London. The Mayor Boris Johnson outlined his vision to make London the tech capital of the world and drive jobs and growth across the city. Tech City, the heart of London’s tech sector, has become the biggest cluster in Europe over the last three years, growing out of east London to span the entire capital. The sector currently reaches as far as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which has more than a million square feet of space and will be ripe both for new start-ups and more established corporations. The Mayor wants Tech City to inspire even more companies of all sizes to call London home.
Today, a new YouGov survey of tech firms based in London reveals that 84 per cent believe the outlook is bright for their sector, with 61 per cent saying the fact that London’s a global business hub benefits their business and 71 per cent believing being based in the capital will help them attract the investment they need.
The Mayor announced he has brought together some of the biggest names in London’s tech industry to champion the sector around the globe. Kathryn Parsons, Co-CEO Decoded, a company which brings digital literacy to thousands, Gerard Grech, CEO of Tech City UK and the well-known entrepreneur and investor Sherry Coutu are among nine tech leaders who will act as ambassadors for the capital as part of the Mayor’s new London Tech Ambassadors Group.
A key moment in the drive to position London as the tech capital of the world will be the city’s inaugural Technology Week taking place from June 16 to 20, drawing tens of thousands of people from across the globe and providing an unrivalled opportunity to showcase London’s technology credentials.
With the development of Tech City, London has emerged as the digital hub for Europe and is attracting a growing number of influential tech events to the capital. This brand new proposition provides an unparalleled opportunity for London to showcase its technology credentials on the world stage, reaffirming its position as a leading destination for tech events.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “There is nowhere to rival London for tech firms to thrive and grow – we have the talent, the investors, and the entrepreneurial spirit. Our tech offer now spans the capital in its entirety, from Tottenham to Croydon and from Wembley to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. I want London’s world-class tech sector to be as well known around the globe as our tourism, arts and financial services – it certainly deserves to be. London is where it all comes together. We need to build on this impressive growth and champion London as the global leader for ambitious tech companies.”
