ADD2842 London & Partners 2026-27 advance payment

1.1.    London & Partners Limited (L&P) is the growth agency for London. L&P has produced a draft business plan for 2026-27. The L&P business plan includes activities funded by the Mayor to cover the Boosting London’s Growth Sectors (BLGS) programme. 

1.2.    This decision request relates to continue activities funded under the BLGS delivery plan as set out at paragraph 1.15 of MD3430 Delivery Plan – Boosting London’s Growth Sectors.

1.3.    In line with the delegations provided to the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) in that decision, this Assistant Director Decision (ADD) seeks approval of an advance payment of £2,730,000 in order to cover L&P’s salaries and running costs for May 2026, ahead of the formal issue of grant-funded agreements which will follow this decision quickly in respect of their 2026-27 activity, to be detailed in forthcoming decision forms relating to 2026-27 expenditure.
 

2.1.    The advance payment will support the delivery of L&P’s business plan including L&P’s core activities:

•    Strategy: L&P will help to shape London’s strategy in priority sectors by sharing data and insights and convening stakeholders.

•    Promotion: L&P will promote London’s brand, places and growth sectors internationally to win investment, tourists and events, curating London’s story and coordinate the city’s advocates. L&P will promote London to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) via its HQ and network of international offices across Europe, the US, China and India. L&P will promote London via the official London visitor website Visit London which 17million people used last year. L&P’s London Convention Bureau will work to attract international business conferences to take place in the capital.

•    Investment: L&P will work directly with international investors to convince them to choose London, helping them to set up or expand their businesses (FDI) or find capital investment opportunities in London through Opportunity London.

2.2.    Detail will be set out in subsequent Decisions.
 

3.1.    Section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010 provides that, in the exercise of their functions, public authorities including the GLA must have due regard to the need to:

•    eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010
•    advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
•    foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

3.2.    The protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

3.3.    Due regard must be had at the time a decision is being considered. The duty is non-delegable and must be exercised with an open mind.
 

Key risks and issues

4.1.    There are no significant risks or issues associated with awarding £2,730,000 to L&P to use for the purposes laid out above. L&P has a very strong track-record of delivery against its core functions since it was created in 2011.

4.2.    More broadly, L&P have strong risk management structures. Core to this is Board scrutiny, including an Audit & Finance committee which consider a risk register of known risks.

Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities

4.3.    L&P’s business plan aligns with the Mayor’s Economic Development Strategy, BLGS programme and the London Growth Plan, which focus on the importance of a thriving London economy that is open to business and the promotion of London as a world leader in innovation, technology and creativity.

Declarations of interest

4.4.    No one involved in drafting and clearing this document has any conflicts of interests to declare. 
 

5.1.    Approval is requested for an advance payment of £2,730,000 grant funding. The proposed spending is financed by GLA resources, as agreed in the budget for this financial year for London and Partners. 

5.2.    All appropriate budget adjustments will be made. 
 

6.1.    This work will be carried out according to the following timetable: