TheCityUK International Conference 2025

Conference

Our International Conference 2025, sponsored by Freshfields, took place in London and online on Thursday 24 April 2025.

The conference, also sponsored by State Street, brought together senior leaders from across the financial and related professional services industry, policymakers and regulators.

The panel sessions, in conversations, and keynote speeches discussed the turbulent global geopolitical landscape; trade relationships; challenges and opportunities in the current market for business; and how the UK can position itself to ensure it remains a world-leading international financial centre.

Watch all of the recordings from throughout the day below.

Keynote speeches:

Anne Richards DBE

Chair of the Board, TheCityUK

Jessica Rusu

Chief Data, Information and Intelligence Officer, Financial Conduct Authority

In conversation

  • Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
  • Nicola Watkinson, Managing Director, International, TheCityUK

In conversation

  • The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Minister of State (Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security) at the Department for Business and Trade and Minister of State at the Cabinet Office
  • Emma Rachmaninov, Partner, Freshfields

Panel sessions:

Reimagining trade relationships

  • Claire Wills, Partner, Freshfields (Chair)
  • Iain Anderson, Executive Chairman, H/Advisors Cicero and Non-Executive Director, Department for Business and Trade
  • Liz Claydon, Global Head of Deal Advisory & Life Sciences, Vice Chair and Partner, KPMG
  • Baroness Swinburne, Chair, Association of British Insurers
  • William Wright, Founder and Managing Director, New Financial

Adapting to shifting dynamics

  • Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman, City of London Corporation (Chair)
  • Emma Lovett, Executive Director, Markets Digital Assets, J.P. Morgan
  • Cyrus Pocha, Partner, Freshfields
  • Anand Sambasivan, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, PrimaryBid
  • Cassandra Vukorep, Chief Data Officer, Lloyd's

Servicing high growth corridors

  • Adrian Cartwright, Senior Partner, Clifford Chance (Chair)
  • Michael Eldridge, UK Country Head, State Street
  • Suwei Jiang, Lead Partner of China and Southeast Asia Business Group, Strategic International Markets, PwC
  • Farisa Zarin, Global Head of Group Public and Regulatory Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank

Platinum sponsor:

Gold sponsor: