Lord Mayor of London visits NZ to boost financial and professional sector links

The Lord Mayor of London, an ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services industry, is visiting New Zealand at the head of a business delegation this week with the aim of strengthening trade links with the City of London.

Charles Bowman, the Lord Mayor, will meet government and business leaders, regulators, and trade bodies in Auckland to discuss how the City of London can work more closely with Kiwi companies as they invest for growth domestically and abroad.

Lord Mayor Bowman, the 690th incumbent of a role that dates back centuries, is the leader of London’s ‘Square Mile,’ or financial district, and has plans to visit 27 countries over the course of his year in office. Charles Bowman is an accountant by profession, and is a Senior Partner at PwC in London. This is his first visit to New Zealand.

The Lord Mayor will be visiting New Zealand at the head of a business delegation of senior figures from industries such as asset management, cyber security, and fintech. A number of the companies represented on the Lord Mayor’s business delegation are making investments in New Zealand, or are partnering with Kiwi companies as they expand into the APAC region.

Speaking ahead of his visit to New Zealand, Lord Mayor Charles Bowman said:

“It is a great pleasure to be the first Lord Mayor in more than three years to be visiting New Zealand. I know that my visit will involve a packed and productive schedule, engaging with senior representatives from government, industry, and regulators.

“There are many excellent opportunities for British companies to do business in New Zealand – not least in asset management, infrastructure finance, cyber and fintech – and I look forward to discussing this in Auckland.

“I will also be meeting innovative fintech businesses in New Zealand to see how the City of London, as a financial centre full of creative energy, can help support their ideas and growth. Along those lines I am especially looking forward to speaking at the Digital Nations Conference about how the City can support a thriving digital sector.

“Following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, it is more important than ever that we build our links with vibrant and growing markets across the world, and I know the UK’s relationship with Zealand will go from strength-to-strength in the years to come.”

International Trade Secretary, Dr. Liam Fox said:

“The UK and New Zealand already have a strong economic and cultural relationship – based on our shared histories, language, and open liberal economies.

“The Lord Mayor’s visit with a top business delegation, aims to further boost trade and investment ties, while making it easier for the City to work with their partners on the other side of the world.”

The Lord Mayor’s visit will have a strong focus on innovation, and how financial and professional services can support the growth of startups, so the Lord Mayor will be meeting established institutional investors, and hosting events to discuss the needs of new and growing businesses.

The Lord Mayor will be tweeting from @CityLordMayor during his visit.

-Ends-

© Scoop Media