’s non-financial economy and larger ecosystem continue to affect, and be affected by, dynamics in policy and finance?
• What will the regulatory relationship look like for UK–EU finance moving forward? What are the implications of this for both jurisdictions?

2018 Speakers

Tanya Beckett
Journalist, BBC

Baroness Bowles
Non-Executive Director, London Stock Exchange Plc.

Charlotte Crosswell
Chief Executive Officer, Innovate Finance

Nausicaa Delfas
Executive Director of International, Financial Conduct Authority

Helia Ebrahimi
Economics Correspondent, Channel 4

Adam Farkas
Executive Director, European Banking Authority

Pierre Gramegna
Minister of Finance, Luxembourg

Sarah Hall
Professor of Economic Geography, University of Nottingham

Lord Hill
Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, European Commission

Simon Lewis
Chief Executive, Association for Financial Markets in Europe

Michael Mainelli
Executive Chairman, Z/Yen Group

Katie Martin
Capital Markets Editor, Financial Times

Nicky Morgan MP
Chair, Treasury Select Committee

Robert Ophèle
Président, Autorité des Marchés Financiers

Barnabas Reynolds
Head, Global Financial Institutions Advisory and Financial Regulatory Group and Global Co-Head of Financial Institutions, Shearman & Sterling

Charlie Walker
Head of Equity Primary Markets, London Stock Exchange plc

Guntram Wolff
Director, Bruegel

Sam Woods
Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation and Chief Executive Officer of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), Bank of England