We have made progress in promoting economic growth, culture, and prosperity, focusing on creating opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the creative sector.
Supporting local businesses
We continued to support small businesses by strengthening partnerships and programs to help them thrive. Efforts include the creation of a business hub, website improvements, and staff restructuring to provide more support for services. Updates to software programs are also underway, all aimed at improving service levels and accessibility for business owners.
Path2Approval streamlining services for business and development
We opened our Path2Approval customer service counter at City Hall, supporting planning, building, and licensing customers to optimize and streamline our approval processes. Now, customers can access multiple services from a single counter at City Hall.
Attracting and retaining talent in London
As part of our commitment to economic growth, we worked with local educational institutions to attract, support, and retain talent, ensuring that London remains a desirable place for emerging industries. In addition to these efforts, the Creative Sector Incubation Hub, led by the Trinity Centres Foundation, moved forward with Council support, aiming to boost London’s status as a center for arts, culture, and innovation.
Setting the stage for London as a cultural hub
2024 saw progress in London’s bid to become a leading cultural hub. The UNESCO City of Music designation was leveraged through a series of initiatives designed to showcase London as a regional and global destination for music and the arts. For example, the London Music Office, with support from Tourism London, successfully hosted the 2024 UNESCO Cities of Music meetings in London, with guests travelling from as far away as New Zealand and the island state of Mauritius among other countries.
Progress was also made on the creation of a physical brick and mortar incubation facility that would enable marketing London studios to producers, engineers, and artists.
Supporting London’s community events and festivals
We supported community partners with over 290 special events, including large festivals like Sunfest and Rock the Park, cultural events like the Khalsa Sikh celebration, community gatherings like Pondfest, and over 50 fundraising walks and runs in support of local charities.
Revitalizing London’s downtown
London’s downtown area continued to be revitalized as a vibrant cultural and business destination. Efforts to attract conventions, meetings, and events in strategic locations within the core supported the city's role as a dynamic and welcoming center for both business and tourism. Our commitment to improving infrastructure and enhancing public spaces ensured that London remains an attractive and accessible destination for residents and visitors alike.
Streamlining access to employment services
We were selected as the Service System Manager for the London catchment area, marking a significant milestone in local employment support. We have been operating Integrated Employment Services, a network designed to deliver locally responsive and client-centric services.
These services are provided through a network of 21 Service Providers, with over 45 locations across the City of London, Middlesex County, St. Thomas-Elgin County, and the County of Oxford. The goal of this initiative is to streamline access to employment services, providing individuals with the tools, training, and resources they need to secure meaningful work. This integrated approach aims to improve outcomes for job seekers, ensuring they receive personalized support tailored to their specific needs.
To learn more about progress we’ve made on economic growth, culture, and prosperity, review our Strategic Plan Dashboard.