The Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Sub-Committee met to discuss the Destination City programme, the Faith in the City project, and a review of the council's Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) charters, memberships and partnerships. The committee was also scheduled to elect a Deputy Chair and approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

Faith in the City

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss a report regarding the Faith in the City project. The report recommended that Faith in the City be adopted as an official project of the City of London Corporation, with the aim of making the Square Mile the most faith friendly and religiously literate business community in the world, enabling it to attract and retain the very best global talent.

The report noted that the religious makeup of London has changed in recent decades, with the proportion of non-Christian City residents remaining significantly below the London average. It also referenced research undertaken by Union Street Consulting, which found that:

• Religion is important to many City commuters, particularly those of Muslim and Dharmic faiths.
• Many commuters of faith do not feel part of a faith community in the City.
• There is an opportunity for greater faith provision in the Square Mile, with many commuters of faith indicating they would be more likely to spend time in the City with greater support for people of their faith.
• Employers need support navigating faith-related issues, with many non-Christian commuters reporting a lack of awareness around faith needs in their organisations.

The proposals for the pilot phase of the project included:

• A centre without walls to test models of chaplaincy, accreditation, events and visibility.
• A small team of expert multi-faith chaplains to provide pastoral support, workplace consultancy, and training in religious literacy.
• A City of London Faith Standard accreditation scheme developed in collaboration with businesses to recognise those meeting high standards of religious inclusion.
• A programme of flagship faith festivals and intercultural events.
• An information hub with improved mapping of existing faith provision, signposting of chaplaincy services and dietary needs.

The report also proposed the creation of a Faith in the City Advisory Group, with membership drawn from senior supporters of the project from across religious, business, philanthropic and political stakeholders, including City Corporation Members.

The longer-term ambition of the project is to develop a world-leading Faith and Belief Centre in the Square Mile with prayer spaces, chaplaincy offices, a food hub and cultural programming.

Destination City

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss an update on the Destination City Programme, which aims to develop the Square Mile as a leading destination for businesses, workers and visitors.

The report noted that the City is recovering strongly following the pandemic, with a high number of City-based jobs and low vacancy rates for grade A offices. It also highlighted the importance of fostering an inclusive, welcoming destination for the next generation of talent.

The Destination City Hub (DC Hub) has been undertaking research into the changing preferences of the future generation of workers, defined as 'Gen Z' (born 1997-2012) and 'millennials' (born 1981-1996). Research indicates that these generations value not only financial reward, but also meaning, wellbeing, opportunities for skills development, sustainability, and diversity and inclusion.

The DC Hub is currently mapping existing initiatives, activities and programming across the corporation that are related to these priority themes, and identifying gaps in data sets to better understand the changing nature of the City's workforce.

The sub-committee's views were sought on the current evidence base and what further measures could be put in place to retrain and attract a changing worker population.

Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) Charters, Memberships and Partnerships

The sub-committee was scheduled to receive a report providing an overview of memberships and partnerships held in relation to Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI).

The report noted that the City of London Corporation is a signatory of several charters and participates in memberships and partnerships which demonstrate and benchmark EEDI across the City Corporation. The Corporate EEDI function manages six memberships/partnerships and HR manages two.

Following member agreement of the EEDI Strategic Framework, a full review with recommendations of existing and future memberships is proposed.

The evaluation will be based on a Gap Market Matrix methodology, which will include factors such as: strategic alignment, accountability as well as assessment of EEDI risks and opportunities.

The memberships and partnerships listed in the report were:

• HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter
• Power of Inclusion, within Lord Mayor's Appeal
• Progress Together, spin out from Innovation & Growth
• Social Mobility Employer Index (SMEI), by the Social Mobility Foundation
• Sutton Trust
• Stonewall, who run the Workplace Equality Index
• Disability Confident
• Ban the Box
• London Living Wage Foundation
• Advance HE

Other Items

The sub-committee was also scheduled to:

• Elect a Deputy Chair.
• Approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 5 February 2025¹.
• Receive the note of the inquorate meeting² of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Sub-Committee held on 16 June 2025.
• Consider the draft Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI) Strategic Framework.
• Discuss non-public questions on matters relating to the work of the committee.
• Receive the note of the confidential session held on 16 June 2025.
• Receive a report on the Supreme Court Judgement.