The Innovation and Technology Dinner 2025

On September 3 2025 the City of London Corporation brought together over 200 senior leaders from the financial services (FS) and tech sectors at Mansion House for the Innovation and Technology dinner. This annual event celebrates the UK's vital tech sector.

This is a moment to celebrate the increasing importance of new technology in giving British firms the competitive edge - and a chance to look ahead at how the UK can stay competitive by building on its advantages and embracing the opportunities from technology.

How we navigate and shape the next wave of innovation will shape all our futures.

“The United Kingdom is at a pivotal moment in our journey to becoming a world-leading digital first economy – supported by the new digital centre of government.”

The Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor Alastair King

Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade (then Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology), announced the launch of a roadmap for a new British AI assurance industry backed by the £11 million AI Assurance Innovation Fund. This marks a bold step to future-proof the UK’s AI sector - progressing the Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan. With £2.9 billion invested in British AI firms last year alone, a new roadmap will help build public trust, unlock new jobs, and create a standalone industry to support responsible AI growth.

During the evening, guests had the opportunity to share their insights on the UK's tech offer through live polling.

Respondents identified access to top talent as leading benefit of the UK's offer.

The UK has always been at the forefront of tech - and our financial sector has always been at the forefront of adoption. 

The UK’s AI sector is the third largest in the world - behind only the US and China - and the largest in Europe. Meanwhile, FS is a leading sector for AI adoption and investment.

But the pace of change is accelerating. So to stay competitive FS firms in the UK and globally need to be ready to leverage new tech as it emerges. And with the majority of polling respondents indicating that they are actively upskilling their staff, firms understand the need to future proof the sector. Initiatives such as the Women Pivoting to Digital Taskforce are helping to ensure the skills the sector needs are available. 

Digital verification emerged as a key development that respondents are watching. Our own research, Securing growth: the digital verification opportunity has shown that a secure digital verification system has potential to unlock £4.8bn in economic benefit for the UK over the next 5 years. 

Outlining their commitment to ensuring the UK stays ahead, the Government’s recent Digital and Technologies Sector Plan set out an ambitious list of priorities to harness the opportunities of technology, support the UK tech ecosystem and ensures the UK remains a global tech leader.

The City of London Corporation, working with our partners in Government and Industry, look forward to playing our part in supporting tech innovation and adoption to boost UK competitiveness.

“It is vital for our prosperity, our security and our very viability for the United Kingdom – as Europe’s leading tech power – to stay at the forefront. That means financing our tech startup companies, investing in our workforce, and bringing down every barrier to innovation - so that technology can unleash growth across the United Kingdom for decades to come.”

The Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor Alastair King