City of London selects a new chair for its planning and transport committee.
In the heart of London, Tom Sleigh steps up as the new head honcho for the Planning and Transportation Committee, taking the reins from Shravan Joshi MBE. Joshi shifts gears, moving into the deputy chair position unopposed, swapping places with Graham Packham.
Proud to be elected at a crucial juncture for the City, Sleigh, who's been serving Bishopsgate since 2013, asserts, "We've got a clear, ambitious framework with our City Plan 2040, and I'm all about delivering it with confidence, collaboration, and panache."
The City Plan has bold ambitions, targeting the construction of an additional 1.2 million square meters of sleek, modern office space to keep up with demand. The City Cluster, home to impressive structures like Leadenhall Street, St Mary Axe, and Bishopsgate, is earmarked as the prime location for this growth spurt. To achieve this, the City Corporation is also advocating for the refurbishment and revitalization of existing buildings, emphasizing sustainable practices to strike a balance between heritage conservation and carbon reduction.
Looking forward, Sleigh envisions a City adorned with the dreamiest and most eco-friendly buildings, structures that will lift our spirits as much as they'll boost our skyline. "I dream of designs that slash our carbon footprint, respect our heritage, and make the City a magnet for young talent—think work, play, and community vibes drawn by its culture, environmental consciousness, and care for wellbeing," he says.
With a professional background in banking and e-commerce, Sleigh is also the chair of Goldsmiths, University of London, and the South Bank Employers Group. Shravan Joshi MBE, who's served as chair since 2022 and is now the new deputy chair, smiles, "I'm bloody chuffed with what we've accomplished together in my term. Not just office floorspace expansion, but diverse cultural, educational, and environmental initiatives have also taken flight."
From classroom to boardroom, it's clear that change is afoot in London's financial district. So, get ready to don your hard hats, folks, as the City takes wing with its sights firmly set on a sustainable, forward-thinking future.
- Collaboration with various sectors, including the finance industry, is crucial for the successful retrofitting and revitalization of old buildings in Bishopsgate, to align with the City Plan 2040's eco-friendly goals.
- The transport sector must work hand in hand with the Planning and Transportation Committee, led by Tom Sleigh, to accommodate the additional 2 million square meters of office floorspace, especially in areas like Bishopsgate, Leadenhall Street, and St Mary Axe.
- Sleigh's vision extends beyond office space expansion; he aims to establish a transport infrastructure that caters to the growing city, ensuring it remains an attractive destination for young talent and supports a work, play, and community lifestyle.
- As the City undergoes significant changes, Sleigh's experience in banking and e-commerce will be invaluable in attracting finance for the City Corporation's projects and helping the industry adapt to London's forward-thinking, sustainable urban development targets.
