The newly inaugurated Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Mainelli, was in Derry and Strabane last week to explore the challenges and the opportunities for advancing trade, investment and civic connections for the two cities.
The 695th Lord Mayor and his delegation were welcomed to the Guildhall by Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, who was joined by Council Chief Executive John Kelpie and senior officers to discuss priorities for the City Region.
Northern Ireland is his first visit as Lord Mayor, and Alderman Mainelli took part in a number of local engagements including a visit to Foyle College and lunch with local business leaders hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
He also took the opportunity to meet with representatives of the International Regulatory Innovation Supercluster (IRIS) including Atlantic Technological University, Catalyst, Donegal County Council, Ulster University and the Council.
Elected annually, the Lord Mayor of the City of London is an international ambassador leading overseas business delegations to key international markets on behalf of the UK’s financial and professional services industry.
He also heads up the City of London Corporation, the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City.
Derry and Strabane retains strong connections with the City of London and London Corporation, developed over recent years, with shared interests in the areas of Financial and Professional Services, technology, tourism and culture.
Welcoming the new Lord Mayor to the City, Mayor Logue said their meeting had been an opportunity to discuss building the ties that can generate growth in both our regions.
“The meeting with Ald. Mainelli was a great chance to discuss progress to date and our priorities going forwards,” she declared.
“The City of London is a global leader in the Financial and Professional Services sector.
“Our meeting today offered a platform to discuss some of our recent success stories, including the announcement by one of Ireland’s fastest growing fintech companies, FinTrU of plans to invest over £20 million creating an additional 300 new jobs in Derry.
“As a Council we are committed to developing strong international business links, and will continue to explore opportunities for future investment and growth, building on the fantastic work that has already been done to develop our key industries, the emerging fintech cluster here, as well as shared interests in innovation, education and climate action.”
During his term in office, Ald. Mainelli had pledged to promote his Theme of Connect To Prosper.
This initiative is focused on harnessing the City of London’s vast knowledge ecosystem and will bring together thought leaders from the scientific, academic and business worlds to demonstrate the City’s strengths in solving global challenges.
On his visit he said he would continue to explore new avenues to collaborate with Derry and Strabane and opportunities for closer alignment between the City Region and City of London.
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